Just remember what Lotus stands for...

L ots
O f
T rouble
U sually
S erious



LOL - Seriously though, I don't know much about the Espirits but have looked into the 911's quite alot as for the last couple of months I've been considering one. Loads of info on the net, here's a link to a really good buyers guide I found http://www.hartech.u-net.com/guide.htm

Hope this helps

Rich

[edited to add the buyers guide URL]


[Edited by reaton - 10/2/2002 10:38:07 AM]

 

Stop fecking about and get the porker, how can you say the 911 looks dated compared to an '89 Esprit - the Lotus has a dash/interior straight from the 70's, yes, nice shape but still looks dated compared to modern Loti or other sports cars

As for reliability - BOTH cars MUST have FULL SERVICE HISTORY or walk away, without, either could be real money pits, the Porsche will still be going strong when the lotus has gone to the great scrapyard in the sky.

Get an RAC type inspection done unless you are an expert on these marques, too much money to risk on a 'dog'.

Paul



[Edited by Paul Habgood - 10/2/2002 12:51:21 PM]

 

Looking at Lotus Esprits around the 88 year with Bosch fuel injection..any experiences on reliability,cost of parts etc etc????Also info on the 84 ish bond style Lotus(turbo).

Porsche 911SC....around the 84 on mark (Classic shape),any info on anything about them....

Just lookin at options before i throw good money on the Cossie engine.....

 

I know nothing about the Esprit, but I had an '85 911. They are pretty bomb proof if serviced properly, and should have had a top-end rebuild by now. I'd look for a 3.2 Carrera from late '84 on rather than an SC as they are better on fuel, more powerful and reliable.

Fen

 

I've got an 85 ,911, 3.2 carrera for sale ,50,000 miles from new ,totally standard ,even down to the original radio ,e-mail me if you're interested,Colin

[Edited by rallycol - 9/29/2002 11:22:04 PM]

 

i had a 78 SC. as some of the posts have said they are pretty bomb proof providing serviced regularly...

all SCs should have had hydraulic cam tensioners fitted by now (if not dont go near it)

 

Ask Mike Rainbird about the Lotus, he sort of had one. Very expensive to maintain I gather. But they do look so cool in a 80's kinda way

 

Cheers guys..Mike has a late SE version i think.....nice lookin car...just gotta decide..do i want 500bhp or a stunnin looking car.......??????

Difficult decision TBH,but with the power...i think my license will dissapear..lol,god why so tuff a choice???

If i go Lotus it will be an 88 Bosch fuel injected model,if Porsche 911 then has to be wide bodied targa or convertable.....

 

Info on the SC here

 

Lotus Esprit

Trying to remember what to look for

something about the gearbox/linkage and it costing a fecking fortune to fix.

Most are past their best unless serious money or the newer model build quality not a patch on a porker.

Like the porsche, dealer or specialist service is everything, i would be wary of the Lotus deffo an RAC check or a specialist on both cars.

911 evey day of the week for me as you can use it as a daily runabout, the Lotus, i think not - too fragile

[Edited by Paul Habgood - 9/30/2002 5:35:55 PM]

 

Whatever you do, just steer well clear of the Lotus.
It would drain every last penny from your soul.

For instance, when I was picking up my elise after a service, I overheard a conversation where a gentleman was collecting his Esprit. It was a 2 year old GT3, under warranty, but he got hit with a 28,000 mile service bill of £1600. This was due to corrosion on the oil coolers. Hence not covered with warranty.

If that is what you can expect from a new one, imagine an old one.

Performance car magazine once said that the Esprit is a delight to drive, for the 2 weeks out the year that you get it running!


Cheers

Bob.

 

So that is what is coming next then mate

Mums the word

 

Thanks peeps.....i looked at a 911 but just didnt like it...to old fashioned....Looked at an 89 Esprit..fell in love..awesome...i figure that even if not running it will look fecking good on the drive..

But can you honestly say that an Esprit is gonna be more unreliable than a Cossie?????

 

Cossi still for sale

 

Ima

I would have to go for the big power in your cossie route If you have 2 cars (or 3 like me) you lose interest because you never have time to drive them I wish I just had my Lancia