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Lotus Esprit

Discussion in 'British' started by indaville, Jun 7, 2006.

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  1. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #1 indaville, Jun 7, 2006
    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
     
  2. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    #2 Evolved, Jun 7, 2006
    Check Lotuschat.com.


    Those guys are great.
     
  3. JEBES

    JEBES Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2004
    328
    Växjö, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Jonas
    #3 JEBES, Jun 7, 2006
    I heard that the gearbox is crap in that car... check that out before you buy one
     
  4. lotusboy

    lotusboy Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2003
    369
    Madison,Wi.
    Full Name:
    Kevin Geiwitz
    #4 lotusboy, Jun 7, 2006
    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.
     
  5. Enzo

    Enzo F1 Rookie

    Feb 14, 2002
    4,089
    MinneSOta
    Full Name:
    Pat Pasqualini
    #5 Enzo, Jun 7, 2006
    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.
     
  6. Doug

    Doug Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,473
    Louisville KY
    Full Name:
    Doug
    #6 Doug, Jun 7, 2006
    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.
     

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  7. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #7 indaville, Jun 7, 2006

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

    Matt
     
  8. L8Braker

    L8Braker Formula 3

    Nov 10, 2003
    1,567
    Asheville NC
    Full Name:
    Jeremy Stafford
    #8 L8Braker, Jun 7, 2006
  9. TexFerrari

    TexFerrari Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,194
    Texas of course!
    #9 TexFerrari, Jun 9, 2006
    What can be done to beef up the tranny on these things?
     
  10. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #10 indaville, Jun 9, 2006
    Does anyone know of a nice V8 for sale. There are very few on the typical internet sites.

    Matt
     
  11. Enzo

    Enzo F1 Rookie

    Feb 14, 2002
    4,089
    MinneSOta
    Full Name:
    Pat Pasqualini
    #11 Enzo, Jun 9, 2006

    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.
     
  12. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2005
    1,052
    Racine, Wisconsin
    Full Name:
    Jim Smith
    #12 88MONDIAL, Jun 9, 2006
    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?
     
  13. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #13 indaville, Jun 9, 2006

    I would like to get one under $50k.

    Matt
     
  14. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #14 EspritSE, Jun 9, 2006
  15. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,518
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    #15 Auraraptor, Jun 10, 2006
    Lotus also had a rare 6spd factory sport/race transmission....
     
  16. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #16 indaville, Jun 10, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2003
    509
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #17 EspritSE, Jun 10, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Sweet! Congrats Matt!

    Have the same O.Z. Saturns on my 90SE...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    #18 indaville, Jun 11, 2006

    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
     

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