Whippet Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 (edited) Hello my good friends, After months and weeks of debating, making up my mind, changing my mind, making up my mind and changing it again, I have decided to let my love go. This has not been an easy decision. I am going to sell the Esprit. This is by far the hardest automotive thing I had to, ever. Even typing it here right now saddens me, as I feel I am letting my friends and fellow enthusiasts down here at LEF. I am a terribly sentimental guy (especially when it comes to cars), and the Lotus has been a dream ever since I can remember. I am totally, totally in love with the car, but simply cannot keep it. I am just too tall (6'6") and cannot get comfortable in the car. For the narrow Swiss roads, parking issues, winter, and the general impracticality, it simply doesn't make sense. Typical for a Swiss classic the car is stunning inside and out, and has been 100% reliable. For value for money in return for a supercar with a Lotus badge, nothing is its equal. I will still buy a sportscar again sometime in the future, but something a little more practical. I will be selling through a well-known LEF member and Lotus afficinado Alireza Azimzadeh (known here as Alex) from Bahman Cars in Geneva. I will remain active here among friends. After all, my heart has not changed, just my mind. My best, Etienne Edited July 6, 2009 by Whippet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Very sad to hear. I guess a 'knee down' amputation isn't on the cards then! You can advertise your car on LEF for free if you wish too. Quote 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippet Posted July 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Thank you so much Bibs. All of this would be easier except that for some reason I believe this thing has a soul. I have always thought all the quirky cars I have owned had a "soul" and was somehow "alive". Jeremy Clarkson wrote a book "I know you got soul" and I knew somebody else felt the same as me about a mechanical machine. I know for a lot of guys here they feel the same about their cars. I am man enough to confess that I have actually cried real tears about this car, if there is any doubt about how I feel. I sat outside my open garage this evening with the lights shining on her having a drink. Am I a weirdo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconic Ride Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 With those dimensions it's a testament to your love for the car that you even procurred it in the first place, Etienne! And recognizing the cited geological and climatic limitations imposed on its use in your current area of residence, it's not particularly surprising that you've made such a decision. I see you in a pre-owned Evora (by all accounts able to accommodate the "stature enhanced")(or possibly a next-gen Esprit!?), living on the Riviera in less than five years, availing yourself of the upper corniche in fine style. Cheers, John Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ifly Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 My heart goes out to you Etienne! There are few cars that we become truly attached to and I think an Esprit is certainly one of those cars that makes us feel one with them, and truly has a soul through all of its mechanical and electrical quirks. I know it will be a sad day when the car goes to another owner and I totally understand your reasons for this decision and the long hard path you have taken to get to that decision. Best of luck with the sale I am sure the car will go to a good home and I hope you find another Lotus in your future, John summed up the options rather nicely. Quote Heaven is where the police are British, the chefs Italian, the mechanics German, the lovers French and it is all organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the chefs British, the mechanics French, the lovers Swiss and it is all organized by the Italians. You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAndretti42 Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 There is only 1 reason to own an Esprit and that is to enjoy it. If you can't enjoy it because you don't fit, or it doesn't fit the local roads or whatever then it ends up being a source of frustration. Better to sell the car while you have good memories of it rather when you get to the stage of despising it. To mangle a well-known quote, " "Tis better to have loved and sold, than never to have owned at all." I, too, see you in an Evora in a few years. Let us know what you decide to drive in the meantime. Quote S4 Elan, Elan +2S, Federal-spec, World Championship Edition S2 Esprit #42, S1 Elise, Excel SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippet Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Thank you all John, Bob and Trevor for your kind and inspiring words. I must say the Evora does seem like an attractive option, eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrapperJohn Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Hm... I'm 6'3", and I found a way to get comfortable in the Esprit. Move the seat a bit forward, recline it back, and presto - more headroom. Knees get pushed up a bit, but not to a dysfunctional point. I suppose I could see how three more inches might be a problem, though. We had Friday off for holiday. I had planned to pursue another hobby, but what the hey, let's take the Esprit for a quick run first. Ended up staying out all afternoon, chasing one twisty little road after another. Not even going that fast, just soaking up that 'locked to the road' feel. I don't care if it is just machinery, it connects with you like no other. Soul, indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAndretti42 Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 I don't care if it is just machinery, it connects with you like no other. Especially if you are 6' 6". That's the problem. Quote S4 Elan, Elan +2S, Federal-spec, World Championship Edition S2 Esprit #42, S1 Elise, Excel SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger 912 Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Hey Etienne. Sorry about your decision. i know how you feel. I have always had an affinity with my Lotus. Even the 7's. Lotus is the only car manufacturer with SOUL. Take the SOUL out of LOTUS and all you have left is T look me up when you come over. regards Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alireza Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 I let my early G dry sump Turbo go as well last week. I'm a sentimetal guy as well, but sometimes, you have to decide. You (we) will always find a car that will blow our mind, and I think it's nice to test a lot of different things. It seems that I cannot keep a car more than a year, then, I feel the need of moving to something new. We will see what we can find... (ok actually I have already found). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Veg Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) All of this would be easier except that for some reason I believe this thing has a soul. I have always thought all the quirky cars I have owned had a "soul" and was somehow "alive". Jeremy Clarkson wrote a book "I know you got soul" and I knew somebody else felt the same as me about a mechanical machine. I know for a lot of guys here they feel the same about their cars. Etienne, I know you feel- I get sentimental too. I recently had to part with a motorbike about which I was TOTALLY CRAZY. I'd had it for five years and had to painfully admit toward the end that it just wasn't what I'd hoped it would be, and being tall (and the attendant ergonomic problems) was part of the reasoning. Friends across the country and around the world had grown to closely associate me and the bike, and it even had a cute pet name that they all knew. But I knew deep down inside that it was the right thing to do. I also feel better now because I found a very good home for the bike, and the buyer was someone I'd made the acquaintance of a couple of years earlier through a friend. If anything, the buyer will become and even better friend now. As for soul, this too is something I understand from the motorbike communities in which I associate, and I've always felt a sort of 'personality' come through in machines. I don't know if that's just my imagination, or some sort of spiritual footprint of the humans who build them or what, but it makes the machines much more fun in my opinion. I am man enough to confess that I have actually cried real tears about this car, if there is any doubt about how I feel. I sat outside my open garage this evening with the lights shining on her having a drink. Am I a weirdo? No, you are no weirdo! I assume that you've already been down the path of looking into modifications to make the car fit you. This is what I'm looking at in future when I'm finally about to get the Esprit for which I've been lusting for decades. I'm 6'4" and recently had a very tight experience sitting in an '87 model. When I'm able to make the dream come true, I'll be doing so knowing that making the car fit me will be a gamble. I salute you, because you've taken the chance and even though you lost you seem to still have your head on straight. Keep us posted on what car you wind up getting. Edited July 8, 2009 by The Veg Quote "If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's electrical." -somebody's dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippet Posted July 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Hello all! Thanks again for all the words of support - this is partly why it is so difficult to let go - look at the wonderful friends and the stuff they write! I have really tried all options to fit. It is amazing the difference only ONE INCH could've made. Headroom was never an issue by the way. The main problem is that whenever I sat in the car, my knees are forced upwards exactly at the juncture where the centre-tunnel and steering wheel meet. Remember it is a left-hooker, so my right-hand knee is squeezed tight against the steering wheel with absolutely no space for a hand. Combine that with no power-steering and twisty mountain roads the wonderful handling of the Esprit was lost on me. But the car is now in good hands, Alireza (Alex) above is a passionate and extremely well-informed classic car dealer and will find a good home soon. It was terribly hard looking back driving away from his dealership. Thanks again dear friends. Etienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippet Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) The best photos of her, possibly ever: http://www.bahmancars.ch/autos/lotusespritsered.htm As you can see, in mint, mint condition. Geez this is hard. Edited July 9, 2009 by Whippet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Edwards Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Top pictures! consider selling the pics not the car !! Quote Twitter @radioRedwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bharper Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 just one word - sunroof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.