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Used Lotus S4

Discussion in 'California (Southern)' started by J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004.

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  1. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #1 J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004
    Hello all. I live in Camarillo (Ventura County) and, since I can't quite afford the 360 Modena I REALLY want, I am in the market for a 94-96 Lotus Esprit S4 (NOT S4S). Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding local non-V8 models. Do any of you know of anyone looking to sell their good condition S4 or know of any resources I should be looking at to find one? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, and I look forward to participating in some of your local cruises once I get it (if you'll let my non F-car in the mix) :)

    John
     
  2. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,363
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #2 wax, Jun 16, 2004
  3. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #3 EspritSE, Jun 16, 2004
    If I may ask....Why no S4s?

    Be patient, it took me almost three years to find the 'right' Esprit.

    Craig
     
  4. cbstd

    cbstd Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2003
    301
    Los Angeles
    #4 cbstd, Jun 16, 2004
    A Lotus????? That is the only car that can make a Ferrari look practical.

    I am an old time Lotus guy, I grew up worshipping Collin Chapman and Jim Clark. I had a major Jones for the Mk2 Europa and I have seriously considered buy/building my own Chaterham. I would consider an Elyse.... but I would rather buy a MR2 and know that it will hold together.

    If funds are limited, you should not be considering a Lotus OR a Ferrari. Buy yourself a M3 or a S2000, drive it every day and be happy.

    Scott
     
  5. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #5 EspritSE, Jun 16, 2004
    Because he would have to park next to the million other M3's and S2000 in every parking lot. There is something to be said about owning an extremely rare car. The Lotus makes F-cars (and lambos) look mass-produced.

    My Esprit has been suprisingly inexpensive to maintain since I bought it two years ago.

    Craig
     
  6. cbstd

    cbstd Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2003
    301
    Los Angeles
    #6 cbstd, Jun 16, 2004

    I guess I am wrong..... I thought it was about driving. Not the bling.
     
  7. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #7 J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004
    Thanks for the input. To address some of your questions... the S4 rather than the S4S because 1) I like the looks of the mid-mounted wing and standard five spoke rims better than the alternatives, but mainly because of reason 2) that the S4S is basically an S4 with a different ECU chip. Since I am not going to be the original owner (obviously) I would rather buy a car that has been running at .84 bar, rather than 1 bar (since I will most likely upgrade the ECU to 1 bar myself) ;)

    As for the reliability and driving experience of the Lotus... As I've posted before, I sold my Lingenfelter 650hp C5 Vette in pursuit of a Ferrari. Since I can't really afford the 360 in my budget, I wanted a car with equal exclusivity and comparable (hey, I know it's a stretch, but give me a break!) performance. I absolutely do not want a Vette (nevermind a S2000!) simply due to the fact that I see 10-20 of them a day driving around where I live everyday. This makes the Lotus (which I have had the pleasure of driving many times btw) a good choice for me. The reliability of the S4 in particular should be as good or better than any Ferrari I could possibly get in my price range. The S4 is very reliable, then reliability for Lotuses went downhill with the new V8 models and has just gotten back up to par, but I am not really interested in the V8.

    Anyway, thanks again for the posts, and please let me know if anyone comes across any S4's.

    JB
     
  8. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #8 EspritSE, Jun 16, 2004
    That's funny, cause I'm about as anti-bling as it gets.

    Not trying to start a flame war here, but the Esprit is much more of a 'drivers' car vs. the (non E30) M3s and S2000's. Anybody can hop into an M3 or S2k and drive the wheels off it and produced decent lap times. The Esprit is quite demanding to drive, but when you get it all right, it's one of the most rewarding driving experiences period.

    The guy obviously is looking to own an exotic. For whatever reasons. None of them being wrong.

    I'll agree to disagree. Cool?
     
  9. fmxa

    fmxa Rookie

    Mar 3, 2004
    47
    Los Angeles
    #9 fmxa, Jun 16, 2004
    Try giving Harry Appleby at Viking Motorsports a call 714 979 1020. He's one of the primo Esprit engineers in the USA and usually knows when anyone is selling.
     
