Feel of the Esprit
Discussion
I've always wondered how the Esprit feels. Were most of you intimidated when you first slipped behind the driver seat not knowing what to expect, how it drives, how it feels. What does the Esprit's gas pedal feel like? Particularly the SE Turbo and S4. Does it feel hard to push down, or is it light?
I've always wondered how the Esprit feels. Were most of you intimidated when you first slipped behind the driver seat not knowing what to expect, how it drives, how it feels. What does the Esprit's gas pedal feel like? Particularly the SE Turbo and S4. Does it feel hard to push down, or is it light?
Not intimidated at all, all most like arriving home after a very long time away. The gas pedal feels much lighter than my Tracer, which most people call a Ford Escort.
Calvin
All the 4 cylinder cars have a light throttle pedal. The v8 has a heavier throttle pedal but a lighter clutch.
First time driving an esprit (a dealers v8 on test drive) yes i did feel pretty intimidated. Fastest car i'd driven before that for any significant mileage were golf gtis, corrado, caterham etc but nothing in the same league as a 350bhp supercar. You sit low and the rear vis isn't great when you're used to hatchbacks. Don't worry though - you soon get used to it
First time driving an esprit (a dealers v8 on test drive) yes i did feel pretty intimidated. Fastest car i'd driven before that for any significant mileage were golf gtis, corrado, caterham etc but nothing in the same league as a 350bhp supercar. You sit low and the rear vis isn't great when you're used to hatchbacks. Don't worry though - you soon get used to it
When I was driven in what became my first as a demo, my eyes bulged as the dealer put the hammer down on a narrow Salisbury lane passing a small estate (can't say model as it was a blurr).
Then he pulled over and said your turn! I admit, the noise, the drone of the charged motor... it all was very different to any car I ever drove till then. Mainly the low view out looked close to go-karts and Formula race cars that I had been in. However, the machine feels wider than it is too so that takes getting used to whereas race cars can feel quite narrow once inside. I suppose it's just perception.
Anyway, when I got into the driver's seat, it felt like the only road car I have ever seen that makes you feel like you are in a race car proper!
When we got off the other was up the lane, Jesus! Lets just say I kept the gears long just incase I rammed the back of some unsuspecting... by accidentally pressing the pedal down too much. All I can say is when that turbo kicks in and the engine enters the band, that's all she wrote! Like being rammed in the arse by a raging bull! Now imagine what it will be like with a S300 engine tuned to 350Bhp?
Fly me to the moooon..........
Regards,
Nicholas
(92K Esprit SE HW)
Then he pulled over and said your turn! I admit, the noise, the drone of the charged motor... it all was very different to any car I ever drove till then. Mainly the low view out looked close to go-karts and Formula race cars that I had been in. However, the machine feels wider than it is too so that takes getting used to whereas race cars can feel quite narrow once inside. I suppose it's just perception.
Anyway, when I got into the driver's seat, it felt like the only road car I have ever seen that makes you feel like you are in a race car proper!
When we got off the other was up the lane, Jesus! Lets just say I kept the gears long just incase I rammed the back of some unsuspecting... by accidentally pressing the pedal down too much. All I can say is when that turbo kicks in and the engine enters the band, that's all she wrote! Like being rammed in the arse by a raging bull! Now imagine what it will be like with a S300 engine tuned to 350Bhp?
Fly me to the moooon..........
Regards,
Nicholas
(92K Esprit SE HW)
My first drive was in my new V8 after it was delivered from the dealer in California (I live in Florida). I found it somewhat disappointing... granted the roads where wet but the engine would stall easily and idled horribly and in general ran poorly. Traction was also poor due to wet roads and the fact that the engine was acting somewhat binary for power.
It turned out that the only running the car had (again, it was new) was idling around the dealer lot and showroom. After reading the manual, I decided to reset the ECM by pulling the fuse that powers it for 30 minutes. After putting the fuse back in (and getting some sunshine and dry roads) the difference was amazing. It idled nicely, did not stall and ran beautifully.
Having built/raced muscle cars back in the 70's, the acceleration was nothing new... yes, the Esprit V8 is damn quick... and it continues on in every gear. I've become pretty jaded about the performance of the car now. In many ways, it just doesn't feel fast anymore... until you actually pull away from other fast cars and realize that it still is one of the fastest road cars you can get.
Handling and Braking on the other hand is a huge difference (from other cars). Few cars give you the overall "feel" of the Esprit. The steering alone is in a class by itself. The cornering limits are quite high and if you manage to break past them, it could be an eye-opener. The V8 has ample torque to break rear traction easily in the 1st and 2nd, so coming out of turns can be tricky.... even 3rd can be a surprise if you're not careful. The AP Racing Brakes on the 2000 and later cars (and the 1999 Sport 350) are great. Excellent feel, quick bite and easily modulated for stopping.... and they never seem to fade, ever.
In short, driving my Esprit is usually the high point of any day I manage to get it out, and I have many of those. It's addictive to drive, you can never get enough of that "Lotus Feeling". Granted, it's not for everyone, but if you have a passion for driving/racing, then it should be on your list.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
It turned out that the only running the car had (again, it was new) was idling around the dealer lot and showroom. After reading the manual, I decided to reset the ECM by pulling the fuse that powers it for 30 minutes. After putting the fuse back in (and getting some sunshine and dry roads) the difference was amazing. It idled nicely, did not stall and ran beautifully.
