New V8 owner, 2 months later
Discussion
I've had my '99 Esprit for two months now, so here are some impressions for folks considering buying one:
The car is solid. It has been reliable and well-mannered, and I think that can be attributed to the previous two owners. They always had the car regularly serviced, and they never drove it abusively (no drag racing, no snow days, etc.) A well-maintained Esprit is a reliable car.
It's a blast to drive. The quickness and agility are remarkable. The only car I've ever driven that handled better was a Lotus Elise.
The steering wheel is beautiful. I've heard so many complaints about it being big and ugly, but trust me: it's not. It just might not suit some folks' taste. And who can account for taste?
You're driving a race car, not a sports car. By that I mean you are in a tight, low cabin. I drove a 2005 Corvette with a 6-speed last week. My grandfather could drive a Corvette: it's easy to get in and out of, controls are light and feathery.... The Esprit, on the other hand, is a young man's car. Perfect. (Warning: if you have size 13 feet or bigger, you'll probably have to drive barefoot. I'm size 10.5 and it's fine.)
I never miss a shift in my Cadillac CTS. I occasionally (very rarely) miss a shift in the Lotus at traffic stops. 1st and 3rd are close together.
It's a wild-looking car. Folks ogle it on the road, in the parking lots, everywhere. Kids on bikes point at it.
Gas mileage is very good. It doesn't guzzle unless you're flooring it all the time.
If you want a Lotus Esprit, get one.
The car is solid. It has been reliable and well-mannered, and I think that can be attributed to the previous two owners. They always had the car regularly serviced, and they never drove it abusively (no drag racing, no snow days, etc.) A well-maintained Esprit is a reliable car.
It's a blast to drive. The quickness and agility are remarkable. The only car I've ever driven that handled better was a Lotus Elise.
The steering wheel is beautiful. I've heard so many complaints about it being big and ugly, but trust me: it's not. It just might not suit some folks' taste. And who can account for taste?
You're driving a race car, not a sports car. By that I mean you are in a tight, low cabin. I drove a 2005 Corvette with a 6-speed last week. My grandfather could drive a Corvette: it's easy to get in and out of, controls are light and feathery.... The Esprit, on the other hand, is a young man's car. Perfect. (Warning: if you have size 13 feet or bigger, you'll probably have to drive barefoot. I'm size 10.5 and it's fine.)
I never miss a shift in my Cadillac CTS. I occasionally (very rarely) miss a shift in the Lotus at traffic stops. 1st and 3rd are close together.
It's a wild-looking car. Folks ogle it on the road, in the parking lots, everywhere. Kids on bikes point at it.
Gas mileage is very good. It doesn't guzzle unless you're flooring it all the time.
If you want a Lotus Esprit, get one.
I guess everything is relative... I found the stock steering wheel to be a real junker. It's too large, blocks vision of the instrument cluster and has a rubbery feel not to mention it doesn't match anything in the interior (color or style). If you replace it with a nice Raid/Atiwe airbag wheel (with one of JK's adapters) you'll most certainly be more impressed with the steering and feedback. Beyond that the V8 is reasonably well sorted, all things considered, but has room for much improvement in more than a few areas.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Regards, KM
2000 V8
I'm 5'8" (average height and stature) and I can see all the instruments through the steering wheel, no problem, and I personally find the steering wheel suitably grippy, proportioned, and color-matched. Is it as nice as the one you guys have been group-buying? No: the Atiwe looks reeeeally sharp. But the standard steering wheel is certainly adequate and does not seem out of place in the car. I see why Lotus chose to use it. I guess the Lotus guys and I have the same (bad?) taste.
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