Gentlemen! Current f430 owner and past Maserati and AMG etc owner. But I've always been fascinated with the Esprit V8. I've only ridden in an older 1986 or 7 Esprit and loved it. Never had the chance to own one but would love too. Just a few questions I'd like to throw out there. I've read ALOT of material but would live to hear some feedback from owners. First, I'm a bigger guy at 6'3 260lbs. 38" waist and not fat, not muscle bound either but a 50" chest. I find my 430 to be very very roomy for me and was wondering if I would be comfy in an Esprit. Which model/model are best? Are the older four cylinder models good to purchase? I understand that each car is different and require their own individual issues fixed, but are there better year models or runs that are the ones to have? I'd use it primarily as a third vehicle so I've considered several other marks as potential candidates, from 911s to a Jalpa. I'm not afraid of fixing things on this vehicle but don't want a nightmare and definetly want sonething different, which brings me back to the Lotus. My budget is under 40k and would probly keep it a few years and drive it 1-2 times per week for short distances. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If there is a one MUST have year/model to have. What to avoid etc. or if there are threads I haven't seen that would help in any research, I would greatly appreciate it. I currently have a great, fair indy mechanic so I'm comfy with that aspect. Thanks a bunch, Jimmy
Jimmy, Visit http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/ Kind of like a fchat for Lotus, I would recommend a 1994 S4, truly the best 4 cyl. You are a big guy so a lotus will be tight, but worth it in my opinion. cheers, J
an esprit V8 is high on my personal list, not sure if the starts/stall due to the low mass clutch is a true issue? tres cool though! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9eLBpLqdUk[/ame]
The Esprit is a real labor of love. The engineering falls quite short and the klugeing of GM and Toyota parts assembled by Brits in an effort to compile a car makes for some head scratching. Around here, experienced Esprit mechanics are far and few between. I'm no expert but I do my damndest and the locals and quite thankful someone is even willing to work with the car. The V8's are even more tricky. I'm 6'3" 190lbs and I would not consider the car comfortable...but it could be worse. Although I'm sure you could get in the car and drive it just fine I'm not sure you would be comfortable to do so several times a week. I strongly recommend finding the shop(s) that have a national reputation for experience with these cars and having a chat about that side of the table. The guys I know that have nice esprits and love the cars have spent endless amounts of money getting the cars near the point of nirvana...and still do some tinkering themselves.
I just wrapped up my third season/summer with my 94 s4. Other than losing one of the primary fuel injectors the car has been trouble free and very usable on a daily basis. I put way more trouble free miles on it in 3 years than my 308 in 12 years of ownership. Driving the 308 I always have a fear in the back of my mind that something was going to let go. In the Esprit I seem to get in and drive relaxed like a regular car. Inline 4 turbo lacks some low end torque, but it's midrange power is impressive. The v8 offers more low end torque, but IMO the overall performance levels are negligible. I've heard the v8 is more troublesome than the I 4. The I 4 is seriously under braked though! The S4 puts my 2V 308 to shame and I'm looking to trade up for a 348.
