1994 Lotus S4 prices/info

Well the esprit is a really good car but i've heard that you want to stay away from the 4 cylinder turbo motor because their known for the turbo to get to hot and cause a lot of problems. Also i would stay away from the turbo because you can go get the v8 serviced at a ford dealership and the 4 cylinder turbo you just can't find parts for it. Really the only thing that changes the value on these car is just the mileage. If you want a good 4 cylinder turbo look to spend $35-$40, and if you want the v8 your talking $40-$45 for the more affordable cars that are in good condition. I've never driven one but if your going to drive it on the track then i would get the v8 so you won't have to worry about turbo lag (the v8 turbo is said to have no turbo lag).

Also if you look at performance the esprit really hasn't changed a whole lot.

2002 v8
Type: Twin-Turbo V8
Displacement: 3500 cc
Horsepower: 350 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
0-100 mph: 11.0 sec
Quarter Mile: 13.0 sec @ 112 mph
Skidpad: .93g
Top Speed: 175 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 125 ft
Slalom Speed: 68.3 mph

1995 s4
Type: Turbocharged Inline-4
Displacement: 2174 cc
Horsepower: 300 bhp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 277 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 4.7 sec
0-100 mph: 11.6 sec
Quarter Mile: 13.3 sec @ --- mph
Skidpad: .91g
Top Speed: 165 mph

I would recommend something like this. It's a 97' and has less than 10,000 miles and they want in the low 40's for it. This is about the best you'll find mileage,condition,and price wise.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=186991766&dealer_id=554502&car_year=1997&make=LOTUS&distance=0&lang=en&max_price=&model=ESPRIT&end_year=2006&min_price=&first_record=1&pager.offset=0&certified=&address=43068&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1981&isp=y&cardist=312#vdptop

 

lots of good info here
http://www.espritfactfile.com/
personally I have seen 94's asking between $26-$37k over the last couple of years. It is on my list to own someday and I search quite often.

 

Pretty much all of this is wrong...

Join the turboesprit list on yahoo, and see what everyone thinks...the current owner is probably on there too.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/

I can answer any specific Esprit questions you might have.

Craig

 

Thats what i heard..its not my fault if i get the wrong information. My friend had a s4 and the ford dealership won't service it at their dealership and he has constant turbo problems on a low mile car. I looked on websites and cars in good condition were all at those prices. I have read that the s4 is known for having turbo problems..but i guess the magazine was wrong as well.

I'm sorry i tried to help out

 

Espritfactfile has great info, and in my rather limited experience with these cars I've noticed the S4 and S4S (the best 4-pot) to be GREAT upgrades over the early 4-cylinder turbos, very reliable and you can do much of the work yourself if you're so inclined.

 

As prices go, there is easily a 10K price differential between 2 like cars sitting side-by-side, as it were, esp. on S4s.

As info goes, this should keep ya busy for a while.

If you go by SCM (Sports Car Market) - As Lotus Esprits go, S4s and S4 are most collectable.

Model .............. Output ... Built .... Qty.. Tier ............. Hey!
Esprit Turbo S4 . (282 bhp) 94-95 .. 385 .. B ----------- (94-96)
Esprit Turbo S4s (300 bhp) 95 ........ 64 .. B ----------- (95-96)

B Tier: Cars that have something about them, often technical innovation,
style or competition provenance—but normally not all three.
They were generally produced in far larger numbers than the A-tier cars.
Examples are the Austin-Healey 100/4, the Ferrari 512 BB Boxer and the
Lotus 7.

According to SCM, all other Esprits are Tier C or D.
_______

Well, how about that - after all these years, the site has changed! The home page now offers a choice of Flash or .html, so, you can go take your pick:
http://www.espritfactfile.com/
New-look .html
http://www.espritfactfile.com/indexs.html
Bells and Whistles on top 1/4 of page Flash
http://www.espritfactfile.com/indexf.html

Either way, clicking on Models in the new top banner opens up a new interface down yonder - with interface on left & on right, .html or flash output based upon your index selection.

There seems to be more information available than before regarding upgrades, so be sure and check out "Changes" under "Stevens."

Much more readable site now, thankfully.

_____

However, another site has provided quite a bit of info over the years, it was usually my first choice as the old espritfactfile had a black background and poor color choice for text. Nevertheless, IMHO, in several ways, it's preferable to factfile - so much so, I was looking at it yesterday...:
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/index.html

Buying and Running > Which Esprit 4 U?
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EBuying/which.html
Scroll down to see S4 & S4s along with it's mates.

Nutshells
S4
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModels/S4.html
S4S
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModels/S4s.html

Roadtests
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/roadtests.html
Take your pick! Magazine Articles galore!

Production figures of all Esprits - not many, aye?
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Production_Figures.html

 

I own an S4s, and it's more reliable than my STI and my Toyota Pickup... Well... at least so far... (Knocking on wood...).

In the past I owned an NSX, and also a '00 Esprit V8. The 4cyl Esprits are MUCH easier to fix, MORE reliable, and allow the car to be better balanced and MUCH better taking corners. I feel that my '95 S4s is overall better than my '00V8. The interior in my V8 was better but that’s really it... The turbo lag feels much like the V8, and using a dump valve has allowed for a little better power through the gears compared to my '00 (Didn't have a BOV on my V8).

I have actually had more issues in my NSX than my Esprit (Albeit they were small issues: CD changer, engine light on twice due to fuel cap issue, Interior cabin light adjuster broke..)

In the end I dumped my '00 V8 Esprit, My '03 NSX and purchased an STI for daily driving, and an S4s for ALL other times. Perfect combo, and the S4s is a monster!
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Hi, we're still waiting for those pics. Thanks for posting some totally useless and fourth hand information in this thread, btw. We all really appreciate it.

To the OP: Esprit Fact File is a great site but also the Lotus Club has tons of great information about these cars. The one in Colorado (LOCO) is super and they have an email list that you can join to ask questions or post to. The S4 is a great little car but there are some ongoing maintenance things that are really crucial, as labeled in EFF.

 

Monaco white and wingless! Just like my SE...you have good taste sir.

 

Damn, that's a beautiful monster.

Was it you who had stated some time ago there is a big difference in sound between the S4s and a V8, whereby the neighbors know you just started the S4s up?

 

Thanks for the comment EspritSE. I included a winged shot. I actually like it wingless, and it's so much easier around town with the improved rear visibility. I think I drive it more than the Subaru now.

Wax.. I don't think that was me.. My S4s is a bit more "throaty" than my V8, but not too much of a difference.

At this point I'm reconditioning my interior leather. It wasn't bad when I picked it up, but I'm cleaning/rejuvenating the Connolly leather with Leatherique rejuvenation oil/pristine clean. The seats look new now..
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Love your S4S. I have had no problems with my 88 Turbo and have put over 2000 miles on it this summer alone. I'm still new to the Lotus world but find it annoying everytime someone spouts that they have "heard" that they have really bad quality and no reliablity without knowing 1st hand. I do find it funny that someone was trying to take their Lotus to a Ford dealership to get it repaired. That would be that guys 1st problem.

 

"I do find it funny that someone was trying to take their Lotus to a Ford dealership to get it repaired. That would be that guys 1st problem."

lol, exactly what i was thinking. A Ford dealership??? Duh!

 

Oh, it looks like you were also trolling as Ferrari 2005. No wonder you couldn't post any pictures of the cars you supposedly own - because you're a liar.

 

Atleast say a GM dearlership. Didn't the S4 have the Delco injection? THat would have been a little more believable.

 

Here's a pic of my 75k mile S4s with '02+ wheels and a lotus limited slip. Not pictured is the beautiful Neil Micklewright exhast that the car now has.

I've owned it for nearly 5 years now and it has really exceeded my expectations with respect to reliability, performance, and build quality, given that it was hand built by a tiny little company in England with no money. In some respects, it's a traditional old-school "exotic". Creaky, can't see out of it, not super comfortable. OTOH, it's simple, durable, fun, quick(ish, given '95 vintage), and it still makes me smile. Most parts are reasonable (clutch & pressure plate: $400 for example) 6 years of service history can be found here. Enjoy.

I drive it pretty regularly. It's outside in the parking lot right now, in fact.
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Looks great! I love those rims on your S4s. After this set of tires wears out on mine I'm buy new rims and tires. It is so hard to find 15's to fit anymore.

 

mfennell70-

Stunning S4S! That black makes it look sooo aggressive.

 

Can anyone recommend any books on the Esprit? I have Porsche and Ferrari books but nothing on this beautiful Lotus...

 

Try these books and videos:

*The Lotus Book: The Complete History Of Lotus Cars

Video Documentary
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/EspritDocumentaryDVD.html

 

Thanks for the compliments guys. In truth, digital photography is kind. It's a driver.

Enzo, as much as I like the '02 wheels, the real bargain is the S4/S4s-style. I ebay'd mine for $650 with decent tires! You're in 4-5X as much for the '02 wheels.

 

Thanks for the heads up

 

Is that the same Neil Micklewright that's the team manager for Forsythe Racing?