Hello from a newbie!

[Nick Wright]

Hi there

 

Firstly, I'd like to say hello. Hello. ;-) 

 

I am a potential Lotus Espirit owner and would value your thoughts / opinions / guidance etc.

I live near Upminster in Essex and quite fancy a nice S4. The example that seems to tick most of my boxes is here:

 

http://www.barryelysportscars.co.uk/lotus-esprit-s4-1994/

 

The colour is right (for me), budget is 'nearly' right and it looks to be in decent condition. I would of course value your thoughts. If anyone knows the history of the car, even better.

I also quite like the fact that it is from a Lotus specialist dealer which gives me an element of reassurance.

 

I am also looking for somewhere to house the car near the Upminster area. I have a driveway but would really like to keep the car in a garage. Barry Ely offers a weekly storage facility but Maldon is just a bit too far and I'll end up not using the car (it will be a weekend car).

 

Many thanks in advance.

Nick

07966 903429

 

 

[The Pits]

Welcome to the forum Nick.

 

Looks like a nice car, I think the S4 offers great value, very nearly as fast as the S4s but much cheaper!

 

Good luck finding the right car.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[Bibs]

Welcome to TLF Nick.

 

Barry Ely has a great reputation. That's a good price for the car, it will be a nice car coming from him from what I've heard over the years. Happy shopping

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF Nick.

 

Have an S4 myself and love the car. Definitely quick enough for me. Also love the colour of that one. I looked at one that colour in Australia myself. Best of luck with your search.

 

Any questions or issues with using the forums, feel free to ask one of us mods. We're here to help.

[slewthy]

Welcome Nick! 

Post #3 should give you great confidence in that option. Hope you get what you want.

Si

[s4simon]

Welcome Nick.  Love the low-vis yellow.

 

Early model S4 before the Brembos were fitted.  Good mileage.  Drivers seat is a little scuffed, but they all do that.  Check all the usuals - manifold replaced.

 

Interestingly - I paid 17000 pounds for mine back in 2006 from a Lotus dealer with 45000 miles on the clock.  Nice to see the price hasn't changed much in the last 8 years.

[PhilW]

Nick

Welcome and good luck in finding the right car.

Just one word as its your first time.

 

Mr Ely has been about for years I have heard many stories good and bad.  I did come across him a few years ago before he moved to Maldonand.  He was selling a white G car Turbo.  Had been for sale for ages.  I went to see it and it was crap beyond belief.  He had it for sale for many many months after my visit and then had a lot of the interior redone.  I assume to try and find a buyer as he knew it was so bad.

 

What annoyed me most was he took me for an idiot and filled me with so much sXXX it was unbelievable.  I didn't challenge him because I just couldn't be bothered.   I made my mind up within the first 2 minutes.  He drove like a moron on the test drive.  Trouble was I had done my home work.  I asked the most basic questions which I already knew the answers to just to try him out really. Some he could not answer or chose not to answer.  Pretty bad for some one who claims to be an expert.

 

Not saying don't buy from him but personally I would not go within 50 miles of his forecourt.

[Kimbers]

Welcome Nick, as an Ex-S4 owner I can say you won't be disappointed. I bought one in need of work, spend £3k on her and she never let me down the 2 years I owned her.

 

They are a great drive and look fantastic, however, allow £1000 p.a. to keep her in good condition.

 

The best advice I can give you is drive her regularly and service her in the correct way and when due. When you look at buying one don't go for the "I've only done 500 miles in 5 years" one as they tend to spring leaks everywhere from not being used.

 

Lastly, enjoy and put some pics up when you get one!

[Nick Wright]

Many thanks guys for all your words of wisdom. These cars are certainly beautiful things and have a presence all of their own. What I particularly like is that you don't see millions of them on the road like Porsche's etc. 

 

I just need to find suitable storage near my home in Essex (Upminster). Any suggestions?

 

kind regards

Nick

Nick

Welcome and good luck in finding the right car.

Just one word as its your first time.

 

Mr Ely has been about for years I have heard many stories good and bad.  I did come across him a few years ago before he moved to Maldonand.  He was selling a white G car Turbo.  Had been for sale for ages.  I went to see it and it was crap beyond belief.  He had it for sale for many many months after my visit and then had a lot of the interior redone.  I assume to try and find a buyer as he knew it was so bad.

 

What annoyed me most was he took me for an idiot and filled me with so much sXXX it was unbelievable.  I didn't challenge him because I just couldn't be bothered.   I made my mind up within the first 2 minutes.  He drove like a moron on the test drive.  Trouble was I had done my home work.  I asked the most basic questions which I already knew the answers to just to try him out really. Some he could not answer or chose not to answer.  Pretty bad for some one who claims to be an expert.

 

Not saying don't buy from him but personally I would not go within 50 miles of his forecourt.

Hi Phil

Sounds like you had a really poor experience. Not good  

I will make sure I do my homework before making any commitments.

Thanks for the heads-up though.

[Loose Cannon]

Car looks lovely in the pics, hope it comes up to scratch for you in the flesh. You could always ask for details of the previous owner for an unbiased opinion

[Nick Wright]

Many thanks chaps.

 

Another potential winner could be this car:

 

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/classifieds/classic-cars/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-gt3-2-0-turbo-240bhp-p-reg/2277810

 

 

It's a GT3. Is this a better option than the S4?

 

Apart from the difference between models, the more obvious things to a newbie like me are:

 

Good points:

• Newer than the one at Maldon (registered 98)
• Cleaner all round
• Much better interior
• 5 previous owners
• Full service history from lotus specialists
• Lower mileage
  
  
  Bad(ish)
  • Although the cambeltswere changed only 1400 miles ago, the car has sat for a while and had little use therefore it would be prudent to get them changed.
  • More expensive
  • I don't like the black graphics.
  • Not sure if the manifold has been changed. (will need to check)
  • No spoiler (I quite like the rear spoiler of the S4)

   

  I will of course try and negotiate the price. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

  Thanks

Edited October 7, 2014 by Nick Wright

[PhilW]

I would be tempted to view/investigate the Green and yellow commerative editions.  Only 11 made.  Recently there have been 2 or 3 about for similar money.

[Nick Wright]

I would be tempted to view/investigate the Green and yellow commerative editions.  Only 11 made.  Recently there have been 2 or 3 about for similar money.

 

Thanks phil

I have had a look at those. Very nice but I really like the mustard yellow. Sad, but true. ;-)

[s4simon]

The S4 will hold its value more than the GT3.

If the gt3 had the newer dash then yes. Really depends on the overall condition for both of them.

The yellow S4 does look a lot better IMO.

[Chillidoggy]

The guys here gave me good advice when I started my Esprit search. It basically boiled down to this: Drive and see as many as you can, be prepared to travel long distances, and be prepared for disappointment. It stood me in good stead.

[Nick Wright]

The guys here gave me good advice when I started my Esprit search. It basically boiled down to this: Drive and see as many as you can, be prepared to travel long distances, and be prepared for disappointment. It stood me in good stead.

 

Thanks Ian

Wise words. I am in no particular rush (I need to find storage first). Besides, there aren't that many S4's around for sale.

cheers

Nick

The S4 will hold its value more than the GT3.

If the gt3 had the newer dash then yes. Really depends on the overall condition for both of them.

The yellow S4 does look a lot better IMO.

 

I agree. I prefer the look of the S4. The GT3 looks to be in better condition although the S4 appears to be pretty neat. I have yet to test-drive either of them.

Thanks

Nick

[Chillidoggy]

Get the pair of them up on a ramp if you decide to go visit. Maybe take a knowledgable forum member with you?

[brianc]

I'm pretty sure the Mustard yellow car at Barry Ely was featured in Classic Car buyer 2 or 3 months back. If so then they must have had the car up for sale now for at least 4 months so if you take a shine to it maybe put in a lowish offer?