New to Esprit Scene

[wtsn96]

I am interested in purchasing a 1989 Esprit. Can anyone offer any advice?? I hear there are a lot of mechanical issues with them that come with a lot of expense. What can i expect to pay yearly in maintance costs if I plan on weekend usage only? The one im looking at is an 89 Esprit Turbo with almost 40k on it.
Thank you
Adam
[e-mail]

[rob.e]

Check out www.lotusespritworld.com

Lots of great info on there including buying guide etc. If you don't know what you are doing then make sure you get a specialist to check out any prospective purchase before hand. Also, post up on the forums (fora?) if you have a particular car in mind - someone may know some of the history or be able to assist.. the esprit world is pretty small

Cheers. Good luck and have fun - test drive as many cars as you can

[kylie]

Hi Adam, I have a 89 Carbed Turbo with high miles and has not caused me any real major expensive problems in the last fours years of ownership. Things I have done to it are in my profile. Many of the things I have done were purely optional of course! Most people generally take the attitude that these a hobby car that you tinker with to keep her going, rather than buying a reliable never breakdown Toyota Corona. Hope it all works out for you.

Kylie

[Dr.Hess]

I have an 89 non-SE. Kyelie's is a non-US market. there are basically no 89 carbed turbo's in the US. I would say there were probably less mechanical issues with the 89 non-SE than with other years.

No: Chargecooler (and pump), power steering, ABS, air bags.

Yes: Delco EFI, Renault box.

Much less to go wrong. It ain't a Camry, but you should already know that. Most of us do our own work, which makes it all afordable (sort of).

Dr.Hess

[Autocross7]

Hi! I opted for the 88' due to the fact that I loved the non-SE look and it was the "right" deal for me... however, it is safe to say that with all Esprit there comes a degree of "it cost a lot to fix it" retoric. True to a point, but do not let that scare you. The cars are reliable if you take care of them. Trouble in the USA is that nobody knows anything about cars anymore... including most shops! Generalization? Sure, but an engine is an engine is a... you get the point. Stay with the maintenence schedule and you will do fine!
I have also found that there is a tremendouse deal of help and information available when it comes time to
Also, as for cost of operation... depends on if you can do your own work. Labor can be outragious as shops will charge more than is really needed or just becuase it is a Lotus and it will be asumed you have money... even if you do, I doubt the shop is correct in asumming you want to give it to them.

They are great cars and at least in my world I get comments of envy from the Ferrari stable when it come to parts and maintenence.

Drive topless!!!
Cameron