Newbie needs help

[ChrisPR]

Hi all, Another newbie here looking for some help. I've just been given the green light from SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) to start looking for an Esprit ! Woohoo ! I've had a mostly Italian cars up to now, including a fun Fiat X1/9 and a very fast Coupe 20v Turbo. Anyway, the time has come to move on. I've always, always wanted an Esprit, so here's hoping ...

My budget is around

[Kimbers]

Chris. Go to the EMEG or NMEG sections here: http://www.lotusespritforum.com/forums/ind...hp?showforum=53

On behalf of the moderating team, welcome to LEF and we look forward to reading more of your hunt for a car.

In regards to your price you could get at least an N/A Stevens for that money, possibly a Turbo Stevens or even an SE. I have an S4 and it came in at your cost on the nose, but I had to spend

[Backmarker]

Hi Chris and welcome.

We have an East Midlands Esprit Group so I'm sure you'll get plenty of help.

Check Lotus Esprit World for Esprits for sale. There are a number of G cars for sale on there now.

The HC model is now quite rare. If that is what you want then be prepared to wait and to travel the length and breadth of the country.

Remember to budget for servicing and running repairs. Try to look at as many different Esprits as you can before taking the plunge.

There are some lovely examples out there but also some rubbish.

Use people on this forum to help you make a wise decision.

Good luck

Graham.

[andydclements]

I'd echo the advice already given but add the following.

I'm over 6'2" and fit in a G car, but I had to modify it to achieve that.

If you want an HC Turbo, have a word with Botus who'll give you some idea of the time involved.

My Turbo G car has a glass roof, but beware, in the really hot weather when you take it out it's great, in the cooler weather it means you may have to open it to get rid of the heat caused by the sun but have the heater on as it would be too cold otherwise, and in the winter you'll find glass lets the heat out more than fibreglass.

Beofre you make a decision or even go to look at a car it ay be worth posting to see if anybody knows the car or if somebody's nearby to have a look at it with you.

Andy

[mr.oogieboogie]

hello Chris, where abouts are you. for 10k you could get either a good S or G car, i too would reccomend www.lotusespritworld.com site under the sale section, i know when i was buying mine last year i made a list of what i was interested in too see if i could view more than 1 in a day then found one just 30 odd miles away liked it then picked it up about a week later lots ofpeople on here have good knowledge.we should be having a meet on te 27th at Chatsworth house so if you want to meet a few people and get to know the cars then feel free to come along im sure you could try out a few - try mine for size if you like, as kimbers has said the s cars tend to have a bit more room still im 5ft 8inches so dont realy have a problem but a lot of the guys who own esprits seem to be 6ft+.

[SE Owner :-D]

Think you ought to think about how you are valuing cars TK? This isn't what we should be doing.

Edited July 7, 2008 by SE Owner :-D

[Kimbers]

[winners]

You shouldn't have a prob with getting in. I'm 6 ft plus and get into an S1. Like Pete (Mr Oogie Boogie) says come to Chtasworth on the 27th, should be a couple of both S and G cars to sit in.

Mark

[bo90]

Welcome Chris,

Indeed come to Chatsworth for a look and a chat. Just to warn you that it took me 2 years to find a decent G turbo hc. I have seen one in Newark for around

Edited July 7, 2008 by botus

[Paul C]

[ChrisPR]

Thanks all for the great replies, welcomes and *ahem* price debate

Chatsworth later this month sounds good - I'll have to see if I can make it for a few hours. Would be good to meet a few of you and maybe do that "standing next to a Lotus telling passers by that it's mine" trick !!

Thanks again for the welcome.

Chris

[dodgy]

I had the same amount of cash available to hand when i was looking, i went to a Oxford meeting 3 1/2 years ago, was given a passenger ride for 2 hours with Cliff gghc87 in his '87 HC Turbo 'g' car, I could not wipe the grin off my face all the way around and got out repeating over and over "i gotta get one, i gotta get one"

4 months later i brought my car

I must say, it has not really cost that much to keep on the road, regular servicing and maintenance avoids costly bills.

I has only been off the road for the last 6 months due to me not being in the country, otherwise the split oil cooler would have been fixed in days at little cost, me being me, i decided to replace the radiator as the cooling fins were on their way out, so its no good doing things twice is it?

Less than a week, cannot wait only thing is its only short term as i will hopefully be going on another trip - and even longer this time, so i really could do with selling as she's going to be sitting for along time in a garage all alone

hmmmm , drunken ramblings here ......

Edited July 9, 2008 by Dodgy

[mwmackenzie]

I know someone who got an SE for

[andycs3]

Just to reiterate what everyone else has said, Im 6foot2ish and fit in my G car fine

dont worry about the height issue.... i also have size 12 feet, so have to buy driving shoes (small pedal box)

but that's not really a great sacrifice

where are you based?

[MGFCrasher]

Hiya,

Welcome. I am just over 6 foot and have loads of room in the S4.Even my G cars were fine.

Have a look at my car. Its a sensible price .If you like it make me an offer. I'm not desperate to sell but more interested in a hassle free sale.

Ebay250266594579

Rich

[SE Owner :-D]

You don't need all your toes - if foot size is an issue.

Edited July 8, 2008 by SE Owner :-D

[hopo]

Im 6'3 and fit in my G car. Thats without any mods size is not an issue.... just finding the right car! good luck with the search!