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Lotus Esprit wanted
probablyleon - 30/11/14 at 02:21 PM

I've been doing my best to talk myself out of buying one of these for a fair while now but have finally given in...

I'm looking to buy a Giugiaro styled Esprit,1980 - 1987 (preferably an HC model). for the right car I would also consider an S4S. I'm ideally looking for a good running/roadworthy example.

If you have, or know of anyone that has something that fits the bill please let me know.

Davegtst - 30/11/14 at 05:57 PM

Do it, I loved my Stevens SE turbo. If i ever get another one it would have to be a s4s or later only due to the later ones having power steering.

Jenko - 1/12/14 at 07:06 AM

For some strange reason, I too have a hankering for one...so, it's not just you.....

scootz - 1/12/14 at 09:19 AM

Was always on my 'to do' list, but never got round to it...

Wouldn't worry about the horror stories... if you can build or maintain a kit then you can deal with the Esprit's foibles.

Mr Whippy - 1/12/14 at 12:53 PM

same here I would just love one though was a bit put off by the mk1 on wheeler dealers as looked a total nightmare to work on the mechanics and the interior looked well rubbish. Hopefully the later cars as much nicer inside.

nickm - 3/12/14 at 07:29 PM

Hi
I love them as well but by the time i finish the build or just get round to it i bet the market will have gone up in price.
Love the shape of the Mk 1 but i want the turbo engine, i have a friend who helps out 2 owners with theirs and he reckons that the V8 is a lot easier to maintan or work on than the turbo.

Nick M

probablyleon - 3/12/14 at 08:00 PM

Feeling a bit light headed... I Just bought a 1986 Esprit Turbo. it needs a bit of work but I'm hoping it has all the makings of a good car. Prices definitely seem to be on the up so it was now or never. I'm pretty sure I would have saved a fair few £££s had I bought a year ago when I first started considering one. It's either going to be the realisation of a long-term dream or the beggining of an expensive nightmare.

Nickp - 3/12/14 at 08:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by probablyleon
Feeling a bit light headed... I Just bought a 1986 Esprit Turbo. it needs a bit of work but I'm hoping it has all the makings of a good car. Prices definitely seem to be on the up so it was now or never. I'm pretty sure I would have saved a fair few £££s had I bought a year ago when I first started considering one. It's either going to be the realisation of a long-term dream or the beggining of an expensive nightmare.


Good work, but we do need pics or it didn't happen

Benzine - 3/12/14 at 08:48 PM

+1 pics pics pics pics pics !!!

BigFaceDave - 3/12/14 at 09:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Benzine
+1 pics pics pics pics pics !!!


^^^^^^^^^ what he said! Pics please!

TimC - 4/12/14 at 07:16 AM

Ooh. What do you call a collection of Chapman cars?

b14wrc - 4/12/14 at 12:28 PM

I helped my mate a few years ago build his S1 Esprit, in terms of build, i was not really that impressed. We did a lot of work to it. Lotus has come on a lot since then....

If i were you, find yourself an Elise, I love mine and every time take it out the driving experiance as a whole always puts a smile on my face.

probablyleon - 4/12/14 at 09:03 PM

Should hopefully get my hands on it in the next few weeks so will post some pics asap (it's metallic British Racing green with gold decals and cream leather interior). Not sure what you'd call a collection of Chapman cars 'a breakdown'? Never really fancied an Elise although they're without doubt great cars. I like them from the inside. For me the Esprit is more a bucket list type thing that I may well regret, but given that they seem to be going up in value I'm hoping it shouldn't be too expensive a mistake (at least that's how I got it past my wife) we'll see.

DH2 - 9/12/14 at 08:10 PM

I work at a Lotus specialist.... good luck!

DH2

probablyleon - 9/12/14 at 09:10 PM

that sounds ominous

DH2 - 12/12/14 at 05:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by probablyleon
that sounds ominous


To be fair, if you have some mechanical know-how, they are relatively simple cars.
Pain points are they are old enough to have continous and numerous problems, and can be a pain to work on from an access point of view, even with ramps and lifts.
Rarely does an Esprit escape the workshop without a 4-figure bill... and that's not through us making ourselves work, we generally stick to the modern Lotus. As an example, we have a V8 here (still!) that came in a few weeks ago for just an MOT - one £1k clutch, and various other bits and bobs later, it's almost ready to go back to the customer. If you can DIY, you can knock out the labour costs which helps a fair bit.

As I said, good luck, in the nicest possible way

DH2

probablyleon - 21/3/15 at 11:52 AM

Better late than never

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=Esprit%20turbo.jpg

Andybarbet - 21/3/15 at 12:04 PM

I'm loving that :-)

Nickp - 21/3/15 at 12:08 PM

Likey

Davey D - 21/3/15 at 02:37 PM

I'm not usually a fan of anything in BRG but I like the looks of that

scootz - 21/3/15 at 03:11 PM

Smoking Frog - 21/3/15 at 03:24 PM

A chap near me has one, when I first noticed it (a few years ago) I have to admit I thought it's a shape best left in the past. But with me driving past it every week my feelings went from pity to envy. Never seen one in that colour before, really suits it. Looks cool

Lightning - 21/3/15 at 04:50 PM

Love Esprits but can't fit in them comfortably which is why I have a TVR,
Mr wheeler was not a short arse :-)