Who here has driven a Sport 300?
Discussion
I have a sport 300 no36, I would describe it as a faster more comfortable lotus exige, I prefer it to the V8 by far.Would be glad to give you a run out if you are ever around sheffield or at a Nyloc meeting.
Just to add to that, I wanted one for years and it was well worth the wait, its the best car that lotus has ever made.
Just to add to that, I wanted one for years and it was well worth the wait, its the best car that lotus has ever made.
I agree the slant 4 esprits were actually wonderful, it was only the constant bleeting by the press that it should have a V8 that made anyone think any less of them. Then they produced the V8 at great expense and neither the glowing press reports nor the promised sales showed up.
Actually my V8GT was wonderful in a different way too (despite cylinder lining issues) and I had an absolutely inspirational time behind the wheel of a Sport 350 at the nurburgring thanks to a good (very good!) friend. I've driven a fair number of cars round the 'ring and nothing else could just lunch the kerbs like the sport 350. I'd say it was a massive improvement over my V8GT in terms of handling if not outright performance.
I'm actually interested in buying a Sport 300. At £68k it was the car I couldn't stretch to at the time but I always wanted one, and I still do. There's also a lot to be said for owning a car that is unlikely to depreciate much. That would be a novelty for me! But unlike the sport 350 there doesn't seem to be an organised members club or website or anything. Presumably Sport300s regularly attend lotus meetings which is where they are most likely to change hands. Hopefully you can point me in the right direction. I've never been to a club meet in my life so am totally out of the loop on the best place to start looking. SELOC gets mentioned a lot but surely Club Lotus is the place to start? I have no idea but it's a bit of a pain having to sign up with all these different clubs.
And have you driven an S4S, if so how does that compare?
Actually my V8GT was wonderful in a different way too (despite cylinder lining issues) and I had an absolutely inspirational time behind the wheel of a Sport 350 at the nurburgring thanks to a good (very good!) friend. I've driven a fair number of cars round the 'ring and nothing else could just lunch the kerbs like the sport 350. I'd say it was a massive improvement over my V8GT in terms of handling if not outright performance.
I'm actually interested in buying a Sport 300. At £68k it was the car I couldn't stretch to at the time but I always wanted one, and I still do. There's also a lot to be said for owning a car that is unlikely to depreciate much. That would be a novelty for me! But unlike the sport 350 there doesn't seem to be an organised members club or website or anything. Presumably Sport300s regularly attend lotus meetings which is where they are most likely to change hands. Hopefully you can point me in the right direction. I've never been to a club meet in my life so am totally out of the loop on the best place to start looking. SELOC gets mentioned a lot but surely Club Lotus is the place to start? I have no idea but it's a bit of a pain having to sign up with all these different clubs.
And have you driven an S4S, if so how does that compare?
I currently own a "mere" S3 but am looking at teh possible purchase of an S4s and would be very interested to see how they drive.
I attend Lotus meets when time permits and the odd sport 300 does show up. there is a gathering at the factory in the not to distant future, check lotus esprit forum .com... it can all be found there
I attend Lotus meets when time permits and the odd sport 300 does show up. there is a gathering at the factory in the not to distant future, check lotus esprit forum .com... it can all be found there
Interestingly, the final Sport300 is currently for sale:
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/281674/used...
They certainly come across as a more track orientated car than even the Sport350.
The ECU mapping of the Sport350 (and later V8s) made a significant difference from the previous V8s and these cars are noticeably quicker that a 4cyl with the bonus that you're not always chasing the powerband through the gearbox.
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/281674/used...
They certainly come across as a more track orientated car than even the Sport350.
The ECU mapping of the Sport350 (and later V8s) made a significant difference from the previous V8s and these cars are noticeably quicker that a 4cyl with the bonus that you're not always chasing the powerband through the gearbox.
www.lotusespritforum.com Clicky on the top lh side to join up.
(edit for formatting)
(edit for formatting)
Edited by GKP on Friday 25th September 16:14
I have driven an s4s and would say that it feels sort of a halfway house between the sport 300 and the s4. Although the sport 300 is very much a track focused car, in reality it is far more compliant than any current lotus offering, the ride quality is far superior to many modern saloons. The sport 300 also has a limited slip diff and the widest tyres ever fitted to a lotus road car, which means it can power out of corners far more effectively than any other esprit. I have seen No64 that is for sale and the car is in very good condition, but mine is like new.
