What is everyone driving now?
Discussion
Is Ernest still moderating the forum? Or its farmed out to someone else now?Not sure if Ernest is still a moderator. He has not posted here in a couple of months and has not started a topic in a while with a short reply here sometime in Sept.
At this time I have been driving just regular daily drivers. A 2004 Toyota Sienna mini van and a 1994 Mercury Tracer (Ford Escort) with 200K miles. This weekend I had to drop the tranny and replace a cracked flywheel. Not nearly the relaxing and satisfaction filled event that it would be when used to work on the Esprit.
I did have treat this summer when the present owner of my old Esprit allowed me to keep it for a week. After I returned the Esprit I was allowed to pick it up the following week to drive it to an adjacent state for one of largest fly/drive aircraft and car shows in our area. My teenage son and I were really excited it seemed like old times. As we started our drive I lost 1/2 the power with almost new boost. 2 spark plugs dry and 2 wet. It was later determined that the Esprit had one bad fuel injector that made its mate also not work (wired in pairs). So disapointing we were not able to make this drive to the show. I have seen a lot injector failure and it is not tied to mileage. I have 42K miles without problems when using non ethanol blended fuel but other owners who used blended fuels have had problems. I'm sure I can say for sure that is what caused the injector failure as it has been only 3 other owners who have had the problem but they all came up around the same time with cars of varying mileage.
Calvin
PS Jim (Lotus guy) has a Jag sedan and a Boxter.
At this time I have been driving just regular daily drivers. A 2004 Toyota Sienna mini van and a 1994 Mercury Tracer (Ford Escort) with 200K miles. This weekend I had to drop the tranny and replace a cracked flywheel. Not nearly the relaxing and satisfaction filled event that it would be when used to work on the Esprit.
I did have treat this summer when the present owner of my old Esprit allowed me to keep it for a week. After I returned the Esprit I was allowed to pick it up the following week to drive it to an adjacent state for one of largest fly/drive aircraft and car shows in our area. My teenage son and I were really excited it seemed like old times. As we started our drive I lost 1/2 the power with almost new boost. 2 spark plugs dry and 2 wet. It was later determined that the Esprit had one bad fuel injector that made its mate also not work (wired in pairs). So disapointing we were not able to make this drive to the show. I have seen a lot injector failure and it is not tied to mileage. I have 42K miles without problems when using non ethanol blended fuel but other owners who used blended fuels have had problems. I'm sure I can say for sure that is what caused the injector failure as it has been only 3 other owners who have had the problem but they all came up around the same time with cars of varying mileage.
Calvin
PS Jim (Lotus guy) has a Jag sedan and a Boxter.
DR HESS ...Still around ?
I see that getting back into the forum again and searching for old threads and posts ,that i rememebered were on years ago.
I think that hey have all been eliminated and only go back a year or so.Unless i have been searching it wrong.
Lucky i have saved a lot of old previous stuff that is handy now.
Yes agree that .. Forums go in fits and starts.
As Calvin stated.... that "novices of yesterday are experst today"....
though they got that way by listening to experst of yesterday ......
Have a nice day
pomoz
I see that getting back into the forum again and searching for old threads and posts ,that i rememebered were on years ago.
I think that hey have all been eliminated and only go back a year or so.Unless i have been searching it wrong.
Lucky i have saved a lot of old previous stuff that is handy now.
Yes agree that .. Forums go in fits and starts.
As Calvin stated.... that "novices of yesterday are experst today"....
though they got that way by listening to experst of yesterday ......
Have a nice day
pomoz
I digressed Kylies
I apart from driving Gcar ...... have as my daily drive a 94 Ford falcon ute Longreach 1 tonne..... Which gives me a bit of Cred ,as a lot of people only see me in a 81 Volvo 264gle (pristine 1 owner) or the newly acquired 84 Volvo 760 gle (with a 91 GM V6 engine/gearbox/management system)... debadged,a real Q car ... The Vcars are " she who must be obeyed cars".... Hardly anyone sees me in Gcar.....
Pomoz 87S3HC na
I apart from driving Gcar ...... have as my daily drive a 94 Ford falcon ute Longreach 1 tonne..... Which gives me a bit of Cred ,as a lot of people only see me in a 81 Volvo 264gle (pristine 1 owner) or the newly acquired 84 Volvo 760 gle (with a 91 GM V6 engine/gearbox/management system)... debadged,a real Q car ... The Vcars are " she who must be obeyed cars".... Hardly anyone sees me in Gcar.....
Pomoz 87S3HC na
cnh1990 said:
I did have treat this summer when the present owner of my old Esprit allowed me to keep it for a week. After I returned the Esprit I was allowed to pick it up the following week to drive it to an adjacent state for one of largest fly/drive aircraft and car shows in our area. My teenage son and I were really excited it seemed like old times.
Calvin
PS Jim (Lotus guy) has a Jag sedan and a Boxter.
Thats awesome, the new owner of my old 89 said the same. I can drive it when ever I want. Although he now lives around 200km from me so I guess hes fairly safe Calvin
PS Jim (Lotus guy) has a Jag sedan and a Boxter.
pomoz said:
I digressed Kylies
I apart from driving Gcar ...... have as my daily drive a 94 Ford falcon ute Longreach 1 tonne..... Which gives me a bit of Cred ,as a lot of people only see me in a 81 Volvo 264gle (pristine 1 owner) or the newly acquired 84 Volvo 760 gle (with a 91 GM V6 engine/gearbox/management system)... debadged,a real Q car ... The Vcars are " she who must be obeyed cars".... Hardly anyone sees me in Gcar.....
Pomoz 87S3HC na
I didnt think you were allowed to drive anything in OZ apart from a Holden or a Ford I apart from driving Gcar ...... have as my daily drive a 94 Ford falcon ute Longreach 1 tonne..... Which gives me a bit of Cred ,as a lot of people only see me in a 81 Volvo 264gle (pristine 1 owner) or the newly acquired 84 Volvo 760 gle (with a 91 GM V6 engine/gearbox/management system)... debadged,a real Q car ... The Vcars are " she who must be obeyed cars".... Hardly anyone sees me in Gcar.....
Pomoz 87S3HC na
I see Hess posting on the turbo list but not much here. I suppose he could be inticed to come back if there were frequent postings. Many people gave up this forum because of the long time between postings. Just think of it just the 3 of us are driving the November posting up past the entrie Oct postings very shortly. I think who ever owned PH might have sold it??? Not sure if this is correct or not. It is almost like when I first started posting on this forum.
Kylie,
When I first got the Esprit many did not know what a low mileage Esprit was like. Many called my Esprit mechanically pristine. I think the really reason the new owner wants me to drive the car is I knew what the car was like with 16K miles and I would be able to spot many items that might need services or near future replacement.
Calvin
Calvin
Kylie,
When I first got the Esprit many did not know what a low mileage Esprit was like. Many called my Esprit mechanically pristine. I think the really reason the new owner wants me to drive the car is I knew what the car was like with 16K miles and I would be able to spot many items that might need services or near future replacement.
Calvin
Calvin
Yeah I like the layout on this forum so much better than other forums. Its easy to get around and theres plenty of space in your profile to dump all the history of the car and load pictures rather than creating a huge user ID image.
That car you had Calvin was mint and the new owner seems chuffed to bits about it.
I had the opportunity to purchase a 2000 V8GT in yellow with pearl, was brilliant in every way and only had 16,000kms on the clock!!! It was going to cost $15K more than the S350. It was a hard call as you just dont see these cars with with low miles on them anymore. But I think I have done the right thing. Please say yes, please say yes
That car you had Calvin was mint and the new owner seems chuffed to bits about it.
I had the opportunity to purchase a 2000 V8GT in yellow with pearl, was brilliant in every way and only had 16,000kms on the clock!!! It was going to cost $15K more than the S350. It was a hard call as you just dont see these cars with with low miles on them anymore. But I think I have done the right thing. Please say yes, please say yes
I recently had the opportunity of buying my Giugiaro HC Turbo back, but in the end it went elsewhere for very strong money.
I consoled myself by buying a rough NA S3 as a bit of a project, but I have sold it on after costing the necessary renovation work. Sadly it just wasn't worth spending money on.
These days I am pottering about in my trusty old BMW and have a Ford Capri 2.8 Injection for fun, though I would undoubtedly buy another Esprit if I tripped up over the right one.
