I am considering (not set on it yet) a 1989 Esprit Turbo. My last "forray" into Lotus ownership was a 1976 Elite (VERY rare car in Canada) and that was late 80's/ early 90's. Back then internet didn't exist and parts supply for it was a NIGHTMARE, coupled with the usual reliability of Lucas electrics and 70's British cars....in 10 years of ownership I put less than about 2500km on it due to breakdowns and waiting time for parts. Add to that a past owner had ditched the Stomburgs and gone to twin Webber side-drafts (so it was a 2l 4-cyl, 4-barrel) made it a gas-guzzling royal PITA to keep tuned fuel-wise.
So, anybody got the 1st-hand low-down on these ? Are parts still a nightmare to get, and did 15 years advancement do anything for the reliability of the make ? This one is under 20 grand, less than 60,000km so not a bad purchase price (there are actually 2 contenders, I am just liking this one a bit more)
Wow, take a week off of work, log in and what's the first post I see? Parts (at least the parts I want), are fairly easy to come by, as I just phone up JAE in Goleta Calif and let them sort out where to get it. Talk to Jay or Jeff---notice I'm on a first name basis... Spend time to get one in the best condition you can, also get the latest model possible. I suggest a 2000+ V8 or a very late S4 four cylinder. I still have my '89 project car and my 2003 V8. If you need any pictures, or on the local twisty road videos, I could post them on You Tube---just for your eyes only. Now, off I go outside to clean the oil coolers on my V8, for the big drive around the local volcano. Further info, see: http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ http://www.lotustalk.com/
If you're not looking at a particular one, see if you can find an 88 40th anniversary edition - the pearlescent white paint is stunning, and the blue interior compliments it well.
The gearbox is the only real worse-than-average part of the car in terms of reliability. Everything else is typical Lotus reliability - similar to the Fiero.
The interior is slightly larger and quite a bit more comfortable than the Fiero's. For me the seating position was PERFECT.
If you're not looking at a particular one, see if you can find an 88 40th anniversary edition - the pearlescent white paint is stunning, and the blue interior compliments it well.
The gearbox is the only real worse-than-average part of the car in terms of reliability. Everything else is typical Lotus reliability - similar to the Fiero.
The interior is slightly larger and quite a bit more comfortable than the Fiero's. For me the seating position was PERFECT.
I found there was less room in the esprit and the seating position was much worse than the Fiero but it's just personal preference. My friend owns an 89 turbo but we've changed it quite a bit. We put in a custom coilover suspension, 2.0 turn lock to lock Corvette power steering rack, and a 4.6L Cadillac Northstar engine. I can't speak much for the reliability other than the stock shifter linkage sucks. They're a neat looking car but I would never buy one. There are much better cars out there for the same money.
If you're not looking at a particular one, see if you can find an 88 40th anniversary edition - the pearlescent white paint is stunning, and the blue interior compliments it well.
The gearbox is the only real worse-than-average part of the car in terms of reliability. Everything else is typical Lotus reliability - similar to the Fiero.
The interior is slightly larger and quite a bit more comfortable than the Fiero's. For me the seating position was PERFECT.
Nope, no particular one yet, and just starting to look around. I may not even do anything until spring, as there is only about 3 months left in this season up here anyway. Its just a car I've wanted to play with since I saw James Bond swim one when I was 10, and a few things that have come together the past few weeks have put me in a position to seriously look at them as a toy.
Is this one of those cars it cost more to have in your garage than to drive 3 Fieros daily? Thats the only caution I would give and say check out.
Actually, the Elite was cheaper to insure than my Indy was (my DD at the time, both were valued around 10 grand in 87-88 dollars) and parts were on par with Cadillac/ Buick/ Lincoln ect....really not that bad for a British exotic. It was just the reliability and once-every-6-months boat from England. In today's world with internet parts sourcing it would be pretty much on par with a Fiero to play with. Elite is probably a little more but Lotus is actually a pretty common car in Europe, about like Corvettes here.
