Esprit or no Esprit
Discussion
Hi,
I am currently driving a TVR Chim 500 but am looking for a change, i have always fancied an Esprit but really do not know much about them. Can anyone identify any helpfull web pages to browse? Also i intend to use it as my everyday day car like the TVR of which i cover 55 miles per day. Do you think the Esprit would be suitable?
I will probably be looking at about 15 - 16000 budget so what are the ones to look for/not to look for.
Thanks.
Warnster.
I am currently driving a TVR Chim 500 but am looking for a change, i have always fancied an Esprit but really do not know much about them. Can anyone identify any helpfull web pages to browse? Also i intend to use it as my everyday day car like the TVR of which i cover 55 miles per day. Do you think the Esprit would be suitable?
I will probably be looking at about 15 - 16000 budget so what are the ones to look for/not to look for.
Thanks.
Warnster.
Lotus Esprit World [url]www.lotusespritworld.com[/url] is the place to be for all things Esprit. Buying/running guides, great forum for owners, lots of advice etc etc. Your budget should get you a reasonable GT3, the last run of the 4 cylinder model or a very good S4. If you can, look for the revised (1998) interior. More space and a lot tidier. There are a couple of tidy ones in the Classifieds here around your budget.
Daily driver - yes, in fact the Esprit benefits from being used. It is not the car to lock away and run out out every few weeks for a quick blast. Thats when things start to go wrong and it gets very expensive (especially the V8).
Daily driver - yes, in fact the Esprit benefits from being used. It is not the car to lock away and run out out every few weeks for a quick blast. Thats when things start to go wrong and it gets very expensive (especially the V8).
Edited by hedgerley on Wednesday 8th November 18:09
Yep... Drive it. Keep up with belts, fluids, etc... and you will be fine. Nothing like an Esprit really. Most of the bloks around here have 308's or 328's in the more exotic game and I always get a kick out of those "Oh my God... look... an Esprit!" comments when I am in prancing horse company. I like those rides as well, but the Esprit is just so timeless and fun. Also, seems the youger crowd here (say 11 - 15 Years old) knows the car right off and better then the 30ish crowd. Thank You X-Box!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
I bought a GT3 almost a year ago 
Great for going for a blast or long run
Not so great for short runs to the shops, but then no car like this would be!!
As hedgerley said lotus esprit world is the place for everything you need to know. Lots of good links to specialists, buying guides and reviews etc
Try and get as new as you can,S4,There just a bit better for reliability so the reviews I read said anyway.
Great for going for a blast or long run
Not so great for short runs to the shops, but then no car like this would be!!
As hedgerley said lotus esprit world is the place for everything you need to know. Lots of good links to specialists, buying guides and reviews etc
Try and get as new as you can,S4,There just a bit better for reliability so the reviews I read said anyway.
This might be worth having a look at.
1995 Lotus Esprit S4s
In Calypso Red.94,500 miles (engine replaced at 58,000 miles), taxed September, 12 months MOT. Inspected 20 months ago by Chris Foulds (Huddersfield) prior to my purchase. Replaced complete clutch assembly and mastercylinder; flywheel re-faced; drive shaft oil seals; 4 headlights; inner driveshaft boot; 02 sensor; full C service (includes cambelt and V belts); waterpump. Just passed the MOT with flying colours and had 2 new front tyres. Used as my daily drive and found to be extremely reliable. Selling due to purchase of V8 Esprit. Offers around £15,000
Glyn Herron, Derbyshire UK
Tel: 0777 1916149 or 01246 556876
email: gmherron@tiscali.co.uk
1995 Lotus Esprit S4s
In Calypso Red.94,500 miles (engine replaced at 58,000 miles), taxed September, 12 months MOT. Inspected 20 months ago by Chris Foulds (Huddersfield) prior to my purchase. Replaced complete clutch assembly and mastercylinder; flywheel re-faced; drive shaft oil seals; 4 headlights; inner driveshaft boot; 02 sensor; full C service (includes cambelt and V belts); waterpump. Just passed the MOT with flying colours and had 2 new front tyres. Used as my daily drive and found to be extremely reliable. Selling due to purchase of V8 Esprit. Offers around £15,000
Glyn Herron, Derbyshire UK
Tel: 0777 1916149 or 01246 556876
email: gmherron@tiscali.co.uk
Hi there,
I've had a 1990 turbo, S4s and now a V8 GT. I would say that if you're used to a V8 then save up a bit more and buy a V8. If you find a good one, running costs are no more than the 4 pots.
