What is the deal with this Lotus?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6312&item=2493966058&rd=1

I have seen these come up every so often on E-bay. And tonight on the way home from picking up my daughter Amy and I see a ESPRIT SE and it looked awesome. Looking into these further I see the prices in the high teens to the low 20's. Do they keep their value? If I bought into something like this would it retain its value over the years? I have been waiting for the right time to sell my Lemans and pick up something sportier like a 308 or a Mondial but I have always liked the ESPRITs.

Any advice??

Thanks,

Pat

 

I love Lotus Esprits and Lotus but I would say never buy a Lotus Esprit with plans on making all of your money back or it growing as a small investment. This price seems fair considering the work that is/was done to it and its commemorative status. The pearl white is a very nice and rare color. Check the records of course as always but I think this is a great alternative to your 308 or mondial. The cars are quick, hangle very well and are a fun and rare sight. Esprits do have there quirks though but this one seems to have some handles and addressed. These cars really are a steal for the exotic car market.

 

I had a white '89 Esprit SE like this one in the early 90's. Price wise I think it bottomed out already. It's an 2.2L inline 4 Izusu engine so therefore it's a drag driving it until the turbo boost kicked in. No interior and engine bay pics. All leather interior and @ this age, it could have alot of sruff wear, if previous owner doesn't take care of it. Advantage- rare, exotic, fun to drive, price. Disadvantage- service histories, no interior pics, clutch and trans. premature wear (when things warms up, it's imposible to put into gear, 1st and 2nd especially), so make sure have a Lotus mechanic pre-check it before hand or you might put more monies to make it right than what its worth. My .02c

PS. Sorry, just saw the link inside w/ additional pics- From what I saw, the interior looks clean. Seems like the owner take care of his car as he described- service records, good buy, if its true

 

Ok, It's a little late, and I'm a little drunk, but that's the first time I've EVER heard anyone claim that the LOTUS 4 somehow had something to do with ISUZU!

Here's the real story on the LOTUS 4-banger....

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Lotusownpower.html

 

I think he may have been confussing the WONDERFUL Elan 4 banger with the note worthy Esprit 4 banger..

 

But will it lose money If kept in current condition?

 

RUN, don't walk from this car.

I drove a 89 SE and it was the WORST POS I have ever driven. It was fun in a straight line, but the interior was HORRID. The ergonomics were non-existant. The shifter was horrible. I could not touch the gas pedal without hitting the brake pedal. I had to take my shoe off! (size 10!).

Like you, I have always loved the Lotus. Ever since Pretty Woman I have wanted a silver one.

Now, after driving one, I am SOOOOO glad I didn't get one.

I have heard they greatly improved the interior in later models. I would consider one of those. Say 1999-2000.

 

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

I bought a 1994 S4 in April and I love it. I totally disagree with netviper’s comments, though from what I've seen the later SEs forward (1991+) are the ones to buy. For instance, cars of the era you mentioned with original paint all have horrible clear coat problems.

Personally, when I was looking I weighed the Esprit against the F308/28/48, NSX, Mondial, and 993 and the S4 came out ahead in every category -- especially exclusivity -- except maybe engine noise.

Check mine out here: www.karmavore.net

Maintenance is the killer. Sure you can get one in the low 20s, I'm sure, but unless you do the work yourself expect to spend a few grand a year depending on condition, mileage, and how much you want to maintain performance, of course. You can see on my site what I've been spending

Luke.

 

Sit in the car first. I love esprits but for me to fit in one in a manner that would allow some hint of comfort was a dream.

 

I'm a portly 5'10" and 220lbs and I couldn't be more comfortable. Plus, everyone that's ever been in my car has said how comfortable it is ..once you get in.

Luke.

 

My mistake. Had this car in 1991, more than 20 years ago. Couldn't remember, mixed up with the Elan that have the Izuzu engine. Currently have a US Elise and I'm sure is a revised Toyota Celica engine and trans.

 

Luke,

Your car looks great! I love the taillights treatment you put on. Could the maintenance on a Lotus be more than that of a 308 or Mondial?

 

Thank you.

re: Maintenance: I doubt it; after all it's going to be a newer engine with half as many cylinders and parts will be a little cheaper, I'm told. The issue (for me) has been expereinced shops. There are many (experienced) Ferrari mechs in my town but all the Lotus mechs seem to be working at the dealer. I know I'd be doing a lot better if I could find an indie shop here in Atlanta to work on Ms. Jane.

Luke.

 

That is my biggest worry with getting a 308 is what is it really going to take to keep it on the road. I'm used to the bills coming from my 66 Pontiac ($600 in the last 3 years on a clutch). I love both the 308 & the Lotus it is a hard decsion to make. I can afford a lotus now or do I wait 3 more years to afford the Ferrari with the maintenance bills

 

What are you looking to spend? I know that there are Esprits for sale for around and under $20K but I'd never buy one. To get one up to my specs I'd be looking at a rebuild, paint job, suspension, modern wheels, brakes, interior work, etc. That's another $20K right there.

My 94 was pretty cherry, and you can see what I still put into it over the last six months and I paid a fair, I think, $32,000.

Luke.

 

You see that is the thing I only really have about 20 after I sell my Pontiac. So you are saying stay far away of them for 20?

 

I would, BUT check it out for yourself, read the Esprit boards, and ask the advise of other '88 SE owners. Generally, you get what you pay for.

Luke.

 

SE's were introduced as an 89.5 model year.

This car has no chargecooler, and is definately not an SE.

No comment on the blue interior.........

I won't get into the debate over Esprits vs. the competition. Either you love them or hate them. For me, my Monaco white 90SE is just perfect. Current state of tune is 150bhp/litre and over 165lbft/litre.
Craig

P.S. here's a little pic of my pos taking first in the bstock class at a SOLO2 event in Hawaii, which included a 993 turbo and a 996 targa. Not bad for a 14 yo car on street tires.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I had a 99 twin turbo, do they hold there value? the guy i bought it from paid 95k for the car. I bought if with 5k miles for 42k. Sold it in 3 moths because the build quality is pretty bad, no engine sound. Looks wise, it's a great looking car but the rep they have will forever follow that car.

vince

 

Of course, my bad.

Luke.

 

Holy depreciation!!!!

Pat,

If you really want a car that is fun to drive and will not cost you an arm or a leg, get the NSX. I think you will be very happy with one. I am sure there is a NSX owner in your area that could take you for a spin. Let me know if you want some help.

If you MUST have a Ferrari, save up and get the 308, but skip the Lotus either way. Just my opinion.

 

I've owned a 1989.5 for 2 years and a 2000V8 for 1.5 years. My first month with the 89SE was difficult as I was used to normal everyday cars (Pontiac, BMW, etc...) I purchased my Espirt for $24K from Austin TX Lotus/Jag in 1999. I sold it in 2001 for $24.5K. I purchased it with 7K miles and sold it with 20K miles. After driving it regularly, the car ran better and everything just seemed to work perfectly. Since I purchased a garage queen, I had to fork out some cash to update mechanical items:
**ALL BELOW ARE W/LABOR**
1) T-Belt ($1,290)
2) All Hoses($180) Much easier when T-Belt is already being done.
3) Radiator recore/replace fluids ($875)
4) Replace Fuel Vaper Hose ($195)

I drove the car for 2 years and had to do ONLY the following:
**DID IT MYSELF~ EASY STUFF**
1) Replaced slave/master clutch cylinders + Added braided clutch line
2) Stronger Head lights
3) Put in new spark plugs
4) Did all of my oil changes

I never worked on a car before... I purchased a service manual and did some simple stuff on my own... It was so easy that I felt more comfortable doing it myself then if at a repair shop.. No worries of keeping a rare exotic at some shop overnight.

Don't listen to those who have not owned one. They are easy to drive and to service. NO it is not as easy to take care of as an NSX, Lexus, Nissan, etc.. but WHO CARES... They handle better then just about anything on the road, they are really quick, great on gas mileage, BEAUTIFUL to look at, rare, and give you most grins per mile.

My 89SE is below:

 

Rick,

How does the interior of the 2000 compare to the 89?

 

I also have an nsx, when i sold the lotus i got the 355 and an nsx. The nsx is a much, much better car. Build quality, ride, you name it. It does suffer from the same, no engine sound, however, i got headers an exhaust, sounds much better now.

vince