Fast Help Guys&gals might be making a BIG mistake

[gmherron]

Newbie here, been looking amd researching via the net (soooo glad I found the PistonHead forum).
About to go and look this afternoon (setting off at 3:30pm)at an S3 1986 42000 miles.
Spoke to the seller who says I won't be disappointed and that car is A1. It has full history up until 2 years ago when the one and only owner died. It was left to a member of his family, who had it in his garage for 2 years (until the probate was sorted out). It is now available for sale.
It is priced at £7000, which looking at other prices sounds OK ? (your comments please).
I am worried that as it has stood for 2 years, (apart from being started from time to time), what problems might I have, what should I look out for.
I read somewhere that seals and other things start to dry out and perrish.
What do you all think - too much?, stood too long?
Cheers
Glyn (very excited -must calm down!!!!!!!)

[kylie]

Hi there welcome as for checking the price go to Esprit fact file for what other people paid for theirs. A good indication. If you are very keen on it the next step is to take it to a vehicle inspection workshop and get them to go over it. May cost you quite a few beers but its worth it. Ask the dealer for a car fax or similar (confirmation of mileage change of hands) If the inspector finds anything thats gone bad or about to go, then you can ask a lotus workshop how much it would cost to get the repairs done if you are still keen. You can then use this as a negotiation tool to beat them down on price.

Then you do the maths and see if shes worth it
Cheers
Kylie

[PatHeald]

Check the tyres for cracks and flat spots. Goodyears are no longer available.

If it has just been started from time to time then the silencer will be full of condensation and ready to drop off. A new back box is a couple of hundred quid plus the vodka and tonic.

I wouldn't want to rely on this car for daily driving, but as a second car it might be worth persevering with if the body and interior are mint.

After a year of sorting the usual Lotus traumas of failing electrics and minor mechanical gremlins then you may end up with a reasonably sorted and very nice car.

I run a 1987 Esprit and love it to bits. Which is just as well, because it usually is in bits.

I have a sensible car for the daily grind, which is a necessity, not a luxury.

Pat.

[lwasson]

I agree with Pat. If you buy the car it will be a project car for a while until you get all the bugs worked out. If you can do most of the work yourself its worth it.

I bought an '83 in December '02 and starting last night the refurbished suspension is going back on. Still got alot of work to do on wiring, etc.

The suspension bushings are probably OK. The original anti-sway bushing are made of some out-of-this-world material that turns to mush after a few years so you will have to replace them.

Pretty sure it leaks oil (what British car doesn't??)so you will need to buy a sealant since Lotus didn't use gaskets on some parts. BEFORE you crank it double check the fluids!!

Shift linkage bushings are probably shot too.

Hopefully Jim will chime in? He's pretty knowledgeable on the G-cars.

I've spent probably $2000 - $2500 on the car and only put 18 miles on it! I do all the work myself so I save a fortune. Hopefully, this weekend when I get her feet back on I can drive it alittle before pullin the engine.

Now to the real answer to your questions. Buy it!!

Good luck,
louis

[lwasson]

Glyn

One more important point. My '83 is/was in bad shape when I bought it. No history of any kind so the money I but into it is relative to my car. You may not have to invest as much time and money as I have.

I have no intention of bursting your bubble. I'm still just as excited about my Esprit as you are on the hopeful purchase of yours. You fall in love with these cars. You can't help it.

Again, Good Luck

louis