The reason I recommend the V8 to you is that like your TVR, it has lots of lazy power and torque (easiest way to describe it). The difference though with the Esprit is that this lazy power revs out at 7450RPM. It's like a train pulling all the time.
The 4 pots are no slower really but you have to wait for the turbo to kick in at 2500RPM. If you're used to V8 torque I reckon you may be disappointed with a 4 pot with turbo lag.
Just my 2p worth.
Dave Walters
I've had a 1990 turbo, S4s and now a V8 GT. I would say that if you're used to a V8 then save up a bit more and buy a V8. If you find a good one, running costs are no more than the 4 pots.
The reason I recommend the V8 to you is that like your TVR, it has lots of lazy power and torque (easiest way to describe it). The difference though with the Esprit is that this lazy power revs out at 7450RPM. It's like a train pulling all the time.
The 4 pots are no slower really but you have to wait for the turbo to kick in at 2500RPM. If you're used to V8 torque I reckon you may be disappointed with a 4 pot with turbo lag.
Just my 2p worth.
Dave Walters
If you're dithering between TVR and Esprit don't forget to look at Corvette C5 as well. Astounding V8 package in a great car for everyday use with laughably low running costs. Lots of former owners (both marques) in the PH Corvette forum. Prices from £15k these days for a low mileage car in the right spec'.
I've considered TVR (reliabilty?), Monaro (looks crap), Corvette (Left hand drive) and now my attention has turned to the Esprit. When I think about it, I don't really know why I haven't considered one earlier. Apart from buying a newish Ferrari or Lambo which is totally out of the question money wise, I cannot think of another car that gets me so excited when just thinking about buying one. 
eldudereno said:
I've considered TVR (reliabilty?), Monaro (looks crap), Corvette (Left hand drive) and now my attention has turned to the Esprit. When I think about it, I don't really know why I haven't considered one earlier. Apart from buying a newish Ferrari or Lambo which is totally out of the question money wise, I cannot think of another car that gets me so excited when just thinking about buying one.
Left hand drive... yep. Propper as it should be... hahaha...
(on another note, I rather liked the central seating of the McClaren)
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
eldudereno said:
superdave said:
Noble perhaps?
One hell of a machine but they look too much like kit cars for me.
Have you had a ride in one or driven one?
It has fantastic handling and plenty of power. Suppose you could get it serviced at the ford dealership too having a mondeo motor???
Put one around the track at Barber Motorsports Park and it was just short of awsome (I had a limit I had to keep as it was cold and the car was not mine... could have been awsome). As far as it looking like a "kit car"... I disagree. Parked next to the Elise it has all amenities and looks. A car to be driven for sure.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Pardon me for trespassing on your forum. I run a 1991 Porsche 944S2 as my everyday car, averaging 400 trouble free miles a week. I drive the car because it's always been my favourite car (hence this one being my second)- along with the Lotus Esprit. It's the looks not the performance that I like. General running costs don't concern me as you'd have to pay for wear and tear items and servicing on any car, and if you want something different to drive then you pay more for those things. My main concern is fuel consumption, as 400 miles a week is almost a tank full a week - so I spend £65 - £70 a week on Shell V-Power (financially it's not a problem, it's just the principle of knowing we are being overcharged for fuel). I am now on first name terms with the staff at Shell in Knutsford and have an invite to the Xmas do! I drive like a vicar and average 29 mpg, so if you've been stuck in a queue behind a blue Porsche - that'll be me, not an old biddy in a Hyundai Getz as is normal.
I am considering getting the other favourite car ownership out of my system by buying an Esprit, probably a 1990 or after Turbo. So after all this drivel, my four questions are:
What mpg do you guys average if you drive the car sensibly? (as I'm sure you all do from time to time).
What is the main thing to look for when buying, apart from FSH and low number of owners?
What do you dread happening - from a cost view? i.e. on the Porsche it's the belts and clutch failure that cause most expense.
How long do tyres last if you drive sensibly?
Thank you, I expect this will be interesting.
I am considering getting the other favourite car ownership out of my system by buying an Esprit, probably a 1990 or after Turbo. So after all this drivel, my four questions are:
What mpg do you guys average if you drive the car sensibly? (as I'm sure you all do from time to time).
What is the main thing to look for when buying, apart from FSH and low number of owners?
What do you dread happening - from a cost view? i.e. on the Porsche it's the belts and clutch failure that cause most expense.
How long do tyres last if you drive sensibly?
Thank you, I expect this will be interesting.
Edited by john ward on Wednesday 13th December 17:02
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff