Discussion
Hi all
Has anyone on here gone from a 911 to an Esprit V8 ? Im thinking about the idea at the moment, but am slightly concerned about the potential problems I may encounter. I have always liked the Esprit, but am just uncertain as to whether the reputation of "lots of trouble usually serious" is still applicable to modern day Esprit (ie. V8 model).
Would appreciate any owners comments on this matter.
tks
will
uk
(911 -sorry)![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/wink.gif)
Has anyone on here gone from a 911 to an Esprit V8 ? Im thinking about the idea at the moment, but am slightly concerned about the potential problems I may encounter. I have always liked the Esprit, but am just uncertain as to whether the reputation of "lots of trouble usually serious" is still applicable to modern day Esprit (ie. V8 model).
Would appreciate any owners comments on this matter.
tks
will
uk
(911 -sorry)
![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/wink.gif)
hi will
Not had a 911 myself, but several colleagues have run 964, 993 C4, C4s etc.
The esprit will rattle, the 911 less so. Esprit is faster and handles better, and is also cheaper to buy in the first place. AND although you probably won't believe me 'til you see it, the esprit has more luggage space than a 911. I see probably 10 or so 911's on my way to work in the morning, whereas i'll see another esprit once every two or three weeks. In fact i see more ferraris than i do esprits - it is an exclusive club, believe me!
I run my 98 V8-GT as my only car, getting my to-and-from usually work four days a week (100 mile round trip). I've done 14k miles so far in this car, and did 13k miles in the previous esprit.
Sure, maintenance is expensive - just had a cambelt service and replaced 4 tyres, plus mine needed a clutch salve cylinder (replaced under warranty). How much is a cambelt service on a 993?? Probably more than the esprit i recon ;-)
Have you driven one yet?? As a driving experience its out of this world!!! 0-60 in 4.1sec 0-100 in 9.5sec (autocar) wow! Fantastic handling, plus EVO magazine recently rated a 2002 esprit as BETTER than the Noble M12...
Ditto KM's comments regarding model years. IMO a 98 is better than 96/97MY (as it gets the new interior) but if you can afford it a 2000-on car will get AP Racing brakes (instead of brembos) and hi-torque ecu. Although any mods from later models can be retro'd to the ealier cars.
Buy from a dealer, get a warranty.
Have fun with your search.
Rob
98 V8-GT
Not had a 911 myself, but several colleagues have run 964, 993 C4, C4s etc.
The esprit will rattle, the 911 less so. Esprit is faster and handles better, and is also cheaper to buy in the first place. AND although you probably won't believe me 'til you see it, the esprit has more luggage space than a 911. I see probably 10 or so 911's on my way to work in the morning, whereas i'll see another esprit once every two or three weeks. In fact i see more ferraris than i do esprits - it is an exclusive club, believe me!
I run my 98 V8-GT as my only car, getting my to-and-from usually work four days a week (100 mile round trip). I've done 14k miles so far in this car, and did 13k miles in the previous esprit.
Sure, maintenance is expensive - just had a cambelt service and replaced 4 tyres, plus mine needed a clutch salve cylinder (replaced under warranty). How much is a cambelt service on a 993?? Probably more than the esprit i recon ;-)
Have you driven one yet?? As a driving experience its out of this world!!! 0-60 in 4.1sec 0-100 in 9.5sec (autocar) wow! Fantastic handling, plus EVO magazine recently rated a 2002 esprit as BETTER than the Noble M12...
Ditto KM's comments regarding model years. IMO a 98 is better than 96/97MY (as it gets the new interior) but if you can afford it a 2000-on car will get AP Racing brakes (instead of brembos) and hi-torque ecu. Although any mods from later models can be retro'd to the ealier cars.
Buy from a dealer, get a warranty.
Have fun with your search.
Rob
98 V8-GT
I think the Porsche 993s have a camchain - self lubricating, should be good for 150,000 miles when the tensioners will need seeing to.
This is obviously a much better state of affairs than replacing cambelts every 40k (to be safe) etc.
