dream34 Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 I was surfing the internet for various car sites/message boards for information about 1980's model Lotus, Ferrari, and Maserati vehicles, stumbled across this site and decided to register. The main reason is that in the next several years I am looking into possibly purchasing one of the three so my other car has a stable mate. Granted I have almost given the up the idea of a Ferrari (308 or Mondial)based on the up front expense, but I am continuing to research the Lotus Esprit, 1987 Maserati Biturbo Spyder and a 1981-83 DeLorean DMC. Not that I believe that the cost of maintaining these vehicles is any less than a Ferrari of similar age, but the up front cost of purchase is less. So long as I find one in good shape, that was properly serviced I'm guessing about $1000-2000 per year for maintaince based on the fact that the car will not be a daily driver. All of that said I currently own a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, which survived Katrina due to the fact it was stored out of town at the time of the storm. The funny thing is that even were it here I would have been undamaged as I was in one of the few areas of the city that expierenced no flooding. Anyway here are pictures of my car...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit350 Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 welcome to the forum, if you go for the esprit you need to use it, more problems with cars that are not used on a regular basis Quote The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. Friedrich Nietzsche find me on Tripadvisor http://www.tripadvis...mbers/espritguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream34 Posted September 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) welcome to the forum, if you go for the esprit you need to use it, more problems with cars that are not used on a regular basis Any car I purchase would be driven about once or twice a week and see about 1000-2000 miles per year. So in that sense it would be driven, just not daily. My commute to work is about 45 miles each way, so I use my 40mpg Civic. Like I said any purchase is about 1-3 years away giving me plenty of time to research all of the models, the maintaince issues/costs, and any other issuses associated with ownership. For now I'm just going to hang around, soak up information from some of you guys, and chime in from time to time. Edited September 29, 2006 by dream34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Wow, nice car Welcome to the forum and get an Esprit, you know it makes sense 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...
Tony K Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Welcome to the forum, Chris! As far as your interest in the Esprit goes, are you more interested in a Turbo or non-Turbo? The S1 and S2 Esprits (Normally Aspirated) were imported here from 1977-1980, and then we were without Lotus for a couple of years until Lotus began importing Turbo Esprits in 1983. As you learn about Esprits, you will see reference to the S3 NA -- this car was never sold here, and there are literally only a handful in the country brought as personal imports. Anyway, if you are interested in an early Esprit (S1/S2), there is someone not far from you with a white S1. He sometimes posts on the S1S2S3owners yahoogroup under the name "Lotusman Nawlins" or something to that effect. (His car and home were also in a lucky spot to survive Katrina). Quote Tony K. Esprit S1s #355H & 454H Esprit S2.2 #324J 1991 Esprit SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneB Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Nice Mustang Chris, 1967 was a good year for styling on that car. Well I got into my Turbo Esprit after many years of muscle car ownership (1971 455HO Trans am), and the Esprit is a totally different kettle of fish! Seems like Im constantly fiddling with the Esprit to keep it nice and running correctly, where as the Trans Am never really needed anything apart from alot of gas However it is a low production exotic car from the 80s so like the other cars you are considering needs regular attention to keep it at its best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) Chris...Welcome fellow 'coon-ass'!? I am in Houma; about 60 miles SW of New Orleans for the others on the forum. My first taste of sports cars was a 1968 Camaro that I owned through high school and college.! Still my sentimental favorite. Edited September 29, 2006 by Cliff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony K Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Since we're sort of on the topic of cool American iron we owned before Esprits (Wayne and Cliff), my first car was a 1977 Trans Am that could turn a 14 second quarter mile. Quote Tony K. Esprit S1s #355H & 454H Esprit S2.2 #324J 1991 Esprit SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneB Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Since we're sort of on the topic of cool American iron we owned before Esprits (Wayne and Cliff), my first car was a 1977 Trans Am that could turn a 14 second quarter mile. My first Trans am was a 78 T/A 6.6 (Brentwood brown), which at Long Marsden drag strip in the U.K. would do the 1/4 mile in 13 flat @ 109mph (Cheater nitrous Oxide system) Perfect car for a 21 year old hooligan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jussi Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Hello Chris and welcome to forum Nice looking Mustang you have there. Sorry I haven't owned any american muscle cars, but I had a street car Citroen Ax which did 1/4mile in 13seconds But my brother has a Buick GS400 convertible, it's a nice car also. Quote Check my blog and leave comments/suggestions Jussi's photography blogSee you in G+ Jussi Alanko in Google+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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