Lotus Esprit S3 2.2 - advice please
Discussion
Getting almost uncontrollable urges for a Guigaro Esprit and like the idea of a late, non turbo car on account of weight and complexity. To my mind.
Anyway. I am off to see one shortly, an ‘85 car on 60,000 miles, 5 owners and has recent service and clean MOT. A lot spent in last few 2-3 years, not far off £10k.
Seller asking £25k. Initially said it was worth £30k
This is a whole new world for me and I have no real idea if that is value or not. Could someone advise
Thank you in advance.
Anyway. I am off to see one shortly, an ‘85 car on 60,000 miles, 5 owners and has recent service and clean MOT. A lot spent in last few 2-3 years, not far off £10k.
Seller asking £25k. Initially said it was worth £30k
This is a whole new world for me and I have no real idea if that is value or not. Could someone advise
Thank you in advance.
Values for good ones still remain strong, its worth going over to the Lotus Forums as there is plenty of specific advise there.
If you can get a PPI do so, as while they aren’t complicated cars, they need to be properly set up to get the best from them.
Check the belts have been done and the condition of the chassis. It should be galvanised at that age but it can still rust.
You have a few specialists down your neck of the woods.
If you can get a PPI do so, as while they aren’t complicated cars, they need to be properly set up to get the best from them.
Check the belts have been done and the condition of the chassis. It should be galvanised at that age but it can still rust.
You have a few specialists down your neck of the woods.
Anyone reckoning they are not complicated is having a bit of a laugh 
- owned 4 Esprits over the years. S3 Turbo was the best and least expensive, but I considered I was fortunate with that one - S3 will have a galvanised chassis - but they do still rot. The 2.2 910 engine is an absolute jewel if running well, but listen for any untoward noises - suggest you get someone who knows Esprits to give it a onceover. Buy a good one motoring heaven, buy a bad one....best of fortune - looking at buying another myself.
- owned 4 Esprits over the years. S3 Turbo was the best and least expensive, but I considered I was fortunate with that one - S3 will have a galvanised chassis - but they do still rot. The 2.2 910 engine is an absolute jewel if running well, but listen for any untoward noises - suggest you get someone who knows Esprits to give it a onceover. Buy a good one motoring heaven, buy a bad one....best of fortune - looking at buying another myself. Great cars!
As a priority get the fuel tanks looked at though they rot on most Esprits & big bills if they do that! Engine out job to replace Lotus of that era treated them as an afterthought with minimal paint protection against rusting so if not already replaced they need doing before you drive it really for safety reasons!!
SW Lotus are one of the best for doing this type of job they work on all Lotus but love Esprit's & have extensive experience in full restorations as well as fuel tank replacements!
https://www.swlcperformance.com/
As a priority get the fuel tanks looked at though they rot on most Esprits & big bills if they do that! Engine out job to replace Lotus of that era treated them as an afterthought with minimal paint protection against rusting so if not already replaced they need doing before you drive it really for safety reasons!!
SW Lotus are one of the best for doing this type of job they work on all Lotus but love Esprit's & have extensive experience in full restorations as well as fuel tank replacements!
https://www.swlcperformance.com/
Panamax said:
If that's a non-turbo car, why's it got a turbo body kit?
Good spot. It has had the front spoiler and sills from the Turbo added but no other bodywork. And has both fuel filler caps It was never publicly listed for sale…came through an introduction
Edited by PGNSagaris on Friday 23 May 22:02
As someone has already said, fuel tanks tend to rot.
Keep a careful eye on condition of the rubber fuel lines.The carbs are right above the distributor so any leaks can easily start a big fire. Many Esprits have ended their lives this way.
The windscreen is a structural part of the car, adding stiffness to a fairly flexible fibreglass body. The radiator can fail due to flexing which twists the core between its side mountings.
If your glass roof panel doesn't rattle, I'll be astounded.
If there's a green LCD digital clock above the rear view mirror I'll be astounded if it can actually tell the time.
The "starting" procedures are nothing like a modern fuel injected car and take a bit of learning,
Cold start - you need to prime the carbs with a good jab on the throttle before cranking. (The accelerator pumps will give a useful squirt of fuel. Don't do it twice or you'll flood the engine.) The alternative is to give it full choke but that might not be enough on its own.
Hot starting - press the throttle slowly to the floor before cranking and hold it there while cranking until the engine fires. (You don't want any squirt of fuel from the accelerator pumps or you'll flood the engine.) These cars are notorious for hot starting difficulties.
Enjoy!
Keep a careful eye on condition of the rubber fuel lines.The carbs are right above the distributor so any leaks can easily start a big fire. Many Esprits have ended their lives this way.
The windscreen is a structural part of the car, adding stiffness to a fairly flexible fibreglass body. The radiator can fail due to flexing which twists the core between its side mountings.
If your glass roof panel doesn't rattle, I'll be astounded.
If there's a green LCD digital clock above the rear view mirror I'll be astounded if it can actually tell the time.
The "starting" procedures are nothing like a modern fuel injected car and take a bit of learning,
Cold start - you need to prime the carbs with a good jab on the throttle before cranking. (The accelerator pumps will give a useful squirt of fuel. Don't do it twice or you'll flood the engine.) The alternative is to give it full choke but that might not be enough on its own.
Hot starting - press the throttle slowly to the floor before cranking and hold it there while cranking until the engine fires. (You don't want any squirt of fuel from the accelerator pumps or you'll flood the engine.) These cars are notorious for hot starting difficulties.
Enjoy!
If you can find one at a sensible price, this is the book you want,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Esprit-Official-Bri...
Otherwise this one, by the same author, is well worthwhile,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Esprit-Complete-Jer...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Esprit-Official-Bri...
Otherwise this one, by the same author, is well worthwhile,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Esprit-Complete-Jer...
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff