Discussion
Is this listed on Ebay? If so then it's advertised wrong. It's a 88 turbo 40th aniversary edition with carbs I think.
If you don't mind waiting then buy a chargecooled model. I have a carb turbo and should have bought an SE chargecooled version but didn't know enough about them at the time and didn't know about this forum until after I bought my car.
You can retro fit a chargecooler and this can be made cheaper if the car you buy has air con that you can use the existing radiators. Also you can install water injection to cool down the combustion chamber.
All G shape cars didn't have a chargecooler and were plenty fast enough.
If you are looking for a chargecooled version then make sure it's working. It should feel cool when the engine is hot. Pumps go on these without the owner knowing.
Cheers,
Dave Walters
If you don't mind waiting then buy a chargecooled model. I have a carb turbo and should have bought an SE chargecooled version but didn't know enough about them at the time and didn't know about this forum until after I bought my car.
You can retro fit a chargecooler and this can be made cheaper if the car you buy has air con that you can use the existing radiators. Also you can install water injection to cool down the combustion chamber.
All G shape cars didn't have a chargecooler and were plenty fast enough.
If you are looking for a chargecooled version then make sure it's working. It should feel cool when the engine is hot. Pumps go on these without the owner knowing.
Cheers,
Dave Walters
MadMaxx said:
The car I found was listed as an SE, but it is an 88 white AV edition.
Is it worth holding out for the chargecooler and EFI components? or can these be swapped in later for a healthy kick in the pants?
James
Superdave:
It is a 40th, but not the one on ebay. He said it's white w/ a white interior. Also said it was EFI. When I checked the model info on the page here, it said they were bosch fuel injected.
It does have AC, which has already been converted over to the new stuff.
Still worth holding off for an 89 1/2+ car? The deal on this car is pretty good in my opinion.
Are the non-intercooled cars much slower than the intercooled ones? What type of ECU is used on the bosch EFI system?
James
It is a 40th, but not the one on ebay. He said it's white w/ a white interior. Also said it was EFI. When I checked the model info on the page here, it said they were bosch fuel injected.
It does have AC, which has already been converted over to the new stuff.
Still worth holding off for an 89 1/2+ car? The deal on this car is pretty good in my opinion.
Are the non-intercooled cars much slower than the intercooled ones? What type of ECU is used on the bosch EFI system?
James
From espritfactfile.com
'89 Model Year: October '88
Esprit (N.A.); U.K. & Export 85 D 3374, 85 A/E/G/H/S 1087
Esprit Turbo: U.K. & Export 85 D 3374, 85 A/E/c/H/S 1087
Esprit Turbo (M.P.F.I.); USA F - 2500
As '88 M.Y. cars except:
Heated door mirrors
Central door locking
Electric filler flap release.
USA spec.: Lotus/Delco multi-point fuel injection, Renault transmission.
40th Anniversary Commemorative Esprit Turbo (Except USA): November '88
As '89 M.Y. cars except:
Carburetor Turbo (U.K.) or M.P.F.I. versions.
Pearlescent white body, wheels & mirrors
Strut mounted rear spoiler
Front spoiler bib
Sony compact disc auto-changer
Elm instrument masks
Silver fascia plaque.
If I am reading that right, they are setup just like the 89 cars except for the body color and minor interior differences. That would mean it has the GM EFI and different gearbox, no?
The 88 40th av was made after the 89 production year started it seems.
James
'89 Model Year: October '88
Esprit (N.A.); U.K. & Export 85 D 3374, 85 A/E/G/H/S 1087
Esprit Turbo: U.K. & Export 85 D 3374, 85 A/E/c/H/S 1087
Esprit Turbo (M.P.F.I.); USA F - 2500
As '88 M.Y. cars except:
Heated door mirrors
Central door locking
Electric filler flap release.
USA spec.: Lotus/Delco multi-point fuel injection, Renault transmission.
40th Anniversary Commemorative Esprit Turbo (Except USA): November '88
As '89 M.Y. cars except:
Carburetor Turbo (U.K.) or M.P.F.I. versions.
Pearlescent white body, wheels & mirrors
Strut mounted rear spoiler
Front spoiler bib
Sony compact disc auto-changer
Elm instrument masks
Silver fascia plaque.
If I am reading that right, they are setup just like the 89 cars except for the body color and minor interior differences. That would mean it has the GM EFI and different gearbox, no?
The 88 40th av was made after the 89 production year started it seems.
James
Folks,
This topic re-surfaces every couple of years. The problem is that some of you are confusing two different types of cars:
The 88MY "Limited Edition" Esprit was sold only in the USA. A total of 88 cars were built and they were all Pearl White with two-tone blue Conolly leather and suede interior. These were the only 88MY cars that came with the Citroen mirrors (all others had the flag style mirrors). All of the Limited Edition cars had an open (i.e. no glass) back and a strut mounted spoiler. When new, an 88MY listed for $62,500US. The Limited Edition cost an additional $7,000 more for a total of $69,500. All 1988 USA cars had Bosch Fuel Injection with a very crude "ECU". Finally, while the rest of the world got the Renault gearbox in 1988, the USA cars kept the Citroen gearbox until the 89MY.
The 89MY "40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Esprit was sold in other markets except the USA. Even though it was built starting in November 1988 it is still considered a 89MY. 40 cars were built with some being carb'ed model (for the UK market only) while others having the GM/Delco MPFI. All were painted Pearl White and all had strut mounted spoilers and Renault gearboxes.
One last note: there is no such thing as a 1988 SE.
