Discussion
Hello everyone.
As way of a quick intro - I have been a Lotus Esprit fan all my life, driven one a few times but never owned one. Incredible vehicles!
Questions if some kind person has the time to reply:
1. I can't afford to pay the $30K that Esprit Turbos seem to run for here. I'm looking for early 90's, maybe late 80's SE or S4. I have seen a couple for $15K, but are these really worth considering? I guess I don't understand why the price varies by over 100%.
2. My plan was to buy up a poorly maintained, or otherwise malfunctional Esprit and restore it. I have the space to do so, the willpower to see it through, and my father in law is a pro mechanic of 35 years. Who here has done this, or knows that it can be done economically? Is it even feasible or does most work require specialised equipment.
3. Given the major things that could be wrong with the Esprit when I buy it, does anyone have any typical prices for transmission, engine, gearbox, etc.
4. I've heard that Esprit's are reliable if you drive them frequently and keep them well maintained on the little things. How do they handle with 10K+ miles/year? Too much? I certainly want to drive this thing when I finally own one
5. Any other tips or contacts with anyone who has done this would be very welcome.
Thanks all!
Fippy/Graeme
As way of a quick intro - I have been a Lotus Esprit fan all my life, driven one a few times but never owned one. Incredible vehicles!
Questions if some kind person has the time to reply:
1. I can't afford to pay the $30K that Esprit Turbos seem to run for here. I'm looking for early 90's, maybe late 80's SE or S4. I have seen a couple for $15K, but are these really worth considering? I guess I don't understand why the price varies by over 100%.
2. My plan was to buy up a poorly maintained, or otherwise malfunctional Esprit and restore it. I have the space to do so, the willpower to see it through, and my father in law is a pro mechanic of 35 years. Who here has done this, or knows that it can be done economically? Is it even feasible or does most work require specialised equipment.
3. Given the major things that could be wrong with the Esprit when I buy it, does anyone have any typical prices for transmission, engine, gearbox, etc.
4. I've heard that Esprit's are reliable if you drive them frequently and keep them well maintained on the little things. How do they handle with 10K+ miles/year? Too much? I certainly want to drive this thing when I finally own one
5. Any other tips or contacts with anyone who has done this would be very welcome.
Thanks all!
Fippy/Graeme
I have seen high mileage (80+K miles) cars go for 15K or salvage cars. Cars that go low 20's are usually 50+K miles or there abouts or salavge repairs. Or a little tired.
Are they worth it? Depends on who has done the work.
SE crate engines can go around 4K USD.
New Transmissions are a rare find. Better to have them rebuilt.
Hope you are handy and know your way around cars.
Mechanics are easy to fix or easier to fix than bodies and frame. A good paint job will cost 5-8K or so for a good shot unless you can shoot it yourself.
There are many who are doing this type of work and the donor cars are slim pickings.
Good Luck,
Calvin
Are they worth it? Depends on who has done the work.
SE crate engines can go around 4K USD.
New Transmissions are a rare find. Better to have them rebuilt.
Hope you are handy and know your way around cars.
Mechanics are easy to fix or easier to fix than bodies and frame. A good paint job will cost 5-8K or so for a good shot unless you can shoot it yourself.
There are many who are doing this type of work and the donor cars are slim pickings.
Good Luck,
Calvin
cnh1990 said:
SE crate engines can go around 4K USD.
Good Luck,
Calvin
Calvin,
There is a very limited supply, read <12, ME Engines available due to a jobber buying the surplus from the failed attempt to build the Passenger Sedan in Brazil. SE crate engines are readily available from LCU, but go for $25K USD. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Hello everyone.
As way of a quick intro - I have been a Lotus Esprit fan all my life, driven one a few times but never owned one. Incredible vehicles!
Questions if some kind person has the time to reply:
1. I can't afford to pay the $30K that Esprit Turbos seem to run for here. I'm looking for early 90's, maybe late 80's SE or S4. I have seen a couple for $15K, but are these really worth considering? I guess I don't understand why the price varies by over 100%.
2. My plan was to buy up a poorly maintained, or otherwise malfunctional Esprit and restore it. I have the space to do so, the willpower to see it through, and my father in law is a pro mechanic of 35 years. Who here has done this, or knows that it can be done economically? Is it even feasible or does most work require specialised equipment.
3. Given the major things that could be wrong with the Esprit when I buy it, does anyone have any typical prices for transmission, engine, gearbox, etc.
4. I've heard that Esprit's are reliable if you drive them frequently and keep them well maintained on the little things. How do they handle with 10K+ miles/year? Too much? I certainly want to drive this thing when I finally own one
5. Any other tips or contacts with anyone who has done this would be very welcome.
Thanks all!
Fippy/Graeme
1. A $15K SE or S4 is either the dteal of the century or a complete piece of sh!t. Older SEs go for mid to high 20s to low 30s, while S4s are in low to mid 30 territory.
2. If you have the labor and expertise angle covered, you can restpoe one. However, it depends on what the problems are when you talk about costs. Parts cost a lot on Esprits. If you buy a $15K SE, and you end up needing to replace the tranny and doing an engine overhaul, you just sank several thousand dollars more into the car.
3. Check out the www.espritfactfile.com and www.lotusespritworld.com as well as other resources for better price info on parts.
4. 10K+ miles a year for a well sorted car is fine. They love to be driven, and others here do that sort of milegae with few issues. Stress 'well sorted' tho.
5. My overall advice would be, if you can't afford the purchase price of a well sorted SE or S4, you probably can't afford to restore and upkeep a cheap bargain either. However, you can get into an older, well sorted G body Esprit in the high teens. If you are on a budget, that might be a smarter place to start. You'll have a good car to start, and can familiarize yourself with the Esprit maintenance that way. Then if you feel ready, trade up into an SE, S4. Just some food for thought.
Mike
Fippy said: Thanks guys, that is certainly food for thought.
I know my way around auto maintenance but admit that I have never worked on a performance car before.
Back to more research for the time being I think.
Graeme.
DON'T get discouraged tho. Basically, I think the message is, take your sweet time finding the right car. Doing so will greatly enhance your ownership experience.
And time spent here asking us all the questions you have is always time well spent
Mike
Thanks Mike, I am not discouraged, don't worry. I love these cars too much I just want to spend some more time soaking up the great information that this forum, Esprit Fact File, Lotus Esprit World etc. have.
I don't really want to go back older than the S3, and am preferably looking for an SE.
Thanks,
Graeme
I just want to spend some more time soaking up the great information that this forum, Esprit Fact File, Lotus Esprit World etc. have. I don't really want to go back older than the S3, and am preferably looking for an SE.
Thanks,
Graeme
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