S3 or Turbo Esprit

[SwissV8]

Please forgive my ignorance on this one, but being an S-Car owner, I don't know much on the G-Cars... however, I hope that's gonna change!

As some of you know, since the Factory event a couple of weeks ago, I seem to have caught a G-Car bug, and am seriously thinking about investing in one as a buddy for my V8. So far, the research seems to say that an S3/Turbo Esprit is the direction to look in (bearing in mind that I want to drive it, and not just stick it in a garage & polish it every now & then).

Just came back from my first ever S3 test drive... and I loved it

Interestingly though, the dealer was basically telling me to avoid the Turbo Esprit as it is way more prone to problems (lots of power, poor cooling etc.). He advised to stick with a normally aspirated S3.... which are really hard to find over here, and of course this dealer is the only one who has one!

So, what's the view and experience of this forum? S3 or Turbo Esprit?

[Jussi]

That might be true that NA is more troublefree. But I haven't regret for owning Turbo Esprit, after 3000rpm. it feels so nice

After your V8 NA might feel a bit dull

I would say: Go for Turbo

[bigsi]

my first lotus is an turbo esprit.. after coming from the car i just came from i was worried about it as its a 2.2 but dont let that fool you one little bit. the power to weight ratio and the fact it corners like its attatched to them is only a small part of the plus points.

any turbo car has problems, the major one being the turbo, however find one thats been looked after, has a good service record and that will make your mind up.. oh and drving one the turbo kicks you in the right places .

when i got mine i soon found it had a few problems, which i have sorted a few out but im just getting to the bottom of a sticky/burnt valve issue then its out in her again for a nice long drive over a weekend.

when i looked at my old car i loved it it looked right, when i look at my lotus, i have to sit down and stare, so many lines and not enough time!

[stagowner]

Rob,

The hidden cost of the Factory Day !!

[SwissV8]

Rob,

The hidden cost of the Factory Day !!

[Advantage]

Turbo.

Don't forget to knit a gearlever cover for it.....

[Lowtus]

Where are the S3 owners? Don't you want to stick up for your cars?

Throttle response on the S3 is instantaneous and very linear, amounting to sublime delivery. At the end of the day 160 bhp doesn't go very far these days.

Enjoy the handling!

[Jussi]

You have in Switzerland plenty of choices, I had one choice when I was buying Esprit

Fortunately that one wasn't so bad.

Throttle response definitely is better on NA-car. Thanks to Dan when riding in his car (Stevens NA) I was surprised how fast it really was, I liked it a lot. But of course when Turbo kicks, it's different then. Still NA might be not a bad choice either.

Wait a minute, you just said: - Then there's a 1985 red Turbo with black leather, average price, ok condition So is it that one then

[Backmarker]

For me it was looks.............oh and a certain Mr Bond had a Turbo rather than an N/A

Get the Turbo..........with leather. Wash, polish,drive and admire!

You won't regret it.

Graham.

[CharlieC]

Gosh...

That S2 looks nice

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.a...e=1&row=12#

:-)

[Lowtus]

Mr Bond had a Turbo rather than an N/A

Bond's white Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me was indeed an N/A.

[WayneB]

I couldnt live without the extra Turbo power!

Doesnt look too bad either.

All the white Turbos at the factory meet looked the bizzo B)

You should go see that RHD white Turbo

Edited October 29, 2006 by WayneB

[Advantage]

Bond's white Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me was indeed an N/A.

And unfortunately the Turbo in FYEO was a N/A tarted upto look like a Turbo.

Smoke and mirrors.

Rob...Turbo!

[SwissV8]

Gosh...

That S2 looks nice

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.a...e=1&row=12#

:-)

Stunning, isn't it! Even though I'm looking for an S3, this S2 keeps tempting me.... only really because of the condition. Here are the higher res photos.

Don't think I'll find an S3 in this condition

[stagowner]

Stunning, isn't it! Even though I'm looking for an S3, this S2 keeps tempting me.... only really because of the condition. Here are the higher res photos.

Don't think I'll find an S3 in this condition

Rob,

At

[TSD]

If I had a V8, I'd be tempted by an earlier model - the S2 does look beautiful. The S3 turbo will seem like an antique in comparison to a V8, and a NA will have that nice balance and throttle response you won't get with any turbo.

