Lotus dealers are generally good.

The community are really helpful and friendly.

Elises and Exiges are screwed together quite well, there isn't much to go wrong, servicing is reasonably priced (for the performance) and consumables are cheap due to the weight.

Now an Esprit, that is a different beast altogether...

 

" Lotus dealers are generally good. "

If one finds one that may be true ...shudder to think the worries i would have on my yearly trek through Europe...

A+
jml

 

Ah, thought this might be the case. What I do know is:

Clutches are only good on them for about 20,000 miles.
Cam belt changes are an 'engine-out' job because it's an MR car.
Turbos prone to failure (as all turbos are)?
Rear tyres must be big expense

 

I'd agree with all of that. I'm really not sure about Esprit V8 Turbo's though. AFAIK they went out of production because the company who made the gearboxes went bust.

This would be ok if the gearboxes were solid enough...

 

I thought the gearboxes were Renault or something?

On that budget I'd go for the newer breed of Lotus' - perhaps an Exige?

The Esprit is a bit too old skool for my tastes

 

I think Renault are still trading.......

Esprits are a bit like TVRs, fast for the money, exotic, desirable, enjoyable to drive.....and prone to the usual Lotus 'quirks' (ie. Some are fine, some can be troublesome, you go into ownership with your eyes open and be prepared for the unexpected bills - have a contingency).

In fact, most of what applies to TVR ownership, applies to Esprit ownership.

Speak to Richard at Sportomotive in Salisbury 01722 410077, they specialise in Lotus, catch him when he's not busy and he'll give you a pretty good idea of costs, pitfalls etc. he's the sales guy, but Sportomotive are a small specialist, so he won't just give you the sales patter....

 

Cheers guys, most helpful. There's a couple on Autotrader that are tempting me at the moment, if I can bag a good one I might

 

Look at the glory of these three!!!

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_...rch_full=SEARCH

 

A friend had an expensive Esprit. If it helps any, his car was on the ramps more than the road.

He spent an absolute bundle trying to keep it going and it was not an old shitter. It was 30k plus.

Be wary!

 

Hmm, thanks for the warning, CC! I've got to stop getting carried away... I've got about 7 cars on the "What's next then?" list and I vacillate between the lot of them!