Saw this while cruising around the other day...
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Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: New York
actually the car was not a 4 banger turbo but rather a 6 cylinder turbo that dissapointed many who could afford an exotic such as this, being that a v8 is what most were looking for. Eventually it became a v8 turbo, im not sure how long after its original production. Its been around since the 1970s.
The ESPRIT (not espirit) has been a 4 banger turbo which offered incredible performance up until about 96 or 97. Around the late 90's it then was upgraded to a V8 twin turbo which boosted performance and power considerably. These cars are what I would consider the "SC400" of the exotic sports car market, in that they can be bought for reasonable prices when only a few years old.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally posted by aliga
i think lotus is trying to make a comeback, they are opening up a new dealership in nyc
i think lotus is trying to make a comeback, they are opening up a new dealership in nyc
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
The Esprit has never done anything for me. The styling was dated before it was even released.
The addition of fender flares and big wings have only cluttered the design over the years- it always reminded me of how the poor Countach looked towards the end: I expect a guy named Vinnie to get out of the car, wearing an unbuttoned silk shirt with three gold necklaces!
The turbo V8 is only a marginal performer, a 996 Turbo or 360 Modena would beat it pretty handily. Add in questionable British build quality and electrics- strike two. It's appearance in the movie Pretty Woman with Richard Gere "driving" (grinding?) it: strike three.
But I guess it's a good way to pick-up a semi-exotic for half the price of new (depreciation KILLS these cars).... my money would be in a used NSX, though.
The addition of fender flares and big wings have only cluttered the design over the years- it always reminded me of how the poor Countach looked towards the end: I expect a guy named Vinnie to get out of the car, wearing an unbuttoned silk shirt with three gold necklaces!
The turbo V8 is only a marginal performer, a 996 Turbo or 360 Modena would beat it pretty handily. Add in questionable British build quality and electrics- strike two. It's appearance in the movie Pretty Woman with Richard Gere "driving" (grinding?) it: strike three.
But I guess it's a good way to pick-up a semi-exotic for half the price of new (depreciation KILLS these cars).... my money would be in a used NSX, though.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 2
From: Ventura, Ca
Originally posted by ebruce2
weren't some of the Esprits a 4-banger with turbo?
weren't some of the Esprits a 4-banger with turbo?
I knew a guy who had a white one and was pissed eveytime I smoked him in my 97 Eclipse GSX back then...LoL
Though I would never try my luck with the V8 TT model.....
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Lotus has ALOT of problems. I was actually considering buying a 89 Esprit for my first car, but then all the people I asked said its always in the shop and its so damn $$$ to get things fixed. Quality and reliablility both stink
Looks on the other hand are pretty damn nice.
Looks on the other hand are pretty damn nice.