TVR Chimaera to Esprit SE?
Discussion
Hi all,
Currently have a Chimaera but I've been thinking about the possibility of selling it and buying an Esprit SE. I've loved these cars since being a kid as I imagine most of you have!
Few questions though:
1) Would the running costs be roughly the same? (presuming I buy a good one, of course
2) Having not driven one yet has anyone driven both and how do they compare?
3) Is the air con any good? (when it works!)
4) Prices seem a bit all over the place but how much would I expect to spend for a decent car? This one for example seems like a good deal but I could spend up to about 10k:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/611831.htm
Cheers!
Currently have a Chimaera but I've been thinking about the possibility of selling it and buying an Esprit SE. I've loved these cars since being a kid as I imagine most of you have!
Few questions though:
1) Would the running costs be roughly the same? (presuming I buy a good one, of course
2) Having not driven one yet has anyone driven both and how do they compare?
3) Is the air con any good? (when it works!)
4) Prices seem a bit all over the place but how much would I expect to spend for a decent car? This one for example seems like a good deal but I could spend up to about 10k:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/611831.htm
Cheers!
Bibs_LEF said:
Where are you based? I'll take you for a spin and show you around an SE if your local. I'm in NW Kent.
Cheers for the reply. I live in Herts but I'm going down to Kent in a few weeks. I'll let you know when and hopefully we can meet up. Would be good to have a look at a nice example and get an idea what to be looking for.
BagOfOldRats said:
Has anyone driven both and how do they compare?
I used to own a Giugiaro HC Turbo and sold it to buy a Griffith 500.I only kept the Griffith four months.
The TVR sounded lovely, was relatively relaxing to drive, had a nice, positive gearbox and the hood arrangement was simple and effective.
The build quality was pants, the ride was harsh, the handling was unpredictable and it was generally crude, unsophisticated and lashed together.
The Esprit is difficult to get into, difficult to see out of, has a poor gearchange, loads of lag, sounds pretty ordinary, is poorly ventilated and cramped.
The windows don't wind down all the way, so you can't rest your elbow on the top of the door when the weather is nice.
The wastegate gurgles like a bog being flushed every time you change gear, the car generally feels highly strung and it is more tiring to drive than the TVR.
But the ride is supple, the steering and handling are fantastic and it is more nicely designed and built than the TVR.
The quality of the fibreglass is better on the Lotus, with double skinned panels, fewer self tapping screws and less silicone sealant.
The Esprit looks and feels like an impractical exotic car, but the running costs are pretty comparable to the TVR. Buy the latest, most immaculate Esprit cou can, but be aware that the Esprit V8 is much more expensive to look after.
If I was looking for a daily driver, then the TVR is probably easier to live with.
But I run a daily snotter and use my Esprit about once a week.
In all honesty, I wouldn't want to use an Esprit as a daily car. It can be done, of course, but they are not particularly user friendly.
The guy above has made this car sound awful its a "supercar"
my dad just got one yesterday, its not amazingly hard to get into, or out as long as your not too tall, Im about 5ft 8 and I suffer from sciatica, I have no trouble and the seats are quite comfortable
as with the Gearbox, its notchy and the pedals are close together and the clutch is hard, but then again, its not designed to be a daily drive, it is a supercar and if you buy a lamborghini or ferrari of a similar year, you are gonna have all the same things but its just gonna cost you more
it makes little noise, there is a small amount of lag as with many turbocharged cars...but when it goes....holy crapanola!, the ride is smooth (its smoother than the excel) but with a X180, it has no power steering, but the S4 does
If you are looking for a daily drive, I suggest a Excel, a Toyota Supra or something similar, it will suit you better, the esprit is a difficult car that pays off if you put the effort in
my dad just got one yesterday, its not amazingly hard to get into, or out as long as your not too tall, Im about 5ft 8 and I suffer from sciatica, I have no trouble and the seats are quite comfortable
as with the Gearbox, its notchy and the pedals are close together and the clutch is hard, but then again, its not designed to be a daily drive, it is a supercar and if you buy a lamborghini or ferrari of a similar year, you are gonna have all the same things but its just gonna cost you more
it makes little noise, there is a small amount of lag as with many turbocharged cars...but when it goes....holy crapanola!, the ride is smooth (its smoother than the excel) but with a X180, it has no power steering, but the S4 does
If you are looking for a daily drive, I suggest a Excel, a Toyota Supra or something similar, it will suit you better, the esprit is a difficult car that pays off if you put the effort in
Edited by LotusExcelSA on Tuesday 12th August 20:39
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