Hello, newbi from Toronto Canada
Discussion
hello,
I'm new here. Anyone selling a 85-87 Esprit in Ontario Canada? I'm looking for my dream car. I just turned 24 and would like to get one before i make a mistake and get married etc. That way i can put all my attention on the car.
I have found a nice white 85. It has a strong fuel smell though. I think and hope it is the vapor lines. But worried it could be the fuel tanks. It recently had the engine rebuild a new clutch. The recept shows $18,000 CND. Ouch!
I would also be interested in a car that needed paint or minor body work, but in perfect running conditon.
This internet thing is truely amazing. Lots of info here.
thanks,
Martin
I'm new here. Anyone selling a 85-87 Esprit in Ontario Canada? I'm looking for my dream car. I just turned 24 and would like to get one before i make a mistake and get married etc. That way i can put all my attention on the car.
I have found a nice white 85. It has a strong fuel smell though. I think and hope it is the vapor lines. But worried it could be the fuel tanks. It recently had the engine rebuild a new clutch. The recept shows $18,000 CND. Ouch!
I would also be interested in a car that needed paint or minor body work, but in perfect running conditon.
This internet thing is truely amazing. Lots of info here.
thanks,
Martin
Howdee all you Ontarians:
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, I dreamed of Esprits since the middle 70's when Lotus regularly won F1 races and championships.
Bought my Esprit Turbo from Uli Beri Motors (then a dealer in Toronto) . . . now my red 1989 SE hides in the garage in Edmonton. I teach in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Comments about the white '85-'87. I have not personally seen that colour car in TO. Check for bad paint, though. I have heard of people buying perfect black ones and painting them white (on a whim). Fuel smell is common problem and the line replacement is cheap, but not easy. It took me 2 days, but I am a perfectionist regarding fit and finish. A Lotus weak point -I believe.
The top of gas tanks rust easily if the car leaks water past the foam rubber trunk seal or if battery acid gets spilt on it. Also the rubber gasket (seal?) between the tank and the fuel pump/sendor is a weak link. I have a spare gas tank (and sender/pump with gasket) -all mint- just for that reason.
Andrew Podor
andrewp1989@hotmail.com
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, I dreamed of Esprits since the middle 70's when Lotus regularly won F1 races and championships.
Bought my Esprit Turbo from Uli Beri Motors (then a dealer in Toronto) . . . now my red 1989 SE hides in the garage in Edmonton. I teach in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Comments about the white '85-'87. I have not personally seen that colour car in TO. Check for bad paint, though. I have heard of people buying perfect black ones and painting them white (on a whim). Fuel smell is common problem and the line replacement is cheap, but not easy. It took me 2 days, but I am a perfectionist regarding fit and finish. A Lotus weak point -I believe.
The top of gas tanks rust easily if the car leaks water past the foam rubber trunk seal or if battery acid gets spilt on it. Also the rubber gasket (seal?) between the tank and the fuel pump/sendor is a weak link. I have a spare gas tank (and sender/pump with gasket) -all mint- just for that reason.
Andrew Podor
andrewp1989@hotmail.com
bojangles said:
Hi Martin,
I am in Toronto five days a week, so if you ever want to meet and swill beer and talk lotus.. let me know. I have a 95 S4s.
Bruce
hello,
I would defenetly like to meet with local Lotus owners. It would probably be better in the spring time when it gets a little warmer.
Martin
andrewp1989 said:
Howdee all you Ontarians:
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, I dreamed of Esprits since the middle 70's when Lotus regularly won F1 races and championships.
Bought my Esprit Turbo from Uli Beri Motors (then a dealer in Toronto) . . . now my red 1989 SE hides in the garage in Edmonton. I teach in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Comments about the white '85-'87. I have not personally seen that colour car in TO. Check for bad paint, though. I have heard of people buying perfect black ones and painting them white (on a whim). Fuel smell is common problem and the line replacement is cheap, but not easy. It took me 2 days, but I am a perfectionist regarding fit and finish. A Lotus weak point -I believe.
The top of gas tanks rust easily if the car leaks water past the foam rubber trunk seal or if battery acid gets spilt on it. Also the rubber gasket (seal?) between the tank and the fuel pump/sendor is a weak link. I have a spare gas tank (and sender/pump with gasket) -all mint- just for that reason.
