[ether_joe]

Okay. . . somehow or another I got myself interested in the Lotus Esprit V8 and also the early-to-mid-90's Elise.



anybody here have any experience with them?



From what I'm learning, the stock Esprit V-8 is a verrrry fast car at a good price, but needs some modifications off the bat, namely the stock gearbox is crap and the braking needs improvement.



but for me, I like different cars, here's another V-8 european car with a long pedigree and pretty rare. . .



your thoughts?



One of these cars may represent #3 in my garage after the 928.

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[ron1688]

[quote name='ether_joe' date='Apr 15 2006, 12:51 PM']Okay. . . somehow or another I got myself interested in the Lotus Esprit V8 and also the early-to-mid-90's Elise.



anybody here have any experience with them?



From what I'm learning, the stock Esprit V-8 is a verrrry fast car at a good price, but needs some modifications off the bat, namely the stock gearbox is crap and the braking needs improvement.



but for me, I like different cars, here's another V-8 european car with a long pedigree and pretty rare. . .



your thoughts?



One of these cars may represent #3 in my garage after the 928.

[right][post="19214"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



The esprit has always been one of my all time favorite. Almost bought one a couple of times but I just couldn't pull the trigger due to questionable reliability and all (exotics what else can you expect). That is why I got the NSX instead. One of these days I will get one though and it would probably end up being a garage queen...

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[flash]

love the esprit - i think they blew it though when they dumped the 4 banger though - everybody i know who has had one of the V8s has been frought with problems - maybe just too much in too small a package?



the elise is a great car - small, light, and fast - everything a sportscar should be - but i think the thing should be a foot or two longer - but then, it would look like a GT40.................



both fun to drive for sure though

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[Royal Tiger]

Sean, there is dealer here in Allentown, PA that has two Espirits, a black turbo with carbs, and a white turbo with FI. He also has a 308 GTBi, a Testarossa, a ZR-1 Vette, a real nice C4S Targa, and a funky Ferrari 412i coupe in all white. He let me drive a nice 928 S4 and a SL600.

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[flash]

lol - "dealer"? what kind of dealer?



i don't think i like this guy already though - way too many cool toys

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[ether_joe]

well I found out that the Elise wasn't brought to the US until '03 or so, after they'd turned the styling all nutty.



also with reliability issues. . . I dunno, ron I think I'm back in your camp, NSX for reliability and a 928 in there.



But I'm gonna try and hook up with some socal esprit guys at some point just to check out the car. I mean the sex appeal of the car is up in the stratosphere thanks to Ms. Stone. rrrrrraaaaaaaaww. . .



lol, Tigershark, are you sure you weren't checking out that 'dealer' as a part of a 'business trip'? I know, you need an undercover gig like Eddie Murphy's - just talk to your boss and say you need a Ferrari for more street credibility . . . <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[wjk_glynn]

For:



Great looks, relatively low entry costs (in supercar terms). Very, very, very fast (as quick if not quicker than a F355).



Against:



Maintenance costs are "exotic" to say the least. About the only V8 engine upgrade I would do is ensure you have the later factory ECU. Nothing else because a serious engine problem could easily cost you $20K to $30K in repairs. You just don't want to go there...



As regards handling, very good in its heyday, but ultimately began to lag just a bit against its peers in its last few years. Only a bit mind you.



I never drove one myself, but have been a passenger at an AutoX. The apexes seemed to change from "over there" to "right here" in an eyeblink...



Here's a few Esprit sites:



* http://www.espritfactfile.com/

* http://www.lotusespritworld.com/



Karl

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[Royal Tiger]

No Sean, he is a CAR dealer, but I can see where the confusion could lie in that one! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='Tigershark' date='Apr 17 2006, 02:31 AM']No Sean, he is a CAR dealer, but I can see where the confusion could lie in that one! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]





I figured you had an undercover sting operation going on. . .



. . .just let me know when the auction is <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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