Lotus Esprit

Like every spring I have an urge to buy another car. I have been thinking of getting a Lotus Esprit. Probably one of the V8's and I would like the mileage to be between 10,000-30,000 miles. My question is if I buy one with say 20,000 miles on it and I drive it 7,000-10,000 miles per year, what would the annual maintenance cost be? Everyone warns about the expense of driving a Lotus, but what does it cost on an annual basis? I know it depends on the car, but would I be looking at $3,000 per year, or $10,000 per year for maintenance?

Thanks!!!

Matt

 

Check Lotuschat.com.


Those guys are great.

 

I heard that the gearbox is crap in that car... check that out before you buy one

 

My 88 cost me less than 1000 per year not inc. insurance. The belts were new when I bought it. I will own again next year.

 

My 88 has cost me a set of rear tires in the past year. The gearboxes are weak but do go around doing burnouts and doing hard 1-2 shifts and you will be fine.

 

Best website is http://www.espritfactfile.com/
I have toyed with the idea of one for years but i was disappointed when I drove both a '94 s4 and a '99 V8. Handling and power were nice, but the squeaks from the fiberglass bothered me. I am sure I will pick one up someday despite the squeaks.

 

Maybe we could get one and share it? (j/k) Thanks for the web site!

Matt

 

I've had my V8 for a few months now and I've replaced the cats/sparkplugs/oil/brakes and it runs great. Those totalled up to roughly $2000, but I upgraded my brakes & cats so they don't really count.

I'm expecting 3k per year, and find the parts to be quite reasonable. Try these sites as well:

www.lotusltd.com
www.pisotnhead.com
www.glcforum.com/esprit/forums/
www.espritv8.com

 

What can be done to beef up the tranny on these things?

 

Does anyone know of a nice V8 for sale. There are very few on the typical internet sites.

Matt

 

I'm not sure there is much you can do beside retro-fitting a different tranny in there. If you don't beat the hell out of 1st gear you should be fine. My 88 has a power increase and the weak tranny does just fine.

 

I love Esprits, always have. Would have bought one the other week, but a beautiful NSX was for sale 3 miles from my house. I say jump on one, they are all great. The 89-91 SE's are probably my favorites in a lot of ways. Good luck finding one, if I see any I'll let you know. What is your price range if you find the right one?

 

I would like to get one under $50k.

Matt

 

http://lotusespritworld.co.uk/EGuides/EModifications/Gearbox.html

 

Lotus also had a rare 6spd factory sport/race transmission....

 

Worked out a deal today to buy this car. If everything goes as planned I should have it by the end of the month.

Matt
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Sweet! Congrats Matt!

Have the same O.Z. Saturns on my 90SE...
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Your car looks great. I am pretty excited to finally find an Esprit. When I bought my Ferrari last year I was searching for a Lotus at the same time, but I could not find one that met what I was looking for. With this car the only thing I think I will change is I will have the windows tinted.

I am holding out on getting too excited, the car has to pass the PPI and I am going to fly out to see it before I write the check, things could fall apart but I hope not!!!

Matt