Third esprit purchase?

[86esprits3]

Hi

I live in the US, and as a kid drooled over the Lotus Esprit G car. I bought a 1987 HCI back in 2006 or so. It was ok, but did not seem fast at all. I sold it. It was tight and small and vowed never to get another one.

4 years later, I bought a red Stevens S4 (1993 I believe). It was fun,but reaked of exhaust in the cabin which I was not fond of. Could never isolated the problem.

I owned a 93 vette, and have to say it was very fun because of the low end power. The lotus just never had that and both where downright a dog out of the hole. Are they all like that?

All cars are gone now including the vette.

I never want a Ferrari 308. I should have bought one a few years ago because they where only 30,000 dollars. For some reason they soared to no less than 60,000 now so it would have been a great investment. I drove 2, and did not get excited at all. The esprit was much better.

I drove 2 lotus elise, and they where very cool as well. Never bought one. Honestly I never put much time behind the wheel in either esprit only clocking 200 miles on each car in the 2 years ownership of each one. I think I never trusted it.

So....do I get a vette that I know will work, but they are not very rare. I will be in the "me too" crowd.

Or go back to a lotus?

I never had a carb esprit, and wonder if they are faster? I love that they are rare. I am wondering when the prices of these rare cars will go through the roof.

Any thoughts?

 

[swindon_alan]

[Guest]

Esprit prices are on the rise.

In the UK you can still get an Esprit under 10k.... But... budget to triple that... and the only one I could find under 10k this week I believe is an s4 with crash damage

 

In my brief Google just now there are esprit at 17k to 90k !

If looking to buy AND invest; as late a model V8 as you can. With a full service history. It will be just as reliable as any other exotica.

[LotuStuart]

3 hours ago, swindon_alan said:

I can add nothing more. Maybe lightness.

[Daniel]

10 hours ago, 86esprits3 said:

Or go back to a lotus?

Any thoughts?

 

No.... you didn't care much for the ones you had and one thing that owning 3 different Esprit's (which couldn't be more different) taught me was...... they're all very similar with varying degrees of acceleration.

If you buy it because it's still reasonably cheap, it won't alter your feelings.

Face it..... you're just not an Esprit kinda guy..... move on ;-) 

[Andyww]

Anyone who likes a 93 Corvette owing to its low-end power is the opposite end of the scale from the average Lotus afficionado. 

Apart from that, the advice above to buy a late V8 does not seem very appropriate if the OP said he wants a G-car. I would bet values of G-cars increase by more than V8s in the coming years, but then again, why buy a car based on what happens when you sell it?

[swindon_alan]

1 hour ago, Andyww said:

Anyone who likes a 93 Corvette owing to its low-end power is the opposite end of the scale from the average Lotus afficionado.

Generally true I suppose, but not applicable to the V8. Pulls like stink from no revs in any gear...

[Jacques]

Get a Lancia Stratos. Entirely different annimal. Give it some beans on a twisty curvy road and then go home, download the file from your gopro and Watch your smile increase from ear to ear.

On a secondary note, if you want low Down lazy pull, get the v8. And enjoy the fast spinnin' engine too, when you want. I'd never buy a car to speculate. Not my kind of thing. I buy it purely for being able to drive it. I guess the Corvette is great for going to job on a dead straight highway for 100 miles, while shaving, eating and generally having fun. Plus the occasional drive to the Beach (cabriolet). A White one with a big american stars and stripes seems great for that  It's in your face and lot's of grunt as long as the road does not twist too much. Perfect relaxing car. Got a likeing for it, when I was a child watching the American series "Dallas" - the Black corvette looked great.

But if you have fuel in your venes, put on your driving suit, tighten them laces on the boots, put on your gloves and enjoy motoring in the Esprit. It's not a "friendly" car, rather it's an extension of your thoughts.

Jacques.

This is the dragons lair and like in the Hobbit, it likes a bit of gold every now and then: