1988 Esprit: Respray? Engine Sound? Stereo?
Discussion
Hi, i've just bought a 1988 Esprit and had a couple of questions:
- the laquer on the roof has come off a bit in a few places, and there are white ringed circles in quite a few places. Is there a cheap fix for this at all (I think you can get the roof resprayed for a few hundred pounds, but is there a cheaper option?)
- lovely car, but it doesn't sound like much (it's the non-turbo 2.2)! Any ideas about making it sound better on the cheap (new exhaust bits?)
- it still has its original speakers in it, any recommendations for a better system for a hundred or two? someone has fitted a standard cd/radio that works ok so maybe just speakers to be replaced? also someone has snapped off the aerial so no radio signal really, any ideas?
Thanks, i'm afraid I am pretty clueless and don't have a lot of cash to play with!
Rich
LotusEsprit1988 said:
Hi, i've just bought a 1988 Esprit and had a couple of questions:
- the laquer on the roof has come off a bit in a few places, and there are white ringed circles in quite a few places. Is there a cheap fix for this at all (I think you can get the roof resprayed for a few hundred pounds, but is there a cheaper option?)
- lovely car, but it doesn't sound like much (it's the non-turbo 2.2)! Any ideas about making it sound better on the cheap (new exhaust bits?)
- it still has its original speakers in it, any recommendations for a better system for a hundred or two? someone has fitted a standard cd/radio that works ok so maybe just speakers to be replaced? also someone has snapped off the aerial so no radio signal really, any ideas?
Thanks, i'm afraid I am pretty clueless and don't have a lot of cash to play with!
Rich
Never heard of a cheap fix for a respray. Best get it done properly the first time around otherwise you might be forking out to get it done again if it starts bubbling/cracking etc. Needs to be cut back properly to the gelcoat, colour matched and two pack cleared. Any good body shop should be able to have in done in no time. Just get some quotes. PPG paint systems work well from previous experience on my 89 I used to have.- the laquer on the roof has come off a bit in a few places, and there are white ringed circles in quite a few places. Is there a cheap fix for this at all (I think you can get the roof resprayed for a few hundred pounds, but is there a cheaper option?)
- lovely car, but it doesn't sound like much (it's the non-turbo 2.2)! Any ideas about making it sound better on the cheap (new exhaust bits?)
- it still has its original speakers in it, any recommendations for a better system for a hundred or two? someone has fitted a standard cd/radio that works ok so maybe just speakers to be replaced? also someone has snapped off the aerial so no radio signal really, any ideas?
Thanks, i'm afraid I am pretty clueless and don't have a lot of cash to play with!
Rich
Re sound of the car. Theres plenty of good aftermarket stainless sports exhausts around over there. See www.lotusespritworld.com for parts suppliers and mods done. Theres great info there.
LotusEsprit1988 said:
Thanks for that! I'm based in London and have got a couple of quotes for around 500 for the roof. Any recommedations for any cheaper end paint shops would be really appreciated as not sure who to trust to do a good job to be honest with you. Thanks again.
Bring it up north, you'd probably get the whole car done for that sort of money.Thanks.
The quote of £500 (incl. VAT) was from http://www.sportmotive.com/bodyshopt.html
I would be very interested to hear of any cheaper options!
I'm based by Liverpool Street Station in London, but could easily drive over to Kent.
Is this another sportmotive?
As far as i was aware the sportmotive i know IS up north in staffordshire.
As usual, I expect someone will correct me in the next few minutes!
Oh and by the way the only option is to replace the electric aeriel. You may need to have it tuned to radio. Also check that the aeriel lead IS actually connected into the back of the radio - they sometimes aren't!
Also with glassfibre cars you will likely need to spend some time earthing/suppressing and shielding all other electrical components in the car to overcome interference.
Anyway good luck with it.
As far as i was aware the sportmotive i know IS up north in staffordshire.
As usual, I expect someone will correct me in the next few minutes!
Oh and by the way the only option is to replace the electric aeriel. You may need to have it tuned to radio. Also check that the aeriel lead IS actually connected into the back of the radio - they sometimes aren't!
Also with glassfibre cars you will likely need to spend some time earthing/suppressing and shielding all other electrical components in the car to overcome interference.
Anyway good luck with it.
I guess as you are selling this after a (very) brief ownership (cf LEW), and for a small asking price btw, I would either inform the new buyer of all issues or get these things done properly to avoid future comeback.
I think for your 6K asking price people would accept not too good paintwork in small places providing all else was OK.
I think for your 6K asking price people would accept not too good paintwork in small places providing all else was OK.
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