Am I in for trouble?

[kmaier]

I just purchased a new 2000 Esprit V8. This car has never been titled and has the full manufacturer's warranty. I will be taking delivery in about a week (car is in California and I'm in Florida). Having read numerous posts about serious drivetrain problems centered around the transaxle in this forum, am I in for a bad time with this car??

Are there other areas of this car I should be concerned about? You would think that after 25 years, they (Lotus) should have addressed pretty much everything that could be a problem.

[Nightmare]

if you treat the car with respect you will have one of the fastest, best-handling cars that has ever been produced.

If you drag race it everywhere, expect bits to break - it really is that simple!

Night

[smeagol]

I agree with Night, don't forget all Lotus's (loti?) are built as specialist cars.

I would also recommend proper services done by people who know what they are doing. They should then spot potential problems and fix them before they happen.

There is no cure that I know of to take the big grin off your face happy motoring

[rob.ellis]

Smeagol and Nighmare are absolutely right.

Some of the threads on this message board unfortuntely portray an unfair picture of the Esprit. I'm on my second esprit, having owned a GT3 (4 cylinder) and now a V8-GT. Never had problems with either car (both my esprits have been run as my only car, rather than as a weekend toy).

Esprits are hand built, and as such will never be as reliable as something which is mass produced. Esprit can't be touched however for performance and handling at the price.

Your car (2000) also benefits from AP Racing brakes and revised ECU mappings for increased torque in the lower gears (same maps as the Sport 350 limited edition).

Suggest for an alternative view, join up on the yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit

Cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT

[kmaier]

Thanks for the positive words regarding the Esprit. I've spent the last few months reading everything I could find on the Esprit. I decided on no older than a 2000MY for the same reasons the last post mentioned.

The Esprit will not be a primary car, but will be driven about 2-3 times per week and upwards of 3000 miles per year (possibly more). I also agree that maintenance is very important. I will be ordering a shop manual (info supplied by Lotus cars UK) shortly as I've always maintained my own vehicles.

Now that the deal is finalized, it should be parked in the garage in the next 7-10 days. Maybe I can find a calendar and start crossing the days off.

Regards, KM

[mperez225]

Congrats on your purchase !!! I am picking up a 95 S4s next week. Where in Florida do you live? I live in Pembroke Pines.

Manny Perez
Soon S4s Owner :-)

[kmaier]

Today, my new Esprit V8 arrived. Lovely, simply lovely. I drove it only briefly due to very poor weather. So far the only odd thing I've noticed (beyond the "binary" clutch) is that the throttle response seems very sluggish from idle. While running, response seems good. Once the weather improves, I should have fun. In any case, the car looks very smart in metallic black. Thanks to all who replied.

KM

[rob.ellis]

quote:
Thanks to all who replied.

No worries. Which dealer did you get your car from?

[kmaier]

The dealer is Symbolicmotors in La Jolla, CA. Any reason you are asking?