Stranger's reactions when they see your Esprit?
Discussion
Hello,
I will soon be a proud Esprit-owner, and I'm just wondering how complete strangers react when they see your car?
Do you have any fun stories to tell on this subject?
At the moment I'm an BMW 3-series owner, and the attention I get from people are at the red light, when they want to race. Not THAT fun at all actually. Only becasue it's a BMW people get strange ideas... But on the other hand, BMW's have a bad reputation here. Especially near Stockholm where I live.
I hope I can get back here later with questions about the car, right now I'm only reading and learning everything I can find.
Mike from Sweden
I will soon be a proud Esprit-owner, and I'm just wondering how complete strangers react when they see your car?
Do you have any fun stories to tell on this subject?
At the moment I'm an BMW 3-series owner, and the attention I get from people are at the red light, when they want to race. Not THAT fun at all actually. Only becasue it's a BMW people get strange ideas... But on the other hand, BMW's have a bad reputation here. Especially near Stockholm where I live.
I hope I can get back here later with questions about the car, right now I'm only reading and learning everything I can find.
Mike from Sweden
Well over in the USA a car full of girls will yell, wave, bare their breasts at a stop light. On the highway to get your attention. Want to race with something stupid like a Honda. Even an M3's will try. Sport bikes too. You can beat sport bikes if you are traveling at hwy speeds the 60-150mph pull is very strong on an Esprit. Same for the M3's
When you leave it in a carpark, you will find people around it, fingerprints on the windows and people asking whether they can take pictures of it.
At the lights, every idiot driving a WRX or HSV will try to drag you (the equivalent in the US would be the Mustang and Camaro, I guess, from reading the Esprit List).
When you drive through the streets, two distinctive reactions. Most people, male or female, young and old, will wave, smile, compliment you, flash their breasts, etc and point with their fingers as they show their friends.
The other reaction, generally comes from older men. They look at the car, their eyes light up and then they get a really sad look on their face. You can tell from their expression that they would LOVE to own one of these but they know that in reality they never will, unlike what they thought when they had their youth dreams, and the sadness is written all over their face - the entire expression can be read like a book. It makes you realise how fortunate you are to actually own one of these cars.
Overall, be prepared to have A LOT of attention, wherever you go, no exceptions.
At the lights, every idiot driving a WRX or HSV will try to drag you (the equivalent in the US would be the Mustang and Camaro, I guess, from reading the Esprit List).
When you drive through the streets, two distinctive reactions. Most people, male or female, young and old, will wave, smile, compliment you, flash their breasts, etc and point with their fingers as they show their friends.
The other reaction, generally comes from older men. They look at the car, their eyes light up and then they get a really sad look on their face. You can tell from their expression that they would LOVE to own one of these but they know that in reality they never will, unlike what they thought when they had their youth dreams, and the sadness is written all over their face - the entire expression can be read like a book. It makes you realise how fortunate you are to actually own one of these cars.
Overall, be prepared to have A LOT of attention, wherever you go, no exceptions.
Well, no one has ever flashed their breasts to me, here in the UK. That sounds like a good reason to move to the US !!
Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk
Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk
Oh I do get looks from people... many think it's a Ferr.. others ask is that a kit car or how fast is it? Kids are dumb struck.. seeing a "wedge" { G-Body here }
If you buy an Esprit, get ready to answer alot of questions and not be intimated by onlooking drivers. As a kid at 16 in 1977 I wanted an Esprit, now that I have one at 40, I want a 340R!!!
Robert Grener
Alway's a kid at heart for a Lotus!
If you buy an Esprit, get ready to answer alot of questions and not be intimated by onlooking drivers. As a kid at 16 in 1977 I wanted an Esprit, now that I have one at 40, I want a 340R!!!
Robert Grener
Alway's a kid at heart for a Lotus!
Konman, I would be very interested in hearing about peoples reactions to your car when you get it. I too live in Sweden (Trollhättan)and am looking for an Esprit. I get many comments already about my vehicles, mainly stuff like "how much did it cost" but this is quite a small town with different attitudes.
I don't see people looking at the car whilst driving it but any passengers I have do notice people looking. I have had people trying to race me at the lights but kids seem to love it the most. When I first got my S3 all the local kids ran up to it when I parked and were most impressed that they were taller than the car!
Richard
Richard
trooper: yup, I'll come back later and tell you how it went.
I was looking forward to see the car today actually (to test-drive a.s.o.), but the guy who's selling it had lend it to a friend (!). I don't know if I'll come back to him again, or if I'll start looking somewhere else.
To be continued...
I was looking forward to see the car today actually (to test-drive a.s.o.), but the guy who's selling it had lend it to a friend (!). I don't know if I'll come back to him again, or if I'll start looking somewhere else.
To be continued...
Yes, here is the website: www.autotrend.se
I believe that there are two "real" Lotus dealers in Sweden, this is one of them.
I like the function where you can turn the car 360 degrees, try it.
I believe that there are two "real" Lotus dealers in Sweden, this is one of them.
I like the function where you can turn the car 360 degrees, try it.
The other dealer is Wendels in Trelleborg.
www.wendels-cars.se
Not much of a web site, just a 'phone number.
www.wendels-cars.se
Not much of a web site, just a 'phone number.
Esprit Reactions within the first 4 months of ownership:
From a dumb ass at a gas station:
Who makes that...Ford?
