see anything funny in this Esprit??

[cb1118]

I have been searching for an Esprit for a while..
market price in HK is GBP7900 to GBP10200 (for Turbo SE)
and GBP22000 (for 1996 V8)
Insurance is GBP300 per year (34yrs old with a 40%NCB)

[url]<a href="www.28car.com/sell_dsp.php?h_id=44232&h_url_dsp_src=/sell_lst.php&h_vw=1&h_f_mk=8">www.28car.com/sell_dsp.php?h_id=44232&h_url_dsp_src=/sell_lst.php&h_vw=1&h_f_mk=8</a>[/url]

finally there is an Esprit Turbo SE for sale in the market...
but (can you see what's wrong with the pic?)


**NOTE: in the end, I did not buy it. (hope you can notice the problem from the photo)

>> Edited by cb1118 on Monday 4th July 07:19

[markuskj]

I am pre-coffee so forgive me but I dont see the problem - tell all?

[tuscan_v8]

Erm the front badge is missing?

[adrianmugridge]

I've spotted it !!! The discussion forum on teh car is written by children !!

[cb1118]

(1)yes, the front badge is missing
(2)the front suspensions are set higher than normal

**apparently (after I went to check out the Esprit), it was in a serious front collision accident before.

I spent about half hour in the dealer to check everywhere, especially the front part of car.

I had to say "NO"..I would pass on this one...
it's been 6months since my last search...
never quit to find a Esprit.

**it's very hard to find one in HK, it's just not very popular here.

[cb1118]

adrianmugridge said:

I've spotted it !!! The discussion forum on teh car is written by children !!

oh, don't read that, as you are already an Esprit owner.
in hong kong, most people just think Esprit as "trouble maker" and "old model"
they never tried to understand it.

and yes, you are right, there are many replies by kids, who are always asking 3 questions only (in any car sales)

(1)insurance cost...**funny they never call the insurance company directly
(2)petrol consumption...
(3)ask the seller to call them...**but the seller already leaves a phone number there.

I am the "Lotus Fans" in the post, and trying to tell them it is a great car, and can be very reliable after certain investment and choose of better parts.


the search of Esprit is really painstaking..(only 2 broken Esprits in the market in 6 months)

when I visited this dealer last week.
the guy indirectly admitted about the front collision, and indirectly admitted that the front suspensions are not the correct spec (meaning not the original parts, and definitely not the correct sizes)

the funniest thing is the dealer does not even know how to pop the front cover. he had to ask me to teach him that.
**anyway, the front is not aligned, about 10mm offset to one side.

another thing is the dealer does/won't connect the battery, that's funny


>> Edited by cb1118 on Monday 4th July 12:02

[markuskj]

Sorry to hear about your fruitless search mate, but you anyone one here will agree that you are right to wait.

Could you not get one shipped out from the UK for instance?

[cb1118]

thx markuskj,

no I cannot import one from UK or Australia
because

(1)the Hong Kong department of transport has a very tough regulation on emission test of importing cars.
**now, cars of 7years or older basically will not pass the custom!!


(2)the import test is extremely high
just look at the Lotus Esprit SE Turbo 1991, in UK, it worths more than it is in HK..
so the price is GBP12000-14000
and then importing to HK, I have to pay about 90% import duty, making the car's value to GBP22,800

wow... no one pays more than GBP11000 for a used Esprit SE Turbo here (assuming very good condition)
**and someone got lucky last year to purchase a very good condition Yellow SE Turbo at GBP6600

after the sales of this Yellow SE Turbo, the HK market now sees any SE Turbo with the similar value.



but HK is a strange place
anything unique may have a better value.
for example, recently for sale in HK (RHD version)
1979 Pontiac Transam (454cu in. V8) asking for GBP22000
1965 Ford Mustang 265cu in..V6 convertiable asking for GBP19400
a 1991 Corvette Convertible 5700cc V8 for GBP19000

I have checked the prices in Australia
the 1979 Pontiac Transam should only worth GBP9300
the 1965 Ford Mustang should only worth GBP12700
the 1991 Corvette Convertible should worth GBP14600

other funny facts
a 1995 Nissan Skyline GTR33 = GBP10300
a 1995 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo = GBP8000
a 1995 Mitsuibi GTO Twin Turbo = GBP4400
a 1995 Mazda RX7 = GBP4400

[andecorp]

Can you please post some links to sites in HK where I can find Lambo's for sale? Or other high end exotics like XJ220, BugatiEB110, etc.
I am looking into importing into Australia from HK and Google searches bring nothing. I am looking for similar type sites like www.carpoint.com.au or www.drive.com.au
Thanks.