Should I buy a 1999 Esprit GT3 S ?

[Colinbentley]

I am cosidering buying a Lotus Esprit GT3 S. I know nothing about them, I have never driven one, but love the look. This car is through a dealer and has done 30,000 kilomtres. I have never driven one, and know nothing about them. What are the negatives about owning such a car. It is nor cheap at $70,000 Australian.Would apreciate some advice.

[B33 ENN]

Not heards of a GT3 "S" as such, only GT3. Check out LEW guides for comprehensive info:

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/buying.html

[F.C.]

Given that the most expensive one currently in the UK classifieds is less than $60,000 AUD and is a Sport 350 I'd say youre being shafted. Then again rarity in Oz may make the differece.
Personally I'd look around for something else.

[Colinbentley]

F.C. Thanks, I think maybe you're right. I think I'm being a little overly self indulgent. I know the car has been sitting on the lot for about 6 months and God only knows what has been rotting away in that time. What little I do know is that these cars must be driven to kept up to scratch. Think I'll stick with my mazda RX8(a little down market by comparison) and my Jaguar. It's even hard getting these cars serviced where I live ....a Lotus would be impossible. it was a nice dream though.

[Le TVR]

Problem in Oz is the import duty on "luxury" cars.
Anything interesting is going to be at least a third more expensive than here.

[B33 ENN]

Seems the "GT3 S" moniker was applied by dealers that recieved about 6 unsold GT3 cars from the UK. They added the arch extensions, the hoop wing, and changed the wheels to make the cars resemble the S4S model. One of them, a yellow one, may have had the engine changed to a 2.2ltr and been chipped.

[Colinbentley]

yes the car is yellow and is a 2.2 litre.

[B33 ENN]

I see, if it's the one:

http://louguthry.com.au/index.php?dispatch=product...

It's a 1997 car and was auctioned last year:

http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19372/lot/328/

I'm not exactly sure what the deal as I've never come across a Factory version like this. The VIN correctly indicates this is a 1997 GT3 right-hand drive, but strangely with a 910 (2.2ltr turbo) engine fitted instead of the 2.0ltr 920. The Engine number corroborates this as it indicated an August 1997 build and a "T" spec which is the S4S 285bhp engine.

To all intents and purposes, this is a hybrid of an S4S and a GT3, and if Lotus did release a limited edition like this, I'm not sure why there is no record of it. Needs looking into...

[Colinbentley]

Yes, you've nailed it, it's the car being offered for sale by Lou Guthry Motors> Thanks for the info . The auction site gives a good background on the vehicle.