But if you go for a turbo, go for a late model HC as they've got stronger engines. I ended up importing a US Federal car to belgium because I wanted a white turbo HCI LHD, and they are not exactly thick on the ground here in Belgium.

good luck!

[SwissV8]

If I had a V8, I'd be tempted by an earlier model - the S2 does look beautiful. The S3 turbo will seem like an antique in comparison to a V8, and a NA will have that nice balance and throttle response you won't get with any turbo.

But if you go for a turbo, go for a late model HC as they've got stronger engines. I ended up importing a US Federal car to belgium because I wanted a white turbo HCI LHD, and they are not exactly thick on the ground here in Belgium.

good luck!

That's interesting... did you have to modify the car much to meet local requirements? That's one of the potentially big issues for Switzerland. How did you find / ship the car?

[TSD]

Found the car on eBay in Arizona. My brother in law is a car nut, so he checked it out for me. As it happens, he had a friend who knew the owner - small world! So we did a deal, I xferred the cash then arranged for shipping. Then the nail-biting began.

The guys at rinkens.com had my car taken to LA and put in a container modified to carry cars and sent it to Antwerp.

In port of Antwerp had to pay VAT and Duty on the invoice of the car. Then had it trailered to Lotus in Antwerp where they covered the side lights, put on Euro-spec headlights and indicator lenses and rewired the rear lights back to the original integrated fog lamps. As the appointed importer of Lotus in Belgium, they gave it a certificate of conformite, after which insurance, registration & control technique. A lot of paperwork, but I took it as a challenge to beat the system.

After all the fees, it worked out probably several thousand cheaper, but main reason was I wanted a particular spec of car and couldn't find one.

It was pretty cool to take the car back to the factory after 20 years. MJK was checking into the hotel just before me, and we had a chat and he was quite impressed when he saw the car outside reception.

Edited October 29, 2006 by TSD

[Goose]

I have owned my S3 NA for about a year and it is great. It is faster than you'd think and although the Turbo is quicker I don't think you will be that disappointed. During the summer I went for a few hoons with a friend who has a Turbo and the S3 kept up with it all the way (country lanes) although on the straights it was out accelerated but the S3 soon caught up. I love driving my S3!

If you have the money to buy a good example of either of them then I think it really comes down to the styling and the speed difference. It took me a while to love the S3 (I wanted to put turbo trim on it at one point , I was ignorant ) but now I think it is one of the best looking Esprits - it has some of the best bits of the Turbo and the beautiful clean lines of the S1 and S2...

The S3 is a beautiful car and I love driving it. Good luck with the decision - they are both great cars at the end of the day and I think you will have a great time with either of them.

[Jussi]

Rob, that S2 looks very nice Owner is here in the forum "Alireza", or is it previous owner .

Buy that S2 and after that get S3 Turbo That's an easy solution.

[SwissV8]

Rob, that S2 looks very nice Owner is here in the forum "Alireza", or is it previous owner .

Buy that S2 and after that get S3 Turbo That's an easy solution.

Thanks for the tip Jussi - just sent him a PM.

Hmmm.... it's getting interesting!

[Alireza]

Hi Rob,

just replied to your PM !

Best Regards from Gen

[SwissV8]

Now I'm gutted

Organised to go and see the S2 above next weekend, started to get very keen.... then today someone walking into the dealer and bought it

Just after I managed to convince myself to go for an S2 instead of the S3.

Oh well, back to the original plan again - anyone know of a good S3 for sale? (LHD preferably)

(No hard feelings Alex - thanks for your help!)

[lotusessex80]

WayneB -

I envy your white comet! MINT!!!! The G bug is very contageous.. is that how you spell it.. lol

[Bazza 907]

I've owned my S3 for 16 years and love it.

Speed wise there is very little in it between an S3 an S3 Turbo. A mate with a mint S3 Turbo (are you going to admit it Mickey M. ?) and I had a drag away from some lights on an empty road and up to any legal speed there was nothing in it.

Looks wise its a personal choice of course but to my mind the cleaner lines of an S3 without the black plastic louvres on the tailgate make it look better.

Cost wise an S3 will probably be a better option (no turbo wastgate sticking, less stress, no engine rebuild at 60,000 miles...)

All the G cars are fantastic but for what its worth and to add some balance I'd go for a NA S3.

Bazza