Looking to buy a Turbo - 1985 0r 1986

[happyvwcamper]

Hi, as the title says, I am looking for a Esprit S3 Turbo, either a 1985-6, preferably with a sunroof (I struggle to fit otherwise). Thanks.

[happyvwcamper]

Thanks for the reply Buddsy.

 

I did look for the Welcome area, ended up in Esprit chat and got carried away on a thread.

 

Totally agree, it's the best car ever. I've now sat in two Turbos advertised on Carsandclassics and neither had the Sunroofs. 

[Simon350S]

Mine is an 85, no sunroof.

If I'm honest, the sunroof will make zero difference to head room unless you drive with it open perminently.

From what I can recall all the front windscreen trim and door/roof trims are slightly larger on the sunroof models which will restrict head room further again.

The solid roof is literally just a thin piece of fiberglass with fabric stuck on it. The glass is possibly even thicker than this itself.

How much you looking to spend? Do you want a sorted, running, restored example. Or are you more of an original is best kind of man?

Maybe even that you are after a project car so you can do all the work yourself?

Preferences on colour and interior?

Would all be helpful in trying to find your perfect car!

[MPx]

Really?  They all have a sunroof?   You move in posher circles than me Buddsy.   Looks like I have one of the rare ones!

 

Something I've heard - if its got a sunroof then make sure its got Aircon as well as the heat gain through the glass is much worse than through the fibreglass.    But maybe they all have aircon too?  Again I'm a deprived child in that respect!

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the search - they can be great cars.  FWIW I'm not convinced that the headroom is noticeably different with a sunroof.  Obviously the glass bit is in the same outer skin position as the fibreglass but the glass is actually thicker than the fibreglass.  The headlining on the fibreglass is very slightly quilted so there may be a tiny difference there, but what you've probably noticed more is that the sunroof frame protrudes much further into the cockpit so it makes the glass bit look higher.  As there is no frame in a standard roof, the whole of the roof is pretty much max headroom available....which I must admit isn't quite enough when wearing a crash helmet!

Sorry ...you beat me to it Simon...

[happyvwcamper]

Mine is an 85, no sunroof.

If I'm honest, the sunroof will make zero difference to head room unless you drive with it open perminently.

From what I can recall all the front windscreen trim and door/roof trims are slightly larger on the sunroof models which will restrict head room further again.

The solid roof is literally just a thin piece of fiberglass with fabric stuck on it. The glass is possibly even thicker than this itself.

How much you looking to spend? Do you want a sorted, running, restored example. Or are you more of an original is best kind of man?

Maybe even that you are after a project car so you can do all the work yourself?

Preferences on colour and interior?

Would all be helpful in trying to find your perfect car!

I think I am going to be driving it with the roof permanently open! I was so disappointed when realisation dawned that I don't fit.

 

I am a patina man, I like to see the passage of time on the vehicle, it's the only way I feel comfortable knowing that its an honest vehicle.

 

If I bought another project or restoration my wife would struggle to understand, the car must be sorted.

 

My dream car would be:- a low mileage, low owner example with original paint in either Silver - White - Black, the interior in either black or red leather with sunroof for sub 16K.

 

I don't think that's to unrealistic, is it?

 

Paul.

[Bazza 907]

Paul

I understand that you can take the seat runners off to lower the driving position slightly - I know of one car that has had that done to it to give the driver extra headroom.

 

Good luck - I'm sure that with that budget you will find a good one, might just have to be patient.

[Laurie Cross]

Hi Paul.

 

Depending on the style of sunroof, mine has webasto factory fitted one, I am 6' 3" and the surround of the sunroof protrudes down about a couple of inches and my head is just touching it but it doesn't bother me. 

 

I removed the seat runners as well on mine just drilled some new holes in the floor pan a 20 minute job at most.

 

just noticed 2 others mentioned the sunroof surround already!

Edited July 26, 2014 by Laurie Cross

[happyvwcamper]

Paul

I understand that you can take the seat runners off to lower the driving position slightly - I know of one car that has had that done to it to give the driver extra headroom.

 

Good luck - I'm sure that with that budget you will find a good one, might just have to be patient.

Hi Bazza,

 

I had read that you can take the seat runners out, but I was thinking, rightly or wrongly, to keep it original and go for the sunroof option.

 

I hope I do find one, and hopefully, the right one.

 

Paul.

[happyvwcamper]

Really?  They all have a sunroof?   You move in posher circles than me Buddsy.   Looks like I have one of the rare ones!

 

Something I've heard - if its got a sunroof then make sure its got Aircon as well as the heat gain through the glass is much worse than through the fibreglass.    But maybe they all have aircon too?  Again I'm a deprived child in that respect!

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the search - they can be great cars.  FWIW I'm not convinced that the headroom is noticeably different with a sunroof.  Obviously the glass bit is in the same outer skin position as the fibreglass but the glass is actually thicker than the fibreglass.  The headlining on the fibreglass is very slightly quilted so there may be a tiny difference there, but what you've probably noticed more is that the sunroof frame protrudes much further into the cockpit so it makes the glass bit look higher.  As there is no frame in a standard roof, the whole of the roof is pretty much max headroom available....which I must admit isn't quite enough when wearing a crash helmet!

Sorry ...you beat me to it Simon...

Thanks for the welcome.

I am starting to get confused with the sunroof thing, I am 6'3'' with vertical hair and I struggle in every Lotus, except the Carlton. I am pleased you've said what you have about the differences, and I understand the logic.

 

I need two together, sunroof verses non sunroof.

 

Paul.

[happyvwcamper]

Hi Paul.

 

Depending on the style of sunroof, mine has webasto factory fitted one, I am 6' 3" and the surround of the sunroof protrudes down about a couple of inches and my head is just touching it but it doesn't bother me. 

 

I removed the seat runners as well on mine just drilled some new holes in the floor pan a 20 minute job at most.

 

just noticed 2 others mentioned the sunroof surround already!

Hi Laurie,

 

I am glad you're 6'3'' as well. Does your head touch the frame pre or post the removal of the seat runners? And by removing the runners, can you recall, how much height that gained?

 

Paul.

[Laurie Cross]

Hi 

It still touches the surround after removing the runners. the surround is pretty much central to where my head is.

the runners maybe gave an inch of extra head room or so.

 

I struggle with most cars tbh but im comfy in the esprit now. Some people have fitted the Elise seats from an S1 i think which gives a bit more room but im fine with mine as it is.

[Laurie Cross]

not really a photo I wanted to post, i have braces so it looks like im chewing a brick!

 

This is after i lowered the seat and im not sat properly upright here, if you have upwards hair it wont fit!

like i said the surround is pretty much central on my head