Dan12

I had a Lotus, drove it for 4 years and sold it for what i paid. Spent $900 in repairs during that time. No more depreciation in that car.

WAwatchnut

The V8 versions were definitely better engineered/built, but the Esprit did earn their reputation for high maintenance. Sub-par quality materials (fuel vent hose, plastic turbo impeller, etc), combined with hand built "quality" (inconsistency) led to many issues during the first 20 years of production.

Personally, I'd love a love a second generation Esprit, over the V8's powertrain/suspension.

Enjoy your new toy!

hyteck9

Good to know Dan,

I hope I have an equally pleasurable experience.

1993C4LT1

Nice!

Crushinator

Cool car! Best of luck with it

briankeery

Very nice, enjoy.

hyteck9

Took it for its first real drive yesterday...

NO. REGRETS.

titus40

very nice. I've been wanting one for a long time I just can't get myself to get one and use a daily driver. I bought an elise back in 2010 with a s/c on it and it was fun but very impractical. Would of kept it but a friend decided he wanted to see how well an overpass wall holds ups to an elise....lets just say the wall won.

Have fun with it. Keep us posted on how it goes.

PeterK

Watch out for the tranny. I knew a person who had blown his and it was very expensive.

BeaZt

Nice choice! Good move on getting what you wanted!

B Stead

The Ferrari 360 is a very nice used car:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:20...011-11-08).jpg

http://www.ferrari.com/english/ferra...ideshow&cat=22

http://www.exoticspotter.com/ferrari-360-modena/

Also, do a nationwide search at autotrader.com

.

LTC Z06

I understand. I'm supercharging and adding modern FI and ignition, rebuilt suspension etc. Good thing about older exotics is that all issues are known and how to fix them. Have you joined a forum to learn all that there is?

XCELER8

Is it just me or how do yall drive them comfortable.

There is NO foot room at all, your feet touch each other and they are shifted one direction so your fit is not in front of you.

I test drove one years ago and that was enough for me. Cool looking car though.

JudgeNjury

Good luck

Cybermind

I've always had a soft spot for a Lotus, especially an Esprit. I was considering one before I bought my C5. It will definitely appreciate in value as time goes on. No depreciation there. They turn heads as much now as when they first hit the scene in the 70's. The exotic factor is right up there with any other supercar.

What really kept me away was reliability issues and cost of replacement parts. I just did not feel comfortable that I could repair everything myself if it broke. I guess its sort of like dating an international super model vs. a down-to-earth local girl. They can both be hot but one will definitely be higher maintenance than the other............lol.

Anyway, congratulations on your purchase and good luck. Who knows, I may do the same one day.

hyteck9

Thanks to all the kind comments.

It is a unique car... that is for sure. And the ergonomics are fine for me, but I admit I am a shorter guy than some. 5'8".

I addressed the tranny issue earlier, but its just as easy to "not beat the snot out of it" too...

The thing that gets me is the sound... That high-rev flat crank is just the best.

ukmac

Lotus - made in the UK. Not sure if it a well known phrase - but L.O.T.U.S stands for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.

hyteck9

I know.. I know.. I have heard. LOL.
Only time will tell how lucky I get with mine.

ukmac

Sorry, I could not resist - seriously I have always admired the design of that model. Best of luck - it sure is a looker.

leadfoot4

You would have been better off, reliability-wise, with a Range Rover....