Need some guidance in buying an 88 Esprit SE
Discussion
Hello,
First of all, great forum you have here. I am a complete newcomer and do not know much about repairing cars. Thank you for your help and patience.
Two days ago, I was presented with the opportunity to buy a 1988 Esprit SE but have no idea if the car is a lemon or in good condition. I looked at the car and the exterior is in great condition and the interior needs to be refinished (leather fading,etc.). The engine has 88,000 km and he mentioned it has a little oil leak but has been looked at (nothing major he said). Overalll the appearance of the car is superb and he took me for a spin and it was "Mind-blowing". The seller said that he is the second owner and the vehicle has been garaged for a few years. He rarely used it and only placed about 1000km. He has some of the service records that has been done in various places as there is no certified Lotus dealer here.
My plan is, prior to making any offer, get it checked first by a mechanic (210 point inspection). But, the problem is,as mentioned before, there is no certified lotus dealer here in Saskatchewan (Canada), and the closest thing I can find that will service it is a porsche repair shop. Would this suffice in servicing this car?
Besides the mechanical inspection, any other advice? I am totally hypnotized by the car and have the money to buy it,but, trying really hard to stop myself until I get a better idea of the condition of the vehicle. This site is awesome and I am learning alot about maintainance and servcing of this car. Thanks again for all of the help.
Regards,
Jrome
First of all, great forum you have here. I am a complete newcomer and do not know much about repairing cars. Thank you for your help and patience.
Two days ago, I was presented with the opportunity to buy a 1988 Esprit SE but have no idea if the car is a lemon or in good condition. I looked at the car and the exterior is in great condition and the interior needs to be refinished (leather fading,etc.). The engine has 88,000 km and he mentioned it has a little oil leak but has been looked at (nothing major he said). Overalll the appearance of the car is superb and he took me for a spin and it was "Mind-blowing". The seller said that he is the second owner and the vehicle has been garaged for a few years. He rarely used it and only placed about 1000km. He has some of the service records that has been done in various places as there is no certified Lotus dealer here.
My plan is, prior to making any offer, get it checked first by a mechanic (210 point inspection). But, the problem is,as mentioned before, there is no certified lotus dealer here in Saskatchewan (Canada), and the closest thing I can find that will service it is a porsche repair shop. Would this suffice in servicing this car?
Besides the mechanical inspection, any other advice? I am totally hypnotized by the car and have the money to buy it,but, trying really hard to stop myself until I get a better idea of the condition of the vehicle. This site is awesome and I am learning alot about maintainance and servcing of this car. Thanks again for all of the help.
Regards,
Jrome
Do it!!!
You'll find a full buying guide and all the information you will ever need at www.lotusespritworld.com
Anything else just ask the guys on here www.lotusespritforum.com/forums
You'll find a full buying guide and all the information you will ever need at www.lotusespritworld.com
Anything else just ask the guys on here www.lotusespritforum.com/forums
Hi JRome, welcome aboard and its a 88SE ?? Are you sure its an 88 and not an 89. I thought the SE's came out in 89? If they did for US and Canada I learn something new every day. Theres heaps of Canadian owners on the Lotus Esprit Forum that may be able to specifically point you in the right direction for getting an inspection. I say go for it you wont regret the whole experience they are a lot of car for the money I promise you 
Sounds exciting anyway and let us know how you get on. Any pics?
Sounds exciting anyway and let us know how you get on. Any pics?
An easy way is to use something like
http://photobucket.com/
You just set up a free account upload your images (its a good idea to resize them first or it can take a while) then it will give you the url to copy and paste into your post under the picture in your public gallery.
Its a doddle.
Or read through here for a more comprehensive guide :
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...
http://photobucket.com/
You just set up a free account upload your images (its a good idea to resize them first or it can take a while) then it will give you the url to copy and paste into your post under the picture in your public gallery.
Its a doddle.
Or read through here for a more comprehensive guide
:http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...
Hi,
Thank you for the help. Here is a pic of the vehicle http://ca.geocities.com/jeromeandliezl/IMG_0175.jp...
Sorry for the poor quality
Thank you for the help. Here is a pic of the vehicle http://ca.geocities.com/jeromeandliezl/IMG_0175.jp...