In my experience, comparing the Esprit to the 911 is a bit silly. Valid points have been made by Esprit owners and I agree with them. However, YOU, as an owner of a 964, will be less sure when it comes to the build quality... Maybe not in the first week of ownership, but when the honeymoon period ends, you will be less impressed with the way an Esprit is assembled and the quality of the parts it is made from (lovely AP brakes excluded ;-)
I went around the Hethel factory recently, and saw the Esprit being made. Sadly, it stood out like a dinosaur compared to the Elises. You are talking about a group of guys scurrying around a GRP bathtub, basically assembling a kit car by hand.
Now, I've never been around the Porsche factory, but...
Rgds
Domster
(Lotus Carlton)
This is obviously a much better state of affairs than replacing cambelts every 40k (to be safe) etc.
In my experience, comparing the Esprit to the 911 is a bit silly. Valid points have been made by Esprit owners and I agree with them. However, YOU, as an owner of a 964, will be less sure when it comes to the build quality... Maybe not in the first week of ownership, but when the honeymoon period ends, you will be less impressed with the way an Esprit is assembled and the quality of the parts it is made from (lovely AP brakes excluded ;-)
I went around the Hethel factory recently, and saw the Esprit being made. Sadly, it stood out like a dinosaur compared to the Elises. You are talking about a group of guys scurrying around a GRP bathtub, basically assembling a kit car by hand.
Now, I've never been around the Porsche factory, but...
Rgds
Domster
(Lotus Carlton)
quote:
In my experience, comparing the Esprit to the 911 is a bit silly.
Domster - its what Will asked us to do! In any case, as he's considering both cars, then why not compare them?
Can't win on the build quality argument, but the "hand built" nature of the esprit also guarantees exclusivity, so it really is a double edged sword ;-)
911 and esprit are both great cars, just different characteristics. I have maximum respect for any fast motors, carltons included
![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/biggrin.gif)
....and i WON'T be drawn on the argument that says that the 911 has the engine at the wrong end! Who said that?
Rob
Yeah, I know what you mean, Rob. Point taken.
I think there is 'comparing' and *comparing* of cars!
You can 'compare' a Reliant Robin to a McLaren F1, but it is easier to *compare* a TVR Cerbera to an Esprit as they are both limited production hand built UK sports cars.
Err, if you see what I mean.
I only posted because I am going to make the same decision myself soon between Esprit S4 and Porsche of 90's vintage, and came to the conclusion that it was the difference between buying a second home with the windfall or blowing it on hookers and cocaine.
Rgds
Domster
I think there is 'comparing' and *comparing* of cars!
You can 'compare' a Reliant Robin to a McLaren F1, but it is easier to *compare* a TVR Cerbera to an Esprit as they are both limited production hand built UK sports cars.
Err, if you see what I mean.
I only posted because I am going to make the same decision myself soon between Esprit S4 and Porsche of 90's vintage, and came to the conclusion that it was the difference between buying a second home with the windfall or blowing it on hookers and cocaine.
Rgds
Domster
quote:
...I am going to make the same decision myself soon between Esprit S4 and Porsche of 90's vintage, and came to the conclusion that it was the difference between buying a second home with the windfall or blowing it on hookers and cocaine.
Ok Domster - you tell me which one of those options is the more fun!!!
..answered your own question i think ;-)
oh, and if you still unsure, drop me a line and i'll see if i can persuade my mate Dermot to take you out for a spin in his S4 (sports exhaust, K&N's, V8 brembos, S4s memcal [300bhp], dump valve, 100octane fuel etc.etc.) Its as fast as my v8..
Cheers
Rob
rob.ellis@ebbon-dacs.co.uk
Cheers azesprit.
Good points. I suppose I was just trying to explain my warped perspective on the two cars - even though I love the Esprit, I always thought the build quality and character was so far apart from the 993 that they were as distant cousins as the Reliant Robin and McLaren F1.
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 19th February 11:41
Good points. I suppose I was just trying to explain my warped perspective on the two cars - even though I love the Esprit, I always thought the build quality and character was so far apart from the 993 that they were as distant cousins as the Reliant Robin and McLaren F1.
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 19th February 11:41
Guys - thanks for all your comments - greatly appreciated.