Since selling my HC Turbo I moved on to a TVR Griffith 500, which sounded good and was very fast, but it didn't do bends and had the build quality of a shed.
I replaced the TVR with a Ferrari 328 GTS, which was a wonderful car, but cost twice as much as a comparable Esprit and certainly wasn't twice as good. It was sold to finance a property purchase.
Not really sure what to buy next.
Perhaps another old Ferrari, maybe an Esprit, or an aircooled 911?
I consoled myself by buying a rough NA S3 as a bit of a project, but I have sold it on after costing the necessary renovation work. Sadly it just wasn't worth spending money on.
These days I am pottering about in my trusty old BMW and have a Ford Capri 2.8 Injection for fun, though I would undoubtedly buy another Esprit if I tripped up over the right one.
Since selling my HC Turbo I moved on to a TVR Griffith 500, which sounded good and was very fast, but it didn't do bends and had the build quality of a shed.
I replaced the TVR with a Ferrari 328 GTS, which was a wonderful car, but cost twice as much as a comparable Esprit and certainly wasn't twice as good. It was sold to finance a property purchase.
Not really sure what to buy next.
Perhaps another old Ferrari, maybe an Esprit, or an aircooled 911?
I sold my Esprit a few years ago to fund a house purchse, was the right move byt the looks of it.
I'm hoping the new Esprit comes out in the later half of 2009, and depending on my situation my well take the plunge.
I'm not done with the Esprit yet.
Oh, and I'm not even going to mention what I drive now, as oddly enough it was exactly the same as when I had the Esprit.... infact, I've had it before I bought the Esprit, as my daily hack!.... time for a change...
JC
I'm hoping the new Esprit comes out in the later half of 2009, and depending on my situation my well take the plunge.
I'm not done with the Esprit yet.
Oh, and I'm not even going to mention what I drive now, as oddly enough it was exactly the same as when I had the Esprit.... infact, I've had it before I bought the Esprit, as my daily hack!.... time for a change...
JC
Unfortunately, I'm currently driving the Winter beater... a Subaru SVX. The fun cars will be in hibernation for a few months, probably until mid-April.
This time of year I start thinking I should move to a warmer climate, but then Spring rolls around and I begin to appreciate that Minnesota is a pretty good place to be.
My first three Europas are all gone, but I have a 1970 S2 that's a strange blend of a harsh riding autocrosser and a nicely trimmed street car (full leather). Then there are two Eclat 523's, an Esprit S2 and an MR2 MkI Supercharged Lotus Wannabe. And all the LOON club cars I care to work on... there's a good bunch of wrenchers here.
I'd like to see this forum get kick started again. I spend a lot of time on the YahooGroups mailing lists, but used to hang out here too. I participated in more of the tech topics than the general chat, but enjoyed the forum overall. As the message volume tapered off to very little, I checked in less often. That could just as easily go the other way.
The LEF probably had the biggest impact on declining activity here. I did subscribe to LEF early on to see what was happening, and I still take a lurker-peek once in a while; but I have an "issue" with LEF and never became an active regular. Now it too seems to be fading. I don't think LEF ever established a solid technical foundation and the chatty conversation that dominates the posts doesn't have the substance required to sustain an owner-forum long term.
Fan chat is a good thing, but owners of unique cars need a place they can go for help when things go wrong. LEF never established that solid tech-support base... just emotional support.
The new Lotusbuzz.com forum is, IMHO, a lot like LEF was early on. It's based more on chat than the solid content that helps owners care for their unique cars. For now, it appears to be growing well while LEF is (?) in decline. There are some interesting chat topics there and I enjoy reading along; but so far, I'm not seeing the solid tech content to provide a balanced foundation. I'd like to see Lotusbuzz succeed, but we'll see.
The old Pistonheads Esprit forum had a more balanced blend of chat and tech. Still more chat than tech, but there were very knowledgeable people available who could cover just about any Esprit question. If this forum can attract some of it's old members back into the fold (with LEF's gloss fading, now would be the time), then I see no reason why it couldn't return to what it was. And that would be good.
Until then, my home base is the YahooGroups mailing lists. I'm on all the Lotus related lists, and I participate every day.
I check in here once a week or so, but don't post unless there's a tech topic to which I feel I can add value.