Sorry for the poor quality
Very nice car mate. Hard to say looking at that pic its condition, but if its the model yr after and seems reasonable go for it.
Theres also a friendly US/Canadian group of owners on here too http://www.lotusbuzz.com/
Theres also a friendly US/Canadian group of owners on here too http://www.lotusbuzz.com/
It is a non chargecooled car. Essentially it is re-skinned with a Stevens body and the mechanicals are pretty much identical with an 86-87 with HC engine. In my opinion it is not a quick or reliable as an SE although if used to driving a daily driver any turbo Esprit would be quite a difference. Do not pay SE money for this car as listed in CPI (Car of Particular Interest) or other buyers guide. Although it has a wing, with the tan interior it would lead me to believe it is not one of the anniversery editions which has a blue leather interior which some pay a little more for.
Either way good luck.
There is a very strong Lotus presence in central Minnesota with many model specific recoginzied experts in all areas of restoration and repairs.
Either way good luck.
There is a very strong Lotus presence in central Minnesota with many model specific recoginzied experts in all areas of restoration and repairs.
Jrome,
The car is an '88 Bosch fuel injected model and was a one-year bridge model between the last of the Guigaro bodied Esprit and the GM-ECU SE Esprit. The engine is rated at 228 Hp so it's not up to the SE's level of performance, and the car overall has more in common with the 1986-87 Guigaro bodied cars. Same chassis, suspension, Citroen Transmission. It's basically an '87 with the new Stevens body dropped on top. It's a nice car, but not an SE. What do you want?
In the USA, an average 88 will bring US$14.5k to $17k. More or less is possible depending upon the condition. SE's can be had for $17k up, so that sort of kills the upside potential for the '88.
In 1989, the body style carried over, but the gray sills became body color... 88's are the only year with silver sills. Both the non-chargecooled Esprit and the Esprit SE got a revised chassis, suspension, brakes and the Renault UN-1 transaxle. But the engine was the big change. With the GM engine management system more boost could be safely controlled. In the Chargecooled SE model power jumped to 264 continuour/ 280 until the chargecooler heat-soaked (usually ~30 sec). With the new ECU, the engine could be chipped to put out much more horsepower and still be comfortably streetable.
Don't shy away from the 88 if you like it, but don't pay SE prices for it. And find a shop that understands the Bosch K-Jetronic Lambda fuel injection system. It used to be common on lots of cars, but it's ancient history now. Finding a practicing mechanic who knows his way around it isn't always easy. Look for an Audi/ Mercedes/ VW/ Volvo specialist.
Good luck,
Tim Engel
The car is an '88 Bosch fuel injected model and was a one-year bridge model between the last of the Guigaro bodied Esprit and the GM-ECU SE Esprit. The engine is rated at 228 Hp so it's not up to the SE's level of performance, and the car overall has more in common with the 1986-87 Guigaro bodied cars. Same chassis, suspension, Citroen Transmission. It's basically an '87 with the new Stevens body dropped on top. It's a nice car, but not an SE. What do you want?
In the USA, an average 88 will bring US$14.5k to $17k. More or less is possible depending upon the condition. SE's can be had for $17k up, so that sort of kills the upside potential for the '88.
In 1989, the body style carried over, but the gray sills became body color... 88's are the only year with silver sills. Both the non-chargecooled Esprit and the Esprit SE got a revised chassis, suspension, brakes and the Renault UN-1 transaxle. But the engine was the big change. With the GM engine management system more boost could be safely controlled. In the Chargecooled SE model power jumped to 264 continuour/ 280 until the chargecooler heat-soaked (usually ~30 sec). With the new ECU, the engine could be chipped to put out much more horsepower and still be comfortably streetable.
Don't shy away from the 88 if you like it, but don't pay SE prices for it. And find a shop that understands the Bosch K-Jetronic Lambda fuel injection system. It used to be common on lots of cars, but it's ancient history now. Finding a practicing mechanic who knows his way around it isn't always easy. Look for an Audi/ Mercedes/ VW/ Volvo specialist.
Good luck,
Tim Engel
Hello,
Thanks for all of the response. Every time I visit this forum, I always learn something new. I guess this lotus is especial in it's own way (new body style with the G-engine/frame).
