Car lifts for Esprits
Discussion
How much do you want to spend? Tony has one that uses an ordinary floor jack to lift and then has some sort of safety lock to prevent being lowered. Still have to use a creeper though. I have also seen ones that has to anchored to the floor (a 4 post lift) that has an electric or manual crank. Many people also use these to lift a car up so one can slide another car underneath. Like fit 3 cars in a 2 car garage if the ceiling is high enough. I have been toying with one for a while but am leaning towards adding another 2 bay garage. My 2 kids will be driving in a several years so I may need a total of 4 bays. Heck I really 6 bays. but 4 will have to do. Question for the Esprit drivers with teenage kids, we can start another thread on this subject as it has nothing to do with the original post. Have you taken your kids for a robust drive? What are their attitudes about cars? What type of cars do they drive? Does the Epsrit affect the way they drive their own cars?
Calvin
Calvin
Regarding the 2 topics (car lift and kids), I was a few months ago interested by a lift and was almost ready to order one but the clearance of my garage was too short (by 5 cm for the esprit and completely for all others car except the GT 40 but I do not have the money to buy it anyway and if it was the case I would build another garage :-)
It seems also important to be sure that the arms that hold the car are able to grip the exact recommended places and I prefer something to roll on it that the classic 4 arms system even if they allow you to change more easely the tires.
Regarding the kids, my second daughter is 4 y-o and she loves to ride with the car. She does not see outside and this is probably why she listen very carefully to the noise from the engine. She loves when I am above +/- 4500 RPM
and ask me even some more of that thrill 
. I have to mention that she always wear a special device (called something like safe-fit)which restrict the angle of opening of the belt when in place so that the belt cross perfectly at the tight and on the shoulder. My problem is when she want to sleep because she places her head on the central part 
and her feet on the lateral edge. In that position I am not so sure that the belt is making its job in case of something happens.
Be happy and drive carefully,
Ben
It seems also important to be sure that the arms that hold the car are able to grip the exact recommended places and I prefer something to roll on it that the classic 4 arms system even if they allow you to change more easely the tires.
Regarding the kids, my second daughter is 4 y-o and she loves to ride with the car. She does not see outside and this is probably why she listen very carefully to the noise from the engine. She loves when I am above +/- 4500 RPM
and ask me even some more of that thrill . I have to mention that she always wear a special device (called something like safe-fit)which restrict the angle of opening of the belt when in place so that the belt cross perfectly at the tight and on the shoulder. My problem is when she want to sleep because she places her head on the central part and her feet on the lateral edge. In that position I am not so sure that the belt is making its job in case of something happens. Be happy and drive carefully,
Ben
About the lift, I prefer a drive on supported by the wheels. The suspension for storage reasons need to be kept in a compressed state or all kinds of things go wrong with the rubber boots and seals. they get all torn up stretched like that if they are even a little dry. I have even torn up boots while having brake work done. Oh they probably needed changing anyways but having the suspension unloaded sure didn't help. As for the kids riding in the car it was more of a question on how our own driving and the Esprit effects the perception of the teenage mind as they start to drive. Will they speed because we speed? Will they attempt to do things as they have seen us do? Will they think they are as good as a person with many hours of track time when they just have gotten their driver license? How much of what they see us do when they ride with us affect what they do is what I am after. How many of you with teen drivers that have had your kids ride with you and the effects and attitudes they have formed is what I am after. My kids are about 3-4 years from driving. Some of you owners must have teenage kids?
Calvin 90 SE
Calvin 90 SE
Thanks for the feedback Calvin and Ben, I don't have much room (2car garage with 2 cars in it). So I need something that I can park over or on. I'm looking to get a low rise pad style lift that raises the car up like 28" or a low rise scissor style lift that has arms and raises the car about 48". From the fedback I have got, sounds like these would not be best for the suspension on the car. I don't want something that will cause damage to the car, but one of the reasons for getting it was to be able to do suspension and brake work alot easier.
Bill
'90 SE
P.S. Calvin, I remember your car from when it was for sale. I wanted that car, but it was the wrong time for me! My wife said "not till the truck is payed off". Damn Her. Thats Ok, I got one now and thats all that matters!
Bill
Bill
'90 SE
P.S. Calvin, I remember your car from when it was for sale. I wanted that car, but it was the wrong time for me! My wife said "not till the truck is payed off". Damn Her. Thats Ok, I got one now and thats all that matters!
Bill
Bill,
I'll tell you a funny story about that car. It was listed twice. First time the PO did not get the price he wanted so he did a second ad and created a web page about the car. I called the phone number listed on the web page and ad, I got a diconnected number no forwarding information recording of the type that the phone company uses. I had clipped the previous ad that was no longer on the web and compared the phone numbers, they had two numbers flipped around so I called the number from the original ad and got a hold of the owner. After talking to the Florida Lotus club people, the mechanic, and others about the car. I flew down there to see the car myself and make the deal. The owner was very anxious to sell as my now the car had been listed for a long time. After the sale was concluded, I asked who put the website together and he proudly exclaimed that was my girlfriend. I asked him if he got many replies to the ad and website. Well he said not really but got a couple of emails and he told them to give him a phone call but they never called. So he figured that no one wanted to buy the car except fot me. So I mentioned that he had the wrong number listed and the last thing he said was "I'ma gonna have to kill her". I'm sure he was joking because I did not hear of any good looking gal getting killed in Ft. Lauderdale that week end. She must have made it up to him some how
. Anyways it made it easier for me to buy the car as he was eager to sell the car and helped me out quite a bit.
