I have three, a Europa, 78 S2 Esprit and a 94 S4. They are great cars! typical British problems but overall a wonderful bang for the buck! I purchased my 94 S4 for under 20K and had to do a little work to it. Its a daily driver and plenty fast for me. I would either go with a S4 or a 308. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The S4S Esprit is a monster... It might be too much car for you. I've driven the rest of the cars discussed, including owning an '03 NSX, and the S4S Esprit is insane. It's very reliable, and goes like stink. I Autocross it, and have tracked it several times. I am nowhere near able to drive it at its limit (for now.. need more driver's training), but in the hands of an expert, it is simply amazing. The only mod I've done is larger capacity radiator, and 350hp chip (up from 300 oem). A good one will cost you $40K. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
>>>do you really need to act like you have money?<<< Needcash: that is one rude comment. It sounds like this guy wants to buy a car that suits him; not to impress others. Get a C5 Z06 over an NSX? The Z06 is nothing to brag about. Case in point: I have driven a VERY used (over 100K) NSX to 130 mph; it BEGGED for more and showed the confidence to handle it. I drove a VERY new (less tan 10K miles) C5 Z06 to 120 mph; it shudered like the space shuttle about to explode...ZERO confidence inspiring--scared the crud out of me. VERY cheesy plastic-y interior (why does my $50K Corvette have a Chevy Cavalier steering wheel?). Seriously, I have owned a Corvette...I let HER keep it in the divorce...out of PURE choice (of course I kept the Ferrari). This is not a "rag on 'vettes'" thread, I simply think there are other cars that can offer more for performance. FWIW: my sister is an executive at GM (ie: I get genuine employee pricing ANYTIME) and YES, the new C6 Corvettes are VERY NICE (better that that C5 that was designed by some guy who spent his previous 15 years in the Cadillac division...& GOD did it show in his version of the Corvette (sad).....), I have driven them, yes I would own one, but I still think, given the choices presented above, that I would go (in order): Ferrari ('nuff said), NSX (preformance & reliability), Lotus (very unique), THEN maybe a Corvette or a Porsche...both "belly-button" cars down here (ie: everybody has one...you can't go to 7-11 without seeing 5 of them).
Some people simply do not like corvettes. Give me 5k, 10k, 20k, 30k, 50k or 70k and I will always, everytime, buy something other than a Corvette. Doesn't mean I don't respect them or think that they're not fast. I just don't like them. I don't want to own one. And for the record... you can buy and/or build a faster car than the C5 z06 for 35k.
Funny, I was actually thinking the S4S might be too much car...... When the turbo kicks in is the car a monster?? I think your car looks great minus the wing and with the new rear end. What was the cost of the conversion?
Yes, sometimes life hands you a few lemons....finacially. I will rebuld & get another F-car sooon....Meanwhile, the Accord EX V6 is not a horrible car.... (hoping for a used NSX as a future daily driver)
A C5Z isn't exotic, I see more of those driving around here than a Fiero. Im not gonna argue the fact that it is probably the best tunner car for the money.
First pic is without wing... I had a bodyshop convert it to the new style, but kept the old parts just in case.. (Conversion cost was $1,150) My opinion is that the outdated rear end looks terrible... I went without the wing for two years, and it looked too much like my old 89 Esprit.. the wing makes a huge difference when you're standing next to it, but you lose a bit of visibility. As for the "the car is too much for you" comment.. I should have said, "too much for ME"... the tamer NSX was MUCH easier to drive, but after a year, it was just too much like a regular Honda (hard to explain) Anyhow... The S4S is really a brilliant car.. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Wouldn't finding body/interior parts for the Marcos be a chore? And didn't they come with a unique 6-speed transmission?
Im not sure but you are probably right. That´s the biggest part of exotic car ownership in my point of view. You shouldn´t be able to pick transmissions and body parts at your local Jiffy lube´s. If you need a body/interior/transmission part to a exotic, you would have to travel to uruguay to a small village to ask a 68 year old man to make the part for you by hand. Ok im exagerating but you get my drift
I have an S4s that's quietly for sale (http://www.exit109.com/~mfennell/lotus/forsale). I say "quietly" because I haven't put it on ebay or any big classified sites. Everytime I say I'm going to get serious about selling it, I drive it a few times to remind myself how good it really is. It really is a tremendous car and more than one Lotus employee points to the S4s has his favorite Esprit. It's not C5 Z06 fast, for sure, but easily the fastest of the cars on your list. I know I will regret selling it but you can only have so many toys at once. Stock, it's a 13.0 sec/108mph car if you read contemporary reports. The engine is way overbuilt, alledgedly capable of supporting 450hp reliably. The rest of the car is pretty straightforward and simple. Engine electronics are GM/Delco so they are reliable and inexpensive. Even parts you have to buy from Lotus are pretty reasonably priced and there are a few good vendors to choose from. I have owned mine for nearly 6 years/25000 miles. In that time I have replaced one bad wheel bearing, a coolant hose, the coolant header tank, and an intake hose. All other work I have done has been regular maintenance or elective. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Z06 is an awsome performer with excellent fuel economy and value. But, they aren't very exotic at all. You'll want something special soon afterwards. Get a sorted 308 or an Esprit V8. LS
He didn't say C6 Z06, he just said C6. In my opinion, the choice between a C5 Z and a C6 coupe comes down to personal preference. The C5 Z will be a bit faster and feel more like a track car than the more refined C6 coupe. From a pure performance standpoint, I don't think you can find a better bargain than a C5 Z06 right now (wait 3 months and prices will be even more attractive once the snow flies). That being said, you never said this was a quest for the ultimate performance vehicle. It seems to me that the Lotus really pulls at your heart strings. If that's the case, try one out. If you buy a good car and take care of it, you're not likely to lose a ton of money if you decide to sell it later on.
buying a car strictly for "wow" factor is one of the most retarded things ive ever heard... though it happens all the time :\ Why not get the BETTER (faster, more comfortable, more reliable) car instead of the "look guys, i have an exotic even though it cost me the same as a new toyota and performs WORSE" car?
If we all considered "better" as faster, more reliable, more comfortable - something tells me no one would own anything but Japanese cars and Corvettes. In an age where achieving 4.0 second 0-60 times with $50K isn't crazy talk, I think we have to be buying with more than just what is on paper - this goes for most consumer goods as well (i.e. Apple Products). I say, buy the car which you can financially afford and puts the biggest smile on your face. Done and Done.
That's a pretty narrow road you travel on. It's possible (long shot, I know) that not everyone shares your views on what a sports car should be. I think that you're overstepping the line a bit when you call someone else's opinion "one of the most retarded things i've ever heard."
I think you are coming off as ******. I think $35k is plenty to get a unique car that is great to drive for weekends. Do you consider yourself a Ferrari snob? BT
Just thought I would throw this out there.... You can always get you one of these in that price range. Has the looks, the performance and LOW maintenance. Mine has over 65,000 miles and no problems. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Vipers are already under $35k?! I guess I haven't paid much attention. What about the GTS? I consider a Viper exotic.
Those 35k Vipers are pretty difficult to come by these days. By the time you see one for sale the chances are its been sold. Those cars are gonna be like the Supras because they are great tunners as well.
