Newbie from the south

[jcpr]

Hi guys,

I'm Jose Rodrigues, i'm 27 (nearly 28) and i'm looking for the perfect Lotus.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Exige, but I've been reading some things about the Esprit, namely the Sport 350, that really impressed me.

I have been a Lotus fan for quite some time now, although there aren't any dealers in Portugal.

I'm expecting to buy my Lotus in the near future, but as the import taxes are pretty stiff, I only get one shot...Exige vs Esprit Sport 350

I really prefer handling efficiency to power or speed, so maybe you guyscan help me out in this quest.

By the way, what's the market value on S350's now?

Cheers mates

Jose

[oneshot]

Hi guys,

I'm Jose Rodrigues, i'm 27 (nearly 28) and i'm looking for the perfect Lotus.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Exige, but I've been reading some things about the Esprit, namely the Sport 350, that really impressed me.

I have been a Lotus fan for quite some time now, although there aren't any dealers in Portugal.

I'm expecting to buy my Lotus in the near future, but as the import taxes are pretty stiff, I only get one shot...Exige vs Esprit Sport 350

I really prefer handling efficiency to power or speed, so maybe you guyscan help me out in this quest.

By the way, what's the market value on S350's now?

Cheers mates

Jose

Sport 350:

1. They were only made in a very short production run - only 42 for the UK market - a total of 54 (4 to Japan, 8 to USA), hence they very rarely come up for sale.

2. Price is difficult but you can expect to pay anywhere between

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Hi Jose, welcome to the group,

As an Esprit nut, I can't believe I'm about to say this but going from what you've said, I can't help thinking you may be happier with an Exige!

I can flatly guarantee you won't be UNhappy with either! Aslo if you're really into the handling thing, then you may be better off considering one of the later four cylinder Esprits like an S4s or a GT3 with a Chip upgrade than the S350 (sorry to offend our Sport 350 contingent!)

You would also save a considerable amount of money with an S4s and even more with a GT3.

I would suggest you do what you have done already and ask as many questions here as you can.... Read Lotus Esprit World and Esprit Fact File inside and out. It might be worht joining SELOC too as they have more Elise (and consequently Exige) owners....

Hope This Helps,

Robin

[Jussi]

Welcome to the forum Jose

Like David said it's pretty difficult to find Sport350 cause they pretty rare.

Good luck with your searching and get the Esprit

[WayneB]

Hello Jose !

Exige=Girly Car

Esprit=Mans Car

Its your choice!

(appologies to Girls who own or drive Esprits)

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Glad to see the discussion has remained reasoned and rational!!

[WayneB]

Always pleased to get down to the nitty-gritty

[jcpr]

Thanks guys.

Good to hear such support from you.

I'm a little afraid of the Esprit when it comes to running costs. In SELOC, there's a generalised feeling that Esprits (specially the S350) have high running costs, much higher than Elises or Exiges.

I'll try to read as much about it in the LEW forum as I can.

Meanwhile, if anyone would care to refute this idea, you're more than welcome.

By the way, my favourite Esprit, design wise, is the Esprit Turbo from the early eighties, like Jussi's Esprit. It's beautiful. I'm a little concerned about buying a 20 year old car, however, afraid of the running costs. Are these too expensive to maintain?

Also, there's no dealer or specialist Lotus garage in Portugal, which can be a problem, as no one has the expertise on Lotus. Can this be a serious problem? I have a mate who is a mechanic for a small racing team (they are amateurs, but he is quite good, actually). Could he maintain a car like an Esprit, or do they need to be maintain by a Lotus specialist?

Thanks guys

[WayneB]

I am a mechanic for a racing team and I maintain my Esprit

Buy an early 80s Esprit and stick with us, we will help you!

Edited August 2, 2005 by WayneB

[Jussi]

Here in Finland there aren't any specialist Lotus garage either. My friend is a good mechanic he has been many racing teams as a mechanic and he has driven race cars also. He has build my earlier race-car and he knows a lot about car mechanic. So I trusted my car to him. This forum is a must place it has helped our working with my car a lot and Lotus Esprit Service Notes-book was a good investment.

These 80's Esprits aren't very practical for only car but these are great for "sunday-cars" So I have my "everyday-car" and Esprit is for special days. I have owned my car almost a year now, we have done some service to it.

Some parts cost a lot but in the Esprit you could find parts from other cars which fit, so you can get those parts cheaper.

So if you have a friend who is a good mechanic I'm sure you can take your Esprit to him go for it, Giugiaros are beautiful cars B)

[Jussi]

Like Wayne said this forum will help you and remember there aren't any "stupid" questions. Here you can ask about anything about Esprits.

Hmm. let me think...actually you can asked almost anything from this forum

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Get a 1986/7 HC Turbo - one of the last of the original shape....

Get a REALLY good one - pay a little over the odds if necessary.

They are much easier to maintain as underneath they are oridnary twin cam cars with no computers or nonsense!"

[WayneB]

Robin, thats the most sense I have heard out of you in ages

[oneshot]

Ha!

The running costs of a sport 350 are no different really to any other V8. I have had mine for 4 months and total running costs amount to the petrol I have put in!

Obviously they need to be serviced at the correct intervals and generally looked after but with care they shouldn't cost vast amounts. After all a Sport 350 can only be just over 6 years old maximum.

If you look at LotusEspritWorld you will see the service schedule for a V8 and a ring around a few specialists will give you an indication of servicing costs although if you don't have a specialist near you then that may not help.

I'll leave the discussion on the earlier cars (SE and HC turbo) to those people who know better (and couldn't afford a Sport 350 )