What does everyone think about this?

What does everyone think about this?

Author
Discussion

Michael ESP

Original Poster:

21 posts

232 months

Thursday 19th May 2005
quotequote all
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6312&item=4550886496&rd=1

He also has a black 93 for sale on there too. I bid 18 grand on the red 89 above, but reserve is still not met and I was outbid within moments, so I dont know what insane price he is probably asking. I tried emailing and calling him to no avail.

Also, he states its an SE, though I see it doesnt have SE syling, coudl the engine be SE spec?

Does it look painted to you guys? I mean, the car looks VERY clean, but a bit TOO glossy like on the engine cover and bay area, and the interior looks brand new. Do you think it could really be that mint?

And finally, I dont know why Lotus people on ebay never provide detauled service history. Recent tune up he states includes belt tensioner! Whoopie!
How about when and where and do you have the receiptes for ABC services!

Mike

>> Edited by Michael ESP on Thursday 19th May 17:00

Dr.Hess

837 posts

255 months

Thursday 19th May 2005
quotequote all
Not answering email and phone calls is a major red flag in my book, especially when dealing with an 18K purchase. You are also correct in that the car appears to be an 89 non-SE. There is no charge cooler on the motor.

Dr.Hess

GKP

15,099 posts

246 months

Thursday 19th May 2005
quotequote all
Dunno about the rest of it, but that's deffo not an SE. As mentioned before, no chargecooler and front bumper inc fog lights wrong, also side sills wrong and lower colour scheme suggests earlier car than 1989, and centre console has no cubby hole, although mirrors and rear hatch cover are correct. Rear spoiler is from a later (S4s or early V8) car.

If it's close enough, go and have a look but take a mate that knows Esprits. It could be ok, but obviously go in with your eyes wide open and leave any naivety at home!

Michael ESP

Original Poster:

21 posts

232 months

Thursday 19th May 2005
quotequote all
yeah I didnt think it was an SE. The guy doesnt seem to know a damn thing, and states the same write up on the other car he has on ebay, a 93.5 Esprit SE.

I hate people like this, why does it have to be so shady. Just tell me about the damn car!!! I will continue to call him.

He is about 5 hours from me, I wont take a ride there until I know what hes asking. Anymore than 18K is too much for a non SE in my book. And if he cant provide service history, no way would I even look at it after that.

Mike

85S3NA

55 posts

251 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
This is not an SE Turbo - I'm pretty sure it's an early Steven's Esprit Turbo, manufactured 1989 according to the VIN shown - the unique colour scheme is a give away - also, it is not badged as chargecooled, and the turbo manifold doesn't show it as being chargecooled either - SE's had both.

The early Steven's turbo's had 215 BHP engine, whereas the later and superior SE Turbo I think came with 264 BHP.

Jonathan 85S3NA

cnh1990

3,035 posts

268 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
I go along with the others.

It's the crossover model with the Delco EFI and Renault tranny judging from the rear wheels made in early 89 would indicate it had outboard rear brakes. 88's and earlier had rear wheels with a deeper offsets because of the Citroen tranny/inboard brakes set up. Someone just stuck an S4s wing on it. While the crossover model did have little more HP than the 215 of the 88's they still did not have the zip of the SE's They started to make SE's in mid to late 89. I recall someone mentioning the 89's including the SE's made in this year has difficulty in reprogramming or remapping the chip. So a new chip set has to ordered if one wants to do this.

Marki

15,763 posts

275 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
how you could contemplate buying a specialist car on fleabay is beyond me mate , i would not buy a mobile phone off it

Michael ESP

Original Poster:

21 posts

232 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
I spoke to the guy finally today. He wants 23K for it, I laughed and told him I would offer no more than 19,000 if he doesnt sell it. Turns out, he was a nice guy and willing to maybe go to that price if he doesnt sell it. He has early service records, and a few maintenance records as of lately.

But, with the 93 he is selling, beautiful car, and at Lamboghini/Ferrari.Lotus of Atlanta, he wants 29.9 k for it. I told him that was S4 territory, and he states he would take 26K for it. Not bad considering it has full service history and low miles.

See Here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6312&item=4551234926&rd=1

To answer your question why I would be looking at ebay for a Lotus, simply because you cant find them anywhere. The ones you find at Autotrader or dealerships are all overpriced by atleast 6 thousand, and also, again, I cant find any one looking to sell them.

Unless someone knows people in the Lotus Club across the US looking to sell.

Marki

15,763 posts

275 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
ahahaa so you are in the US , your profile says UK now i can start to understand (maybe).

Michael ESP

Original Poster:

21 posts

232 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
Marki said:
ahahaa so you are in the US , your profile says UK now i can start to understand (maybe).



yeah, I dont know how to change the profile

Marki

15,763 posts

275 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
Err Edit profile maybe

Esprit2

279 posts

242 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
On Thursday I used "Ask Seller a Question" to send the following message to the seller:
> "1989 Esprit's came in SE and non-SE form. The car in the pictures
> is clearly not an SE. There are a number of body differences,
> especially the front airdam and the rear valence. But the dead
> give away is the lack of a charge cooler on the engine.
> The VIN doesn't clearly differentiate between SE and non-SE models,
> but the engine number does. SE engines are identified
> by the letter "C" stamped on the cylinder block following
> the engine number on top of the rear flange."


The seller replied with:
>> "Yes this car is a 11/88 production so early 89. It was sold
>> to me as an SE and the car fax reads SE,it is a 2.2 liter
>> engine. I have informed all bidders of the facts. Thanks, Rob"

Rob's response doesn't really say anything... kinda dances around the point without really touching it.

So Michael, if he's informed all bidders of the facts, did he volunteer anything to you about it not being an SE?

Tim

>> Edited by Esprit2 on Friday 20th May 18:58

Michael ESP

Original Poster:

21 posts

232 months

Friday 20th May 2005
quotequote all
Esprit2 said:
On Thursday I used "Ask Seller a Question" to send the following message to the seller:
> "1989 Esprit's came in SE and non-SE form. The car in the pictures
> is clearly not an SE. There are a number of body differences,
> especially the front airdam and the rear valence. But the dead
> give away is the lack of a charge cooler on the engine.
> The VIN doesn't clearly differentiate between SE and non-SE models,
> but the engine number does. SE engines are identified
> by the letter "C" stamped on the cylinder block following
> the engine number on top of the rear flange."


The seller replied with:
>> "Yes this car is a 11/88 production so early 89. It was sold
>> to me as an SE and the car fax reads SE,it is a 2.2 liter
>> engine. I have informed all bidders of the facts. Thanks, Rob"

Rob's response doesn't really say anything... kinda dances around the point without really touching it.

So Michael, if he's informed all bidders of the facts, did he volunteer anything to you about it not being an SE?

Tim

>> Edited by Esprit2 on Friday 20th May 18:58


well actually he said it is not an SE when I spoke to him.