Calvin
I'll tell you a funny story about that car. It was listed twice. First time the PO did not get the price he wanted so he did a second ad and created a web page about the car. I called the phone number listed on the web page and ad, I got a diconnected number no forwarding information recording of the type that the phone company uses. I had clipped the previous ad that was no longer on the web and compared the phone numbers, they had two numbers flipped around so I called the number from the original ad and got a hold of the owner. After talking to the Florida Lotus club people, the mechanic, and others about the car. I flew down there to see the car myself and make the deal. The owner was very anxious to sell as my now the car had been listed for a long time. After the sale was concluded, I asked who put the website together and he proudly exclaimed that was my girlfriend. I asked him if he got many replies to the ad and website. Well he said not really but got a couple of emails and he told them to give him a phone call but they never called. So he figured that no one wanted to buy the car except fot me. So I mentioned that he had the wrong number listed and the last thing he said was "I'ma gonna have to kill her". I'm sure he was joking because I did not hear of any good looking gal getting killed in Ft. Lauderdale that week end. She must have made it up to him some how
. Anyways it made it easier for me to buy the car as he was eager to sell the car and helped me out quite a bit. Calvin
Just ordered a www.backyardbuddy.com I'll post pics after I install it in mid December.
If you want a low lift for work use check out:
www.kwiklift.com/
On the kid front, I take my son to track events and drive with him in my Exige all the time. He starts driving next year so I'll let you know how it works out...
Roy
>> Edited by Roy W. Olivier on Sunday 1st December 03:44
>> Edited by Roy W. Olivier on Sunday 1st December 03:45
If you want a low lift for work use check out:
www.kwiklift.com/
On the kid front, I take my son to track events and drive with him in my Exige all the time. He starts driving next year so I'll let you know how it works out...
Roy
>> Edited by Roy W. Olivier on Sunday 1st December 03:44
>> Edited by Roy W. Olivier on Sunday 1st December 03:45
Yep, the kid thing is tough. We have agreed that I will send him to the Audi school at Road Atlanta. It's a car control school, not a performance driving school. If he behaves, then his reward will be a ticket to the Porsche driving school or the Panoz school when he is 18. That being said, if he does something stupid he loses his driving privledges.
I also agreed that he could drive my Exige at the track whenever he wants. I'm trying to get him to only drive fast in controled conditions...
Roy
I also agreed that he could drive my Exige at the track whenever he wants. I'm trying to get him to only drive fast in controled conditions...
Roy
I'm still happy with the Norco mid-rise portable lift. It lives under the Esprit and can raise up 37 inches which is high enough for me to sit underneath and work. Granted, it is a frame lift hence it's great for doing wheel/brake/suspension work but blocks access to the very center of the car, which contains basically nothing for service. I have full access to the engine/gearbox and the entire front. The only part that's a bit blocked is the front triangle section where the plumbing is for draining the coolant, butit's not bad. I did a full service on the car using the Norco and did not find it difficult.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Do the arms on the Norco lift go out far enough to get under the jack placement area? and are you happy with the frame lift? have you noticed any problems with your suspension or rubber seals from hanging when you have the car up as mentioned in the past post of other owners? I'm still searching for the right lift. I do not have much room in my garage and thats why I was looking to getting a frame lift, because I could park over it, but due to what some are saying about the frame lifts I have been looking at the four post lift which I really don't have room for, but will work or the Kwik lift that I'm really not to fond of, alot of money for a drive up ramp that only gets the car up 20 inches
Bill
'90SE
Bill
'90SE
Re: the rubber parts... that's just not very nice. I would think that lifting the car which to be done to perform just about any and all service would not result in any damage.
I also just found out that Norco has a new lift which has some improvements: removal of the cross-bar at the rear which blocks access slightly and an additional 11-inches of lift. In any case, I'm still very happy with mine as I find it quite easy to service my Esprit with it.
http://norcoindustries.com/portlift.htm
Regards, KM
2000 V8
I also just found out that Norco has a new lift which has some improvements: removal of the cross-bar at the rear which blocks access slightly and an additional 11-inches of lift. In any case, I'm still very happy with mine as I find it quite easy to service my Esprit with it.
http://norcoindustries.com/portlift.htm
Regards, KM
2000 V8
On newer cars the rubber problem is an issue.
My car no matter how much I keep it up to date on maitenence the rubber parts and seal will fail. The rubber dries out,shrinks, etc. and when the wheels are at full extension that is the rubber cover, boots, etc. tear. So is it tragic? No as I would have gotten around to it but I would have have liked to anticipate such things the do a quick swap when it happened right away instead of waiting for parts. Just the way I am. I've only had my Esprit undriveable for only 3-4 days total the time in all the time I've had it. I have timed and scheduled the work with all the proper parts and tools ahead of time. The best lift I have seen is a drive on lift to raise the whole car about 24". Once the lift is elevated it has twin adjustable hydraulic cyl to lift either the front or rear. It is the type some people use for wheel alignments. I wish I could one day get one.
Calvin
Calvin
My car no matter how much I keep it up to date on maitenence the rubber parts and seal will fail. The rubber dries out,shrinks, etc. and when the wheels are at full extension that is the rubber cover, boots, etc. tear. So is it tragic? No as I would have gotten around to it but I would have have liked to anticipate such things the do a quick swap when it happened right away instead of waiting for parts. Just the way I am. I've only had my Esprit undriveable for only 3-4 days total the time in all the time I've had it. I have timed and scheduled the work with all the proper parts and tools ahead of time. The best lift I have seen is a drive on lift to raise the whole car about 24". Once the lift is elevated it has twin adjustable hydraulic cyl to lift either the front or rear. It is the type some people use for wheel alignments. I wish I could one day get one.
Calvin
Calvin
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