I think I may do something really dumb.
Discussion
Guys, I dont know, I think I am about to do something really stupid.
Look here at this Esprit on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2443288309&category=6312
Its perfect isnt it, the price is what is making SERIOUSLY consider this! I have seen this Lotus listed twice on ebay. I dont understand why no one would buy it. But its the color and condition and right mileage. And its about 2 hours from me. Thing is, financially I am not ready, but I could get this and struggle hard for a few months, like through the winter really. I figure no $$ down and take a personal loan out for 27.5. @ lets say worst case 6% apr is 531 a month. Which is nothing really. But I have other payments which would make this a stretch. I can definately afford the payments until I get rid of my car for about 8 months, by then I should be straight! Anyway, enough personal talk, I really think I might do it. Only thing is, I have no where to keep it for the winter, so this ruins everything pretty much, I have a 2 car garage but without getting into it I cant use it. Not for a Lotus anyway. go figure
.
But I guess why I am posting this is to ask advice. What steps or precautions should I take since I am now truly considering an Esprit purchase. I know the whole fact file thing, does anyone have that list of
questions to ask the seller for Esprits? I cant find it.
Thanks. And lastly, does anyone know this person selling it?
>>> Edited by Lotusacbc on Saturday 15th November 17:00
Look here at this Esprit on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2443288309&category=6312
Its perfect isnt it, the price is what is making SERIOUSLY consider this! I have seen this Lotus listed twice on ebay. I dont understand why no one would buy it. But its the color and condition and right mileage. And its about 2 hours from me. Thing is, financially I am not ready, but I could get this and struggle hard for a few months, like through the winter really. I figure no $$ down and take a personal loan out for 27.5. @ lets say worst case 6% apr is 531 a month. Which is nothing really. But I have other payments which would make this a stretch. I can definately afford the payments until I get rid of my car for about 8 months, by then I should be straight! Anyway, enough personal talk, I really think I might do it. Only thing is, I have no where to keep it for the winter, so this ruins everything pretty much, I have a 2 car garage but without getting into it I cant use it. Not for a Lotus anyway. go figure
. But I guess why I am posting this is to ask advice. What steps or precautions should I take since I am now truly considering an Esprit purchase. I know the whole fact file thing, does anyone have that list of
questions to ask the seller for Esprits? I cant find it.
Thanks. And lastly, does anyone know this person selling it?
>>> Edited by Lotusacbc on Saturday 15th November 17:00
Run the CarFax on it. Well worth the ten bucks or so. If it is clean and the price is good for you, go for it. I would also talk to the seller on the phone. I just feel better about spending that much money if I can talk to someone first and get a feel for them. I bought mine on eBay with a buy-it-now filling it out as we talked on the phone. The bid went up 2K while we were talking. I don't think there is much to go wrong with that model. It has been 10 years, so I would think a timing belt is in order, regardless of the miles.
Have Phun.
Dr.Hess
Have Phun.
Dr.Hess
Well if your heart is set on it, buy it. You say you can just afford the payments that is the most important part!!! and you must ensure you get these sums right or it will leave you just eating rice for the next year. I am thinking you will thank youself later for doing so. If your totally broke but got an Esprit well what more could you want eh as we all know how much of Esprit nut you really are 
As for the garage situation have you got a good friend who would be happy to store it for you, storage hire?
As for the garage situation have you got a good friend who would be happy to store it for you, storage hire? Thanks for responding. I can definately do this, the question is should I? I am currently asking and re-asking myself this as we speak.
The garage, Maybe I can find someone and pay them $50 a month or something just for the winter.
Definately gonna run a carfax.
How much does a timing belt change cost? Of course I would have the car checked out by my local dealer before anything.
Does anyone know where I can get a checklist right this moment so I can call this guy?
One last thing; I figure if WORSE comes to worse, I can sell it if it gets to rough for the same price, 27K. By that time it would have probably a few hundred more miles. I might take a hit of what, 5 grand or something, big deal, I take that hit on every car I own.
Another question, what about inurance? It would go under my fathers name, hes 52. What do you think is the cheapest way to go for full coverage and what I am looking at in terms of price here?
The garage, Maybe I can find someone and pay them $50 a month or something just for the winter.
Definately gonna run a carfax.
How much does a timing belt change cost? Of course I would have the car checked out by my local dealer before anything.
Does anyone know where I can get a checklist right this moment so I can call this guy?
One last thing; I figure if WORSE comes to worse, I can sell it if it gets to rough for the same price, 27K. By that time it would have probably a few hundred more miles. I might take a hit of what, 5 grand or something, big deal, I take that hit on every car I own.