Having built/raced muscle cars back in the 70's, the acceleration was nothing new... yes, the Esprit V8 is damn quick... and it continues on in every gear. I've become pretty jaded about the performance of the car now. In many ways, it just doesn't feel fast anymore... until you actually pull away from other fast cars and realize that it still is one of the fastest road cars you can get.
Handling and Braking on the other hand is a huge difference (from other cars). Few cars give you the overall "feel" of the Esprit. The steering alone is in a class by itself. The cornering limits are quite high and if you manage to break past them, it could be an eye-opener. The V8 has ample torque to break rear traction easily in the 1st and 2nd, so coming out of turns can be tricky.... even 3rd can be a surprise if you're not careful. The AP Racing Brakes on the 2000 and later cars (and the 1999 Sport 350) are great. Excellent feel, quick bite and easily modulated for stopping.... and they never seem to fade, ever.
In short, driving my Esprit is usually the high point of any day I manage to get it out, and I have many of those. It's addictive to drive, you can never get enough of that "Lotus Feeling". Granted, it's not for everyone, but if you have a passion for driving/racing, then it should be on your list.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Great feedback guys!! The more I ask these sort of questions the better I can try to imagine the feel of this exotic, whereas before all I could ever do is stare at it in awe.
NL - Great story!
Gumbiner - Your 20 and have an Esprit! You lucky son-of-a-gun! Got pics of your Lotus?
>> Edited by LotusV8 on Friday 28th February 14:51
NL - Great story!
Gumbiner - Your 20 and have an Esprit! You lucky son-of-a-gun! Got pics of your Lotus?
>> Edited by LotusV8 on Friday 28th February 14:51
You're a funny guy Ernest, but apparently both get better as you do it more often. Here's a link to pics of my partner:
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290598813
Regards, KM
2000 V8
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290598813
Regards, KM
2000 V8
NLJdH said: Ohh, that's one sweet looking honey, you get to ride her often?
Regards,
Nicholas
(92K Esprit SE HW)
Well, only 7-8 times a week... then there's weekends. The "score counter" is well over 13000 now.
Here's a link to the to Club Picnic pix from a few weeks ago:
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290596293
Certainly a few nice cars (and owners) showed up.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
ErnestM said: LotusV8,
Best described as: Do you remember the first time you had sex? You won't after you drive the Esprit
(Better watch out or I'll have to moderate myself)
Cheers
ErnestM
hahahaha I dont doubt it either!! I bet you guys forget your wifes names after driving the Esprit LOL
LotusV8 said:
hahahaha I dont doubt it either!! I bet you guys forget your wifes names after driving the Esprit LOL
Not really, as she is usually in the seat next to me (besides the fact that she is gorgeous).
My wife actually makes the Esprit fantasy complete. With her on board and suitable black tie, I could probably show up at the next Cannonball run and exclaim (in a suitable Roger Mooore accent):
Good afternoon. We are here to participate in your little jaunt to California...
Again, to quote Bond (Connery this time), it's like the difference between Peking Duck and Russian Caviar. I love them both...
The connection with the other first time is as follows: It's something you've always dreamed of doing. You are extatic while it is happening and a little afraid. After it's over, the only thing you can think about is doing it again
Its an obsession, bordering on a religion with a lot of passion <-That's an ErnestM original (c) (tm), etc
ErnestM
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Saturday 1st March 01:08
ErnestM,
You're quite the poet! I concur wholeheartedly. Having owned a Europa in the early 70's, I was familiar with Lotus superb balance and crisp handling. But when they added the power of the Esprit to the mix...WOW!
When I stopped flying years ago, I thought I'd never get the same thrill or sensation again as we did launching off the flight deck. Then, the first time I drove my Esprit, on I-30 between Little Rock, AR and Texarkana, TX, it all came back. The sensation of the car being an extention of me was amazing. I needed gas so decided to exit at the next stop for some. As I approached the exit in excess of 90 mph, I continued past the point I would normally have to commit and counted to two, threw the car to the right and scooted straight up the exit ramp like nobody's business!
Now, I have at least as much experience doin the Horizontal Lambada as the next guy (stayed single 'til I was 45), but I'd have to rank it a very close third to launchng an F-4 off a carrier deck and driving an Esprit, or maybe it's better to say that I have been lucky enough to discover three number ones! Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
You're quite the poet! I concur wholeheartedly. Having owned a Europa in the early 70's, I was familiar with Lotus superb balance and crisp handling. But when they added the power of the Esprit to the mix...WOW!
When I stopped flying years ago, I thought I'd never get the same thrill or sensation again as we did launching off the flight deck. Then, the first time I drove my Esprit, on I-30 between Little Rock, AR and Texarkana, TX, it all came back. The sensation of the car being an extention of me was amazing. I needed gas so decided to exit at the next stop for some. As I approached the exit in excess of 90 mph, I continued past the point I would normally have to commit and counted to two, threw the car to the right and scooted straight up the exit ramp like nobody's business!
Now, I have at least as much experience doin the Horizontal Lambada as the next guy (stayed single 'til I was 45), but I'd have to rank it a very close third to launchng an F-4 off a carrier deck and driving an Esprit, or maybe it's better to say that I have been lucky enough to discover three number ones! Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
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