Well recently I've started to get the itch for a change from the Zed - I've had it for over 3 years. This always happens with me and cars, and 3 years has been a good innings.

 

I've always had a hankering for a Lotus Esprit but their prices were beyond me. From time to time when I thought I'd go for it - I was then worried about the maintenance costs!

 

So the other week I was discussing with my wife that with all the cars we had, the Zed,(mine) the Supra (hers) and the Nissan pick-up, there wasn't a family type car between us - something we occasionally need. Add to this we don't use the Zed or Supra for everyday use. Also the wife was intending to spend around 6K in modding her Supra.

 

So I came up with the bright idea let's sell the Supra and Zed and taking into account the 6K she wanted to put into her Supra, we should end up with quite a good sum to buy a Esprit and a decent family car.

 

So rather than have two great cars in the garage - we'd have one - the Esprit plus a family car!

 

Well she agreed!!! So I'm starting to do my research on Esprit. I'm looking at either an S4, S4s or a well sorted V8 (my favorite). So you never know my Zed may be up for sale in the next 6 months.

 

Thought I'd share that with you.

 

Geoff.

Glyn, I hear Steve is selling his AND that its pretty sorted? Maybe Geoff could be interested in that one? Don't know anything about it, age, model etc! But you never know could be just what Geoff is after.

Saw a green metallic esprit with white leather,

looked awesome!

If your gonna spend that sort of cash, have you

considered a TVR?

I've often thought of swappng the z for a gto but they

don't look as good, and i've heard they're even

more technical than the z!

I'll stick with the z, looks as good as an esprit, and

far better than a gto! :bow:

what you want is a vx220 turbo, its nearly a lotus but twice aswell screwed (glued) together and twice as reliable, if you can put up with not having the cred of a lotus badge then this is the 1 to go for.

Hi Geoff

 

I think that's a good idea, mate. I've always loved the Esprit and the V8 is awsome. Lotus reliability is not as suspect as it once was either, if you get a good one. My wife's mate's dad has an old F reg (non-turbo) one which always goes wrong, then he drives it like an old giffer's Rover :o

 

I've driven an S2 (I think, it was a long time ago) turbo and it still ranks as one of the best cars I've driven :cool:

 

Richard :)

PS

 

James Bond drove one !! :dance: :dance: :cool:

 

Richard :bow:

Ahh, Sorry to butt in guys but I am Steve. Was pointed in this direction and needed to register to take a look. May be out of line for a 300zx forum but if you are interested in the Esprit then why not tag along to a 'Hoon' and get yourself in at least sitting pax. As you may have read I've had mine for 6 years with no real big problems. However I did learn some interesting lessons with its purchase. You have to make sure you get a good one and I would recomend you take an Esprit owner with you to see one. Believe me Esprit shopping and testing is somthing you'll have to fight us of for.

 

Typicial example I'm looking at getting S4s and went to see one Saturday. The price was good and the guy is being 'almost' on the level. Needs some work which could be spotted by the 'unwashed' had some clutch slip which he did own up to but the engine just didnt sound right. The problem appeard to be top end, cam valves type issue. Not being totaly sure if the S4s had a more aggressive cam I made some calls. Two call later I confirmed it didnt, should sound the same as mine and even got a guy I trust with a S4s who could tell it was wrong over the phone. It could of course be fixed but at a cost of between £2-7k depending on damage done. Could still be a goer but would not justify replacing my car which is a little special. I also have most of the parts behind me to take mine to the 330bhp of the S4s which I didnt get around to fitting last year.

 

Sorry for the long post but if you want more info just drop me a mail.

Nice one Steve..........and apparently your girlfriend works with my mate, Dan.

Small world!

Morning James, I'll ask D to give him a shout. Its interesting he even know the address. She must be taking more interest oin the car than she lets on :).

 

Geoff as luck would have it you are not far from several Esprit oweners or South Mimms services which is oftern where we meet before heading off to wherever. Tony with a GT3 ( http://www.argyrou.com/ ) lives around Stevenage and Adam with an S4s is I believe around Boreham Wood. If you are free next wednesday we are planning to meeting up at S Mimms around 7pm before heading off to the ACE Cafe. Should be around 16 of us in total and so a rare sight anyway. Maybe you could even get Tony to pick you up. Its more of a social thing this time instead of a run but could be interesting.

Hang on hang on hang on... a Skyline is a family car... it must be, it's got four seats! ;)

 

But seriously, 19k is a lot for a second-hand sports car, and since you now don't need to make ANY concessions to practical, why not get a VX220 turbo or something of that ilk?

Geoff,

 

I assume that on top of the 23k you will be wanting to add a bit to it. Just to through a spanner in the works, have you considered a Audi RS6. V8 Twin turbo with 400BHP 4x4 with 0-60 in 4.

 

Must say though, Skyline is a good choice too. Japanese or German has to be more reliable that English any day.

 

just my 2p.

cant you get a GT 40 replica for £25,000?

Thanks for all the imput guys - I was away for eight days and missed all the info given.Really appreciated. Yeh Steve I've seen your website - but look frorward to your forum. I've been in touch with the guy from Stevenage. But what a pity I missed the meet at South Mimms!!!

I'm on PistonHeads>Lotus forum by the name of Zeddie.

Thanks,

Geoff.