Similarly, I touch base with Lotusbuzz from time to time. There's some good enthusiasm there and I'd like to see it succeed; but so far, it's still just chat.
I rarely check LEF and do not post there.
Pistonheads... crank up the heat and put out the welcome mat. A while back, there was a mad rush to find the optimal "format"... like format was all that mattered. But I think folk are realizing that format doesn't matter without content, and without the right people. Pistonheads Esprit had the right stuff, and could get it back if subscribers would spread the word. It will be word of mouth that does it, not advertising.
Best Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
This time of year I start thinking I should move to a warmer climate, but then Spring rolls around and I begin to appreciate that Minnesota is a pretty good place to be.
My first three Europas are all gone, but I have a 1970 S2 that's a strange blend of a harsh riding autocrosser and a nicely trimmed street car (full leather). Then there are two Eclat 523's, an Esprit S2 and an MR2 MkI Supercharged Lotus Wannabe. And all the LOON club cars I care to work on... there's a good bunch of wrenchers here.
I'd like to see this forum get kick started again. I spend a lot of time on the YahooGroups mailing lists, but used to hang out here too. I participated in more of the tech topics than the general chat, but enjoyed the forum overall. As the message volume tapered off to very little, I checked in less often. That could just as easily go the other way.
The LEF probably had the biggest impact on declining activity here. I did subscribe to LEF early on to see what was happening, and I still take a lurker-peek once in a while; but I have an "issue" with LEF and never became an active regular. Now it too seems to be fading. I don't think LEF ever established a solid technical foundation and the chatty conversation that dominates the posts doesn't have the substance required to sustain an owner-forum long term.
Fan chat is a good thing, but owners of unique cars need a place they can go for help when things go wrong. LEF never established that solid tech-support base... just emotional support.
The new Lotusbuzz.com forum is, IMHO, a lot like LEF was early on. It's based more on chat than the solid content that helps owners care for their unique cars. For now, it appears to be growing well while LEF is (?) in decline. There are some interesting chat topics there and I enjoy reading along; but so far, I'm not seeing the solid tech content to provide a balanced foundation. I'd like to see Lotusbuzz succeed, but we'll see.
The old Pistonheads Esprit forum had a more balanced blend of chat and tech. Still more chat than tech, but there were very knowledgeable people available who could cover just about any Esprit question. If this forum can attract some of it's old members back into the fold (with LEF's gloss fading, now would be the time), then I see no reason why it couldn't return to what it was. And that would be good.
Until then, my home base is the YahooGroups mailing lists. I'm on all the Lotus related lists, and I participate every day.
I check in here once a week or so, but don't post unless there's a tech topic to which I feel I can add value.
Similarly, I touch base with Lotusbuzz from time to time. There's some good enthusiasm there and I'd like to see it succeed; but so far, it's still just chat.
I rarely check LEF and do not post there.
Pistonheads... crank up the heat and put out the welcome mat. A while back, there was a mad rush to find the optimal "format"... like format was all that mattered. But I think folk are realizing that format doesn't matter without content, and without the right people. Pistonheads Esprit had the right stuff, and could get it back if subscribers would spread the word. It will be word of mouth that does it, not advertising.
Best Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
I still have my 89 SE (11th built). Had her for about 7 years now.
All mechanical work done over the last few years and running well. Might have to have some paintwork this summer coming as the laquer is lifting on the bonnet (hood).
Just tried to connect with freescan with a serial to USB connector (as my new laptop has no serial port) but got an error message about "port 1 error". Must post a separate topic for this one...
Any older SEs still about than chassis no 11?
Oh, and Kylie...Love the 350.
Scotty2
Happy New Year to all.
p.s. If Jim ? (Lotus guy)is reading...Have you a spare SE fog lamp? ;-)
All mechanical work done over the last few years and running well. Might have to have some paintwork this summer coming as the laquer is lifting on the bonnet (hood).
Just tried to connect with freescan with a serial to USB connector (as my new laptop has no serial port) but got an error message about "port 1 error". Must post a separate topic for this one...
Any older SEs still about than chassis no 11?
Oh, and Kylie...Love the 350.
