Help!!! I need advise '89 non-SE or '90SE

[wbillybobw]

Hi, I need some help in a possible purchase of a Esprit. What would be better a '89 non-SE with 27,000 miles, original owner in excellent condition for $19,000 to $20,000. Or a '90 SE, possible third owner with 49,000 miles with a complete paper trail of maintance and repairs, and in excellent condition for $22,000 to $23,000.

>>> Edited by wbillybobw on Saturday 6th July 03:45

[MGB Driver]

Hi,
I am also in the process of deciding whether or not to buy a Lotus. At the present time, I am leaning in that direction, however a test drive will be the deciding factor.

I have made contact with the local Lotus dealer, and based on my budget they are recommending the SE (89-91). The reason for this model in particualr is that it offers a lot of things the non-SE does not. The main thing being the Chargecooler, as well as the vehicle being somewhat more "luxurious" (is that really NEEDED in an Esprit?). The salesman I've been working with has also said the SE offers a lot more content. When new, the SE carried a 12-15K premium; today in the used market that is only about 1,200 additional - quite a bargin IMHO. I was also told that I would pay a premium for a low milage vehicle.

You indicated the SE had a full set of service records.... does the non-SE?

Good luck with your decision.

[wbillybobw]

Hi, yes he does have records, But not to many. He is the original owner and says he has had no problems with the car.

[cnh1990]

Have been following you quest for an Esprit. Including ebay bidding and ads. Good luck on your quest. How much work has been done to the SE? It took me over a year to find mine. The difference between an SE nad a non-SE is quite a difference. Have you driven an SE/S4/S4s that is correctly put together? I have been fortunte to have driven all models from 88 to 97 and differences are quite apparent.
Calvin 90 SE with just over 23K on the clock

[ninja_eli]

Hi,

I very nearly bought an Esprit about 6 years back and then again nearly 5 years back. Instead I ended with a Calibra Turbo (not the same league I know but it saved me alot of money) and then a Supra Twin Turbo.

The first attempt at buying an Esprit was the SE. I decided against the Non SE mainly due to the following reasons:

264BHP SE vs 215 non SE. (Chargecooler is improved etc)
Improved handling and ride.
More reliable components.
Better brakes.

IMO the Esprit after the S4S looks a little tatty due to the after thought wheelarches.

I came sooo close to buying an S4S, it really brings back some memories. I think I may still have some info from my research that I could pass on (electronic format) so if you still need it say. I think the Esprit is still such a beautiful car, but I would personally get the alloys from the S4 fitted. It looks a lot better. Oh, and don't get white or red(sorry to owners of cars those colours but they seem to age quicker).

>> Edited by ninja_eli on Saturday 6th July 17:47

[wbillybobw]

I don't know he says it's all original except for a S.S. braided clutch line, and as far as repairs I don't remember.

>> Edited by wbillybobw on Saturday 6th July 17:46

[cnh1990]

Where do you live? perhaps I can get you in touch with a local club/list member to show you the difference in the cars. 50+hp is quite a difference. The SE also has a bit more transition power beyond the rated 264hp for a few seconds.

[wbillybobw]

Hi, I do know the differents between the SE and NON-SE what I'm wondering is which is the better way to go! with a original owner 27,000 mile '89 NON-SE or a '90SE 3rd owner with 50,000 miles with complete paper trail? I'm concerned with the high miles, is 50,000 miles alot of miles for a lotus? is this where things start wearing out? I really don't know. If the car had like 25,000 miles I would buy it in a heart beat

[cnh1990]

You know Ed Gomes and myself went through the same thing and thoughts you are going through at this moment. Ed found a 89 1/2 SE with 14K and I found one with 17K. It took us a while to find them as we could only afford an SE and knew we would have to make the car last as we just did not have the finances for a V8. We both wanted as much bang for the buck so we went SE. Traditionally 50K was very high for a Lotus of days gone by (on my 4th Lotus now). We were impresssed by the reliability of the cars during the GM years. I know of 3 people with 100K+ miles on the SE although the engines have seen better days. How long do you intend to keep the car and how are you going to drive it? With the SE check the steering rack, brakes, compression, turbo bearings, clutch, the usual stuff. If you like you can email me and we can get into what a correct car feels like. It might be to long to post here.

[cnh1990]

Ed and I went through the same thing and thoughts as you. Ed found an SE with 14K mine had 17K.
Check compression, brakes, steering rack, clutch, turbo bearing. If he hasn't done the timing belt and adjust valves you will have to do those. I will tell you what a straight SE should feel like. I have heard there are SE's with 100k+ miles 3 to be exact. How are you ging to drive the car and how long do you expect to keep it? Email me and let's have a nice chat about the SEyou are looking at, is it a list members car?

[chargecooler]

Go for the SE. You would always regret not having bought it.

Advantages: better suspension setup, zero lift aerodynamics, full options, full leather, the complete engine management, upgradable to 300+ bhp, ultra fast 60-80 accelleration. etc.

Read www.lotusespritworld.co.uk magazine reports for tests and comparisons.

Good luck!

[sunar]

In my humble opinion.

It seems to be some minor different understandings of the non-SE. Power rating of the non-SE should be more like 228HP (215 HP must be the carburator turbo cars). The components used in the cars are the same as the SE with some very few exceptions (the charge cooler of course and the engine management programming). Still the non-SE have the GM injection system. The brakes are identical. The interior is identical with a few exeptions (air vents and instrument binnacle facia material). The SE has a slightly different front suspension geometry and wider wheels

I would go for the best maintained car of the two!