In some cases these Esprit turbo V8s (1997+) are available for around $40K now. Are they junk? Anybody have an ownership experience to share? If not, anybody got a race story involving one of these?

Kevin

 

We recently had a 2002 Lotus 25th aniversary edition at my dads dealership. I drove the car twice, and was just not feeling it...
Pros:
-Looks great and exotic (IMO)
-Sounds AWESOME!!!
-Very quick for the price
Cons:
-Poorly made
-Very small cramped cockpit
-Parts from many different car companies (I am told)

Overal the car looks, sounds, and goes good, but thats about where it ends...
Regards,
Evan

 

The V8 is a very good car. In the warrenty period they are very good, very low $/s per year spent in warrenty claims. On the downside, they are not "drag" cars, if you drag them they will break. If you run them on track, or normal driving, they will do well. Great customer service, one of the few car companies you can call and speak to the CEO directly.

If you buy a car that has been maintained per the book, they can be a good car. If the car has not been maintained, it can be a nightmare.

FYI, Lotus sells lots of upgrades for the Esprit including limited slip, track suspension (sport 350 stuff), race ECU (400+hp, one guy I know is running 450hp), and more. Keep in mind that the car, stock, only weighs about 3K lbs.

Cramped cockpit is a subjective thing, I don't mind the layout. Don't know what "poorly made" refers too, the warranty claim's don't bear that out...

If you decide to look hard at a particular car, let me know. I can help you get the cars warranty history.

Roy

 

Buddy owns a red one here in Dallas, I think the service shop has owned the car longer than he has ... sorry.

 

Its not the comment thats so funny, its the fact that it is probably TRUE .
Please don't take my opinion to be THE opinion, it is simply from my experience driving this car a couple times and what I have been told.
Regards,
Evan

 

My frined with the blue TT (see Boston mini meet thread) had an Esprit turbo...had so many problems that he got rid of it at 1200 miles and got an Avus M5 which he kept until he got the 02TT...He actually hates the TT believe it or not!!

 

Really don't do it, unless it's going to be a third car / pure toy. Had one for 6 months a couple of years ago - phenomenal to drive, goes like it's on rails with the most incredible grip, and beautiful bodywork. However (and it's a huge 'however'), the reliability is genuinely the stuff of nightmares, the interior is pure 70's parts bin stuff even after the 1998 revamp (bits do actually fall off - no joke), it's hot, stuffy and cramped, with a very low seating position that I found remarkably difficult to get used to. I also can't emphasise just how crap the thing sounds unless you're prepared to run £000s to completely change the exhaust and manifold systems. It doesn't even run a close second to a porsche.