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Considering an Esprit

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R

ralph_s

Jedi Trainee
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Never ventured into Lotus land, but have a strong interest in an Esprit. Any suggestions as to what to look for & avoid would be appreciated e.g. models/years/etc.. Also general thoughts on the car would be welcome.
Thanks
 
Have had 2 Esprits. 1990 4 cylinder single turbo and 1999 V8 twin turbo. Night and day difference. No power steering on early cars - pain in the ass - car is too big and heavy not to have it (have also had 2 Europas - light car - don't need power steering). With 4 cyl. RPM's have to build before turbo comes on. With V8 turbo pulls at 1800 RPM. Much more refined car all around. Ron.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Viper ,Interesting by line
[/QUOTE]

I find Cuban history fascinating. Would have loved to have met Che Guevara but the saying fits anything in life:
"Ever onward to victory!"
 
My older bro had his poster on our bedroom wall, drove my parents crazy.
A guy I hire occasionally to help me just spent 4 weeks there last winter. Funny stories of the place and the way they practice medicine
 
The craigslist car is now on e-bay, I have no interest/haven't seen it, but it is relatively close to me and looks like a nice car someone interested in acquiring one of these might be interested in. I don't really even have an idea if the price is high, low or whatever.
 
https://www.espritfactfile.com/indexs.html

I have been looking at these, too. You might have seen the item about Esprits in a recent issue of <span style="font-style: italic">Classic Motorsports</span>. They seem to come up regularly on Ebay. I think it would be suicidal to buy one sight unseen, and I'm nowhere near the point I'd trust myself to evaluate one. Maybe I should stick with Spridgets.
 
Lots come up on ebay w/ prices all over the place. I need to do some more research as I've heard both good and bad about the car. But then that's true of most cars. I agree, would not buy one w/o a test drive and a 2nd opinion. I did sit in one at a car show and it was as tight a fit as my TVR, was kinda disappointed.
But with all that said, they are one good lookin' car!!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] I did sit in one at a car show and it was as tight a fit as my TVR, was kinda disappointed.[/QUOTE]

Not to be rude, but are you large? I am 5'9" 170 lbs and I found both of my Esprits to be too large inside. I like a close fitting sports car like Europas and my Marcos Mantula. One of the reasons I sold my Esprits was the "loose" fit. Also for a great handling car the seats have no lateral support. Attended track days with my V8 TT and slid back and forth pretty good in the stock seats.

Ron.
 
I'm 6'2" and it's more an issue of gas/brake pedal clearance. I'm OK w/ the wrap around feeling, but need to get a clear shot at the brake. My TVR has very close pedals and I suspect the Esprit is similar.
I'm interested in maintenamce/design issues w/ the car but haven't seen much comemnt.
 
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