Lotus in Minnesota
Discussion
Hello,
This is my first post here and currently entertaining the idea of buying my first Lotus Esprit. As of now I have a 1966 Pontiac Lemans Convertible that I will be selling and I'm interested in an Esprit. I have also considered a Ferrari 308 or Mondial. Any opinions? I will have around 20k to spend. What should I be looking at? If there are any members in the twin cities that have Esprits I would love to take a look at one to get a better idea.
Thanks,
Pat
This is my first post here and currently entertaining the idea of buying my first Lotus Esprit. As of now I have a 1966 Pontiac Lemans Convertible that I will be selling and I'm interested in an Esprit. I have also considered a Ferrari 308 or Mondial. Any opinions? I will have around 20k to spend. What should I be looking at? If there are any members in the twin cities that have Esprits I would love to take a look at one to get a better idea.
Thanks,
Pat
enzomn said:
Hello,
This is my first post here and currently entertaining the idea of buying my first Lotus Esprit. As of now I have a 1966 Pontiac Lemans Convertible that I will be selling and I'm interested in an Esprit. I have also considered a Ferrari 308 or Mondial. Any opinions? I will have around 20k to spend. What should I be looking at? If there are any members in the twin cities that have Esprits I would love to take a look at one to get a better idea.
Thanks,
Pat
Pat,
I'm just across the river in St. Paul. Our local Club, the Lotus-Eaters have over 25 members and some 6-8 Esprits, all local. Everything from an S2 to a V8. Contact me offlist at zman874931@aol.com. Maybe we could hook up this weekend.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Tuesday 12th October 22:11
enzomn said:
Hello,
This is my first post here and currently entertaining the idea of buying my first Lotus Esprit. As of now I have a 1966 Pontiac Lemans Convertible that I will be selling and I'm interested in an Esprit. I have also considered a Ferrari 308 or Mondial. Any opinions? I will have around 20k to spend. What should I be looking at? If there are any members in the twin cities that have Esprits I would love to take a look at one to get a better idea.
Pat
Pat,
Lotus Owners Oftha North (LOON) is the oldest and largest Lotus club in Minnesota. The club has been active since 1991 and currently has 46 members with 48 Lotus cars... including 20 Esprits from S1's through V8's. You'll find lots of knowledge and opinions here to help with your buying decision.
We also do a lot of project work, and will probably be getting into three Esprits this coming off-season. Hang-out with us... it would be a good way to see what's in an Esprit before you buy.
I'm the Membership Secretary. Contact me offline at tengel@mchsi.com and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have... about the cars or the LOON.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
enzomn said:
(Snip)...I'm interested in an Esprit. I have also considered a Ferrari 308 or Mondial. Any opinions? I will have around 20k to spend. What should I be looking at? If there are any members in the twin cities that have Esprits I would love to take a look at one to get a better idea.
Pat,
The Ferrari 308 has the pedigree, the looks and the great sound of a V8 sucking on carbs. But it's more of an open road cruiser than the nimble, cut-n-thrust handling car you will need for hitting the Coulee roads and alphabet roads in southwestern Wisconsin. For twisty roads, for autocross, for track days, for really enjoying "driving", you're going to need a Lotus.
US$20K will put you in touch with Esprit SE's and maybe an S4 if you stumble into the right deal. But decide what you want. Do you like the original Guigaro styling better, or the later, more rounded Peter Stevens styling? Do you want a Lotus primarily to drive, or are you into restoring, or showing?
Regardless of which you pursue, I suggest that you buy the newest and the best example you can afford. Esprits evolved continuously and got better every year. This is one case where (putting personal style tastes aside) newer is better. Restoring or retrofitting older Lotus cars isn't usually the most economical way of getting to your dream car. On the other hand, if you like working on cars and building your own, you can do just about everything on a Lotus… Esprits included… with ordinary hand tools.
