Stevens or Giugiaro

[LOTUSMAN33]

Been pretty much inactive for sometime now after moving away from Esprit’s and M100’s to concentrate on my other car passion being classic mini’s but as previously said Esprit’s are an addiction for life!

I have been on the look out for a S1 or 2 as know them well and owned my fair share but now thinking about scratching an itch and buying an injection SE or S4?

I always liked the look of the SE of all the Stevens models so likely to be the choice but know very little of their pitfalls so any advice would be great? I am assuming Chassis corrosion is not much of an issue? Any parts which are obsolete of concern?

Still not 100% as do like the wedge but feel a later car may get more use and need less work?

Anyone else moved from the early cars to the later models?

Dave  

[jonwat]

23 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

 now thinking about scratching an itch and buying an injection SE or S4?

I'd go for a pre-cat ('92) SE with no ABS to worry about the power is intoxicating & changing the chip is easily done giving 300 BHP. 😊

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Okay that’s good news thanks, I take it ABS came in during 1992 and can be troublesome being an old system now? Was it Vauxhall based parts?

Dave  

 

[jep]

Personally, I prefer the Citroen gearbox of the G cars. I read an article by Brian Angus, Esprit man at Lotus for 30 years plus, that they improved the gear change considerably on the facelift Stevens cars (facelift was 1996? With new instrument pod etc..). I have never driven a later one. 

It is all very personal to each owner/driver but if I don't like a gear change, I really cannot live with a car for long. Evora NA change is firm and a bit clunky but I really like it...so I am not after perfection, just a feel that I find satisfying.

Excel gear change is one of the very best.

I did move from a G to a Stevens, many years ago (I don't have either now). I prefer the look of the Stevens over the later G cars but for me, the G cars are a better driving experience.

 

Justin 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Justin, I must drive a SE really to understand the difference in feel, opened a Stevens Turbo for a short time many years ago which someone p/x me on a S3 turbo but it wasn’t a good example in fairness.

My late Excel SE was lovely to drive and eat miles up with pure comfort, definitely good cars.

Dave  

[stephenwhyte]

I’ve had both - both classics and characters in their own way. You really need to drive them to best appreciate the differences Dave👍 ABS issue is the biggest problem with the later Esprits although the change in system which appeared on the GT3 apparently sorted that. I loved my S4s and would have another but the early Giugiaro shape is the one I respect more😎

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Stephen, your S4s was beautiful and in a super colour, always fancied a M100 in Norfolk Mustard. Don’t think I have seen a SE in yellow?

That settles the age then so 89-91 is the best way forward avoiding ABS.

I have owned so many G cars I think the change may be good although I will keep options open during my search.

Dave  

[jep]

You gotta try a Stevens without doubt, ownership wise, as you have done the G thang. 

The downside is minimal. If you find love, whoopee, if not, throw it back and you have the knowledge that it ain't for you. Which means you will enjoy your next G or whatever takes you whim, even more.

Justin 

[andydclements]

If you want the ability to get in the car, turn the key and expect it to start on the button (no matter the temperature etc), then go for the SE & onwards. As @jonwat said, pre-cat and pre-ABS is nicer ( particularly in terms of brake feel).  

 

[cbclotus]

Hi Dave .Hope alls well .Like a lot of things looking back .My SE turbo was a fine car .one that my wife  says I should of kept .yup she was right .now owned by Philip .nice guy .but they are all stunning cars .problem will be finding one .Good luck  .Mike

[LOTUSMAN33]

Hey Mike nice to hear from you, there are several for sale at the moment but fancy blue, white or silver if I can find one.

Are you going to get another Esprit sometime?

[stephenwhyte]

5 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

Hey Mike nice to hear from you, there are several for sale at the moment but fancy blue, white or silver if I can find one.

Are you going to get another Esprit sometime?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-esp-tur-se-1990/10047052 😎

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will scan classifieds to see what’s about, I take it the High wing models will all be ABS equipped?

Having a turn key car sounds good like my M100 as gets much more use, hoping to move in next 12 months so a project car would be a pain as still building another mini at present.

Dave  

4 minutes ago, stephenwhyte said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-esp-tur-se-1990/10047052 😎

I really like this one but interior is looking quite tired compared to some I’ve seen, Mark at stocks has a nice red one in good order albeit missing the badges which I really like on them. New set is nearly £300 from SJ so not end of the world.

A nice Red V8 has gone on our favourite auction site although a previous Cat D car, looks very clean. Still I think a SE is still the better option for me.

Edited December 31, 2019 by LOTUSMAN33

[Barrykearley]

Just chuck the abs in the skip and fit a servo - simple to do.

id leave a v8 for the aficionados of such things 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Is it really that easy to ditch the ABS as I’ve seen a nice white high wing for sale Barry?

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1030401

Has anyone done a posting on this?

Dave  

Edited December 31, 2019 by LOTUSMAN33

[Sparky]

Speak to @Chillidoggy

[canamfan]

I've had a few Stephen's USA Turbo versions (1989  non SE, 1991 SE charge cooled, & a 1994 S4"S") but this is the only Giugiaro I've owned (1984 USA carb'd Turbo version), driven 2 other Giugiaro's (injected Turbo's) though, but without my bias (being the Giugiaro hands down for fun/dollar value for me), take a look at Harry's garage video, he bought a 1987 & I find the review pretty decent as he's driven a few including later models. Give the video a peek, it's another good perspective

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Andy, good stuff and just read the buyers guides which were informative. I will always like the Giugiaro cars and still stock piling rare parts to do a S1 restoration in the future.

Dave  

[Bazza 907]

Have a read of Classic Cars magazine this month. It does a 5 car Esprit test discussing the pros and cons of each model be they G or Stevens cars. 

[jonwat]

And check out the Lotus Esprit World buyer's guide. 😀

[Jacques]

Very sorry guys, but a mag cannot and will not be able to experience and describe what real ownership long term can. So for me, all those socalled evaluations, articles and what not is not worth the paper or screens they are presented on. For my sake they can go right down the drain. Being that cars from owners on here or elsewhere, it's still the same: nothing wrong with the cars, but an editor writes what he or she wants. And we all know they are biased towards an old german car and always recite Jeremy C. for his irritating nonsense of lots of trou......... So, forget those, this forum so much better by far in terms of getting real oppinions.

Personally, I've tried a Giugiaro carb non-turbo and one with turbo. While I like them for sure, they cannot and will not be able to do what a later Stevens SE-S4-S4s can do. It's a whole different ball game. It's a car in a totally different league. So many things are changed: electrics, engine, gearbox, traction, performance, looks, seating interrior, design and what not. They are so much more capable and equal in feel and fun. Not a dime is lost.

If Lotus thought otherwise, they would have develped them reversed. Not so. And fortunately we can experience the same.

With regards to maintenance and strong/weak points, there are hundreds of threads on here on the other forum describing that. But jsut one point here right now: the Renault UN1 is not so bad at all: change the translator, the rubber bushings at the lowest point of the gearmaster and adjust accordingly, and you have a nice gearshift. It doesn't explode at every street corner that some people will have you believe. Not so.

The old cars feel smaller at the first drive, when getting in a Stevens Turbo SE or later. But as you drive, you soon come to realise that the car becomes smaller and really surrounds and hugs you as you find the rythm in turn after turn after turn, zipping past much more modern cars on curby back roads. Yes, the modern cars may have far more horses than a Turbo SE/S4/S4s, but somehow these old Lotus cars manage to get real speed out of what on paper seems to be very little compared to newer cars. Weight? nope, not much of a difference really. A Stevens Turbo SE 1990 is 1231 Kilo from Lotus (no fuel) and mine is 1125 and a bit with a few mods here and there without changing it's looks or character.

I'd say go for the Stevens Turbo SE 1990-1991, possibly a 1989, or later as in S4/S4s. And if it comes with an old school abs, delete it and get better brakes for it. Ian is the man as Sparky said.

Not much to think about, I'd say.

Good luck with you Esprit itch, which ever Esprit you choose, they are all magnificent sportscars!

Kind regards,

Jacques

 

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Jacques, well said and nice pic 👍👍

Dave 😄

[Tim H]

Interesteing thread, and nice pictures, always iinterests me on the negative vibe I get about the V8. I have had mine coming on 16 years and always put a smile on my face and never let me down. When I bought it all those years ago I read on the lotusespritworld buyers guide, buy the newest and best you can afford. Also I took it to specialist to be checked over, they did HPI check included in the price... I think they were called autolign...

I know people have had bad experiances, a must is look at the service history and who has done the work, and do a little homework, talk to previous owners if you can.... hows it has been driven and maintianed is the most important.

 

Enjoy your search for the best driving experiance 👍

[Barrykearley]

12 minutes ago, Tim H said:

always iinterests me on the negative vibe I get about the V8.

Think this can be put down to the absolute horrendous costs if things do go wrong - A V8 is a bit like marriage.

[andydclements]

And then could  a lot of those V8 problems could be traced back to poor / lack of preventative maintenance by previous owners?