Discussion
Just a quick question. I have been doing a lot of looking here and on e-bay at 94-95 esprits and it seems very few have more than 50,000 miles on them if what is the life expectincy on one of these moters any info would help I am trying to learn what I can so I can decide between a esprit and an nsx
All I can say is 64,000 miles and no motor problems. Do oil leaks count? Most people have a Lotus as their 3rd car, so the mileage is naturally less. That being said, from everything I have ever read, the NSX is way more reliable. But if you park an Esprit and an NSX next to each other, nobody will notice the NSX.
68500 here. Anton's car has 68000+ as well. 100k out of the engine is easy for me to imagine.
No question that the NSX is the reliability king though. It's also probably more comfortable and easier to drive. You buy an Esprit because you want it, not because it makes any sense.
>> Edited by MikeyRide on Friday 18th April 13:42
No question that the NSX is the reliability king though. It's also probably more comfortable and easier to drive. You buy an Esprit because you want it, not because it makes any sense.
>> Edited by MikeyRide on Friday 18th April 13:42
I personally know of 6 or more 4 cyl. Esprit's with 100K + miles on them. They still run okay, I probably would not take them out of their home metro area and drive them cross country for 2K miles to LOG. They still have a bit life in them but are not like new thats for sure. I have 3 cars so the Esprit is used for when I have no where particular to go. Like as in when the journey is more important than the destination. I have had my car for a few years and have only had the car down in an undrivable state for a total of 3 days. Out of the 3, 1 day was for optional repairs. Not bad for a 13 year old car.
Calvin 90 SE
Calvin 90 SE
Mine had 78000 miles on it when I bought it. The PO kept it well maintained just taking it to the Lotus garage when it was due, but failed to keep up on the detailing of fixing rattles, replacing missing screws, small stone chips and absolutely filthy exterior of engine and underneath car. Now it has just over 79000 Miles on it, fixed up detailing and still dosent miss a beat. If I decide to keep it for a few years or more will replace whole engine and consider the opportunity to upgrade to a S4s engine or something, but at the moment there's nothing wrong with it.
There are a lot of cars out there with "low mileage" and "some history" which means they've been to the moon and back and they're clocked. When I was looking around a few years ago I only found one car with complete history with in my price bracket and that was the one I bought. It had 81,000 on the clock but it was genuine.
If you're careful, they can run to 120,000 or so before they're breathing heavily and need an engine rebuild.
Mark
88 Turbo
If you're careful, they can run to 120,000 or so before they're breathing heavily and need an engine rebuild.
Mark
88 Turbo
There are tell tales of true mileage. Original tire wear that have been discontinued for years. Pedal pad, shifter knob, steering wheel, switches, light pods, and seat wear. Also in the USA, mileage notations of DMV or EPA inspections. They are public records.
Just common sense items.
Calvin 90 SE
Just common sense items.
Calvin 90 SE
Buying an old low miler is not necessarily the answer either.
My car is an '87 and has only done 23K. I am almost 100% sure that the milage is correct, but the car has suffered a failed radiator, rotten silencer, slack gear linkage, clutch hose problems and a few electrical gremlins.
It has cost over £800 in parts so far. Not bad for seven months.
I get the impression that my car has just been polished and never really used before.
I believe that the engine is basically reliable if properly maintained. The trouble is that many are not looked after, given the expense and inaccessibility problems.
With Esprits, and Lotus cars in general, the problem is more fundamental. The cars are just big lumps of flakey fibreglass loosely held together by self tapping screws and glue.
The trim problems and minor component failures that come with neglect can be alarming.
None of this is a problem if you are fanatical with your maintenance and treat the car to lots and lots of attention. It also means that a neglected car can be very easy to spot, which is not a bad thing.
I love my Lotus, but you must never forget that it was designed by a bloke who did not have durability and build quality at the top of the list. Or even on the list at all....
Pat.
My car is an '87 and has only done 23K. I am almost 100% sure that the milage is correct, but the car has suffered a failed radiator, rotten silencer, slack gear linkage, clutch hose problems and a few electrical gremlins.
It has cost over £800 in parts so far. Not bad for seven months.
I get the impression that my car has just been polished and never really used before.
I believe that the engine is basically reliable if properly maintained. The trouble is that many are not looked after, given the expense and inaccessibility problems.
With Esprits, and Lotus cars in general, the problem is more fundamental. The cars are just big lumps of flakey fibreglass loosely held together by self tapping screws and glue.
The trim problems and minor component failures that come with neglect can be alarming.
None of this is a problem if you are fanatical with your maintenance and treat the car to lots and lots of attention. It also means that a neglected car can be very easy to spot, which is not a bad thing.
I love my Lotus, but you must never forget that it was designed by a bloke who did not have durability and build quality at the top of the list. Or even on the list at all....
Pat.
1989 Esprit, 65,800+ miles. Purcahsed the car in 92 with 1,700 miles on the clock from original owner. Car has shared time as an every day driver with various two wheeled toys. Has had it's share of problems but once fixed, is running strong as ever.
Problem list:
right and left fuel tanks - rusted through, (foam pad got wet and stayed that way)
Clutch plate showing hot spots, replaced at 65K miles
wiring harness fried after insulation worn off by metal edge. Bad fcatory placement cause of problem.
window lifts - replaced
headlamp pod lift motors - replaced
collar on turbo waste gate stem required welding to turbo body
cracked manifold
one of three radiator cooling fans failed
throttle cable snapped
Fuel tank vent lines disintegarted.
fuel tanks and radiator problems could have been avoided, was forced into high water situation resulting in problems stated.
Car now has new tanks, new manifold, rebuilt suspension, replaced vent system tubing, chip, K&N, Stebro exhaust, rebuilt suspension, new electronic components, new main seals, new clutch, and a host of minor upgrades and service replacements. Runs very strong, gets good mileage and is using no oil. Should be good for another 50K.
Problem list:
right and left fuel tanks - rusted through, (foam pad got wet and stayed that way)
Clutch plate showing hot spots, replaced at 65K miles
wiring harness fried after insulation worn off by metal edge. Bad fcatory placement cause of problem.
window lifts - replaced
headlamp pod lift motors - replaced
collar on turbo waste gate stem required welding to turbo body
cracked manifold
one of three radiator cooling fans failed
throttle cable snapped
Fuel tank vent lines disintegarted.
fuel tanks and radiator problems could have been avoided, was forced into high water situation resulting in problems stated.
Car now has new tanks, new manifold, rebuilt suspension, replaced vent system tubing, chip, K&N, Stebro exhaust, rebuilt suspension, new electronic components, new main seals, new clutch, and a host of minor upgrades and service replacements. Runs very strong, gets good mileage and is using no oil. Should be good for another 50K.
The way I see it, is by time I am ready to buy an Esprit, I will have one that has had all the shitty components replaced LOL 
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