The nice thing about Lotus cars is they don't rust out. The fiberglass bodies are very solid and hold up very well with good basic care. The chassis on later models are fully hot-dip galvanized and not typically subject to rust problems.
The mechanical aspects of life with a Lotus are pretty straight forward. However, access is usually pretty poor. Working on the front of an Esprit's engine, for instance, can be a real test of patience and vocabulary. But it's doable by a mechanically inclined owner. If you are comfortable around cars and tools, then there's not a lot of special training required to work on your Lotus. Unless you count physical training with an emphasis on flexibility and dexterity. ;-)
I'm relatively new around Pistonheads. But subscribe to any of the Lotus mailing lists on YahooGroups.com and you will find my name there since it all started with Alan Perry's Lotus-cars list in the early 90's. I've been into Lotus cars for over 40 years and have been wrenching on my own Lotus' for over 30 years. Since we're both in the Twin Cities, let's hook up.
Regards,
Tim Engel
... is the oldest and largest Lotus club in Minnesota.
OK,
since the subject has been broached, I have to admit, the Lotus-Eaters is not that. But we are the newest local Lotus Club in Minnesota.
We are the most active club in the state having held many more driving and social events than the other in our first year. We are the Kinder, Gentler Lotus club.
Truth is, there are many fine people in each club. Most of whom belong to both clubs. This is OK with us, but reports are that the other club's leadership (and I use that term loosely) have actively contacted those members and urged them to drop their membership in our club (guess it's because they don't believe people can think for themselves, especially if that disagrees with their view). Dual Members were even urged to move their vehicles away from our group at a recent car show, apparently as some kind of Loyalty thing. For most it's just a car club, for some, it's an obsession - get real!
There do exist some fundamentally differing philosophies on how the clubs should be organized. Ours, the members have a voice, theirs - the members voice is heard so long as it is in march-step with the Founders. I know, I was a member in each club.
But whatever, I'd suggest checking us both out and joining either, both or none as you choose. The support of a local club, any local club, is truly beneficial if you are considering ownership of an Esprit.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE (no club Badge, Official Title or anything...
)
>> Edited by lotusguy on Wednesday 13th October 13:39
OK,
since the subject has been broached, I have to admit, the Lotus-Eaters is not that. But we are the newest local Lotus Club in Minnesota.
We are the most active club in the state having held many more driving and social events than the other in our first year. We are the Kinder, Gentler Lotus club.
Truth is, there are many fine people in each club. Most of whom belong to both clubs. This is OK with us, but reports are that the other club's leadership (and I use that term loosely) have actively contacted those members and urged them to drop their membership in our club (guess it's because they don't believe people can think for themselves, especially if that disagrees with their view). Dual Members were even urged to move their vehicles away from our group at a recent car show, apparently as some kind of Loyalty thing. For most it's just a car club, for some, it's an obsession - get real!
There do exist some fundamentally differing philosophies on how the clubs should be organized. Ours, the members have a voice, theirs - the members voice is heard so long as it is in march-step with the Founders. I know, I was a member in each club.
But whatever, I'd suggest checking us both out and joining either, both or none as you choose. The support of a local club, any local club, is truly beneficial if you are considering ownership of an Esprit.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE (no club Badge, Official Title or anything...
) >> Edited by lotusguy on Wednesday 13th October 13:39
Being in LOONWA, (Lotus Owner of NW Arkansas,) I have many of these same issues. Do I park my car next to myself, or on the other side in a show of solitude? If I get in a disagreement with the club members (none), who gets their way? Do we democratically vote on things, or do we Democratically vote on things (provide lip service to the constituancy and do what I am told to by the higher authorities)? Who gets priority on Wrench Days, the Esprit or the Seven, and who chooses, me or myself?
It seems like these political problems crop up every time two people get together, and increase exponentially with the number of participants.
Dr.Hess
<Please note that this message was not Smiley Encaptioned for the Humor Empaired. We at LOONWA are hopeing for a government grant to provide Smiley Encaptioning in the future.>
It seems like these political problems crop up every time two people get together, and increase exponentially with the number of participants.