Scotty2
Happy New Year to all.
p.s. If Jim ? (Lotus guy)is reading...Have you a spare SE fog lamp? ;-)
Esprit2 said:
The LEF probably had the biggest impact on declining activity here. I did subscribe to LEF early on to see what was happening, and I still take a lurker-peek once in a while; but I have an "issue" with LEF and never became an active regular. Now it too seems to be fading. I don't think LEF ever established a solid technical foundation and the chatty conversation that dominates the posts doesn't have the substance required to sustain an owner-forum long term.
Fan chat is a good thing, but owners of unique cars need a place they can go for help when things go wrong. LEF never established that solid tech-support base... just emotional support.
....while LEF is (?) in decline. There are some interesting chat topics there and I enjoy reading along; but so far, I'm not seeing the solid tech content to provide a balanced foundation.
...(with LEF's gloss fading, now would be the time)
....my home base is the YahooGroups mailing lists.
I rarely check LEF and do not post there.
Some might be inclined to think you have an axe to grind. Care to make your thoughts public? Or are you just wallowing?Fan chat is a good thing, but owners of unique cars need a place they can go for help when things go wrong. LEF never established that solid tech-support base... just emotional support.
....while LEF is (?) in decline. There are some interesting chat topics there and I enjoy reading along; but so far, I'm not seeing the solid tech content to provide a balanced foundation.
...(with LEF's gloss fading, now would be the time)
....my home base is the YahooGroups mailing lists.
I rarely check LEF and do not post there.
Fading? There's nearly 4000 members! Not bad considering last estimates said there were only around 9000 Esprits left worldwide.
I'm not sure I agree with your view that there is no tech support on LEF, either. There are many long term owners with years of experience on the site. There are a number of companies who contribute to LEF tech support completely free of charge. There's a phone number made available so that owners can contact the factory direct for help and advice, a number of key Esprit factory employees contribute with technical help (along with member's discount on Genuine Parts).
Even the CEO of Lotus pops in from time to time.
Unfortunately as far as you seem to be concerned though, not all the chat is confined to talking about oily bits and how to nail stuff back togther. The LEF forum has become a worldwide family who happen to have a common interest in and enthusiasm of the Esprit. Like any family they don't spend all day talking about wheel bearings and ball joints. There will be jovail banter, there will be social gatherings, there wil be arguments, there will be help when needed.
If you just want to confine your conversations to beardy anorak wearing yawn inducing chat, then, no, maybe LEF isn't for you.
I hope you find a forum you enjoy.
I would say it was not LEF by itself that had led to declining activty on this site. Although a lot of people did join up LEF at the urging of KFM which many of us has loyalty and rightly so. The quality of my personal Lotus experience had a lot to do with the information gleaned off of the Fact file. It was KFM who originally directed me and many others to the PH site and then to LEF. I would say by sheer numbers the people versed in the technical aspects of the Esprit still reside on the Turbo List and I still consider that site as the go to place for intense technical disscussion. Esprit2 AKA Tim is one the best I have encountered in N/A Lotus, cars in general and is also pretty good at turbo cars. Lotusguy AKA Jim is very good at Turbo carbed cars with others there was a well rounded 4 cyl Esprit technical presence during the height of the PH site. LEW and LEF is pretty good at what they provide but I consider them as primarily a UK or Euro site. While there are certainly people in the UK or Europe that work on their own cars, I have noticed most do not and elect to send cars to a shop for repair and maintenece as opposed to the larger number of USA owners who elect to work on their own cars as a hobby. I'm not sure if it is the lack of personal garage space or it is something that most do not think of attempting to do at home. Working on a car is like many other things and the more one does it the better one becomes at it. Not to offend anyone but I refer to some people as waxers or wrenchers. People who keep their cars clean, pretty, and presentable but send their to the shop and other people whose range of skill vary from oil changes to pulling the drive train out of a car. Unless a site has soild technical foundation the Forum will turn into a fluff site instead of a go to site incase of trouble. Given the choice of what type of site I prefer I have personal preference for information on how to prevent or repair as opposed to information which shop is the best place to go for repairs. This is not to say I don't enjoy an occassional non technical banter but such banter was not the original intent that many seek a forum such as this. I don't think that Tim said that LEF was totally devoid of technical chatter only that there appears a higher percentage of non technical chatter which I would agree with. No matter if there are 4000 registered users or 400 most forum or discussion sites usually have only several dozen (if even that much) core of posters that are the driving force on various sites.