My Response: Ah, Yea, they only made 1.
My Bothers Response: No, That's a Lotus.
From a state rod (thank god my friend was driving, got 80 MPH ticket in a 55):
We don't see many of those around here? Is it fast?
My Response: Am I getting a ticket or not?
From a local cop:
I'd love to go for for a ride.
My Response: Let's Go, but you can't give me a ticket.
His Response: Deal!
From another local cop (female):
Do you want to donate that to the local police?
Me Response: Sure, but you guys are going to have to lay off the donuts, none of you are gonna fit inside...ok, I didn't really say that but I would have had I thought of it.
Cruising up Pine Street (a strip of bars, both sides of the road, one city block long, on a busy night) in Warrensburg MO:
People Pointing saying:
Car...look...car...car...car...car...check that out...car....look...car...you get the idea.
From kids riding in other cars:
Lots of pointing, smiling, and toung marks on the windows of the car they are riding in.
From LT1 Camaro driver: Wanna Race?
My Response: Wanna Loose?
Their Response: Ok, You Win.
Getting Gas:
5 teenagers swarming the car, asking lots of questions.
Everyone's First Question:
How Much did that cost?
Everyone's Second Question:
Who Makes Lotus?
Everyone's Third Question:
When did Lotus go out of business?
From Women:
Lots of Smiling, and yes, definitely get to see a lot of flashing. Women love the car. They often ask if they can drive it.
So my point is, I never stop the car in public unless I am in need of some attention. I rarely go to the gas station alone, it gives me an excuse to leave, otherwise, I would be in long conversations with complete strangers for hours. Lotus has a way of catching the public off guard. It is so rare, unusual, and beautiful, it will get you all the attention you deserved to have from your parents, but never got.
I personally don't like the attention, but I love the car, so I deal with it. I keep my tinted windows up, I don't race anyone, I don't stop unless I have to. I think the best part of owning my Lotus is the simple fact that it puts a big old grin on my face every time I drive it. Especially when I am alone on some unpatrolled country back roads.
From a dumb ass at a gas station:
Who makes that...Ford?
My Response: Ah, Yea, they only made 1.
My Bothers Response: No, That's a Lotus.
From a state rod (thank god my friend was driving, got 80 MPH ticket in a 55):
We don't see many of those around here? Is it fast?
My Response: Am I getting a ticket or not?
From a local cop:
I'd love to go for for a ride.
My Response: Let's Go, but you can't give me a ticket.
His Response: Deal!
From another local cop (female):
Do you want to donate that to the local police?
Me Response: Sure, but you guys are going to have to lay off the donuts, none of you are gonna fit inside...ok, I didn't really say that but I would have had I thought of it.
Cruising up Pine Street (a strip of bars, both sides of the road, one city block long, on a busy night) in Warrensburg MO:
People Pointing saying:
Car...look...car...car...car...car...check that out...car....look...car...you get the idea.
From kids riding in other cars:
Lots of pointing, smiling, and toung marks on the windows of the car they are riding in.
From LT1 Camaro driver: Wanna Race?
My Response: Wanna Loose?
Their Response: Ok, You Win.
Getting Gas:
5 teenagers swarming the car, asking lots of questions.
Everyone's First Question:
How Much did that cost?
Everyone's Second Question:
Who Makes Lotus?
Everyone's Third Question:
When did Lotus go out of business?
From Women:
Lots of Smiling, and yes, definitely get to see a lot of flashing. Women love the car. They often ask if they can drive it.
So my point is, I never stop the car in public unless I am in need of some attention. I rarely go to the gas station alone, it gives me an excuse to leave, otherwise, I would be in long conversations with complete strangers for hours. Lotus has a way of catching the public off guard. It is so rare, unusual, and beautiful, it will get you all the attention you deserved to have from your parents, but never got.
I personally don't like the attention, but I love the car, so I deal with it. I keep my tinted windows up, I don't race anyone, I don't stop unless I have to. I think the best part of owning my Lotus is the simple fact that it puts a big old grin on my face every time I drive it. Especially when I am alone on some unpatrolled country back roads.
I recently put a page up on my site that addresses some of the frequent questions. Hopefully you will find it humorous...
http://online.ayrnet.com/lotus/TopTen.htm
Cheers
ErnestM
http://online.ayrnet.com/lotus/TopTen.htm
Cheers
ErnestM
I think Ryan summed it up!!! I loved the part about
" police and doughnuts " Oh I had to edit because I forgot to mention... One day I had to put the pod's up (sudden rain... it's the law to have lights on) and the electrical gremlins were present... so I raised the bonnet to check connections. An elderly gent came over and said " Are you having a problem? "
I replyed "yes, someone stole my engine!" Well his face dropped to the ground!
Ohhh... it's fun to own a Lotus!
Robert
Still waiting for the breast flashing!
>> Edited by SwedishSurgeon on Thursday 31st October 03:28
" police and doughnuts " Oh I had to edit because I forgot to mention... One day I had to put the pod's up (sudden rain... it's the law to have lights on) and the electrical gremlins were present... so I raised the bonnet to check connections. An elderly gent came over and said " Are you having a problem? "
I replyed "yes, someone stole my engine!" Well his face dropped to the ground!
Ohhh... it's fun to own a Lotus!
Robert
Still waiting for the breast flashing!
>> Edited by SwedishSurgeon on Thursday 31st October 03:28
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