  10. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #10 J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004
    Thanks Fxma, I'll give him a call.

    JB
     
  11. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #11 EspritSE, Jun 16, 2004
    Looks like you've done your homework JB. Good luck in your hunt! Looking for a few simple mods I see? I have the usual, Red-race memcal, de-cat, motoconcept exhaust, intake, bov etc...
    Craig
     
  12. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #12 J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004
    Sounds like you have a nice car! :) Now I'm just looking for a nice S4 WITHOUT all of those upgrades (since I will be adding them myself!). Man, I've been doing my research since 1994 when, as a hs senior, I made a feeble attempt at buying a used 1988 Turbo Esprit and the 1994 S4 was my absolute dream car!

    JB
     
  13. fmxa

    fmxa Rookie

    Mar 3, 2004
    47
    Los Angeles
    #13 fmxa, Jun 16, 2004
    Forgot to mention - suggest to you join the turboesprit list on yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/ this is the big hang out for the Lotus guys and a quick post there may product some good leads.
     
  14. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #14 EspritSE, Jun 16, 2004
    Aren't you glad you didn't get the 88? ;)

    Craig
     
  15. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #15 J_Baller, Jun 16, 2004
    Thanks Fx, I'm already on there... Too bad there's not as much activity as there is on this board! And yes Sheik, in retrospect, I'm very glad I ended up with my trusty 94 Acura Integra ;)
     
  16. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,613
    The Brickyard
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    The Bad Guy
    #16 ernie, Jun 17, 2004
    Hey John

    I'm your neighbor in Oxnard. Anyway why don't you just get a 355. That way you can get your Ferrari fix, until you have the funds for a 360. Now I don't know what price range you are looking in, but the 355 prices have been coming down. From what I have heard, the electrics in a Lotus suck big time. The only thing crazier that Italian wiring is British wiring, and that's pretty bad.
     
  17. davel

    davel Guest

    #17 davel, Jun 17, 2004
    That was true prior to the Turbo being introduced here. The Turbo was much better wiring wise and ALL LUCAS harnesses were dumped prior to the turbo production.
    Ive owned all 3 versions of the Esprit Turbo except the V8. The last one I owned was a 94 S4. Perfect 4 yrs of ownership. Zero wiring electrical problems or anything else. I bought the car with 6k miles and drove it home from Scottsdale to Atlanta. Put 24k miles on it in 4 yrs and just did oil changes, fuel and one set of tires. Doesnt get ANY better than that for an exotic, well a handbuilt exotic.
    The big myth out there is the faulty Lotus performance and reliablility. Since the turbo was introduced that has been a myth for the most part.
    I was very well connected at Lotus Cars USA and the biggest electrical problems were caused by customers or technicians screwing it up via stereo or other aftermarket installs.
    When I was searching for the 94 Esprit, the factory engineer from England told me to get a 94 or 95 S4 as that was the BEST car they had made. That was in 97 after the V8 was out!! I had my 86 at the time and it was a daily driver for over a year. I replaced 2 relays in it. NO other electrical problems.
    You cant go wrong with a Lotus if you dont want the Ferrari yet. Too bad the reliability myth is still being thrown out there. Buy em well maintained like any other exotic and they usually stay that way with the proper maint. The biggest thing to look for is timing belt replacements and valve adjustment.Also look to see the Charge Cooler impeller has been replaced. Should be done every 15k for the impeller. Get it inspected before you buy. Make sure it has records of service etc. Good luck.
     
  18. J_Baller

    J_Baller Rookie

    May 15, 2004
    16
    Camarillo, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    #18 J_Baller, Jun 17, 2004
    Hey Ernie and Davel, thanks for the posts. I thought about the 355, but had a hard time justifying the pricetag of it versus the 360. If I am going to spend $75k I might as well spend $100k+ on the latter. The Lotus as Davel put will provide me with the exotic car experience at roughly half the 355 cost until I am in a position to get the 360 (or whatever I want whenever that is!).
     

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