Thinking of an esprit, what should I look for? Am I mad?
Discussion
Hi All, first time on the lotus forums after selling the 944, I'm thinking of buying a stevens model Esprit needing work and wondered what advice you can give me.
I've had a lotus a few years ago (a plus 2 elan) and from the experience of fully restoring that I'm thinking of getting something rough but unmollested to do up completely.
(my reasoning being most average cars will need the best part of a resoration anyway by the time you get into them, and I can't afford a mint one)
I quite like the idea of the non turbo model for the reliability aspect but will I find it underpowered after the 944 S2?
Aside from the general things what should I be looking for that might cost me huge amounts of money? and which bits and models are the 'ones to have' and 'stay away from'.
Cheers in advance,
Andy
I've had a lotus a few years ago (a plus 2 elan) and from the experience of fully restoring that I'm thinking of getting something rough but unmollested to do up completely.
(my reasoning being most average cars will need the best part of a resoration anyway by the time you get into them, and I can't afford a mint one)
I quite like the idea of the non turbo model for the reliability aspect but will I find it underpowered after the 944 S2?
Aside from the general things what should I be looking for that might cost me huge amounts of money? and which bits and models are the 'ones to have' and 'stay away from'.
Cheers in advance,
Andy
I think you will get a wide variety of answers here... I personally looked for and now own an 88' Stephens (1st year for the new style). I am also in the USA so my car is federal - Citroen/Mazeratti tranny and K-Jet fuel manegement system.
As for "restoration projects", If you have the time to invest, any Esprit in my opinion is a worthy cause. Parts can be a bit hard to come by sometimes, but they do seem to turn up eventually. JAE is good about trying have Lotus Obsoleted parts manufactured when there is a need. I find the turbo car to be quite reliable and I would not shy away from a turbo - even if the turbo on the car you find eventually is shot - it is a very affordable part to rebuild.
I have not messed with the carbed car too much, but I'd say the usueal once over would be in order - seals, jets, throttle body wear...
The K-jet systems seem to be loved or hated. I think it is a good set up for what it is - ie: you cannot go tunning and chip adding etc. Most faults come down to relays played out. The relays can be found at most any parts store with time to match. You have to get the guy at the counter to let you in the back as they will tell you they do not have Lotus parts and they will not take the time to cross reference. They can be time consuming to trouble shoot but no more than a bad carb. However, if the fuel distribution unit has been "monkied up" of is failing, you may be limited on rebuild sources and it will not be cheap or free. JEA has a couple good sources, but even the books I have read about this system state that it was so widely used through the 80's and early 90's bacause of reliability.
EFI is EFI and showed up in 89' for Lotus. Easy to deal with because of what is available - tune chips, programable boxes for fuel mapping, OEM parts etc...
I personally think the first Stephens Esprit was the prettiest. I know... just my opinion. All the little intakes at the front and the straight door sill bottom added on the later S cars; make the early S cars look more "penned" and "styled". The early S cars are also at the (or near the) value bottom. I think the values will begin to climb a bit in the next few years. So, in short, they are a good buy, very pretty, and great fun to drive.
To share a point, last month I was at a car cruise in with a friend that just took delivery of a red Ferrari 360. I was parked on the inside - he was sitting more visible on the outside. My Esprit is white and much lower to the ground. Anyway, a small group of folks headed over and I could hear one guy say - Look a 360! as his step speed increased (not a common car common in my area. In fact, nothing exotic is). So as they got closer, my Esprit apparently became visible because one of the other guys and his girl started drooling and she commented "Holy SH*T... a real Lotus Esprit! a real one! This car is the bomb! Awsome"...
I did not mean too, but the Esprit sort of stole the show... from the 360 no less. I love these cars because only a few people recognize them, and even in places like Miami and LA they are not common.
The G car will also always hold a warm place in my heart - instantly identifiable as THE iconic car. The one that looked cooler than Ferrari, sweeter than the Porsche, and could also be loaded up with Bond buttons!
Just do your home work on the cars you find and you will do well. Esprit are not as fragile as some would like to think.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
As for "restoration projects", If you have the time to invest, any Esprit in my opinion is a worthy cause. Parts can be a bit hard to come by sometimes, but they do seem to turn up eventually. JAE is good about trying have Lotus Obsoleted parts manufactured when there is a need. I find the turbo car to be quite reliable and I would not shy away from a turbo - even if the turbo on the car you find eventually is shot - it is a very affordable part to rebuild.
I have not messed with the carbed car too much, but I'd say the usueal once over would be in order - seals, jets, throttle body wear...
The K-jet systems seem to be loved or hated. I think it is a good set up for what it is - ie: you cannot go tunning and chip adding etc. Most faults come down to relays played out. The relays can be found at most any parts store with time to match. You have to get the guy at the counter to let you in the back as they will tell you they do not have Lotus parts and they will not take the time to cross reference. They can be time consuming to trouble shoot but no more than a bad carb. However, if the fuel distribution unit has been "monkied up" of is failing, you may be limited on rebuild sources and it will not be cheap or free. JEA has a couple good sources, but even the books I have read about this system state that it was so widely used through the 80's and early 90's bacause of reliability.
EFI is EFI and showed up in 89' for Lotus. Easy to deal with because of what is available - tune chips, programable boxes for fuel mapping, OEM parts etc...
I personally think the first Stephens Esprit was the prettiest. I know... just my opinion. All the little intakes at the front and the straight door sill bottom added on the later S cars; make the early S cars look more "penned" and "styled". The early S cars are also at the (or near the) value bottom. I think the values will begin to climb a bit in the next few years. So, in short, they are a good buy, very pretty, and great fun to drive.
To share a point, last month I was at a car cruise in with a friend that just took delivery of a red Ferrari 360. I was parked on the inside - he was sitting more visible on the outside. My Esprit is white and much lower to the ground. Anyway, a small group of folks headed over and I could hear one guy say - Look a 360! as his step speed increased (not a common car common in my area. In fact, nothing exotic is). So as they got closer, my Esprit apparently became visible because one of the other guys and his girl started drooling and she commented "Holy SH*T... a real Lotus Esprit! a real one! This car is the bomb! Awsome"...
I did not mean too, but the Esprit sort of stole the show... from the 360 no less. I love these cars because only a few people recognize them, and even in places like Miami and LA they are not common.
The G car will also always hold a warm place in my heart - instantly identifiable as THE iconic car. The one that looked cooler than Ferrari, sweeter than the Porsche, and could also be loaded up with Bond buttons!
Just do your home work on the cars you find and you will do well. Esprit are not as fragile as some would like to think.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Hi
I agree with Autocross. I owned an 89NA and an 88 Turbo here in the UK. The NA was great and never let me down. In 18 months of ownership only boot release cable and handbrake cable replaced.
In terms of quite expensive parts, check the exhaust manifold is not blowing (they can crack and are quite hard to get hold of), also check the steering is not notchy as the steering rack is not sold readily in parts and is fairly dear to replace. Only other things are really brakes and radiators/coolant leaks etc. Check the driveway etc for old marks and have a look under the rear.
Best is to check through www.lotusespritworld.co.uk.
And finally get one, you won't regret it, a very special car and not for the shy as everyone looks at it.
Cheers
I agree with Autocross. I owned an 89NA and an 88 Turbo here in the UK. The NA was great and never let me down. In 18 months of ownership only boot release cable and handbrake cable replaced.
In terms of quite expensive parts, check the exhaust manifold is not blowing (they can crack and are quite hard to get hold of), also check the steering is not notchy as the steering rack is not sold readily in parts and is fairly dear to replace. Only other things are really brakes and radiators/coolant leaks etc. Check the driveway etc for old marks and have a look under the rear.
Best is to check through www.lotusespritworld.co.uk.
And finally get one, you won't regret it, a very special car and not for the shy as everyone looks at it.
Cheers
I just bought a 94 S4 with the Chargecooler and it's my lifelong ambition fulfilled!
the early Turbo's were troublesome but as time went on the SE, SE Highwing, S4, S4s etc got more and more reliable.
As long as you keep on top of minor problems then you don't tend to have major ones! Don't forget that even the S4 is 14 years old now! That said they really haven't aged and you get so many stares it's unbelieveable.
Speak to more owners on Lotus Esprit Forum (LEF)
Gratuitous piccy:
the early Turbo's were troublesome but as time went on the SE, SE Highwing, S4, S4s etc got more and more reliable.
As long as you keep on top of minor problems then you don't tend to have major ones! Don't forget that even the S4 is 14 years old now! That said they really haven't aged and you get so many stares it's unbelieveable.
Speak to more owners on Lotus Esprit Forum (LEF)
Gratuitous piccy:
Thanks for the replies guys, I'm quite surprised that the turbo is pretty reliable and not too expensive to work on as I was going to go for a N/A in case a shot turbo blew the bank.
As far as tuning goes how easy are they to tune?, I have heard that due to the carbs being a 'blow through'design you can't just wind the boost up on the turbo, and I'm worried now the N/A will be a little underpowered for me after the 944 which had 210BHP
off to look at a couple that are local next week, a very nice 89 turbo one that is maybe a bit too expensive (£9000) and an 88 that needs everything doing to it.
As far as specs goes what is the difference between the normal and SE?, I've seen a couple with pretty basic half leather interiors.
Did the N/A have aircon or was this fitted in the turbo as standard (and are the aircon systems any good?)
Again, any advice is appreciated.
Andy
As far as tuning goes how easy are they to tune?, I have heard that due to the carbs being a 'blow through'design you can't just wind the boost up on the turbo, and I'm worried now the N/A will be a little underpowered for me after the 944 which had 210BHP
off to look at a couple that are local next week, a very nice 89 turbo one that is maybe a bit too expensive (£9000) and an 88 that needs everything doing to it.
As far as specs goes what is the difference between the normal and SE?, I've seen a couple with pretty basic half leather interiors.
Did the N/A have aircon or was this fitted in the turbo as standard (and are the aircon systems any good?)
Again, any advice is appreciated.
Andy
Esprit model range details
Esprit mods and maintenance
Loads more Esprit information and discussion here
Esprit mods and maintenance
Loads more Esprit information and discussion here
Andy
If you go with a turbo and DON'T want those annoying little problems like blowing up the turbo then don't mess with them is my humble opinion. Believe me, it's worth spending a little time and finding a nice SE rather than early turbo as they have the chargecooler and have more power and from lower down.
I seriously recommend checking out LEF and introducing yourself.
If you go with a turbo and DON'T want those annoying little problems like blowing up the turbo then don't mess with them is my humble opinion. Believe me, it's worth spending a little time and finding a nice SE rather than early turbo as they have the chargecooler and have more power and from lower down.
I seriously recommend checking out LEF and introducing yourself.
Maybe worth considering an NA with some "head work". Check http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EGuides/EModific...
Don't worry about the NA feeling underpowered they are far from that. And yes they are more reliable than the turbo for obvious reasons. For the type of moeny you seem to want to spend there I would be very careful about what level of turbo you would get. I had seen a dog of a black one on ebay and a few others that I would strongly suggest inspecting using a digital barge pole.
Don't worry about the NA feeling underpowered they are far from that. And yes they are more reliable than the turbo for obvious reasons. For the type of moeny you seem to want to spend there I would be very careful about what level of turbo you would get. I had seen a dog of a black one on ebay and a few others that I would strongly suggest inspecting using a digital barge pole.
Alternatively if it is what it appears to be and still available bite this persons hand off: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/227503.htm
I've tried ringing about the green esprit a couple of times but they seem to be both mobile numbers and switched off constantly.....I've e mailed as I'm in the north east anyway so I'll see what happens.
As far as the different specs goes I don't think I can afford an SE much as I would like one unless it needed some work (don't they all?)so either an early turbo or an N/A will probably be filling my garage over the winter.
Does anybody have one lurking in their garage unwanted and in need of a good home??
Blue preferred and I do like the stevens model, I'd even take one that is damaged or with a blown engine as I quite fancy doing a little engine swop and some tinkering, perhaps a V6 (duratec?) or V8.....
Andy
As far as the different specs goes I don't think I can afford an SE much as I would like one unless it needed some work (don't they all?)so either an early turbo or an N/A will probably be filling my garage over the winter.
Does anybody have one lurking in their garage unwanted and in need of a good home??
Blue preferred and I do like the stevens model, I'd even take one that is damaged or with a blown engine as I quite fancy doing a little engine swop and some tinkering, perhaps a V6 (duratec?) or V8.....
Andy
Just put a number out there... a while back I was putting all new seals in my car and decided to get the turbo "done" since it was off anyway. It really did not show any sign of need, and the shop stated the same... but like I said, it was off and I figured it could not hurt for it to be "new" again.
Anyway, the shop I sent it to checked the balance, put in new bearings, and cleaned it up 'til it looked new for $237.00 US plus $35 shipping. I had it back in three days... Being and Early S car, I do not have a charge cooler to deal with.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Anyway, the shop I sent it to checked the balance, put in new bearings, and cleaned it up 'til it looked new for $237.00 US plus $35 shipping. I had it back in three days... Being and Early S car, I do not have a charge cooler to deal with.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
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