WANTED: SE ESPRIT

[Dr.Hess]

There is one in Kansas on cars.com.


1989, listed as SE but states it doesn't have a chargecooler. Looks to have a SE front end based on the oil cooler duct. Anyway, at $17K/offer, it doesn't seem over priced. No connection, etc.

Dr.Hess

[cnh1990]

Hess that one is different. It has the pinched lower panel of the 88's with the SE front lower valence

[Dr.Hess]

Yeah, I thought the front was SE but I could't really tell from the side engine compartment vent. I would guess it was wrecked and the front part replaced, then. It is also all one color, and the bottom part should be grey. No VIN was listed, but the seller said the VIN indicated a SE model. I would guess that the VIN would actually represent a 89 non-SE like mine, but the _title_ have it as SE. That's how mine is too. I think the state computers didn't have a non-SE model to choose from so they just called them all SE on the title. There were only, what?, 130 something 1989 Delco injected non-SE's made. Still, at 17K/offer, (I'm thinking 15K), if it is all in good shape, I think it is a fair price. 61K miles. Here is the blurb:

Additional Selling Points: 1989 ESPRIT TURBO. THE CAR IS LISTED AS "SE" (SPECIAL EDITION) BY VIN. HOWEVER, INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHOW "INTERCOOLER" WHICH SE'S HAD. NOT SURE WHETHER THIS WAS REMOVED IN PREVIOUS ENGINE REPAIR/REBUILD (ALTHOUGH NO INFORMATION ABOUT TIMING BELT). GOOD CONDITION. I HAVE INSTALLED NEW CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE PADS, REUPHOLSTERED DRIVERS SEAT, REPLACED FRONT UNDERPANELING. SERVICE BY A REPUTABLE LOTUS MECHANIC. INTERIOR GOOD/EXCELLENT CONDITION. A/C, JVC STEREO/CD. EXTERIOR IN GOOD CONDITION. SOME NICKS, NO DENTS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS AND PUT 8000 MILES ON IT. DRIVES WELL. NO MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. MEDIAN NADA VALUE FOR 1989 ESPRIT SE $17,000. BEST OFFER WILL BE ENTERTAINED

[Autocross7]

Good call on the state computer... and in some places (like here 'n Alabama) the county computer... falls back on the state data base. I could not even get a tag for my baby for three weeks. The "county" did not have Esprit in the system at all! I... I... had to go to another county where I knew there was an Esprit, get the code and print out, bring it to my county and say... "See. It is a real car and the next county has it listed from the state". Then... the ever so helpful DMV person pulled it up on the "State interface". Also... charged me 30$ for failing to title the car in 10 days because it was "my" problem that the county did not have the car in the system...??? Good luck on getting em' to "see" a non SE 89'!

Personally, I love my 88'!

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[andecorp]

It's a '89 Turbo with a SE front and SE wing.

The pinched sills are Turbo (non SE), but the mirrors are post March '89.

'88s had S3 mirrors.

[ErnestM]

Autocross7 said:

Good call on the state computer... and in some places (like here 'n Alabama) the county computer... falls back on the state data base. I could not even get a tag for my baby for three weeks. The "county" did not have Esprit in the system at all! I... I... had to go to another county where I knew there was an Esprit, get the code and print out, bring it to my county and say... "See. It is a real car and the next county has it listed from the state". Then... the ever so helpful DMV person pulled it up on the "State interface". Also... charged me 30$ for failing to title the car in 10 days because it was "my" problem that the county did not have the car in the system...??? Good luck on getting em' to "see" a non SE 89'! Personally, I love my 88'! Drive topless!!! Cameron

Hi Cameron...

Having dealt with the monkeys that run DMV in Alabama when I was younger, I'm curious why you didn't take the obvious tactic with them:

...should have just told them that you couldn't title the car in time because "it was still deer season".

They would have understood that!


ErnestM

>> Edited by ErnestM on Thursday 8th December 14:05

[Autocross7]

Saddly... it was summer. The only time we cannot dear hunt. We actually have a "season" and not a weekend like my good friends in Iowa and Indiana! The other seasons were out as well. They pushed dove, quail and, pheasant to fall, and turkey in the winter. I doubt they would have 'bought into' my fishing story and if they did... they would have wanted to give me some crap about the boat!

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[ErnestM]

*** MASS EDITING ***

Please keep the personal stuff offline.

Thanks

ErnestM
mod

[JeffYoung]

Ernest, I understand, but I think people should know what they are getting into with this guy. Seriously. I sent him a polite e-mail about selling my car and I get ripped -- badly (cussing, threats and such).

I would think that the Esprit community should know that Jim is a problem buyer.

[ErnestM]

I can't have a personal situation played out on the forums, though. It's against the rules. You guys need to try to solve it off line.

All I have seen so far is somebody asking for help finding a car. I think that you can get your point across without jumping to conclusions. A polite "I offered my car to him for this, and here are the details".

It's the label that he may be a "problem buyer" that is the problem. Of course his label that you might be an "unreasonable seller" is also a problem.

If you guys could take that sort of thing offline, it would be appreciated...

ErnestM

[JeffYoung]

Ok, thanks, that is fair. I will try to be objective.

To the forum:

I offered my 93.5 black/tan Esprit OFF LINE (it is not publicly for sale, and I'm keeping it now after this experience) to Jim Ricker ("Silver" for $26,000. I was as upfront as I could be about the car, and in fact highlighted the flaws instead of the good things about it -- just as I would ask a Seller to do for me since I am more interested in the flaws when I am buying.

- I told him the a/c compressor was seized (a new Sanden SD508 runs about $270)

- I told him the interior was an "8" -- the seats are in better shape than any SE I have seen, but there is some wear/discoloration on the armrest and the shift boot.

- I told him the paint on the body was in great shape, but that the bumpers had a few issues. Right rear is cracked and scraped. Front has some spider webbing. No damage to the fiberglass.

- Car has 38,000 miles. It has been driven regularly (I drive it 3-4 times a week). It has brand new Toyo Proxes RA-1 (race rubber, I do track the car occasionally).

- I have put in an S4s chip and a decatted exhaust, but have the original exhaust and cat which will go with the car (an hour job at most to change them out).

What I got back from Jim (e-mails and a voice mail after I did try to call him) was:

1. I have bleeping "raped" the car.

2. $26,000 for a rare SE (not sure he even knows what a 93.5 is) is ridiculous, since he can get a nice V8 for that price.

3. It has too many miles.

4. I don't know anything about Lotus.

5. I shouldn't own the car.

6. I've ruined the car.

7. He wishes I would call him so he could curse me out.

You guys decide if you want to deal with him.

Thanks.

Jeff