Are Lotus Espirit GT3's worth a look

[jamer]

I am toying with the idea of buying a Lotus Espirit GT3 on a R registration. It is silver metallic, about 25 000 miles - what should I look for and roughly what's it going to be worth?

[Espritloveruk]

£20K is a fair price for this car if your buying private. Dealer would be a few K more more but then you would also get a guarantee from them. Try to get a full service history & all the receipts. The Esprit needs regular maintenance every 6K miles. If this is neglected then the car will potentially need deep pockets to fix upcoming problems which may currently be hidden.

Main Esprit things to look out for are:

1: Clutch/Transmission problems. Test drive it in all gears. If the clutch slips or the gears crunch avoid as this could be very expensive to fix.

2: You need to get the car up on a ramp to check all the tyres on the inside area especially as this part of the tyre almost always goes bald first. It is very hard to spot unless the car is on a ramp as the rest of the tyre is fine. Also check for transmission oil leaks. There should not be any. If there are it is pricey to fix.

Check out the following websites thoroughly before making any decision as the wrong car will cost you dearly.

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/ (this site also contains a checklist detailing all the issues you should look out for so check this out first).

www.espritfactfile.com/ (this is the Esprit Web bible)

At the moment there are plenty of GT3's for sale in the UK so if this is not the right car there are plenty of others out there so don't get blinded by her good looks.

IMHO when you get a good example only a newer Esprit or F360 will give you greater driving pleasure!

[mr_tony]

I've been down this road - check out the thread below lots of good advice there.

One point - the interior of the Esprit changed significantly in 1998, many people (including me) rate the new interior as a big step forward and things are much better laid out, so keep this in mind..

[jamer]

It s got the latest interior and a Lamborgini ABS system? Full black leather but no aircon , I put the wrong mileage down - it actually has 40 K on it opps . The last chap has had it serviced with Peter Smith sportscar and lastly Nick Whale in june this year where he spent £1000 including the cambelt being changed
What do you think I should be paying for this? It is very nice condition with a full alphine CD system and extra speakers


Edited by jamer on Friday 16th November 17:42

[Espritloveruk]

£22-24K would be a fair price if its a dealer. Private £20-22K. I suppose it all depends on how desperate they are to sell.

[rob.ellis]

jamer

lots of good advice in these replies. I ran a 98 GT3 for 12 months prior to swapping for a V8-GT earlier this year. the GT3 is a fantastic car.

my only comment.. a car without aircon might be harder to sell on, as many GT3 buyers added this as an option.

the service guy at nick whale is a top bloke (ian garrett) why not give him a ring and ask if he remembers the car?? He may be able to give you some more info about the previous owner, standard of repair and/or the general condition of the car.

Cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT

ps please feel free to mail me off line with any specific questions. [e-mail]

also - join the yahoo group for the esprit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uklotusesprit

[orange1]

Dear Jamer

Before you commit to buying a GT3 I am selling our beloved late 97 R (98 spec) V8-SE. It is advertised in this weeks topmarques and details of car and picture can be viewed on their website(its the yellow one).
It is up for £26500 but I am willing to take sensible offers.

Happy Hunting
Orange.

[smeagol]

I can vouch for Peter Smith servicing, they are excellent (if pricey). I take my Elan there everytime and have never had reason to complain or had a problem with the car. Nick Whale I believe have the same sort of policy of you get what you pay for (ie not the cheapest servicing but nothing left to chance). So I suspect you have a car that has been well looked after (vital for loti or is it lotuses)