Lotus Esprit as daily driver?
Discussion
Having today sold my XKR I've decided to try and buy my childhood dream car, namely a Lotus Esprit (preferably turbo). I had settled on a nearly new Elise S - great little car but I now want an Esprit even more....
I work from home and simply wasn't using the XKR enough to justify the £1000 a month depreciation any longer!
Am I mad to consider an Esprit as my only car? (wife also has a car). Which model to go for? Ideally I'd like to spend around £15k - is this realistic?
Finally, anyone have a car they'd like to sell me?!
(I've posted in GG because the Lotus forums here are pretty quiet.....)
I work from home and simply wasn't using the XKR enough to justify the £1000 a month depreciation any longer!
Am I mad to consider an Esprit as my only car? (wife also has a car). Which model to go for? Ideally I'd like to spend around £15k - is this realistic?
Finally, anyone have a car they'd like to sell me?!
(I've posted in GG because the Lotus forums here are pretty quiet.....)
yellowtang said:
Having today sold my XKR I've decided to try and buy my childhood dream car, namely a Lotus Esprit (preferably turbo). I had settled on a nearly new Elise S - great little car but I now want an Esprit even more....
I work from home and simply wasn't using the XKR enough to justify the £1000 a month depreciation any longer!
Am I mad to consider an Esprit as my only car? (wife also has a car). Which model to go for? Ideally I'd like to spend around £15k - is this realistic?
Finally, anyone have a car they'd like to sell me?!
(I've posted in GG because the Lotus forums here are pretty quiet.....)
You're mental. But do it anyway otherwise you'll regret it I work from home and simply wasn't using the XKR enough to justify the £1000 a month depreciation any longer!
Am I mad to consider an Esprit as my only car? (wife also has a car). Which model to go for? Ideally I'd like to spend around £15k - is this realistic?
Finally, anyone have a car they'd like to sell me?!
(I've posted in GG because the Lotus forums here are pretty quiet.....)
CS Garth said:
You're mental. But do it anyway otherwise you'll regret it
Yes, I am probably (definitely) mental! But there are so many great 80's/90's cars that I love and yet have never owned, just because of being sensible and worrying about reliability etc. I'm now a father and need to set a good example for my son - life is for living and yes, I probably would regret it if I didn't do it
There are so many models of Esprit available that it's almost impossible to give a definitive answer. Some will no doubt chip in soon with their own tales of woe, but they can only comment on the cars they've owned and driven. I've owned many and none have been unreliable, in fact they all benefit from regular use. I did the school run in one of mine for about two years.
Rule of thumb, the Esprit got better and more reliable with model and each year.
The later the car the easier it will be to live with and the 98my refresh onwards produced the most usable of the lot. However I'm not sure your budget will stretch that far. It's worth remembering that these are now classic cars and not a modern hatchback.
Rule of thumb, the Esprit got better and more reliable with model and each year.
The later the car the easier it will be to live with and the 98my refresh onwards produced the most usable of the lot. However I'm not sure your budget will stretch that far. It's worth remembering that these are now classic cars and not a modern hatchback.
I had a 1986 original shape 25th Anniversary Edition in immaculate condition. There is still no way you could use that as a daily - not in a million years. Had a life of it's own, too hard to change gear (as a daily) and you can't see sod all.
As stated newer the better. As also stated, you're mental to consider it.
As stated newer the better. As also stated, you're mental to consider it.
Impasse said:
Take note of the website they used to gather their information for that piece, then log on and join up.
Will do, cheers.Thanks for your previous post too - there are very few cars for sale at present but I certainly don't imagine my budget will get anywhere near a 98' onwards car. Are the Stevens models particularly unreliable? They seem about the best value?
You probably could but.... Pre 93 will have no PAS. Gearbox can be very awkward at low speed making traffic a stressful event. Visibility is pretty terrible which makes parking exciting.
On the plus side, mpg is surprisingly good. From experience over the last year, parts on 4 cylinder cars tend to be in plentiful supply and reasonably priced. V8 cars seem to use a number of bespoke (and very expensive) items.
S4S seems to be best compromise between running costs and performance/reliability
If you are capable of a bit of diy / re-attaching errant trim then could just about Run one as a daily.
I have run 2x Elise as daily in the past. The esprit would be a whole new level of stress on a daily basis.
That said it would be quite an 'event' every day
Good luck!
On the plus side, mpg is surprisingly good. From experience over the last year, parts on 4 cylinder cars tend to be in plentiful supply and reasonably priced. V8 cars seem to use a number of bespoke (and very expensive) items.
S4S seems to be best compromise between running costs and performance/reliability
If you are capable of a bit of diy / re-attaching errant trim then could just about Run one as a daily.
I have run 2x Elise as daily in the past. The esprit would be a whole new level of stress on a daily basis.
That said it would be quite an 'event' every day
Good luck!
Interesting responses!
I live in a Somerset village and rarely go into the city, in fact, Bath is my local city and I rarely took the XKR there due to parking it - that's what the wife's car is for
If I want to stay anywhere near the budget I may have to downgrade my expectations to a non turbo, unless an S4 can be found. There is a V8 in Holland for £20k...........
I live in a Somerset village and rarely go into the city, in fact, Bath is my local city and I rarely took the XKR there due to parking it - that's what the wife's car is for
If I want to stay anywhere near the budget I may have to downgrade my expectations to a non turbo, unless an S4 can be found. There is a V8 in Holland for £20k...........
yellowtang said:
Interesting responses!
I live in a Somerset village and rarely go into the city, in fact, Bath is my local city and I rarely took the XKR there due to parking it - that's what the wife's car is for
If I want to stay anywhere near the budget I may have to downgrade my expectations to a non turbo, unless an S4 can be found. There is a V8 in Holland for £20k...........
Is that at Target cars ?I live in a Somerset village and rarely go into the city, in fact, Bath is my local city and I rarely took the XKR there due to parking it - that's what the wife's car is for
If I want to stay anywhere near the budget I may have to downgrade my expectations to a non turbo, unless an S4 can be found. There is a V8 in Holland for £20k...........
They quite often have Insurance Cat damaged cars, so call before you go.
Do it. Always better to regret stuff we do, as opposed to stuff we don't. I used my E30 M3 track car as a daily for a year so see no reason why an Esprit wouldn't be up to the task.
I drove a white 1988 Esprit many years ago and it was a wonderful experience. When my lotto win comes I aim to build a V8 S1 car,
I drove a white 1988 Esprit many years ago and it was a wonderful experience. When my lotto win comes I aim to build a V8 S1 car,
so called said:
Is that at Target cars ?
They quite often have Insurance Cat damaged cars, so call before you go.
Yes, it's a cat D but I can't see a lot wrong with it? I wonder if being a Cat D really matters on this type of car - it's a modern classic now anyway. Mind you, I can't really imagine getting an inspection carried out is going to be easy to arrange and whichever car I buy, I'll need an inspection carried out because I know bugger all! They quite often have Insurance Cat damaged cars, so call before you go.
- moronbuyslotusespritcatdthenbankruptshimself
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