What is the warranty provided by Lotus like ? Is it an all-encompassing warranty that they are happy to oblige with, or is it akin to getting blood out of a stone when troubles arise ?
From what it sounds like, a warranty is possibly the most critical factor of ownership (escpecially for a potential newbie like me).
I tend to only use my porsche on the weekends, and cover about 6-7k miles per year, incorporating about 3 track days. If I were to do the same in a Lotus, should I be worried about major failures, or should the car easily accomodate this.
tks
will
What is the warranty provided by Lotus like ? Is it an all-encompassing warranty that they are happy to oblige with, or is it akin to getting blood out of a stone when troubles arise ?
From what it sounds like, a warranty is possibly the most critical factor of ownership (escpecially for a potential newbie like me).
I tend to only use my porsche on the weekends, and cover about 6-7k miles per year, incorporating about 3 track days. If I were to do the same in a Lotus, should I be worried about major failures, or should the car easily accomodate this.
tks
will
I'm a 1st.time writer from u.k. I've just bought a 96 V8SE in Yellow. I went to the Porsche Garage to buy a couple of rear tyres for my 993 Cabriolet and saw this gorgeous spotless yellow V8SE with OZ Alloys & Chrome GearKnob sitting there. I did not know a thing about V8 Twin Turbos but heard alot about "lotus is trouble don't touch them" , so I traded in my porsche for £35000 against the Lotus for £21000. I came home with £14000 in my pocket and a super car.
Yes my porsche was perfect, solid well built & cabriolet but for a sunny day car the Lotus is more a of a dramatic car & hell it raises the hairs on my arms everytime I get in in it. Mind you being an ex-rugby player in the forwards I have to do warm up exercises to get in it. The Porsche is more of a common car where I live and more of an everyday car but I think the Lotus is in Line with supercar status just like the so-called "UNRELIABLE" Ferrarias & Lambos and ofcourse TVRS.
I'm 36 years old and owned every porsche model since 18 years of age including Cobra, Dodge Stealth, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, but I like the Lotus which I've owned for 4 Weeks . Luckily, it had a full engine re-build at the Lotus Factory 200 Miles ago so I do have a years warranty.
Yes my porsche was perfect, solid well built & cabriolet but for a sunny day car the Lotus is more a of a dramatic car & hell it raises the hairs on my arms everytime I get in in it. Mind you being an ex-rugby player in the forwards I have to do warm up exercises to get in it. The Porsche is more of a common car where I live and more of an everyday car but I think the Lotus is in Line with supercar status just like the so-called "UNRELIABLE" Ferrarias & Lambos and ofcourse TVRS.
I'm 36 years old and owned every porsche model since 18 years of age including Cobra, Dodge Stealth, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, but I like the Lotus which I've owned for 4 Weeks . Luckily, it had a full engine re-build at the Lotus Factory 200 Miles ago so I do have a years warranty.
quote:
I'm a 1st.time writer from u.k. I've just bought a 96 V8SE in Yellow. I went to the Porsche Garage to buy a couple of rear tyres for my 993 Cabriolet and saw this gorgeous spotless yellow V8SE with OZ Alloys & Chrome GearKnob sitting there. I did not know a thing about V8 Twin Turbos but heard alot about "lotus is trouble don't touch them" , so I traded in my porsche for £35000 against the Lotus for £21000. I came home with £14000 in my pocket and a super car.
Yes my porsche was perfect, solid well built & cabriolet but for a sunny day car the Lotus is more a of a dramatic car & hell it raises the hairs on my arms everytime I get in in it. Mind you being an ex-rugby player in the forwards I have to do warm up exercises to get in it. The Porsche is more of a common car where I live and more of an everyday car but I think the Lotus is in Line with supercar status just like the so-called "UNRELIABLE" Ferrarias & Lambos and ofcourse TVRS.
I'm 36 years old and owned every porsche model since 18 years of age including Cobra, Dodge Stealth, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, but I like the Lotus which I've owned for 4 Weeks . Luckily, it had a full engine re-build at the Lotus Factory 200 Miles ago so I do have a years warranty.
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff