Percentage of potential used?
Discussion
All right everyone with Esprit's, here is the question and I want the people who respond to be actual Esprit owners or someone who has at least driven one in a robust manner.
Please list your time of ownership or time spent driving one.
What is the percentage of your Esprit's performance potential do you feel you have exploited?
Using the figures of 0-100 to gauge driving skill. 0 being a non driver and 100 being the ultimate Lotus driver. What number would you assign your driving skills with an Esprit?
Calvin 90 SE
>>> Edited by cnh1990 on Wednesday 26th February 19:52
Please list your time of ownership or time spent driving one.
What is the percentage of your Esprit's performance potential do you feel you have exploited?
Using the figures of 0-100 to gauge driving skill. 0 being a non driver and 100 being the ultimate Lotus driver. What number would you assign your driving skills with an Esprit?
Calvin 90 SE
>>> Edited by cnh1990 on Wednesday 26th February 19:52
Hey calvin. Good idea for a post..!
Here’s mine:
First esprit, 98 GT3:
12 months of ownership, 12,000 miles. Got nowhere near the limits of the car. Never drove it more than about 110 mph. Had it sideways about 3 times only over that time and both had me a little scared of hurting my pride and joy! It was also my first midengined car, so I was extra careful. Percentage of performance potential exploited? If I’m going to put a figure on it in hindsight – maybe 60/100?
Current esprit, 98 V8-GT:
So far 23 months of ownership, 28,000 miles. Have seen sub 5 sec 0-60 (side by side all the way to 130 actually with f360 modena) and have also had 175mph (not in the uk). It was still accellerating at that speed too! I’ve driven this one beyond the ‘limits of adhesion’ of the tyres more times than I care to remember – all deliberate and always controlled. I still can’t believe what a well balanced and controllable car it is for something with a mid engined configuration and big tyres. Its such fun to push it out of tight bends - quite addictive in fact! Percentage – maybe 85/100? I’m still amazed at how the esprit seems to grow with you – as you’re skill and confidence improves the car just seems to rise to the occasion – its just fantastic, really.
As to my skill as a driver, well I’d have to say my ultimate “lotus driver” was a certain Mr Senna, sadly no longer with us. So if he’s 100, then I’m er.. um.. 10? 5? Not worthy!!
Here’s mine:
First esprit, 98 GT3:
12 months of ownership, 12,000 miles. Got nowhere near the limits of the car. Never drove it more than about 110 mph. Had it sideways about 3 times only over that time and both had me a little scared of hurting my pride and joy! It was also my first midengined car, so I was extra careful. Percentage of performance potential exploited? If I’m going to put a figure on it in hindsight – maybe 60/100?
Current esprit, 98 V8-GT:
So far 23 months of ownership, 28,000 miles. Have seen sub 5 sec 0-60 (side by side all the way to 130 actually with f360 modena) and have also had 175mph (not in the uk). It was still accellerating at that speed too! I’ve driven this one beyond the ‘limits of adhesion’ of the tyres more times than I care to remember – all deliberate and always controlled. I still can’t believe what a well balanced and controllable car it is for something with a mid engined configuration and big tyres. Its such fun to push it out of tight bends - quite addictive in fact! Percentage – maybe 85/100? I’m still amazed at how the esprit seems to grow with you – as you’re skill and confidence improves the car just seems to rise to the occasion – its just fantastic, really.
As to my skill as a driver, well I’d have to say my ultimate “lotus driver” was a certain Mr Senna, sadly no longer with us. So if he’s 100, then I’m er.. um.. 10? 5? Not worthy!!
3 esprits in 8 year, I would rate myself as maybe 50-60.
I have gone sideways to many times, been booked at just over 160 (and got off) and generally enjoy myself. The limit, got there once or twice but lets be honest people, you cannot do it on an open road. Now a TVR is easy to get to the limit of, simply approach a corner while sustaining a speed of above 7mph!
I have gone sideways to many times, been booked at just over 160 (and got off) and generally enjoy myself. The limit, got there once or twice but lets be honest people, you cannot do it on an open road. Now a TVR is easy to get to the limit of, simply approach a corner while sustaining a speed of above 7mph!
I have an 88 esprit turbo, that I have owned for about 10 years. When we got the it, it had about 18000 miles on it and now it has 51,000. I have driven the car up to 140 on several occasions. I have put new fuel injection on it with higher compresion pistons. Four piston calipers, and I should have my dyno test in the next couple of weeks.
Guy
Guy
I have had my 88 turbo for 3 years and clocked on over 30k on it. I've driven it from Las vegas to Los Angeles more times that I can remember and every time I have the opportunity to open it up, it is done. It has seen the latter side of 150 mph on many occasions. As far as driving it to the limit, maybe I have seen 80% of it's capabilities, ever since I have put the 17's on, it defies the laws of physics and it just sticks more than I have the berries to push it.
Cheers,
Dino 88 Turbo
Cheers,
Dino 88 Turbo
I have a 89 Esp Turbo, have only had it since Oct last year. See pics in my profile.
Not very experienced with its true performance. But have had it drifting around street corners, come out of them o.k, dragged off a few rice boy racers. But only had it up to 170km. Am quite a confident little driver behind the wheel - say 40-50 mark.
Kylie
Not very experienced with its true performance. But have had it drifting around street corners, come out of them o.k, dragged off a few rice boy racers. But only had it up to 170km. Am quite a confident little driver behind the wheel - say 40-50 mark.
Kylie
Well.... My 89SE I drove it to 120mph once and did not feel I had the experience of going any faster. With my 2000, I when to 130+ by mistake. I was passing several cars on I-5 and kept cruising like it was no big deal and when I went to look at my speed it was approaching 120 so I just pushed it a bit harder and I was at 130mph+ in NO TIME and all of the cars in front of me were approaching quickly so I let off. It was way too comfortable at over 130...
I would say... 30/100 and growing because I've been learning from a "Racing" friend more and more how to drive the car.
Ed-
I would say... 30/100 and growing because I've been learning from a "Racing" friend more and more how to drive the car.
Ed-
I've owned my first Esprit 4 years ago next month(bought it on my 25th b'day).
Been through a few Esprit's since. Currently own 2 '96 S4s (mine and my wife's). My wife's is the 5th Esprit we've had.
No matter which Esprit it was and how much I would push it, it always complied. On the rare occasion that I would lose the back end, it would snap into place immediately without any effort. As mentioned by someone else before, I would reach my limit of 'manhood' before the car would reach it's limit.
I think that no more than 60/100.
Been through a few Esprit's since. Currently own 2 '96 S4s (mine and my wife's). My wife's is the 5th Esprit we've had.
No matter which Esprit it was and how much I would push it, it always complied. On the rare occasion that I would lose the back end, it would snap into place immediately without any effort. As mentioned by someone else before, I would reach my limit of 'manhood' before the car would reach it's limit.
I think that no more than 60/100.
I have had my '89 non-SE for 7 years. I spun it three times in the first two months I had it. No damage. In fact the two scrapes I got was when I was standing still and they hit me. That Kevlar is tough though. I went to 145 mph the first week but had to slow when the turbulence on the headlights made like the car was getting hit with a hammer and the steering was so light I was waiting for, "liftoff". The wings and spoilers took care of that problem.
I would take a 80/70 rating. Knowing the potential is there is enough. And unless you get cocky, there is still no law on how fast you get to the speed limit.( A friend peeled out in front of a cop and got a ticket for reckless driving).
I would take a 80/70 rating. Knowing the potential is there is enough. And unless you get cocky, there is still no law on how fast you get to the speed limit.( A friend peeled out in front of a cop and got a ticket for reckless driving).
Mmmm 125mph I think is my top so far. Totally controllable at that speed too. As for the back end, the first time I unsettled it I just eased off the gas a touch and in it came. The secnond time I spun it. Unsettled me. I NEED to track it, not to thrash it, to learn the handling better. I'd say 50-60 on a good day, on my own, not showing off like I was when I spun it.
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