Goodbye 911 Hello Esprit (plus Lexus IS)
Discussion
I am currently selling my 1998 Porsche 911 (996)and hope to get between £22K and £25K for it. I have previously debated (on Pistonheads!!) the various possible replacements including Ferrari 348, Noble M12 GTO and Honda NSX. I did put the Esprit 'in the mix' but most 'debaters' went for the Noble or the Ferrari (which would be 12-15 years old). Anyway, I've always had a soft spot for Esprits and have checked out used prices in Classifieds and autotrader etc which indicate that these appear to be the best value for money. In addition on my budget, I'd be able to get a 1998-2000 GT plus a 2001-2002 Lexus as my daily driver. This option excites me the most by far. I'm aware of various buyers guides etc and I'm currently wading through these, but a few questions:
1. What sort of mileage can Esprits reasonably be expected to do?
2. I've seen a few with the later round rear light conversion. Where could I get this done,and what sort of price?
3. Is it advisable to take out a private warranty, and if so any proven warranty companies to recommend?
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
6. What's the best I can hope for, for up to £18K?
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
8. What's the width and ground clearance?
Look forward to receiving some answers,
Michael
1. What sort of mileage can Esprits reasonably be expected to do?
2. I've seen a few with the later round rear light conversion. Where could I get this done,and what sort of price?
3. Is it advisable to take out a private warranty, and if so any proven warranty companies to recommend?
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
6. What's the best I can hope for, for up to £18K?
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
8. What's the width and ground clearance?
Look forward to receiving some answers,
Michael
1. What sort of mileage can Esprits reasonably be expected to do?
i have a GT3 and it does about 22mpg in town, a v8 would be a little less
2. I've seen a few with the later round rear light conversion. Where could I get this done,and what sort of price?
i have had it done and ALOT of body mods so my friend would happily do it, and mould it in if you wish,,,think it looks
better imo
3. Is it advisable to take out a private warranty, and if so any proven warranty companies to recommend?
the choice is yours, but maintenance is not expensive, but make sure if you have a v8 gt, make sure the liners are done, i think im right in saying that. its the only esprit where this is a issue
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
there isnt one unless you want to run big engine mods, dont belive the crap you hear, you give it proper death it will blow up like any car
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
its a art, i find the elise harder to get out off personally, just takes practice ha ha ha
6. What's the best I can hope for, for up to £18K?
i have a gt3 there 4 cylinder and the only esprit with all forged parts and the most reliable by far, but needs a chip to make them quicker (chip £250). or a s4s, very quick out the box and are cheaper usually also 4 cylinder, maybe get a v8-gt
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
example on my way to bodyshop this very morning (distance 3 miles), had a kid stop me at a roundabout and ask for a picture, cars coming the other way usually stare like crazy. and school kids just stand with mouth open (this is at 7.45am, so imagine what its like at a reasonable time of the day). to the person that knows nothing about cars you are driving a 80k supercar, i have lost count of how many older blokes/girls/women have stopped me asking if its a lambo, or what is it? how much it cost? can i sit in it please? sorry to bother you could my son have a picture in it? you will become a star LOL. not abusing porche matey (ok i am) but you can drive a £65k one then pull up in a 18k esprit and 99% of a crowd will be all over the lotus,,,,im afraid it a fact.
8. What's the width and ground clearance?
mine is lowered by 2"-3" and it still gets over every speed bump aslong as you go slowly and diagonal, ppl dont mind usually as there staring anyhow. width i cant remember, look on LEW (www.lotusespritworld.com) this site is the world bible on esprits
where are you from?
if in uk, come to the biggest lotus show in the year this weekend on sunday, its at donnington park in the midlands. sunday is basically esprit day. any of the owners will let you sit in them or take you for a spin. gives them a excuse to show off,,,,or is that just me LOL
that the biggest reply i have ever done LOL
i have a GT3 and it does about 22mpg in town, a v8 would be a little less
2. I've seen a few with the later round rear light conversion. Where could I get this done,and what sort of price?
i have had it done and ALOT of body mods so my friend would happily do it, and mould it in if you wish,,,think it looks
better imo
3. Is it advisable to take out a private warranty, and if so any proven warranty companies to recommend?
the choice is yours, but maintenance is not expensive, but make sure if you have a v8 gt, make sure the liners are done, i think im right in saying that. its the only esprit where this is a issue
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
there isnt one unless you want to run big engine mods, dont belive the crap you hear, you give it proper death it will blow up like any car
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
its a art, i find the elise harder to get out off personally, just takes practice ha ha ha
6. What's the best I can hope for, for up to £18K?
i have a gt3 there 4 cylinder and the only esprit with all forged parts and the most reliable by far, but needs a chip to make them quicker (chip £250). or a s4s, very quick out the box and are cheaper usually also 4 cylinder, maybe get a v8-gt
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
example on my way to bodyshop this very morning (distance 3 miles), had a kid stop me at a roundabout and ask for a picture, cars coming the other way usually stare like crazy. and school kids just stand with mouth open (this is at 7.45am, so imagine what its like at a reasonable time of the day). to the person that knows nothing about cars you are driving a 80k supercar, i have lost count of how many older blokes/girls/women have stopped me asking if its a lambo, or what is it? how much it cost? can i sit in it please? sorry to bother you could my son have a picture in it? you will become a star LOL. not abusing porche matey (ok i am) but you can drive a £65k one then pull up in a 18k esprit and 99% of a crowd will be all over the lotus,,,,im afraid it a fact.