My dad went to see the yellow one today
asked for the price (replace the SE?) and looked horrified when he was told £40K
Couldn't warrant £40K compared to the £7300 for the Turbo SE
The car has only been serviced at Norfolk factory, seems good, Exterior was great and interior was brilliant (Currently looking for 300 seats to replace tired SE seats), Engine bay was Rough apparently and has had no major work done apart from servicing so at 40,000 miles, its probably gonna need a good service
Great looking Car....wouldn't pay £40K
asked for the price (replace the SE?) and looked horrified when he was told £40K
Couldn't warrant £40K compared to the £7300 for the Turbo SE
The car has only been serviced at Norfolk factory, seems good, Exterior was great and interior was brilliant (Currently looking for 300 seats to replace tired SE seats), Engine bay was Rough apparently and has had no major work done apart from servicing so at 40,000 miles, its probably gonna need a good service
Great looking Car....wouldn't pay £40K
LotusExcelSA said:
My dad went to see the yellow one today
asked for the price (replace the SE?) and looked horrified when he was told £40K
Couldn't warrant £40K compared to the £7300 for the Turbo SE
The car has only been serviced at Norfolk factory, seems good, Exterior was great and interior was brilliant (Currently looking for 300 seats to replace tired SE seats), Engine bay was Rough apparently and has had no major work done apart from servicing so at 40,000 miles, its probably gonna need a good service
Great looking Car....wouldn't pay £40K
I understand the engine is factory fresh and does nt need any work as the servicing is all Lotus, complete and up to date in all respects. (cam belt, valves, manifold,chargecooler etc etc.)asked for the price (replace the SE?) and looked horrified when he was told £40K
Couldn't warrant £40K compared to the £7300 for the Turbo SE
The car has only been serviced at Norfolk factory, seems good, Exterior was great and interior was brilliant (Currently looking for 300 seats to replace tired SE seats), Engine bay was Rough apparently and has had no major work done apart from servicing so at 40,000 miles, its probably gonna need a good service
Great looking Car....wouldn't pay £40K
Apparently the engine is as new so I guess it does nt need a service!
Drift anyone??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXkYs2FOonI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXkYs2FOonI
Edited by Kylie on Monday 28th September 02:47
Good afternoon all,
Just a quick word about the car, I know I'm selling the vehicle but just some more information on this particular car - it wants for nothing hence the price. The one that sold a while back was LHD too so whilst you may find one for less it has not had the work done to it that this has. Currently having a new tracker installed too.
Some notes on the Lotus:
It was the London Motor Show Car 1996 - this is the reason Lotus made
a special interior for the car rather than just the alcantara fitted
in other Sport 300'S
I have receipts of work by previous owners and delivery, warranty work
from the first owner.
The engine work completed by Lotus - this was a planned maintenance
program and not because of faults.
The brief was to check everything!
Gearbox re-build including new crown wheel and pinion.
Chargecooler overhaul
New exhaust manifold
Cylinder head overhaul
Waste gate replacement
Oil sender replaced
Temp. sender replaced
Crank seal replaced
Other small jobs were completed including track testing and handling.
Just a quick word about the car, I know I'm selling the vehicle but just some more information on this particular car - it wants for nothing hence the price. The one that sold a while back was LHD too so whilst you may find one for less it has not had the work done to it that this has. Currently having a new tracker installed too.
Some notes on the Lotus:
It was the London Motor Show Car 1996 - this is the reason Lotus made
a special interior for the car rather than just the alcantara fitted
in other Sport 300'S
I have receipts of work by previous owners and delivery, warranty work
from the first owner.
The engine work completed by Lotus - this was a planned maintenance
program and not because of faults.
The brief was to check everything!
Gearbox re-build including new crown wheel and pinion.
Chargecooler overhaul
New exhaust manifold
Cylinder head overhaul
Waste gate replacement
Oil sender replaced
Temp. sender replaced
Crank seal replaced
Other small jobs were completed including track testing and handling.
many thanks
I'd love to come and view the car but just don't have the time at the moment. The earliest I'll be able to get down there is on 26th October when I'm having my Tuscan serviced at Peninsular.
As you'll see from my profile I've had 2 Esprits already so I am expressing genuine interest.
However, the first thing I'd ask you to do if I bought the car would be to remove the dreadful tracker! If anyone told you they'd only buy the car with a tracker they were lying!
But thanks for your help and information.
I'd love to come and view the car but just don't have the time at the moment. The earliest I'll be able to get down there is on 26th October when I'm having my Tuscan serviced at Peninsular.
As you'll see from my profile I've had 2 Esprits already so I am expressing genuine interest.
However, the first thing I'd ask you to do if I bought the car would be to remove the dreadful tracker! If anyone told you they'd only buy the car with a tracker they were lying!
But thanks for your help and information.
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff