Considering an early - mid 90's Esprit (U.S.)
Discussion
I currently own a 911 SC that I love. However, I'm considering buying something a little different. I've always had an interest in Lotus'. I've read most of the General Info sections and what have you on the "Fact File" page. The thing is that it still leaves me with a lot of questions. I'm considering a '90/'91/'93 SE or possibly even a '94 S4 (although the price may be a little more than I'm willing to spend on the first go round).
First, has anyone created a pre-purchase checklist or anything of the sort for these cars?
Second, it appears that a number of you reside in the U.K. I live in the U.S. and am looking for a little more advice from that perspective (such as the general condition of cars in the market here). I've seen a number of cars with reasonable miles priced in the $20K range, give or take a buck or two. Is it reasonable to expect to find a good car in this price range?
The Lotus would be a summer car and I would like to drive it 3 - 4 times per week in the summer (store it in the winter). I probably won't see the track too often, if ever (I do take the 911 to the track on occasion). Is the Esprit easy to live with in the capacity I described? Does it work as an occasional daily driver?
For those that may have owned a 911 previously can you compare the ownership experience? I've never been in a Lotus so I really don't know what to even expect from a drivers standpoint, let alone purely ownership (maintenance, etc...).
Your feedback is appreciated.
First, has anyone created a pre-purchase checklist or anything of the sort for these cars?
Second, it appears that a number of you reside in the U.K. I live in the U.S. and am looking for a little more advice from that perspective (such as the general condition of cars in the market here). I've seen a number of cars with reasonable miles priced in the $20K range, give or take a buck or two. Is it reasonable to expect to find a good car in this price range?
The Lotus would be a summer car and I would like to drive it 3 - 4 times per week in the summer (store it in the winter). I probably won't see the track too often, if ever (I do take the 911 to the track on occasion). Is the Esprit easy to live with in the capacity I described? Does it work as an occasional daily driver?
For those that may have owned a 911 previously can you compare the ownership experience? I've never been in a Lotus so I really don't know what to even expect from a drivers standpoint, let alone purely ownership (maintenance, etc...).
Your feedback is appreciated.
Check out
www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/buying.html
The same type of rules apply here in the USA. The prices are different in USD.
If you find a car you are interested in post a call for help in checking it out by a local Esprit owner. He will tell you if it is worth it to pursue the deal. A lot of us are from the USA including me.
The SE is very fast although the interior is a little smaller than an 911. Germans are larger people in general, A mere inconvience if you are on the larger/taller side. The car is much faster and handles better than a 911. It sure looks a whole lot better. But then I am a biased. The price is very reasonable for an SE. Low 20's for a fixer upper or mid 20's for a superior example of an SE is about right. Some of the ones in the high teens and low 20's are not really a deal unless you can do a lot of work yourself. There are people here that have bought one of those and have spent 5-10K and much time not driving the car making it right at the repair shop. I went the other way and got a good one. My car is rarely non drivable. only 2-3 days spent disabled during the repair process in 2 1/2 years of ownership. Don't know much about 911's except I drove a few and beat a bunch of them when I used to have a Europa. Although I must admit they were a bit more reliable than the Europa. But then so is later model S body Esprit's.
Calvin 90 SE in Minnesota
www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/buying.html
The same type of rules apply here in the USA. The prices are different in USD.
If you find a car you are interested in post a call for help in checking it out by a local Esprit owner. He will tell you if it is worth it to pursue the deal. A lot of us are from the USA including me.
The SE is very fast although the interior is a little smaller than an 911. Germans are larger people in general, A mere inconvience if you are on the larger/taller side. The car is much faster and handles better than a 911. It sure looks a whole lot better. But then I am a biased. The price is very reasonable for an SE. Low 20's for a fixer upper or mid 20's for a superior example of an SE is about right. Some of the ones in the high teens and low 20's are not really a deal unless you can do a lot of work yourself. There are people here that have bought one of those and have spent 5-10K and much time not driving the car making it right at the repair shop. I went the other way and got a good one. My car is rarely non drivable. only 2-3 days spent disabled during the repair process in 2 1/2 years of ownership. Don't know much about 911's except I drove a few and beat a bunch of them when I used to have a Europa. Although I must admit they were a bit more reliable than the Europa. But then so is later model S body Esprit's.
Calvin 90 SE in Minnesota
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