My new car is now sitting on my drive
My new car is now sitting on my drive
Author
Discussion

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Monday 29th March 2004
quotequote all
My orange GT3 has gone....and been replaced by this monster !!!!!!!



>>> Edited by adrianmugridge on Monday 29th March 18:15

kylie

4,391 posts

280 months

Monday 29th March 2004
quotequote all
Wow!!! Good score, they don't come up that often for sale (well at a good price anyway), so lucky for you!!

What is it like to drive in comparison to the GT3??

LotusACBC

2,591 posts

307 months

Monday 29th March 2004
quotequote all
Awesome! Do tell the differences in drive!

V8TT

96 posts

264 months

Monday 29th March 2004
quotequote all
adrianmugridge said:
My orange GT3 has gone....and been replaced by this monster !!!!!!!



>>> Edited by adrianmugridge on Monday 29th March 18:15


Congrats! Ive always loved that model, if I come across one down here Id trade my car in for it in a heart beat.

AL

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Monday 29th March 2004
quotequote all
The GT3 was great but this is even better. The 2 main differences I'd say are:

The clutch and the throttle: On the GT3, the clutch is very heavy, whereas the accelerator is very light. On the S350 it's the other way round. The clutch is digital, it's either on or off but the throttle is quite stiff to start with so it makes pulling away in 1st a bit tricky. I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Also, because the clutch is so on/off, when changing up at high revs you tend to let the clutch out very quickly and you get a big jolt. Again, I expect I'll get the hang of it.

The second thing is the lack of lag. Plant the pedal and it just flies away but the GT3 took a couple of seconds to get going. This thing just chucks you down the road and you are pinned in your seat.

Other smaller differences are that it feels bigger inside ( most likely because of the smaller dash ) and it also feels like I'm siiting a bit higher up as well.

The AP racing brakes only need to be touched and the car just stops, I'm having to get used to that when stopping at slow speeds at junctions and the like.

Steering feels exactly the same, just as light and easy to turn.

It also looks 'meaner' on the road, with the GT1 wing and the wheel arches, 295/40/18 rears 245/40/17 fronts. It really is top drawer !!

Adrian
99Sport350

LotusACBC

2,591 posts

307 months

Monday 29th March 2004
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Awesome Adrian! I cant wait to hear more reviews when you get used to it.

tony9645

71 posts

271 months

Monday 29th March 2004
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wow, better than i thought and after tailing Phil's on the motorway yesterday i can tell your gonna enjoy it, look forward to seeing it in the flesh

Tony

97 GT3 - Jeleous but still Happy :-)

rfoster

1,482 posts

277 months

Tuesday 30th March 2004
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Nice one Adrian, what a fab car. Here's to a top summer full of Esprit action!
Cheers,
Richard 'not in the slightest bit envious' Foster.

rob.e

2,862 posts

301 months

Tuesday 30th March 2004
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Looks great adrian. Shame they fitted the wrong size tyres, but hey, you can't have everything

Lotusespritworld

317 posts

286 months

Tuesday 30th March 2004
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I'm expecting an owners page update from you soon!

So you going to tell us what yon got it for, and what you got for your GT3? Very interested in what esprits are going for.

Can't believe you were showing off your GT3 at the Show and then dumped it the next day!

So were to go now? You've had nearly every type and now you've got the ultimate. Lucky Man!

kato
Lotus Esprit World

autocross7

524 posts

273 months

Wednesday 31st March 2004
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Like the color... I have not seen one like it... I know you will love it!

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Wednesday 31st March 2004
quotequote all
Cameron

There's a good reason you're not seen one in that colour before - It's the only Sport 350 in Steel Blue. All the rest where silver apart from 2 back and 2 white. It was owned by a Lotus Cars Director so I suppose he got to choose his own colur !

Adrian
Sport350#18

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Wednesday 31st March 2004
quotequote all
Rob

Looks like a typed the wrong size for the tyres. They are the right size, 295/35/18 and 235/40/17 PZeros

Adrian

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Saturday 3rd April 2004
quotequote all
Just stuck a few much better pictures on my site, together with a V8-GT. I think they both look great, even if I do say so myself.

Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

mustard

6,992 posts

268 months

Saturday 3rd April 2004
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Thought it was, its that rare and gorgious Ice blue colour instead of the usual Silver

I notuce you say its the only one, must be the one we have maintained (NW B'ham)

>> Edited by mustard on Saturday 3rd April 19:27

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Saturday 3rd April 2004
quotequote all
It is indeed the only Ice Blue one, so you will no doubt know it was orginally Chris Knight's car ( Lotus Cars CEO once upon a time ). It's not got an Nick Whale stamps in the book thought !

mustard

6,992 posts

268 months

Saturday 3rd April 2004
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I'll check it out, but I swear we have one that comes into our workshop, (its not something you forget!) LOL looks gorgious in the blue. I'll mail you on Monday

V8TT

96 posts

264 months

Sunday 4th April 2004
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adrianmugridge said:
It is indeed the only Ice Blue one, so you will no doubt know it was orginally Chris Knight's car ( Lotus Cars CEO once upon a time ). It's not got an Nick Whale stamps in the book thought !


I saw the new pictures on your website, they look great! but I noticed the front lower lip is paintmatched .. did you already get this done ?? If so you work fast ... LOL

AL

adrianmugridge

Original Poster:

12,303 posts

307 months

Sunday 4th April 2004
quotequote all
Al,

The front lip spoiler came like that, as did the rear carbon fibre wing, which I think looks good now I've got one !!

Adrian
Sport 350 #18