8. What's the width and ground clearance?
mine is lowered by 2"-3" and it still gets over every speed bump aslong as you go slowly and diagonal, ppl dont mind usually as there staring anyhow. width i cant remember, look on LEW (www.lotusespritworld.com) this site is the world bible on esprits
where are you from?
if in uk, come to the biggest lotus show in the year this weekend on sunday, its at donnington park in the midlands. sunday is basically esprit day. any of the owners will let you sit in them or take you for a spin. gives them a excuse to show off,,,,or is that just me LOL
that the biggest reply i have ever done LOL
Big Thanks, think you covered pretty much everything there!!
Did I see your car at the Max Power show in Birmingham???
Only other thing, my question re. the mileage was referring more to how high the engines will go rather than MPG. I await your answer,
Michael
ps. thanks for referring me to Lotus Esprit World
Did I see your car at the Max Power show in Birmingham???
Only other thing, my question re. the mileage was referring more to how high the engines will go rather than MPG. I await your answer,
Michael
ps. thanks for referring me to Lotus Esprit World
Hi, I own both an esprit v8 and a is 200(one extreme to the other). Here is a little info that might help you make your mind up. I have owned the esprit for one year and no major problemns so far, but I have not covered more than 600 mls. Do not expect the relibilty of your porsche though,these cars have loads of weak spots that I have found out about. The engine seems to be the most common problem with the need for a rebuild between 20,000-50,000 due to liner problemns,(I have escaped so far 50,500),then the gearbox,no silly first or second burn offs as the gearbox is at its power limit ( I am to scared to try).Suspension bushes are rubbish ( I am told ),Braking is not what you would expect from a super car, also bad is traffic as they are easily overheated,( which causes Liner problemns) Maybe all F1,(sorry), super cars are the same, but knowing all these things do away with the joy of driving it. However,the car goes like hell and is brilliant to drive,gearchange is ok,and the esprit is user friendly ie.can be driven easily if required, not to hard on the suspension, and easier to get in and out than I expected,tell your girlfriend.(vision is quite good).I bought the car for a few summer months to fulfill a 30 year dream but now have found that I an reluctant to part with it,even I cannot afford any major mishaps. As for the is200, ( ultra reliable ) but boring. Make me an offer for both.
Hi Michael,
Mine's a Giugiaro-styled Esprit, which may not be what you're looking for, but some of my observations might prove useful for comparison.
1. What sort of mileage can Esprits reasonably be expected to do?
On the highway I can easily get 25 mpg in steady 70mph cruising.
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
The Citroen SM derived transaxle in the earlier cars isn't up to taking abuse. Launching the car from rest in a brutal manner is a sure way to shorten its life or break it. The Esprit was meant for quick driving rather than impressive 0-60 times.
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
I'm 5'11" and have no problems entering or exiting the car. Women drivers or passengers should avoid short tight skirts with this car, but anything else is ok. The technique I use is to put one leg into the footwell, sit down, then swivel towards the front of the car while bringing the outside leg inside. By comparison, I find the Elise very difficult.
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
My car, which is 22 years old, gets attention constantly ...never from females, but from males ranging 10 to 50 years old (how a 10 year old kid knows what a Giugiaro styled Esprit looks like is amazing to me). People constantly drive up behind me and off to the side to stare at the car and take photos. In the 15 years I've owned the car, I've not had any negative reaction from drivers or anyone else. Lots of people give a "thumbs up" gesture.
-Dave
Mine's a Giugiaro-styled Esprit, which may not be what you're looking for, but some of my observations might prove useful for comparison.
1. What sort of mileage can Esprits reasonably be expected to do?
On the highway I can easily get 25 mpg in steady 70mph cruising.
4. What is the situation with the gearbox? I've seen negative references, but I'm not really sure what the issue is.
The Citroen SM derived transaxle in the earlier cars isn't up to taking abuse. Launching the car from rest in a brutal manner is a sure way to shorten its life or break it. The Esprit was meant for quick driving rather than impressive 0-60 times.
5. (Question for my girlfriends benefit)How hrd is the Lotus to get in and out of (The Noble is almost impossible to get in and out of).
I'm 5'11" and have no problems entering or exiting the car. Women drivers or passengers should avoid short tight skirts with this car, but anything else is ok. The technique I use is to put one leg into the footwell, sit down, then swivel towards the front of the car while bringing the outside leg inside. By comparison, I find the Elise very difficult.
7. What's the general reaction from the general public on the road?
My car, which is 22 years old, gets attention constantly ...never from females, but from males ranging 10 to 50 years old (how a 10 year old kid knows what a Giugiaro styled Esprit looks like is amazing to me). People constantly drive up behind me and off to the side to stare at the car and take photos. In the 15 years I've owned the car, I've not had any negative reaction from drivers or anyone else. Lots of people give a "thumbs up" gesture.
-Dave
i have the exact same car, and have managed 30mpg highway; simply by minding the speed limit. i generally get 25-27mpg combined city/highway. i also am able to use the least expensive fuel without knocking or pinging. if fuel savings is high on your priority list, then i can recommend the older esprits. american women tend to not even notice the car. when they finally do notice, because you drive them around in it, that indifference changes to dislike.
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