Anyone Own a TwinTurbo V8 Lotus Esprit?

[slow&rusty]

Just curious what maintenance and ownership costs are like on these cars? Anyone has, had or have a good friend that owns one?

Money Pit?

I know the '70s and '80s Lotus cars were horrid for iffy electrics and interiors that would fall apart and suspect mechanicals too, but how did things improve in the '90s?

When I was shopping for my 911 Turbo, these cars were in my price range and always loved the way they looked since the early '80s S1 and S2 models came out. When I grew up in England in the '70s and '80s they were very impressionable on me.

I am a big DIY guy and shade tree mechanic...but where would you start on this thing?:


But this stance makes me M-E-L-T....wow!


Regards -
Yasin

[kach22i]

I'm told that the V8 has collector car status, the 4-cyl cars do not. I don't know much else, similar to an old Ferrari of similar vintage in reliability and maintenance I assume.

Have you seen this?

2011 Lotus Esprit to feature BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/16/2011-lotus-esprit-to-feature-bmws-4-4-liter-twin-turbo-v8/

[ZAMIRZ]

This guy is THE ***** when it comes to the turbo Esprit.

http://www.theriens.com/lotus/start.htm

[kach22i]

I might mention that fiberglass does not burn but fiberglass resin does.

Wow.................no smoking.

[Sunroof]

Years ago I was taking a look at buying a used Lotus and asked around about maintenance. Kid you not...................a few said, "figure a dollar a mile on these cars"! That was reasuring!

Bob

[89911]

One of the worse cars for resale, reliability, and maintenance cost from many many sources. How many have you seen on the road over the past year (years)? Still a cool looking car, as long as your only looking.

[lendaddy]

They are not for tall guys.

[RickM]

Seems the V8 versions have their own set of problems.

They are wicked fast though.

[MRM]

I'm crazy busy at work this week and had planned to dedicate the entire day to quiet and productive paperwork. Then I got an email asking for another report to be added to the pile of urgent items. So naturally I had to check out PPOT before I dive into work, right? The Lotus thread seemed innocent enough. I remembered Guy's Lotus page from several years ago when I first got my Porsche and someone posted the link here. Clicking on his updates seemed soooooo innocent.

It's now 10:45, I haven't done a lick of work but I'm completely caught up with Guy, his house guest from New Zealand, and I promise to 1) never complain about my car again and 2) never desire to own a Lotus. Wow.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I'm 5' 10" 200lbs. and I barely fit into the Esprit.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by 89911

How many have you seen on the road over the past year (years)?

Good point. Even in jaded Los Angeles, it's fairly uncommon to see an Esprit.

I went out and bought a HotWheels one, instead. Satisfies myself and my toddler son.

[WI wide body]

One of my friends had an older Esprit (mid '70's I think) and he said that it should last forever...since he worked on it more than he drove it!

But I'm sure that the newer ones would have to be comptetive with the other exotics in that price range. Having the maintenace done by a shop would probably be outrageously expensive. But, like they say, if you have to ask about that you probably shouldn't buy one.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

That guy is certifiably insane. But he does have great taste in lady friends.

Next time my wife gives me crap about spending so much time working on the P-cars, I'm going to have her read that guy's blog. I'll look like a saint by comparison.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

This guy is THE ***** when it comes to the turbo Esprit.

http://www.theriens.com/lotus/start.htm

That guy is wacko... must be some sort of OCD that motivates him!

[many944s]

If you perform regular maint. it isn't too bad, I have seen people spend the same amount yearly on a 968. Of Lotus, Loti, Lotuses, whatever, that I wrench around here there are 3 80's turbos, and only one 90's twinT. They are NOT for the part-time mechanic! Getting to anything is a PITA.

Of the 80's around here, they usually rack up around 1k miles a month in the summer. The '90... only about 2k miles a YEAR! The V8 versions are indeed more of a collector item than the 4 cyl (907) engines.

The largest problems with the '70-'80 Esprits are the accel. linkage, and the dreaded clutch line failure. Still damn fun cars though!

-Nick

[porsche930dude]

Holy crap that guy went esprit crazy! Pretty cool guy though. The only thing that screwed him up was the divorce. Another reminder to n0t get married

[Jeff Alton]

I have driven a couple and nearly wrote the check..... But I too wonder about the maintenance.....

Cheers

[sjf911]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

Holy crap that guy went esprit crazy! Pretty cool guy though. The only thing that screwed him up was the divorce. Another reminder to n0t get married

Da@&, now you remind me!

That guy has to be the "Renaissance Man" of DIY.