Cheers,
Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com
This topic re-surfaces every couple of years. The problem is that some of you are confusing two different types of cars:
The 88MY "Limited Edition" Esprit was sold only in the USA. A total of 88 cars were built and they were all Pearl White with two-tone blue Conolly leather and suede interior. These were the only 88MY cars that came with the Citroen mirrors (all others had the flag style mirrors). All of the Limited Edition cars had an open (i.e. no glass) back and a strut mounted spoiler. When new, an 88MY listed for $62,500US. The Limited Edition cost an additional $7,000 more for a total of $69,500. All 1988 USA cars had Bosch Fuel Injection with a very crude "ECU". Finally, while the rest of the world got the Renault gearbox in 1988, the USA cars kept the Citroen gearbox until the 89MY.
The 89MY "40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Esprit was sold in other markets except the USA. Even though it was built starting in November 1988 it is still considered a 89MY. 40 cars were built with some being carb'ed model (for the UK market only) while others having the GM/Delco MPFI. All were painted Pearl White and all had strut mounted spoilers and Renault gearboxes.
One last note: there is no such thing as a 1988 SE.
Cheers,
Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com
It sounds to me as though the owner of this car has made some mods to his 88, and may be calling it an SE because he feels he's modded it to that level. That, of course, is fairly disingenuous, unless he's up front about that.
As Karl said, there is no 88 SE. The SE stands for Special Equipment, and basically means the chargecooler. If he's added that, he's not proper in tacking on the SE, but that's probably what he means.
Interesting to that he's converted the AC to the new refridgerant. I understand that's not cheap to do (usually only done when your compressor fraps out.) So perhaps if he's done things like that, he has indeed added the chargecooler, etc.
I look at it two ways...
1) The guy is misrepresenting the car, so it should probably be avoided or
2) He's put a lot of work in the car (new AC, chargecooler, etc) so this may be a good well sorted car to get, and he's just a bit of a numpty when it comes to his ad.
Depending on the asking price, I'd be somewhat inclined to have it looked at, or make the call and ask some questions.
Really depends on whether or not you are looking for a very stock car, or a car that has had some work.
As Karl said, there is no 88 SE. The SE stands for Special Equipment, and basically means the chargecooler. If he's added that, he's not proper in tacking on the SE, but that's probably what he means.
Interesting to that he's converted the AC to the new refridgerant. I understand that's not cheap to do (usually only done when your compressor fraps out.) So perhaps if he's done things like that, he has indeed added the chargecooler, etc.
I look at it two ways...
1) The guy is misrepresenting the car, so it should probably be avoided or
2) He's put a lot of work in the car (new AC, chargecooler, etc) so this may be a good well sorted car to get, and he's just a bit of a numpty when it comes to his ad.
Depending on the asking price, I'd be somewhat inclined to have it looked at, or make the call and ask some questions.
Really depends on whether or not you are looking for a very stock car, or a car that has had some work.
www.fairwindscharters.com/lotus.htm
This is the car in question. I'll let you guys be the judge.
James
This is the car in question. I'll let you guys be the judge.
James
It has HCI markings on it.
It is probably has a Bosch FI.
It is an 88 with a wing.
It has the older non SE interior.
The older style A/C vents.
Pinched side skirts.
It has the deep offset rears indicating a Citroen box with inboard rear discs.
Non intercooled engine.
No twin oil coolers as in the SE or the Hella DE fog lights.
Unsual twin refelctors on the wings or are they lights?
The center brake light on SE's are mounted under the wing.
Calvin
>> Edited by cnh1990 on Thursday 7th August 18:45
It is probably has a Bosch FI.
It is an 88 with a wing.
It has the older non SE interior.
The older style A/C vents.
Pinched side skirts.
It has the deep offset rears indicating a Citroen box with inboard rear discs.
Non intercooled engine.
No twin oil coolers as in the SE or the Hella DE fog lights.
Unsual twin refelctors on the wings or are they lights?
The center brake light on SE's are mounted under the wing.
Calvin
>> Edited by cnh1990 on Thursday 7th August 18:45
I would be willing to bet that is an aftermarket wing for 2 reasons:
1. Never seen it before
2. The lift gate struts can't hold open by themselves, therefor where not designed for the extra weight of the wing.
It's a fairly attractive car, but I would have it mechanically checked out by a Lotus expert. The interior looks a bit aftermarket as well. Probably originally had tan...
ErnestM
1. Never seen it before
2. The lift gate struts can't hold open by themselves, therefor where not designed for the extra weight of the wing.
It's a fairly attractive car, but I would have it mechanically checked out by a Lotus expert. The interior looks a bit aftermarket as well. Probably originally had tan...
ErnestM
On SE's the strut is of the locking type. To lower the wing you have to push up on the lid to release the strut lock. I think I recall seeing this car in the midwest before a few years ago in Autotrader. I think it might have been owned by a female doctor then an auto stereo store if it is the same one.
Calvin
Calvin
Well, I can see where he would get the SE from. Carfax reports that it is an SE. Strange.
Not sure about that wing, however it's not a huge deal to me. The pipe is also kinda trivial in my mind, since i'll be hacking on the car over time.
What would you guys say a car like this is worth? 2nd owner has had it since 91, 35K miles on it.
James
Not sure about that wing, however it's not a huge deal to me. The pipe is also kinda trivial in my mind, since i'll be hacking on the car over time.
What would you guys say a car like this is worth? 2nd owner has had it since 91, 35K miles on it.
James
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