This morning, the vehicle is getting inspected by a place that specializes in British cars; I will update you guys of what they find out.
I still like this car even tho it is not an SE with the chargecooled engine. Lotus is quite scarce in my region of the country so this one is still quite awesome for me. Also, a long time esprit enthusiast mentioned that this vehicle is about $5k below fair market value.
Thanks again for all of the help. Hopefully I will be a proud lotus owner this afternoon.
Regards,
Jrome
Thanks for all of the response. Every time I visit this forum, I always learn something new. I guess this lotus is especial in it's own way (new body style with the G-engine/frame).
This morning, the vehicle is getting inspected by a place that specializes in British cars; I will update you guys of what they find out.
I still like this car even tho it is not an SE with the chargecooled engine. Lotus is quite scarce in my region of the country so this one is still quite awesome for me. Also, a long time esprit enthusiast mentioned that this vehicle is about $5k below fair market value.
Thanks again for all of the help. Hopefully I will be a proud lotus owner this afternoon.
Regards,
Jrome
Jrome said:
Hello,
This morning, the vehicle is getting inspected by a place that specializes in British cars; I will update you guys of what they find out.
Jrome,This morning, the vehicle is getting inspected by a place that specializes in British cars; I will update you guys of what they find out.
Do the records indicate when the timing belt was last changed? That's a big deal on these cars and not an inexpensive bit of maintenance.
At a minimum, have the mechanic check the belt tension and it's general condition. If the car is due for it's C-Service (major periodic service and expensive), or if the timing belt's service history is not known, that's a large chip to play in negotiating the final price.
If you do buy the car with an unknown belt history, then do not put it into service until you have replaced and tensioned the belt. The engine is not a clearance engine, and if the belt breaks or the cams jump timing, there's a big risk the pistons will wipe out the valves. That gets very expensive in a hurry. That's not a reason not to buy the car, but it is important to correctly maintain the timing belt and tensioner bearing.
Good luck,
Tim Engel
Jrome said:
Hi,
Thank you for the help. Here is a pic of the vehicle http://ca.geocities.com/jeromeandliezl/IMG_0175.jp...
That's a nice colourscheme going on there, rare to find one that hasn't been "colour-coded" (bleurgh)Thank you for the help. Here is a pic of the vehicle http://ca.geocities.com/jeromeandliezl/IMG_0175.jp...
I confirm that it is not a SE.
I owned a Turbo "commemorative 40th anniversary" limited edition made in 1988 http://lotus-esprit-40.skyrock.com/
In 1988, it was the first time that Lotus esprit had the new rear spoiler. The latter was used afterwards for the Turbo SE launched in 1989-1990.
Another big difference with the SE is the front spoiler. On your picture, it is the same spoiler as mine, before introduction of the SE.
You have also to know that Lotus produced some Esprit without turbo (called "Esprit NA").
The owner is not honest: it is not a SE. He probably added the rear spoiler that was not available before the limited edition. This model is one of the first Esprit Stevens produced with the renault gear box.
I won't buy it as the seller either lies or doesn't know his car!
I owned a Turbo "commemorative 40th anniversary" limited edition made in 1988 http://lotus-esprit-40.skyrock.com/
In 1988, it was the first time that Lotus esprit had the new rear spoiler. The latter was used afterwards for the Turbo SE launched in 1989-1990.
Another big difference with the SE is the front spoiler. On your picture, it is the same spoiler as mine, before introduction of the SE.
You have also to know that Lotus produced some Esprit without turbo (called "Esprit NA").
The owner is not honest: it is not a SE. He probably added the rear spoiler that was not available before the limited edition. This model is one of the first Esprit Stevens produced with the renault gear box.
I won't buy it as the seller either lies or doesn't know his car!
That my friend is an 88 turbo not an SE as the bodywork is different in the SE, different front and rear bumpers and skirts, I have had my 88 turbo for 9 years now and she was great while standard but now she's mind blowing but I have spent a lot of money on her, get her checked out by a garage you know and trust and if all goes well then consider investing in her, looks nice and white is the new black!!
Mark
www.lotus espritworld.co.uk wil tell you all you need to know.
Mark
www.lotus espritworld.co.uk wil tell you all you need to know.
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