Lotus esprit S4 What to look out for and servicing costs

[Davswilson]

I am looking to buy an Esprit S4 but not sure what to look for. Wanted one for a while, bought a TVR chimera instead but still got a hankering for an S4.

First of all, i live in the north east of England and was wondering where is the best place to get a service done and what are the costs for A,B and C services???

Is there any thing i should be aware of when looking and anthything that should be avoided?

Thank you all in advance

P.S if you have and S4 please send me some details

David

[davswilson]

Thanks, been espritworld for a few months and read quite a few reviews! No a bit more but im no mechanic and dont really know a great deal about what i am looking at!!!

Havent been and viewed any yet as its still early stages and there just dont seem to be that many round but i suppose they only made 600 and od.

Ive heard before about checkings maifolds and gaskets as it can get very expensive but as they were the first esprits with power steering, have any of you had or know anyone that has had major problems with it????

[davswilson]

The problem is that i am not a huge general esprit fan! I only really want an S4 and have for a few years, much prefer the way it looks, dont know why but i have seen a few s4's and just dont like them. The V8 is a different story though but i have heard so many horror stories and at 23 my insurance would be double that of an S4!!!!!!!

I agree it will take time to find the right one and hopefully i wont jump in with to feet. It took me a few months to find a decent chimera including a 800 mile round trip to brighton only to discover it was the worst example of the lot.

[Davswilson]

Cheers for that Mark, if you could give me your number i will give u a call if thats ok!!!

I have considered a GT3 but they seem to be even rarer than and S4 infact if i'm right they didn't even make 200.....and to me they seem a little squarer!!!

From talking to people on this sight and others it would seem that yes the S4s is the most popular choice but if your sepending so much money i suppose you have to be picky.

The best quote i have had fully comp on an S4 is £899 with 2 years no claims and 3 points(I'm a 23 year old estate agent)from elephant.co.uk and for a GT3 and a V8 i am looking around the £2000 mark WHAT A JOKE (If any of you know of a good insurer please let me know)........I know buying the car is only part of it and keeping it going is the major annual cost but the insurance costs have sealed my opinion on what i will be buying.

P.S just something extra i forgot to mention i have had a Lotus before.......and it was the worst car i have ever owned (Elan M100 turbo)have any of you lot owned or driven one because i thought owning it was terrible.