Esprit advice please - V8 or GT3?

[hughjayteens]

Hi all,
A good friend of mine is looking to buy an Esprit, and has about £22k to spend.

He likes the idea of the V8s, but has been advised by some that the smaller engined cars are nicer, so has his eye on a GT3 also.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/dpage_photoad.asp?abname=arb&pageid=1&id=200438162370459 is one of the cars he has seen and likes the look of - what do you guys think?

The other concern is that he is 6'3" tall - will he fit, and if so, could he wear a helmet if he wants to do track days?

Many thanks

[adrianmugridge]

I've owned both, a GT3 for 6 years and now a Sport 350 for the last 6 months. It's the V8 every time. Goes like bloody hell and zero turbo lag, not that the GT3 is slow ofcause. The steering is lighter on the GT3, whereas I do find the V8 not quite as responsive.

As far as being 6'3" goes he will find it a bit tight but you can get a bit more extra head room by fixing the seats to the floor, i.e. by removing the runners. There are plenty of tall drivers that seem to manage okay. I'm only 5'6" so it's not a problem for me.

I'm sure Rob.e will also have some comments as he's also gone from a GT3 to a V8.

Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[britten_mark]

What an excellent choice of colour.

[rob.e]

Theres pros and cons of both choices, although neither is a bad choice, they're both great cars. I've owned a 98 GT3 and currently drive a 98 V8-GT.

GT3
pros: light, responsive steering, potentially lower maintenance costs, easily upgradable to 280bhp
cons: a bit lame below 3,000rpm, heavy clutch

V8-GT
pros: big power and torque and no lag, light clutch
cons: maintenance can be more costly


A V8 is as quick as a 360 modena, a GT3 isnt.

Suggest a test drive in both and see which is preferred. The 98-on interior has more space i think, plus get one with the correct sports seats for max headroom. The seats can be bolted directly to the floor if you want some more headroom.

That chrome orange v8-gt is a pretty rare colour for a v8. Check that its had its liners done.

Cheers
Rob

[hughjayteens]

Thanks guys - just what he was looking for!

What are the typical servicing costs for a V8 and what can go bang?

Cheers

Chris

[GKP]

Waheyyyy! That's my old car!!!

Good to see it still chugs around. Looking good, I have to say. That has the distinction of being the first brand new car I'd ever owned.
We had that up to an indicated 183mph on Boys toys trip to France a few years back. Happy memories....

[GKP]

And another thing....

It wasn't a Motorshow car. It was mine, full stop.

I'm 6'2" and fitted in it very well. The seats are the correct GT seats and consequently give you more knee room around the steering wheel. I specified the glass sunroof for a bit more headroom (not really available on the GT, but if you whinge enough...!) and I still have the composite one in the garage loft! The seats can have the spacers removed from the runners to provide a touch more room, too.

As far as I'm aware, that is the only UK spec car to be in Chrome Orange (V8, that is) but I'd be happy to be corrected if you know different! (With pics, too)
I had the wheels painted black before I took the car from the showroom, initially they were matt black but were a pain to clean, so I had 'em painted gloss metallic black. This was a year or two before the factory started offering black wheels as an option on Elises/Exiges etc.

The exhaust is in stainless and to my design (DTM stylee!), but it sounded sooo much better when we had the cats removed - but I had them bolted back on when it was time to sell.

I ran the engine in properly, then hoofed it around for two fun filled years. It is still one of the quickest standard V8s I've driven, and I've driven a few, Spt 350 included.

Crikey, p'raps I should make a cash offer....

[shnozz]

that car is pure sex.

[rob.e]

GKP said:

And another thing.... It wasn't a Motorshow car. It was mine, full stop. I'm 6'2" and fitted in it very well. The seats are the correct GT seats and consequently give you more knee room around the steering wheel. I specified the glass sunroof for a bit more headroom (not really available on the GT, but if you whinge enough...!) and I still have the composite one in the garage loft! The seats can have the spacers removed from the runners to provide a touch more room, too. As far as I'm aware, that is the only UK spec car to be in Chrome Orange (V8, that is) but I'd be happy to be corrected if you know different! (With pics, too) I had the wheels painted black before I took the car from the showroom, initially they were matt black but were a pain to clean, so I had 'em painted gloss metallic black. This was a year or two before the factory started offering black wheels as an option on Elises/Exiges etc. The exhaust is in stainless and to my design (DTM stylee!), but it sounded sooo much better when we had the cats removed - but I had them bolted back on when it was time to sell. I ran the engine in properly, then hoofed it around for two fun filled years. It is still one of the quickest standard V8s I've driven, and I've driven a few, Spt 350 included. Crikey, p'raps I should make a cash offer....

I saw your car once when it was at Kings in leamington spa. That exhaust looked very interesting..

[rob.e]

hughjayteens said:

Thanks guys - just what he was looking for! What are the typical servicing costs for a V8 and what can go bang? Cheers Chris

A v8 has mostly A services, which are 350-400 a time. B service is a bit more. A plus cambelts you're looking at 1200 ish. These are all dealer prices.

Full maintenance schedule is:
6,000 A
12,000 A
18,000 A
24,000 A + cambelts
30,000 A
36,000 B
42,000 A
48,000 A
54,000 A
60,000 A
66,000 A
72,000 B + cambelts
78,000 A
84,000 A
90,000 A
96,000 A
102,000 A


On a used v8 pre2000, check its had a rebuild (liners) most have by now. Check the cats - they are expensive to replace, a recent mot or emissions check is essential. Exhausts crack, but are easily rewelded or just take it off and run straight pipes without a silencer, clutch is expensive to check when this was last replaced if ever. They last between 25 and 40k depending on driver. Check the aircon works - can be expensive to fix. Check gearbox for signs of syncro wear -ie change up and down the box on your test drive, 2nd gear syncro is particularly vunerable to abusive drivers..

All my costs are in my profile, but please bear in mind its been a daily driver plus i've spent quite a lot on upgrades.

[quiksilver]

Have a look at my webby:

www.jonathanedwards.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/esprit/esprit.htm

The maintenance / modifications page might be of use for the maintenance side, also have published all of the paperwork I have on the car in the 'service history' section.

Have a look and see whether the piston lines have been done, if they haven't you might find yourself reaching around for a spare £4,500 if they go.

[britten_mark]

GKP said:

Waheyyyy! That's my old car!!

Blimey, you sold it? What the hell have you got to replace that?
If this is the only UK orange V8 is this the one that was pictured on the net with a bit of rear-end damage after a trackday???????

[GKP]

Indeed, I managed to plop it into the barrier at Paddock at Brands. Complete brain fade! But the first off in an Esprit in over 15 years of driving them so I thought I'd make it a goodun'!! Fibreglass Fred back at the factory made it look better than new in exchange for one of my cheques....gulp.


The plan was to have an M250, so the deposit was paid and the Esprit was sold before the M250 completely killed the re-sale of newish Esprits. I bought a 340R in the interim....just because I could! Never owned a convertible before, so I reckoned I may as well have a outrageous one! It was ok but not a patch on the V8 for acceleration and sheer useabilty. (A mate nicknamed it the bathtub, mainly because we got soaked at Spa in it...)

[britten_mark]

Just what you need after a momentary lapse of judgement, some helpful Herbert with a camera and internet access!!
Shame about the M250, a pretty little thing. Was just scanning an old mag about it earlier by coincidence.

[markuskj]

I bought my Lotus from ARB. Anthony is a good chap. If you are in past tell him Mark from Aberdeen with the Green V8 says hello.