Lotus more reliable than a TVR ?.....
Discussion
...Hopefully yes 
After 5 years of TVR ownership I’m now looking at a summer with no replacement. I’ve always fancied a Lotus and the Esprit is such an Iconic looking sports car I’d love to try one but having had my fair share of grovelling around under "specialist sports cars" for the past 5 years I’m not sure if I want to bite the bullet again.
So my question is how reliable are Eprits? Now I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string but obviously there is going to be no body rot and I’m guessing chassis rot is not a major issue. So what are electrics and mechanicals like?
I’m looking at early 90’s Turbo cars with around 60K miles on them. Are the engines and gearboxes good for this mileage ?
I found most of the problems with my TVRs were normally poor quality repairs done to the cars by previous owners or so called specialists. I’m guessing Lotus maintenance will be similar since they are pretty affordable to purchase but people forget about the ongoing maintenance and skimp on the maintenance due to the cost.
Also how realistic is it to use one on a track a few times a year? The TVR’s I had were not really up to being thrashed round a track and the limits of the brakes, handling and cooling were very quickly found. Can you have fun on a track with a standard car without killing it ?
After 5 years of TVR ownership I’m now looking at a summer with no replacement. I’ve always fancied a Lotus and the Esprit is such an Iconic looking sports car I’d love to try one but having had my fair share of grovelling around under "specialist sports cars" for the past 5 years I’m not sure if I want to bite the bullet again.
So my question is how reliable are Eprits? Now I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string but obviously there is going to be no body rot and I’m guessing chassis rot is not a major issue. So what are electrics and mechanicals like?
I’m looking at early 90’s Turbo cars with around 60K miles on them. Are the engines and gearboxes good for this mileage ?
I found most of the problems with my TVRs were normally poor quality repairs done to the cars by previous owners or so called specialists. I’m guessing Lotus maintenance will be similar since they are pretty affordable to purchase but people forget about the ongoing maintenance and skimp on the maintenance due to the cost.
Also how realistic is it to use one on a track a few times a year? The TVR’s I had were not really up to being thrashed round a track and the limits of the brakes, handling and cooling were very quickly found. Can you have fun on a track with a standard car without killing it ?
Everything yo ever wanted to know is here mate:
www.lotusespritworld.com
I've had my S4 just over 5 years now, i've had all the normal problems, exhaust manifold cracks etc but as long as you stay on top of all the little problems then you'll have years of happy hooning. I think Esprits & TVR's are very similar breeds. Also the owners are very similar.
For servicing & repairs theres lots of specialists & they offer far better service than the Lotus main dealers who now really only cater for the Elise. As an idea of costs, I did actually count the invoices i've collected over 5 years & i've spent just over £7,500, thats servicing, tyres, & everything but not of course fuel, insurance & tax etc, so about £1,500 per year, thats pretty good going. Mine gets services once a year & if anything needs doing its done, if something doesnt look like it will last another year then its changed. I bought it with 58k on the clock & its now just up to 85k so its no garage queen!
If its a second car then a classic car insurance policy is best, especially if you only do say 5,000 miles per year, I pay £310 per year through classic line.
As for track days, the only track mines been on is the Lotus test track at Hethel at the open day a few years ago, Esprits built around the late 80's early 90's dont have very good brakes, they are actaully old toyota supa brakes & they really arnt up to the job so if you want to track it thats your first thing to upgrade. theres lots of options & again specialists like PNM engineering will sell you a complete upgrade kit.
So mate, as i've never owned a TVR i cant say whats most reliable but if you do your home work, get the car checked properly, know what to look for you wont regret it, theres lots of meets & lots of other owners who are all willing to help with problems you may have.
Then if you ever get bored of it or your circumstances change you can flog it for what you paid for it.
Oh edit to say: you asked about gearboxes, everyone says its lets the car down & will break. It wont. The V8's have 350bhp (90's SE's around 264bhp)& only if your looking to go over that & nearer 400bhp should you look to upgrade it. Treat it with respect, dont rush it, take your time when shifting & it wont let you down.
www.lotusespritworld.com
I've had my S4 just over 5 years now, i've had all the normal problems, exhaust manifold cracks etc but as long as you stay on top of all the little problems then you'll have years of happy hooning. I think Esprits & TVR's are very similar breeds. Also the owners are very similar.
For servicing & repairs theres lots of specialists & they offer far better service than the Lotus main dealers who now really only cater for the Elise. As an idea of costs, I did actually count the invoices i've collected over 5 years & i've spent just over £7,500, thats servicing, tyres, & everything but not of course fuel, insurance & tax etc, so about £1,500 per year, thats pretty good going. Mine gets services once a year & if anything needs doing its done, if something doesnt look like it will last another year then its changed. I bought it with 58k on the clock & its now just up to 85k so its no garage queen!
If its a second car then a classic car insurance policy is best, especially if you only do say 5,000 miles per year, I pay £310 per year through classic line.
As for track days, the only track mines been on is the Lotus test track at Hethel at the open day a few years ago, Esprits built around the late 80's early 90's dont have very good brakes, they are actaully old toyota supa brakes & they really arnt up to the job so if you want to track it thats your first thing to upgrade. theres lots of options & again specialists like PNM engineering will sell you a complete upgrade kit.
So mate, as i've never owned a TVR i cant say whats most reliable but if you do your home work, get the car checked properly, know what to look for you wont regret it, theres lots of meets & lots of other owners who are all willing to help with problems you may have.
Then if you ever get bored of it or your circumstances change you can flog it for what you paid for it.
Oh edit to say: you asked about gearboxes, everyone says its lets the car down & will break. It wont. The V8's have 350bhp (90's SE's around 264bhp)& only if your looking to go over that & nearer 400bhp should you look to upgrade it. Treat it with respect, dont rush it, take your time when shifting & it wont let you down.
Edited by splodge s4 on Wednesday 26th March 10:34
Nae worries, if you really want to talk to lots & lots of owners who will bore you silly about their cars 
then pop over to Donnington this weekend, its the annual Lotus club meet, happening Saturday & Sunday, (theres usually more Esprits on the Sunday)
Oh & wrap up warm, its always freezing cold, usually drizzly & quite windy!
then pop over to Donnington this weekend, its the annual Lotus club meet, happening Saturday & Sunday, (theres usually more Esprits on the Sunday) Oh & wrap up warm, its always freezing cold, usually drizzly & quite windy!
I have an 89 Esprit Turbo that I have owned since 92. car had 1700 miles on it when I purchased it and now has 92,500+. There were some problems early on that had I of known I could have avoided. I had the misfortune of loosing the vacuum pump belt in the midst of a high speed pass which bent up some valves, again something that could have been avoided.
Other than that the car has been a gem. I am enjoying it thoroughly and have no regrets in owning it.
Took the opportunity to upgrade the valves and do a bit of head and exhaust work and can't wait to see how it all works.
Take your time, ask a lot of questions and if you find a car you like, be sure and have it professionaly checked out by someone familiar with Esprit's and their particular fobiles.
Good luck
Other than that the car has been a gem. I am enjoying it thoroughly and have no regrets in owning it.
Took the opportunity to upgrade the valves and do a bit of head and exhaust work and can't wait to see how it all works.
Take your time, ask a lot of questions and if you find a car you like, be sure and have it professionaly checked out by someone familiar with Esprit's and their particular fobiles.
Good luck
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