| Author | Message | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have visited LCU (Lotus Cars US) a few times. About a 45 minute drive for me. I'm going down to Road Atlanta for the Lotus Historical races in a few weeks (woohoo!). Clyde down there at LCU is very knowlegable, and a nice guy too! I hope to add a V8 to my esprit collection at some point. Azure blue is a beautiful color. As for the 308, i've always wanted one. I will buy one in a few months, when I find the right car. May not be as quick, but it's got style. My background alternates from Esprit to 288GTO every week ;) James | ||
| J Dirk Carnahan (Dirk989)
Junior Member Username: Dirk989 Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2001 |
I have a 99 Esprit. I used to own a 308 which I sold to Lee Hamner. (Great Guy) Here is what I can tell you: Esprit. First of all the thing handles much better, accelerates like a rocket. It is very easy to do cheap mods that push the horsepower to incredible levels. 500+ hp can be had for $500 - $1000 in mods. For a little more you can easily go beyond that. (I have) It abolutely destoys the 308 and just about anything else in performance. The 400 lb engine handles that power easily. The transmission really lacks a 6th gear, not that you'll need it unless you want to run more than 200mph. The tranny is also the weak link and there are stories of tranny and half shaft disasters. Inside, the car is very plush. The seats are comfortable, the design is simple and elegant and there are all of the modern day luxuries. The seating position is upright and more crowded. I'm 6'2" and felt cramped the first few times I drove the Lotus. Now that I'm used to it, it feels extremely comfortable. I think it is much more comfortable than the 308, but that is something that you might not agree with. With only one hundred thirteen 1999 models in the US it is far more rare than the Ferrari. That's both good and bad. I've heard that the factory support is unmatched. If you own one you can literally call Lotus North America and talk to a human about your car. Now that the last Esprit has rolled off the line resale value may be a plus. 308. First of all, you need to accept that this is a 20 year old car. As such, you can't expect modern comfort or performance. It handles very well, probably better than any other 20 year old cars. It accelerates well, again for 20 years old. As for comfort, it is also cramped but has more room side to side than the Lotus. The air in mine cooled very well in summer, but I'm told that is unusual. The heat was not very effective, but then I didn't put many miles on in winter. The 308 doesn't look as exotic (IMO) as the Esprit, but it is a more classic and beautiful look (again IMO) The 308 is known to have electrical gremlins that can be difficult to diagnose. The engine, tranny, and even the clutch are pretty solid. The clutch is probably the weak link here and can be upgraded to the 328 clutch fairly cheaply. The engine can be worked on by just about anyone and parts aren't that hard to find. There is also the added plus of the wonderful support here in F-Chat. My opinion. Get both, but if you can't then it depends on what you expect from the car. The Esprit is more practical as a regularly driven car. It is more fun at the higher limits. It is more comfortable. A new Esprit costs a lot more than a 308, but used ones can be found at more reasonable prices (still more than a 308). They are rare and no longer made and resale may be a plus. The 308 is beautiful. It has the mystique of the Ferrari name. It is fun for spring or fall drives on twisty roads. It is probably more of a toy than the Esprit and a little less practical. It is cheaper to own and maintain, but only if you get a good one. One final note, it is hard to find a really good 308. Be patient if that's what you are after. I love my Esprit and chose it over my 308, but I still have a picture of my 308 as my screensaver and another one on my desk. Dirk | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 712 Registered: 4-2002 |
James, Congratulations. The Lotus is one of the few cars where i feel like a PART OF the car. To explain, sitting deep down in the car and in a position i find very agreeable, my trim/athletic body fits perfectly in the seat and i truly do feel like just another "car part" that has been installed with in it. Considered a Lotus, yet my love for Ferrari took the nod. The 308GTS QV here is slower than the Lotus. Still, perhaps one day both will reside within my stable. Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 178 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks for the info guys. The Esprits really do stick like paint! I enjoy acceleration as much as the next guy, but I'm not looking for a pure straitline car. I had a viper, I know all about massive torque off the line  How is the seating possition of the 308? I'm 6'2 and had many troubles with the lotus at first, but now i'm getting used to it. You do sit on the floor LOL! Does anyone have videos of 308/328s in action? James | ||
| Paul Loussia (Bumboola)
Junior Member Username: Bumboola Post Number: 164 Registered: 3-2003 |
I drove a first generation Elise last week and simply could not believe the handling and the communicative feel of the steering. It was far faster than my 360 in the tight, twisty bits and was a blast to drive. I plan on purchasing a second generation U.S. model when they arrive here sometime next year. | ||
| billy zissis (89tr)
Member Username: 89tr Post Number: 255 Registered: 4-2001 |
Congratulations on your lotus purchase. I have owned a few Esprits and still own one now. A limited edition Sport350. I have done many mods to it. I have also owned a 308. The lines on the 308 IMO are timeless but so are the lines to the Esprit. Ever since I saw one in the Spy Who Loved me I had to have one. To sum up the Lotus experience is that the car is like a pocket rocket-point it and shoot. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1148 Registered: 10-2001 |
Well, I'm a Europa owner so that mean's I'm the red headed step child. My car will out corner any Esprit but is 2.5 ticks (okay, maybe 3) slower 0-60 than the V-8 or turbo Esprits. It's a go cart for the road. As far as Esprits go, they really lose their value fast. A 25k Esprit will be a MUCH better car than a $25k 308 as far as condition etc. Esprits corner better and are quicker than a 308/328. But you know, a Ferrari is a Ferrari. Throw out the stats and let passion dictate. If you want to drag race, get a Vette. If you buy in to mystique, get a Ferrari. If you want the maximum bang for your buck and a tad of mystique, get a Lotus. | ||
| jake diamond (Rampante)
Junior Member Username: Rampante Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2002 |
James--Say hi to Arnie J. , he known all three of the ones I've owned over the years. Jake | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Intermediate Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 1151 Registered: 8-2001 |
James: I have had 2 Lotus's and really liked them, especially the 1995 S4S....sold it back in 97. While I have Ferraris now, I am looking for an S4S, NOT as a replacement, but as an addition. The Lotus trully "corners like it's on rails"!!!!! The 348 style is too "stubby" for me, and the earlier 3X8s are too slow. While the style is great, the slowness eventually makes the car disappointing. | ||
| Joe Craven (Rscapri2600)
Junior Member Username: Rscapri2600 Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2002 |
Omar wrote, "Later esprits could run circles around a 328, let alone a 308. I admit it, and I have a 328." True, but even early 80's Esprits with the 910 motor will easily out accelerate most of the 308s and 328s. By 1989, the Lotus' were out accelerating the Ferrari 348s. But, acceleration isn't necessarily what these cars are about. I own a Mondial QV and Lotus and love them both. Sometimes after a good drive in one of them, I might think that the one I just drove is better than the other, but I'll drive the other the next weekend and change my mind again. I just gave my 13 year old daughter a ride in the Lotus yesterday, and she now says that she loves the Lotus better. Back to the cars. My 85 Mondial Cab QV actually feels fast. The motor sings to the gods as it revs, and the car has a raw visceral quality to it, shifter requires deliberate arm movement, steering wheel movement gets immediate reaction from the car. I love pushing this car in the corners, the rear end slowly breaks loose and the Ferrari corners flatly requiring occasional countersteering to keep it on the road. My Lotus Esprit is really fast, I love feeling pushed back into the seat as I hear the turbo spool up. The car is very quiet and my senses seem a bit detached from the car and surroundings. The Lotus is very smooth, engine puts out a nice tone as it revs around 7000rpm. I don't feel any vibration, just the whoosh of the turbo and the visual experience of seeing everything through the windshield arrive faster and faster. I turn the steering wheel, car turns and I mash the accelerator pedal to get the tail out. The car naturally understeers, I guess that Colin designed the car so Lotus drivers will see what they might hit if they lose control of the car. The Lotus cockpit feels a bit cramped but I find it very comfortable. I also like the feeling of almost sitting on the ground as I travel very rapidly. The Mondial is roomy and comfortable too. The Lotus gets more looks and many of my friends ask when I'm going to sell the Ferrari since the Lotus is way cooler. If you told me that I'd have to choose one or the other, I'd probably choose the Ferrari although it would be a very difficult choice. I love the sounds the car makes, and I love the rawness of the car. The Lotus is just too evolved and smooth/quiet to be my perfect car. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 961 Registered: 9-2002 |
Later esprits could run circles around a 328, let alone a 308. I admit it, and I have a 328. I love lotuses, but hate the Esprits driving positon....I just can;t judge the front well enough to be confortable...to much like an arade almost. | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 208 Registered: 2-2002 |
Dirk Carnahan, a fchatter here, has an Esprit, and I own his old 308, so he could comment! | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 177 Registered: 11-2002 |
328 is a beautiful car, but the short nose and "older" look to it I tend to like a bit more than the 328. However, the QV engine...got to love it. We'll see. | ||
| N'din (Abangdin)
New member Username: Abangdin Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ever thought about a 328. It's better than a 308 and cheaper than a 348. Overall, I think it's a better car. I had a 328GTS and I enjoyed the car tremedeously. Even after I bought an F355, I kept the 328. I did check out the 348 but I passed it over, the clutch and steering were just too heavy for me. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 176 Registered: 11-2002 |
I recently bought an Esprit (no lotus jokes please hehe). It came down to the 308 or the Esprit. Just so happened I ran across a deal that I could just not refuse for the lotus. And with a very large club/north american HQ so close to me, it sealed the deal. I love the car! It has it's faults, but is very quick and unique. However, I still want a Ferrari. So now, I can have my cake and eat it too I've been "cleared" by the powers that be (cough cough *wife* cough) so have a second toy (on the provision that she gets a toy, the '56 T-bird variety no less). So, all you Lotus+Ferrari guys, what is your view on the 308 series? I just love the body lines overall. Power is a bit lacking.. but who cares! I had looked at the 348, and it too is a beautiful car. But for some reaon, a red 308 Euro just seems to keep pulling me back towards it. Thanks much! James |