Andrew Podor
andrewp1989@hotmail.com
Hi,
the white 85 i'm looking at was actually for sale by Bieri last year. I went to check it out. Uli gave me a ride in the car etc. I made a mistake by bringing my dad with me. He started to nit pick at things he didn't like like rear bumper.(the rear bumper was a little wavy on top).
The car was there about 6 months, then a guy came and traded his 85 928 for the Esprit. He now wants a 308, so he is selling the Esprit. I will go back on Sunday and try to hammer out a deal. I think the white exterior with black interior is a timeless combo.
The paint is mint on the white one. It has a chip here and there, but it appears to be original.
All electonics actually work, even the headlights go up. I noticed that the handles on the glass roof rattle a bit, but there is a fix for that accoring to the LEW website.
How are these cars when driving in the rain? I know about the traction problem, but i'm concered about water getting into the car. I know a person who had an 88 and he told me that his dizzy died because water go in there during a drive while raining.
take care,
Martin
Hi mate,
Welcome to the forum.
"I just turned 24 and would like to get one before i make a mistake and get married etc. That way i can put all my attention on the car."
- I thought the same, bought a Black '83 S3 N/A last year when I was 24, one of the best things I've ever done! I was lucky to get an S3 for the budget, and the insurance was suprisingly reasonable. The summer was excellent, infact so much so, I just bought a Black '84 S3 Turbo to use next summer. I must admit I've had a few problems with the '83 (as everybody here knows!) but with time, effort, £££, and help from the guys here, it's no problem! I hope your not planning on using it as a daily driver, because that won't happen! Well in my case it wouldn't have happened! With luck, the '83 will be back on the road for Jan and then up for sale as the '84 will replace it once I've sorted it's problems. Either way, I've never looked back!
Cheers.
CAM.
Welcome to the forum.
"I just turned 24 and would like to get one before i make a mistake and get married etc. That way i can put all my attention on the car."
- I thought the same, bought a Black '83 S3 N/A last year when I was 24, one of the best things I've ever done! I was lucky to get an S3 for the budget, and the insurance was suprisingly reasonable. The summer was excellent, infact so much so, I just bought a Black '84 S3 Turbo to use next summer. I must admit I've had a few problems with the '83 (as everybody here knows!) but with time, effort, £££, and help from the guys here, it's no problem! I hope your not planning on using it as a daily driver, because that won't happen! Well in my case it wouldn't have happened! With luck, the '83 will be back on the road for Jan and then up for sale as the '84 will replace it once I've sorted it's problems. Either way, I've never looked back!
Cheers.
CAM.
Though I got off pretty well (price and condition- wise) with my Esprit purchase from Uli Beri Motors, I cannot, however, say I trust the shop or owner.
The Toronto Automobile Dealers Association (or something thike this) has a web "shit list" of GMT dealers who have been caught (and charged) with used car modifications or lies. Last time I checked -maybe 2 years ago-, Uli Beri Motors was on their list of 200. Seems they rolled back the km's on a black Benz once and got caught doing it. Can't comment on it other than the web page I read which well described the incident (down to the time and date of the imposed fine).
I can say that their service area "appears" to staffed with competent people (mechanics), however either they cut corners or the Esprit owners are cheap and instruct them to cut corners. My Esprit has many major issues regarding: F rotor wear (well thinner and than the min. standard and deeply scored), paper thin -i.e. wore out- pads F and R, poor rubber lines near the R calipers, a leaky BP valve, crazily black tarry brake fluid that was 5 (6?) years overdo to flush, a seriously leaky exhaust manifld, a leaky manifold to turbo seal, a turbine housing with a cracked wastegate . . . . I could go on but will not.
The point is the car had their regular maintenance stamps in the service book, and was sold by them with a full Ontario government safety check. The brakes were inspected, the lines bled, the pads checked . . . . ya, my ass they were.
Just beware. These guys are a little shadey (in my opinion) as exotic cars pretty much sell themselves due to lust not clear thinking by the new owner. If they ask $35,000 for a car, it is likely a $22,500 car with $10,000 in repairs needed just hiding away.
Just a word of advice/caution.
By the way, tell Nelson Lau (in sales at Beri) that Andrew from Edmonton says "Hi". Also tell him to stop smoking, please. Show him this e-mail message if you like. None of it will suprize him.
AP
The Toronto Automobile Dealers Association (or something thike this) has a web "shit list" of GMT dealers who have been caught (and charged) with used car modifications or lies. Last time I checked -maybe 2 years ago-, Uli Beri Motors was on their list of 200. Seems they rolled back the km's on a black Benz once and got caught doing it. Can't comment on it other than the web page I read which well described the incident (down to the time and date of the imposed fine).
I can say that their service area "appears" to staffed with competent people (mechanics), however either they cut corners or the Esprit owners are cheap and instruct them to cut corners. My Esprit has many major issues regarding: F rotor wear (well thinner and than the min. standard and deeply scored), paper thin -i.e. wore out- pads F and R, poor rubber lines near the R calipers, a leaky BP valve, crazily black tarry brake fluid that was 5 (6?) years overdo to flush, a seriously leaky exhaust manifld, a leaky manifold to turbo seal, a turbine housing with a cracked wastegate . . . . I could go on but will not.
The point is the car had their regular maintenance stamps in the service book, and was sold by them with a full Ontario government safety check. The brakes were inspected, the lines bled, the pads checked . . . . ya, my ass they were.
Just beware. These guys are a little shadey (in my opinion) as exotic cars pretty much sell themselves due to lust not clear thinking by the new owner. If they ask $35,000 for a car, it is likely a $22,500 car with $10,000 in repairs needed just hiding away.
Just a word of advice/caution.
By the way, tell Nelson Lau (in sales at Beri) that Andrew from Edmonton says "Hi". Also tell him to stop smoking, please. Show him this e-mail message if you like. None of it will suprize him.
AP
Dr.Hess said:
Where the hell is Edmonton?
Sorry, used to have a T-shirt that said that...
Dr.Hess
it does have the largest Shopping Mall in the world! never been to any other part of it
and I shall be there in one weeks time for Crimbo
can't wait! Welcome Martin Badaszek!
>> Edited by pvapour on Friday 10th December 18:50
cam79 said:
Hi mate,
Welcome to the forum.
"I just turned 24 and would like to get one before i make a mistake and get married etc. That way i can put all my attention on the car."
- I thought the same, bought a Black '83 S3 N/A last year when I was 24, one of the best things I've ever done! I was lucky to get an S3 for the budget, and the insurance was suprisingly reasonable. The summer was excellent, infact so much so, I just bought a Black '84 S3 Turbo to use next summer. I must admit I've had a few problems with the '83 (as everybody here knows!) but with time, effort, £££, and help from the guys here, it's no problem! I hope your not planning on using it as a daily driver, because that won't happen! Well in my case it wouldn't have happened! With luck, the '83 will be back on the road for Jan and then up for sale as the '84 will replace it once I've sorted it's problems. Either way, I've never looked back!
Cheers.
CAM.
Hi,
Your comments are great to hear. I'm very happy to hear that if i have a problem, there are people here that have answers and many sources to look for parts etc.
I was actullty plannng to use it almost as a daily summer car. No rain or long distance though. This year I drove 10,000km's on my MR2. I would plan to do 5-10km on the Esprit yearly. What is the main reason why they can't be used daily? Is it the down time for parts waiting time?
I kbow a person that used to work for Bieri. What he told me shocked me and my friend who bought a 83 Delorean from them in the summer of 2003. Basicly speaking though if an Esprit has a boost leak because of a crack in the rubber hose, the owner shouldn't be charged for a new turbo. He got fired becasue he told the owner of the car the truth. I notided that they do gets many car from the US. My guess would be they pick-up all the cheap ones with problems, clean and buff them and then sell here.
Nelson is a funny character..."you buy car today, tommorow price diffrent" is the line he said more than once.LOL. When my friend bought the Delorean, they gave us a tour in the back, lots of cars and bays.
My friend paid 1,200 parts and labour on the slave cylinder for his Delorean. The car was saftied with bad wheel barings. Luckily it does run nice and he is very happy with the car. He will not go back.
We have a small local British shop called JD auto service. He works on many Lotuses. The beauty of his shop is that it is small and he does it all so you do get the service you deserve.
When i talked to Bieri last year about warranty and what happens when there is a problem. He mentioned that he had a customer in Alberta that had an engine failure and brought back the car. He said after they took it apart, they came to the conclustion that the owner missed a gear and overreved it...