I would have given anything 30 years ago to have access to technical information and advice when the engine of my Europa went belly up. All I had was a workshop manual and phone number for parts that took weeks if not months to arrive.
I will now go back to lurk mode.
Calvin
I would have given anything 30 years ago to have access to technical information and advice when the engine of my Europa went belly up. All I had was a workshop manual and phone number for parts that took weeks if not months to arrive.
I will now go back to lurk mode.
Calvin
Edited by cnh1990 on Friday 28th December 20:03
Though LEF is without doubt a useful resource, I prefer it here.
It is a shame that this forum has gone so quiet, a testamony to the success of LEF, no doubt.
But this forum was invaluable to me a few years ago when I had my Giugiaro HC Turbo.
Without the freely given advice of chaps like Lotusguy, I'm not sure that I would have had the confidence to tackle jobs as mundane as radiator swaps, replacing crossgate cables, rebushing gear linkages, changing the steering rack, exhaust etc etc.
I saved myself thousands of pounds in labour charges and learned a great deal in the process.
Servicing and improving my Esprit was a thoroughly enjoyable pastime and at least an equal to driving it in terms of satisfaction.
I was very proud of that car and if I could find another one as good then I would buy it in a shot.
It is a shame that this forum has gone so quiet, a testamony to the success of LEF, no doubt.
But this forum was invaluable to me a few years ago when I had my Giugiaro HC Turbo.
Without the freely given advice of chaps like Lotusguy, I'm not sure that I would have had the confidence to tackle jobs as mundane as radiator swaps, replacing crossgate cables, rebushing gear linkages, changing the steering rack, exhaust etc etc.
I saved myself thousands of pounds in labour charges and learned a great deal in the process.
Servicing and improving my Esprit was a thoroughly enjoyable pastime and at least an equal to driving it in terms of satisfaction.
I was very proud of that car and if I could find another one as good then I would buy it in a shot.
GKP said:
Some might be inclined to think you have an axe to grind. Care to make your thoughts public? Or are you just wallowing?.
Graham,It's no mystery, I said I have issues with LEF so that should be clear. No, I don't wish to drag them through public mud since that does nothing but derail a good forum into a Red Mist of personal opinions.
If a situation were to develop where you and I could meet over a pint some time, I would share my LEF opinions and reasons with you... but no, not here. (I do have solid reasons, they are mine, and you don't have to agree).
GKP said:
I'm not sure I agree with your view that there is no tech support on LEF, either.
Graham, I'm not asking you to agree with me or with anyone else. And I didn't say there is no tech support on LEF. I pointed out that the bulk of discussion there has more to do with chit-chat than it does with the kind of support that keeps the cars on the road. Just total up LEF bits & bytes spent on chit-chat verses problem solving and weigh the piles.GKP said:
Even the CEO of Lotus pops in from time to time.
Yes, I've seen MJK's posts on LEF. I've also enjoyed reading his contributions to Lotusbuzz.com... have you read his messages there? Kimbers is a member at Lotusbuzz. And as he did at LEF, Kimbers has become very active and has encouraged his father to participate there as well. And from that forum connection, MJK has introduced me to personnel at Lotus who have been very helpful to me lately.MJK recognizes and appreciates the value of Lotus owner/fan support more clearly than his recent predecessors; and he is giving something of himself back to that group. So, Lotus support and MJK participation are not just LEF-exclusives.
GKP said:
I hope you find a forum you enjoy.
I have, Graham. Again, that's no mystery since I clearly said the Lotus mailing lists at YahooGroups are my primary hang out. I'm a 17+ year participant in the evolution of the list(s) I prefer and enjoy the most. I also participate in most of the other Lotus fan sites... enough of them to have a good basis for comparison. While I don't participate in LEF, I do check in and browse there once in a while.
I used to rate Pistonheads Esprit a strong second behind the Yahoo lists, and enjoyed contributing here. I was sorry to see participation fall off and look forward to Pistonheads Esprit recovering to it's former self. That would be a very good thing.
I'm glad you've clearly found a home at LEF, and I can't fault you for that. However, I am disappointed in your lack of tolerance for my right to not like LEF. I hope you will cut me some slack on that in the future.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Edited by Esprit2 on Friday 11th January 00:53
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