Dr.Hess
<Please note that this message was not Smiley Encaptioned for the Humor Empaired. We at LOONWA are hopeing for a government grant to provide Smiley Encaptioning in the future.>
Wow thanks for all the replies. Are there any Esprit owners in the northern burbs (White Bear)? I would love to take a look and get a chance to sit in one and give one a good look ever. I saw a white early 90's on hwy 61 a couple days ago. Sounded like it had a aftermarket exhust on it.
enzomn said:
Wow thanks for all the replies. Are there any Esprit owners in the northern burbs (White Bear)? I would love to take a look and get a chance to sit in one and give one a good look ever. I saw a white early 90's on hwy 61 a couple days ago. Sounded like it had a aftermarket exhust on it.
The is a S1 in Hugo up the road but it is not really driven as it should be. It is almost driven like a compact daily driver car.
The white 90 would be Dave Cammack who works in the White Bear area.
I drive a red 90 with chrome wheels that is seen sometimes around Hugo city hall, White Bear high school, Central Middle school in White Bear, and the State Buerau of Criminal Apprehension off 35E as they are clients and I have been driving the SE more than usual as the season comes to an end.
In any case it is near the end of the season and the cars will be put away in a very short while.
I belong to both clubs and avoid the politics as much as possible. One club has more frequent outings and turn outs, while the other offers better facilites to work on cars. I have not had to use the facilites much as I prefer not to bother Dave Cammack for rack time for small items best taken care of at home. I thank Dave for one or two times I have had the car up on the rack.
Both clubs are enthusiastic about Lotus cars, it is up to you to join one or both clubs. Many prefer both, others depending on personal taste prefer one over the other.
Calvin
>> Edited by cnh1990 on Wednesday 13th October 19:19
enzomn said:
Do either of the clubs have a website?
Both clubs have member-sites on YahooGroups, but neither site is particularly informative to a non-member surfing for information or content.
The Lotus-Eaters
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Lotus-Eaters/
Lotus Owners Oftha North
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/loon-mn/
The LOON also has a public, unmoderated message board, but it's just conversation and is fading away as that function migrates to the Yahoo mailing list.
If you wish, go to the LOON Yahoo site and click on "Join This Group!". I'll look for your subscription request and expedite the approval. Subscription is free and will have no obligation to join. Then take a look around. Visit the Files and Photos sections while you are there. Talk to a few members via e-mail.
See you there?
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
>> Edited by Esprit2 on Wednesday 13th October 21:32
Dr.Hess said:
Being in LOONWA, (Lotus Owner of NW Arkansas,) I have many of these same issues. Do I park my car next to myself, or on the other side in a show of solitude? If I get in a disagreement with the club members (none), who gets their way? Do we democratically vote on things, or do we Democratically vote on things (provide lip service to the constituancy and do what I am told to by the higher authorities)? Who gets priority on Wrench Days, the Esprit or the Seven, and who chooses, me or myself?
It seems like these political problems crop up every time two people get together, and increase exponentially with the number of participants.
Dr.Hess
<Please note that this message was not Smiley Encaptioned for the Humor Empaired. We at LOONWA are hopeing for a government grant to provide Smiley Encaptioning in the future.>
Doc,
You always crack me up... thanks for the humor. You are kidding right..??
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
enzomn said:
Well Lotus eaters turned me down because I wasn't a member. That makes that one a easy choice to stay away from. I'm actually surprised that they wouldn't accept someone looking to buy into the Lotus family.
Pat,
Not at all..!!! Our site is a member only site which you must be invited to. We were forced by the constraints of YAHOO! to either make it available to everyone, which would allow all kinds of abuse, extra traffic, release of member data etc. or to restrict it.
I am sending you an invite immediately, my fault for not having done so before. Please follow the links into the site. Thanks... Jim McFadden
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