Martin
Nelson is a funny character..."you buy car today, tommorow price diffrent" is the line he said more than once.LOL. When my friend bought the Delorean, they gave us a tour in the back, lots of cars and bays.
My friend paid 1,200 parts and labour on the slave cylinder for his Delorean. The car was saftied with bad wheel barings. Luckily it does run nice and he is very happy with the car. He will not go back.
We have a small local British shop called JD auto service. He works on many Lotuses. The beauty of his shop is that it is small and he does it all so you do get the service you deserve.
When i talked to Bieri last year about warranty and what happens when there is a problem. He mentioned that he had a customer in Alberta that had an engine failure and brought back the car. He said after they took it apart, they came to the conclustion that the owner missed a gear and overreved it...
Martin
andrewp1989 said:
Though I got off pretty well (price and condition- wise) with my Esprit purchase from Uli Beri Motors, I cannot, however, say I trust the shop or owner.
The Toronto Automobile Dealers Association (or something thike this) has a web "shit list" of GMT dealers who have been caught (and charged) with used car modifications or lies. Last time I checked -maybe 2 years ago-, Uli Beri Motors was on their list of 200. Seems they rolled back the km's on a black Benz once and got caught doing it. Can't comment on it other than the web page I read which well described the incident (down to the time and date of the imposed fine).
I can say that their service area "appears" to staffed with competent people (mechanics), however either they cut corners or the Esprit owners are cheap and instruct them to cut corners. My Esprit has many major issues regarding: F rotor wear (well thinner and than the min. standard and deeply scored), paper thin -i.e. wore out- pads F and R, poor rubber lines near the R calipers, a leaky BP valve, crazily black tarry brake fluid that was 5 (6?) years overdo to flush, a seriously leaky exhaust manifld, a leaky manifold to turbo seal, a turbine housing with a cracked wastegate . . . . I could go on but will not.
The point is the car had their regular maintenance stamps in the service book, and was sold by them with a full Ontario government safety check. The brakes were inspected, the lines bled, the pads checked . . . . ya, my ass they were.
Just beware. These guys are a little shadey (in my opinion) as exotic cars pretty much sell themselves due to lust not clear thinking by the new owner. If they ask $35,000 for a car, it is likely a $22,500 car with $10,000 in repairs needed just hiding away.
Just a word of advice/caution.
By the way, tell Nelson Lau (in sales at Beri) that Andrew from Edmonton says "Hi". Also tell him to stop smoking, please. Show him this e-mail message if you like. None of it will suprize him.
AP
I have heard of a Calgary-based black Esprit S4 blowing up right after an oil change . . . . the oil change was done in Edmonton.
I do not know if this car is the Alberta-based Uli Beri car that was mentioned earlier.
I am told he took the car out on the Argyll Expressway and "opened her up" for a few minutes only to find stray engine pieces dancing around on the roadway -in the rear-view mirror- after a big bang.
I have a theory about how/why this can occur on an Esprit. It is based on how the pump is engineered and positioned (high) on the car . . . . the design is good for a dry sump, but less so for a wet sump engine.
AP
I do not know if this car is the Alberta-based Uli Beri car that was mentioned earlier.
I am told he took the car out on the Argyll Expressway and "opened her up" for a few minutes only to find stray engine pieces dancing around on the roadway -in the rear-view mirror- after a big bang.
I have a theory about how/why this can occur on an Esprit. It is based on how the pump is engineered and positioned (high) on the car . . . . the design is good for a dry sump, but less so for a wet sump engine.
AP
I went back to see the white 85 for sale and this is where we are at now.
He will let it go for $20,000 CND.
The paint is all original white, extremly clean in and out. I think he is the 3rd or 4th owner. 62,000km on body. 2,000km on rebult motor and clutch. New alternator was also done, has the original manuals, recepts,etc. I noticed that the driver side gas filler door is a little loose, maybe that is the cause of the fuel smell. The car idles and runs perfect. Do you guy's think it's a good deal?
Martin
He will let it go for $20,000 CND.
The paint is all original white, extremly clean in and out. I think he is the 3rd or 4th owner. 62,000km on body. 2,000km on rebult motor and clutch. New alternator was also done, has the original manuals, recepts,etc. I noticed that the driver side gas filler door is a little loose, maybe that is the cause of the fuel smell. The car idles and runs perfect. Do you guy's think it's a good deal?
Martin
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff