Keep my S4s or buy an '02

[928s4s]

Help me out guys. I've owned my Norfolk Mustard S4s for about 10 years now. I love the car, and plan to always own an Esprit, whether it is this one or not. However, lately, I've been considering selling my S4s and buying a late model example. There have been a couple of '02s which have caught my eye recently. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts.

Thanks,

Gary

Edited June 7, 2011 by 928s4s

[rogerch]

That's a bit like asking if you should get divorced,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm not going there.

[928s4s]

Yeah, I know. I am just curious about others thoughts on this. Trading what could be considered the pinnacle of the 4 cyl. Esprit (not counting the Sport 300) for the improved performance and more modern looks of the '02.

[superdavelotus]

Hi Gary,

I would say it depends on your driving style etc. I've owned 5 Esprits now in all shapes and engine sizes. I've owned an S4s before my V8 and wouldn't go back. I only had my S4s for a year and wasn't that impressed compared to the Esprit I had before which was only a carb turbo. My V8 I love. With all the torque and lots of lazy power, I never get caught out with being in wrong gear and low revs. Also it's great around town too as it's quick low down. I love the engine sound too as I have converted mine to a 2002 spec and have a centre exit exhaust and 200 cell sports cats.

Don't get me worng, if you buy a lemon V8 then it will empty your pockets. Mine's been OK with just the ocassional maintenance items need replacing. I make sure I have mine serviced every 12 months even though I only do 1000 miles in it thesedays.

With having a family and other commitments, it's meant that I don't use my car any more. I said that I will sell it this year if I don't start using it more and putting some more miles on it.

I took it to my first event this year at the weekend to Tatton Park Classic Car Show. It got lots of attention as it was the only V8 on the stand. I think the 2002 conversion and the colour combo with wheels etc sets it off.

Oh, I've owned my V8 for 6 years now.

Regards,

David Walters

[steve930]

As the americans say: " there's no substitute for cubic inches" plus if you like it, you get the updated interior

[fmxa]

I bought my old S4s off a guy who just picked up a V8, his last comment to me before I drove off in the S4s was "Selling this car is the stupidest thing I've ever done". Fast forward 4 years and I now had a V8 and the S4s and decided to sell the S4s. Sure enough my last comment to the new owner of my old S4s was "Selling this car is the stupidest thing I've ever done". To rub salt into the wounds Roger Becker once asked me why on earth did you sell your S4s!

Still, at the end of the day I love the V8, but for a pure driving experience I'd keep the S4s

[928s4s]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. The '02 that was driving this question has been sold, so I'll put this on the back burner until I'm tempted by another example.

Thanks Again,

Gary

[928s4s]

I thought I might as well follow up on this post. I decided to buy a V8 after all. It wasn't the '02 that I was looking at six months ago (which I passed on twice and both times later regretted it). Instead, I bought a late year '03 in midnight blue. I flew cross country (all the way cross country as I live in Massachusetts and the car is in Arizona) to check it out and complete the deal. Now I'm just waiting on the car to be delivered so that I can put it in the garage and look at it all winter until warm weather rolls around again. I will most likely be selling the S4s (Norfolk mustard with magnolia interior - not very common I think); although, I'm still trying to convince my wife that we should keep both. I'll probably lose that fight though.

Here's a pic:

Regards,

Gary

ps. Here's a picture of my S4s which I've owned since 2001:

Edited December 21, 2011 by 928s4s

[Mark Blanchard]

That's a fine looking V8. Enjoy .

[Günter]

do US type S4s have GT3 wheels regularly ..?

I like that yor S4s does not have the usual 'bolted on' wheelarches (like all european & V8's) ..but with this GT3 wheel in the rear end it looks like "shrinked down"

..give your (GT3)S4s a good clean and maybee some spacers for the rear ...and present it your wife "as hers" -this could make the deal I hope ..good luck! enjoy your rides

[nigeninja]

Na mate, for me that's what makes an S4S is the wheel arches and the OZ wheels,IMO

Gary the V8 "lovely mate"

Edited December 24, 2011 by nigeninja

[928s4s]

The S4s is 100% stock (US Spec) with the standard 17" S4s wheels. My first S4s came with Futuras which I've always loved (this is my second S4s). Ironically, I recently bought a set of V8/Euro S4s Futuras as well as a set of Lotus wheel arches intending to modify the car to Euro S4s spec. Since buying the '03, I've sold the Futuras and will be selling the wheel arches as well.

If I do end up keeping the S4s, then I will keep it totally stock.

Good idea offering it to my wife, but I've had little luck convincing her to learn to drive a stick shift car (one of her few faults;).

Regards,

Gary

Edited December 26, 2011 by 928s4s

[nello]

The final V8's do look good but 'we' competed for so long without 8 cylinders - the last 4-pots were fully sorted. I've quoted Brian Angus on here before when he told me at a factory open day years ago the S4S was the best all round Esprit built.

[928s4s]

I've heard the same from others regarding this topic which is what made it a tough decision. At a minimum, I'll own both cars for a few months (the S4s needs work before it is ready to sell), so I'll have a chance to drive both for a while before I commit to selling the S4s.

[alan]

I've quoted Brian Angus on here before when he told me at a factory open day years ago the S4S was the best all round Esprit built.

Brian actually was a bit more specific (and is obviously a man of impeccable taste when choosing colours):

Q. 4 cylinder or V8?

A. 4 cylinder. 'I think it makes the driving experience more involved.'.

Q. What to you is the best version of the Esprit and why (and in what colour)?

A. Esprit S4s (Norfolk Yellow). The best 4 cylinder Esprit."

(From LEW interview)

[928s4s]

I agree that Norfolk Yellow (mustard) is the best color. I'd love to find a final edition (or even an anniversary edition) in the color combo of my S4s (yellow + magnolia), but I'm not sure there is one here in the US, or at least one that is likely to become available. I suppose you could replace the black interior with magnolia (I know of a yellow '94 S4 with an aftermarket cream interior), but I'd much rather have an original car.

As for the driving experience being more involved, I'm not sure that's always a positive. That sounds like a euphemism for "you have to work hard to keep the car in the power band".

Edited December 27, 2011 by 928s4s

[fflyingdog]

Brian actually was a bit more specific (and is obviously a man of impeccable taste when choosing colours):

Q. 4 cylinder or V8?

A. 4 cylinder. 'I think it makes the driving experience more involved.'.

Q. What to you is the best version of the Esprit and why (and in what colour)?

A. Esprit S4s (Norfolk Yellow). The best 4 cylinder Esprit."

(From LEW interview)

Quite right but i think he meant Black.

[andecorp]

[04ESPRIT]

Hey Gary,

Excellent looking V8! Must be an FE. What's the last 5 of the VIN?

How did you find it? I usually keep up on the Esprit offerings and never knew this one was available.

Congratulations!

Derik

PS Keep the S4s. I like the color combo!

[928s4s]

Derik,

It is a FE. The last five of the VIN are 10562. It has all the FE updates except the engine cover (the cover grating is different on the final editions, right?). The car spent its entire life in Arizona and has about 16K miles. The seller offered it for sale a couple times over the past few years, but i wasn't aware of it until recently.

I assume that your avatar is a picture of your '04 and In my favorite color combination no less. Are you aware of any other final editions in that color combo? Your car isn't for sale is it? (Just joking! I'm pretty happy with my new purchase for now.)

Regards,

Gary

[ramjet]

Two esprits! Woohoo!.

Enjoy the new car.

[DarrylV8]

I thought I might as well follow up on this post. I decided to buy a V8 after all. It wasn't the '02 that I was looking at six months ago (which I passed on twice and both times later regretted it). Instead, I bought a late year '03 in midnight blue. I flew cross country (all the way cross country as I live in Massachusetts and the car is in Arizona) to check it out and complete the deal. Now I'm just waiting on the car to be delivered so that I can put it in the garage and look at it all winter until warm weather rolls around again. I will most likely be selling the S4s (Norfolk mustard with magnolia interior - not very common I think); although, I'm still trying to convince my wife that we should keep both. I'll probably lose that fight though.

Here's a pic:

Regards,

Gary

ps. Here's a picture of my S4s which I've owned since 2001:

Gary,

I;m sure you can persuade your betterhalf to allow you to have and enjoy two very fine examples of British motoring!

Good luck and enjoy them both

[928s4s]

Thanks for the comments everyone. The car was delivered earlier today.

[alan]

So Gary, you are now in the perfect position to answer your own question - which is best?

[928s4s]

I'll have to get back to you on that once I've had the car for a while. The V8 is definitely fun and changes the character of the car. The updated interior is nice also. Anyways, I could go down the list of obvious differences, but I need more seat time to offer any real perspective (I have to get used to this clutch for starters). Prior to this car, I've only driven a V8 Esprit once, and that was years ago.

Nothing to do with how the car drives, but this car is in much nicer condition than my S4s, which is a driver with 40K miles on it. I definitely plan to drive the '03, but won't be piling on the miles.

Edited January 8, 2012 by 928s4s