Another question, what about inurance? It would go under my fathers name, hes 52. What do you think is the cheapest way to go for full coverage and what I am looking at in terms of price here?
Same car for sale in PH classifieds:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=12669&s=11
Just for the record, if i actually worked out how much my esprit would cost before i got it, i would probably have decided i couldn't afford it.. but i always manage somehow to get by Sensible answer is obviously to allow some money for maintenance.. but buying a car is never a 'sensible' decision, otherwise we'd all be in diesel toyotas 
I have a friend who managed to live on almost starvation diet for a whole year to be able to afford his first performance car - a caterham 7 - he did it too now drives 550 maranello.. if the determination is there you can make it happen. Good luck. (you could always offer the bloke slightly less.. ?!)
Rob
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=12669&s=11
Just for the record, if i actually worked out how much my esprit would cost before i got it, i would probably have decided i couldn't afford it.. but i always manage somehow to get by
Sensible answer is obviously to allow some money for maintenance.. but buying a car is never a 'sensible' decision, otherwise we'd all be in diesel toyotas I have a friend who managed to live on almost starvation diet for a whole year to be able to afford his first performance car - a caterham 7 - he did it too
now drives 550 maranello.. if the determination is there you can make it happen. Good luck. (you could always offer the bloke slightly less.. ?!) Rob
rob.e said:
I have a friend who managed to live on almost starvation diet for a whole year to be able to afford his first performance car
Rob
It looks gorgeous, especially the interior which looks like no-one has at in it. Drive the 2 hours and take a look. As Rob said, make an offer if it has been around twice.
What the hell is in the garage that would be more important than this! Whatever it is, haul it out!
Oh, and by the way, when you mention about affording it, I re-financed my house to buy mine, and as I am sitting here typing this I have holes in my socks and a hole in my jeans so big I could take a leak without taking them off! Sometimes you have to make choices............
>> Edited by britten_mark on Saturday 15th November 21:50
Couple things.
I can't afford my Esprit, but somehow I do.
Agree on the garage...make the room pronto. Or else get a great all-weather car cover.
Drive the 2 hours, and also have a good Lotus mechanic inspect it if you can. It will be worth it, for sure. You don't want to stretch yourself thin on payments and then not be able to afford to drive it because it needs a C service and a few repairs. You could easily be looking at 3 grand in work right out of the box.
And yes, 27 is near the higher end for a 93 1/2. Even one in perfect shape. Even one in perfect shape with a lot of enhancements. (ahem) Supposedly prices are coming back up a little bit, which is good, but the car very well should be in all-around great shape to command 27K.
Good luck!!!
Mike
I can't afford my Esprit, but somehow I do.
Agree on the garage...make the room pronto. Or else get a great all-weather car cover.
Drive the 2 hours, and also have a good Lotus mechanic inspect it if you can. It will be worth it, for sure. You don't want to stretch yourself thin on payments and then not be able to afford to drive it because it needs a C service and a few repairs. You could easily be looking at 3 grand in work right out of the box.
And yes, 27 is near the higher end for a 93 1/2. Even one in perfect shape. Even one in perfect shape with a lot of enhancements. (ahem) Supposedly prices are coming back up a little bit, which is good, but the car very well should be in all-around great shape to command 27K.
Good luck!!!
Mike
Agreed upon value for 27.5 and under your fathers name I would alot about 7-8 hundred in USD. That would be with winter storage with comp only during those months that your loan will require.
Robert Grenner who posts here under the screen name swedish surgeon is in the that area of the country. He is also a mechanic by trade. I would contact him or Tony Vacarro of the upstate NY club or Atwell Haines for the NY/NJ club that post on the turbo list. Good chance they know the car.
One must suffer for their desires, if it were that easy everyone would have an Esprit. What really gets me is when I meet people and they say something like "I always wanted one of these". I would say back, no you didn't because if you really really wanted one of these you would have found a way to get one by sacrificing, by getting a 2nd job, or other means.
Most people who own Esprit's are doers, not whiners or just dreamers.
Good Luck,
Calvin
Robert Grenner who posts here under the screen name swedish surgeon is in the that area of the country. He is also a mechanic by trade. I would contact him or Tony Vacarro of the upstate NY club or Atwell Haines for the NY/NJ club that post on the turbo list. Good chance they know the car.
One must suffer for their desires, if it were that easy everyone would have an Esprit. What really gets me is when I meet people and they say something like "I always wanted one of these". I would say back, no you didn't because if you really really wanted one of these you would have found a way to get one by sacrificing, by getting a 2nd job, or other means.
