Lotus V8 TT; Impressions?

I can't give you much insight on the V8's but from what I have heard they are pretty good cars and the reliability is there now. I have an 88 (which is suppose to be not a good year to get) but I have had very good luck with it so far.

 

Except for getting the oil filter off.

 

..and forget about getting into one if you're a Wookie like myself.

 

I don't think they could have designed the oil filter in a worse spot then they did in 88. The biggest PITA ever!

 

No one can design an oil filter in a worse spot than Lamborghini, with their LM2000 SUV of the 90's. To get to the oil filter, the A/C unit needs to come out which means taking a good section of the front end apart, all just for an oil change.

 

I have one right outside, under my office window. I can't give any feedback other than it sounds great. The color is creamy white with a blue pearl. I can't say I'm a fan of that color combination. Haven't met the owner yet.

 

I had one, 2001, silver...the car had no soul. not well put together. great looking but thats it. I bought it with 5k miles on if for 42k. the guy i got it from got it new for 95k! that should tell you something.

vince

 

I came close to buying one instead of the 348 - a yellow '98. Drove well, but found the shifter to be very sensitive, along with the clutch a little picky. Tons of torque - could spin the wheels at will in the city. this one had an updated '02 exhaust which sounded great. The seat backs drove me nuts - I would of tossed the seat myself. Huge trunk compared to a 328. Stunning depreciation, makes Maserati's look like a Laguna beachfront real-estate investment. Reasonable steering feel for power-steering. Overall, would be a fun car and one of the few I'd classify as a real sports car.

Had some soul, but nothing compared to the Ferrari.

 

Had a 93 Esprit Se Highwing edition with 2.2 liter turbo intercooled engine.

-great straight line speed when boost kicks in
-can handle corners at high limits with right suspension setup
-inherently dangerous stock brakes (from 80's celica), very weak for hp output
-vague and rubbery gearbox
-very disconnected driving feel, does not feel as planted as many other sportcars
-mechanically simple car, uses GM electronics
-very heavy feel, fiberglass bodywork is heavier than it looks
-flexy chasis, not a solid engineering feat
-semi kit car feel


The V8TT would not have the same issues.

Compared to other sportcars for the era, NSX, 964, 348, I rate Esprit last.
1. 348
2. 964
3. NSX
4. Esprit
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# 1; NSX
#2,3, and 4; Doesn't matter.

 

The highest % of depreciation of any performance car for the first 2 years. But a great performance value at 35-40k, no doubt. Had several, enjoyed them, lost my AZZ when I sold 'em. But I bought new. They are really good cars.

 

Vince, that is a great price. Most 98's I see are still around 45-50K. At least on ebay.

 

I could never get over the odd driver seating position/location, but I am really tall.

 

I never understood why people buy Esprits new, they have the worst depreciation ever. I almost bought one on ebay 2 years ago, forget what year it was 2000andsomething, it had like 300 miles on it and it went for around 50 grand, I got outbidded at the last min. Used Esprits are a great deal.

 

Must have been salvaged. I've owned three Esprits in the past 7 years, and have spent years looking at classified ads all over the web, certain magazines, while subscribing to several Lotus Forums. I have only heard of a few SALVAGED Titles '00+ Esprits that have gone for that cheap, and were in great condition. I purchased my 2000V8 in 2003 for $49K w/25K miles. It was in perfect condition with all records. I spend close to a year searching. The car has nothing BUT Soul w/ an AMAZING racing and engineering history. I call your reply bogus. I don't believe you have ever owned one, but I have been wrong before...

 

Vince has quite the collection. I bought my NSX from him and it was the nicest used car I ever bought and he sold it cheap. I think he has a lambo and a few other exotics now. I see him buy and sell many low mile high end cars. He lives in a part of Cali that I couldn't afford to visit. I'm saying it's true and sad that I didn't buy it when he sold it.

 

Have you given thought to an S4S?

 

i agree with ASIANBOND..he should know he's owned all of them

964/348 #1 a 964 c4 is a great driving car/ more of a ferrari to be seen in than a real performer but still is an amazing car. Aso you have to keep in mind that both of these company's were struggling to stay independant and didn't want to be taken over,and the cars really show that.

NSX #2 a very very close second....you just can't top porsche and ferrari..doesn't matter what kind of car it is. Its just a different experiance than the two kings of the sports cars. Plus the porsche is a little bit faster and the ferrari is just a tad slower.

ESPRIT #3 well...is a great car but feels as if its not put together very well and is just a jumble of parts from different car companys that don't work very well together.

But thats just my opinion. The nsx is a great car but i think i would buy a porsche or a ferrari before i would buy a honda with the same performance numbers...just makes more since to go with a company with a rich history of building performance cars, let alone resale value.

Honda built the nsx to compete with the main sports car companies like porsche and ferrari and they did a good job and they were pretty even,but 14 years later the nsx is still basicly the same exact car that it was in the early 90's and ferrari and porsche are just getting faster and faster. Yes the NSX can outrun a boxster but its also about twice as expensive to buy, and it should be faster.