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Demon driver

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Demon driver Newbie

Demon driver

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Hi everyone..!

I'm new to the site and looking to enter the exciting world of Esprit ownership.

I don't currently own my own car, I don't need a car but have decided that I deserve to treat myself and splash out on an Esprit, which I've loved ever since my addiction to Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge on the Amiga 500!

I'm looking to get an early S car, preferably SE but will look at other models if they're in good condition. I've studied the LEW web site to death (which I'm sure my employers will love me for!!) and have been to check out and test-drive a few cars.

I'm 6'4'' which makes it quite a squeeze but hey - if you're going to have a sunroof your may as well use it !! (and who needs to reach the hand brake anyway??).

If anyone knows of any nice models (particularly in the SW London locale) worth taking a look at please let me know.

Also, there's currently a black Turbo (but with wing) on eBay - has anyone looked this car over or have any comments on it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-LOTUS-ESPRIT-TU...1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers in advance for any help !

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Evil_Dr_Fish Newbie

Evil_Dr_Fish

Posted
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Mark Blanchard is a similar height to you... It's amazing what you CAN fit into if you WANT to (:):P to Jeremy Clarkson!)

SE's are stupidly good value for money at the moment. Don't forget AutoTrader and LEW's For sale page.

If you find a genuinely good one you have to move FAST. PLENTY of rubbish pops up but the very high quality cars go usually in one day!

That one on ebay looks nice enough in the pictures as does the interior but seeing it first hand is the only way to tell.

Mileage isn't excessive but that cambelt is WELL overdue changing so budget that into any final offer price (owned for 3 years since 58k and was changed back at 55k so god only knows how much older than the 3 years it is)

Wing?! - it has the BEST Wing for that shape of car :)

It's a Turbo not an SE tho so don't go too high on the price or you'll be getting very close to SE price territory and they're the one's to get for the money.

As for "in SW London area?" :P lmao Ed came down from nr Glasgow to buy a good Esprit near Leatherhead. You want to buy an extremely low volume, rare supercar - you go TO the car wherever it is!:P

Glad to see the carpets are low mileage :P:(:P

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked him to forgive me."

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ribbon200.gifG-Car Owner and Proud! ribbon200.gif

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Bibs Grand Master

Bibs

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Welcome to the site :)

88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport

Evora NA

For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. 

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Couger Newbie

Couger

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Welcome to the asylum :) , that one has been on Ebay about 3 times, looks nice enough, the other black one looks good value at around 5k at the moment in Harrogate, I went to see it and although the body/interior is a bit tired, the mechanics all seem good. hes going to the USA very soon and I think you might get a good deal, guy called Sean, really nice bloke.

Im Brian and so is my wife

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jase7678 Newbie

jase7678

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I am 99% sure this has been on eBay before and not too long ago - 6 months or so??? I deffinitely recognise the bottom right hand picture.

8 owners is a lot in my opinion and if this guy has had it for 3 years then it didn't sell the last time it was on eBay so be wary.

Also, is his reason for selling it genuine this time? What I mean is, he must have had a reason when it was up for sale the last time. Was that a different reason or is this reason ficticious???

It could all be above board and legitimate, but always view with a degree of scepticism. I believe a car will have been looked after better if people have had it in their possession for a long time because that means they liked it and wanted to keep it.

Just my 2p.

Jason

Land Rover Discovery II & waiting on next Esprit

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Evil_Dr_Fish Newbie

Evil_Dr_Fish

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COULD be it didn't sell simply because he was expecting too much money? I see its around

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked him to forgive me."

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ribbon200.gifG-Car Owner and Proud! ribbon200.gif

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Demon driver Newbie

Demon driver

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Cheers for the feedback everyone!

A couple of other points I forgot to mention earlier.

I'm 24 so insurance is looking pretty dear until I hit 25 (no no claims, d'oh!), Elephant is looking the cheapest option by a country mile, but again I'd appreciate any thoughts on Elephant or other options (I've tried pretty much all the specialists mentioned on LEW).

Also wondering if anyone has any suggestions for specialists to review a potential purchase in the London/Essex region. So far Barry Ely has quoted me

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ukrocketcar Newbie

ukrocketcar

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a welcome and a question

is your brother driver on my pic ?

best regards

Patrick

"Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio" Salvator Rosa when 25 years old National Gallery London

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Evil_Dr_Fish Newbie

Evil_Dr_Fish

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Barry Ely!!

That's the one!! The one in Stratford, East London who I mentioned in my PM to you as being described as like a "Lotus Graveyard!" :(

That sounds outrageously expensive!

You don't need a full on 'report'. Just specialist who can tell you straight whether it's a good one or not.

I suspect Steve Williams might be very good for this! (Reading - ISH)

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked him to forgive me."

------------------------------

ribbon200.gifG-Car Owner and Proud! ribbon200.gif

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Paul C Newbie

Paul C

Posted
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Welcome :(

I think, and it's a big 'think', that i saw this car for sale with a blown head gasket.

Please don't count on my memory though :(

The height thing can be sorted worse case by removing the seat rails and boling it

to the floor, also, late SE's (highwings) have bigger interior too.

:)

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  • 2 weeks later...
Demon driver Newbie

Demon driver

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Woohoooo!!Just put deposit down on an S4 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-ESPRIT-TURBO-S...1QQcmdZViewItem Went to test drive it today - looked beautiful and drove really well. Picking up next Friday with any luck after getting it checked over by Sinclair of London (fingers crossed!!). Thanks a bunch for all the help that people have given me and from this forum generally! Maybe see a few of you around once I've saved up enough cash for petrol!! ;):);):):D:D (ps - if anyone wants to buy the slightly dodgy number plate - let me know!!)

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s4simon Rookie

s4simon

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Posted

Well Done -

Is this the beast ?? Couldn't get your link to work, so had to do a bit of rumaging :)

14_1_b.JPG

If so - Nice colour combo. B)

PS. I'm a bit too old for that type of number plate. ;)

Simon  (94 S4)      My Esprit will be for sale in late 2017

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Evil_Dr_Fish Newbie

Evil_Dr_Fish

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;) Does he claim to be a trader?

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked him to forgive me."

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ribbon200.gifG-Car Owner and Proud! ribbon200.gif

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