Most people who own Esprit's are doers, not whiners or just dreamers.
Good Luck,
Calvin
Here the guidelines I set for myself for buying an Exotic toy:
1) Buy a house (with garage! **)
2) Eliminate non-mortgage debt (other car loans, credit cards, etc)
3) Be able to over pay mortgage by %75
4) Max out 401K (at least to the point at which employer matches -- that's free money!)
5) Be comfortable in job
6) Have acceptable disposable $$ for vacations, gifts, etc..
7) Maintain current lifestyle.
Anyway, that's just me, but I do HIGHLY recommended 1,2,4 (if applicable) and 7 (the novelty WILL wear off and you don't want to resent your car)
Luke.
** No one wants to buy a LOTUS that's been sitting outside! <gasp>
1) Buy a house (with garage! **)
2) Eliminate non-mortgage debt (other car loans, credit cards, etc)
3) Be able to over pay mortgage by %75
4) Max out 401K (at least to the point at which employer matches -- that's free money!)
5) Be comfortable in job
6) Have acceptable disposable $$ for vacations, gifts, etc..
7) Maintain current lifestyle.
Anyway, that's just me, but I do HIGHLY recommended 1,2,4 (if applicable) and 7 (the novelty WILL wear off and you don't want to resent your car)
Luke.
** No one wants to buy a LOTUS that's been sitting outside! <gasp>
Yeah, you are really going to need a garage. You can get by with a car cover, but it ain't right.
Geico will insure Loti. You may have to beat them on the head some to get them to do it, but they will. If it is financed then they will go full coverage, otherwise they will push for just liability. I went round and round with them on mine, burning up the cell phone on the drive out to pick it up. Somehow they thought it was gray market and were stonewalling me. I think because the first person I talked to asked me where the car was from and I said England. Finally convinced them it wasn't gray market and they insured it. Turned out the PO had it insured through Geico. If I had known, it would have made it easier.
Dr.Hess
Geico will insure Loti. You may have to beat them on the head some to get them to do it, but they will. If it is financed then they will go full coverage, otherwise they will push for just liability. I went round and round with them on mine, burning up the cell phone on the drive out to pick it up. Somehow they thought it was gray market and were stonewalling me. I think because the first person I talked to asked me where the car was from and I said England. Finally convinced them it wasn't gray market and they insured it. Turned out the PO had it insured through Geico. If I had known, it would have made it easier.
Dr.Hess
cnh1990 said:
Agreed upon value for 27.5 and under your fathers name I would alot about 7-8 hundred in USD. That would be with winter storage with comp only during those months that your loan will require.
First off, thank you everyone for replying so promptly.
Secondly, CNH, I didnt really get what you said above there. 7-8 hundred for what exactly?
I dont have much time to respond to everyone, but again thank you for responding!
Ok now, MadMike, dont you only use a car cover for your 93? I sure would like a garage, but it aint happening unfortunately. Maybe I can get a car tent and cover or something, for the spring/summer, for the winter the car would go to a storage, where I have no clue at all.
Next thing, how much is a belt replacement?
Again, anywhere I can get a check list right now? Or atleast by sunday so I can call this guy.
And lastly, I really thought 27k was a great price, but damn, if I can get it cheaper all the better of course. How much, given its in great shape, should I offer do you think?
I have met Atwell and talked with him at one or two Lotus gatherings, hes a very nice and dedicated man to the marque, I will definately give him a call once I know if I am going the next step. For now, can anyone answer the questions I have in this post?
Thanks again!
Paul
dr.hess said:
Yeah, you are really going to need a garage. You can get by with a car cover, but it ain't right.
Geico will insure Loti. You may have to beat them on the head some to get them to do it, but they will. If it is financed then they will go full coverage, otherwise they will push for just liability. I went round and round with them on mine, burning up the cell phone on the drive out to pick it up. Somehow they thought it was gray market and were stonewalling me. I think because the first person I talked to asked me where the car was from and I said England. Finally convinced them it wasn't gray market and they insured it. Turned out the PO had it insured through Geico. If I had known, it would have made it easier.
Dr.Hess
No offense, but I'd be looking for a new insurance company if they gave me that kind of a hard time. Incidentally, Geico buys a lot of radar and laser guns for the cops...
Cheers,
Sanj
7-8 hundred is your budget for full coverage insurance if you use your dads name and he has a clean record. It is also based on comprehensive coverage only during the winter time storage period when you will drop collision, medical, liability, etc. for the duration of winter storage to save money.
During my winter storage period I drop all coverage and let my homeowners insurance cover my car as I keep it at home in my garage. To do this one must also own the car outright. Most lien holders will require that you at least carry comprehensive during the storage months as a condition of the loan.
Timing belt via DIY = about $75.00
Timing belt done by shop = $500-$700.
Good Luck,
Calvin
During my winter storage period I drop all coverage and let my homeowners insurance cover my car as I keep it at home in my garage. To do this one must also own the car outright. Most lien holders will require that you at least carry comprehensive during the storage months as a condition of the loan.
Timing belt via DIY = about $75.00
Timing belt done by shop = $500-$700.
Good Luck,
Calvin
hiya - just to add my pennys worth:
1/ check list available at LEW site (Lotus Esprit World)
2/ Garage - it must be if you are paying that much for your motor. Do you really want it being ripped off? Do you really want to think of your lovely car sat in the elements 24/7?
3/ Do you need this car...for a first esprit how about something at a lower price point?
4/ Check the history of the car - go back to the previous owners if there has been any.
Hope these thoughts help - if you can afford it without living off rice for the next two years then go for it....enjoy!
Best regards
Hotwheels - 1988 Stevens Turbo HC - PS we threw out two kit/track cars to make way for the esprit - they are under tarps awaiting to be sold! The Esprit puts them to shame, even though one was 0-60 in under 4 seconds! Anyone interested?
1/ check list available at LEW site (Lotus Esprit World)
2/ Garage - it must be if you are paying that much for your motor. Do you really want it being ripped off? Do you really want to think of your lovely car sat in the elements 24/7?
3/ Do you need this car...for a first esprit how about something at a lower price point?
4/ Check the history of the car - go back to the previous owners if there has been any.
Hope these thoughts help - if you can afford it without living off rice for the next two years then go for it....enjoy!
Best regards
Hotwheels - 1988 Stevens Turbo HC - PS we threw out two kit/track cars to make way for the esprit - they are under tarps awaiting to be sold! The Esprit puts them to shame, even though one was 0-60 in under 4 seconds! Anyone interested?
cnh1990 said:
What really gets me is when I meet people and they say something like "I always wanted one of these". I would say back, no you didn't because if you really really wanted one of these you would have found a way to get one by sacrificing, by getting a 2nd job, or other means.
Most people who own Esprit's are doers, not whiners or just dreamers.
Yes I agree, there are no excuses for getting anything you want. As I always say "plan your work...work your plan"
KS
Lotusacbc said:
Cnh - Thats a damn good price for insurance. $800 a year is nothing. What mileage can you do with that coverage for that price?
For the timing belt, this is something that cant be done without some serious tools right, since its right behind the seats.
To get that price a clean record, over 26, the Esprit must be a 2nd or 3rd car on the policy, garaged in your own enclosure (not a parking lot, ramp, or public garage). Additional discount if tied in to your homeowners insurance. Mileage is 5K/yr with a agreed upon value of 25K. Which is about right for weekend and after work pleasure driving with very little to and from work commuting and with 3-4 months or so of winter storage.
Good luck,
Calvin
Hey Calvin:
My Geico is unlimited miles, full coverage and about $550/yr. $1K deductable, reject uninsured/under insured. 4th auto on the policy (motorcycle policy is separate). Garage kept, multi car, 5 year good driving plus a surcharge for one accident, however that works.
Yeah, I know they buy the thugs radar guns and I have a problem with that, but all-in-all Geico has been pretty good to me over the years. I have had two my-fault accidents with them in the past 7 years and they haven't screwed me.
Dr.Hess
My Geico is unlimited miles, full coverage and about $550/yr. $1K deductable, reject uninsured/under insured. 4th auto on the policy (motorcycle policy is separate). Garage kept, multi car, 5 year good driving plus a surcharge for one accident, however that works.
Yeah, I know they buy the thugs radar guns and I have a problem with that, but all-in-all Geico has been pretty good to me over the years. I have had two my-fault accidents with them in the past 7 years and they haven't screwed me.
Dr.Hess
You can't compare Calvin's Mid-West insurance with North Jersey. I was paying $1300 for full coverage with USAA, now $1700 (courtesy of 1 ticket ). 33 years old, single, 4th car. If Anton is reading, maybe his rate is more relavent to your father's as he's married.
You'd be sticking your neck out pretty far IMHO. I've had exceptional luck with my S4s but these cars can cost and it doesn't sound like you're giving yourself much room.
). 33 years old, single, 4th car. If Anton is reading, maybe his rate is more relavent to your father's as he's married. You'd be sticking your neck out pretty far IMHO. I've had exceptional luck with my S4s but these cars can cost and it doesn't sound like you're giving yourself much room.
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