JamesBall
Member
A friend found this: http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Esprit_Turbo_Versus_Porsche_944_Turbo.htm
An interesting, if fairly obvious, comparison
An interesting, if fairly obvious, comparison
944T vs Esprit T
- Thread starter JamesBall
- Start date
A friend had a '79 Esprit (non turbo) from new, his third Lotus, and kept it for 25+ years and 70K, and was impressed when I took him out in the Square dash 2.5 a couple of years ago!
Neil Haughey
New member
I've been in one but not driven it. My brother however has driven my S2 a few times and drove the early Espirit a fair bit. It sounds like a cliche but he said it really was about as close to a go-kart as you can get, given that he used to work on go-karts I think he was well placed to make the analogy.
Awful cheap build quality though, the car in particular we both knew spent most of its time waiting to be fixed. Its been used as a cliche but the old mantra Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious was a fact with that thing.
Either an early Espirit or Alpine GTA would make an interesting race car project for something like CSCC Future Classics.
Awful cheap build quality though, the car in particular we both knew spent most of its time waiting to be fixed. Its been used as a cliche but the old mantra Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious was a fact with that thing.
Either an early Espirit or Alpine GTA would make an interesting race car project for something like CSCC Future Classics.
Hairyarse
New member
I haven't read the test yet but my dream car ever since I can recall is an Esprit S3 Turbo. I have to say though I'm not sure I'll ever own one. I still love the way it looks and I think the handling will be impressive but I worry that it would be let down by a lack of quality and poor reliability. Maybe these assumptions are unfounded but I'm not sure I want to burst my bubble!!
That said, I can't believe the difference in cost between a good 944T and an Esprit Turbo, you'd think they'd be at least similar!
That said, I can't believe the difference in cost between a good 944T and an Esprit Turbo, you'd think they'd be at least similar!
DavidL
Active member
I had pics of an Essex liveried turbo on my wall as a kid. I loved the red interior and the concept of a cassette player in the rollover hoop above you. I was desperate for one and promised I'd get one when I could
Having seen a couple now I'm a bit bigger its looks a bit like a tarts boudoir inside and the cassette player is ridiculous.
Ah well the follys of youth.
Actually I'd quite like one really.
Having seen a couple now I'm a bit bigger its looks a bit like a tarts boudoir inside and the cassette player is ridiculous.
Ah well the follys of youth.
Actually I'd quite like one really.
Dont know about the turbo but my friends N/A Esprit was very reliable, standard service bits really. Did need regular tuning thou'
Fat Albert
New member
I would like to own an early Esprit, either an S2/3 NA or a very early turbo, they look so low on the road!
bennyboy
New member
Certainly on my list of considerations for the future, but a little fragile I believe. Think S4S is supposed to be the one to have, although a Sport 300/350 would be a better investment. I also heard you can stick an LS V8 in them - now that would make a good car - sound familiar?!
I had a esprit s2 it was a 1980 in white with the 2.2lt n/a engine. It did handle like a go cart but the biuld quality was terrible and we used to have good fun trying to spot all the bits that came from other cars. Marina door handles on the inside etc. It was a real bitza but it was better than the sum of it's parts and as I was only 25 at the time and the girls all thought it was a Lambo or a fezza it was popular with them.
steve 944t
Member
Interesting topic for me right now, as I am giving serious consideration to replacing my 944 with an Esprit, most likely an S4/S4S or GT3. I am not really sure it's the right thing to do and am hoping that next week's Silverstone track evening will bring me back to my senses, but I just have an urge for a change after many happy years of 944 turbo ownership. Nothing else sub £20k really appeals, although an Elise could be an interesting introduction to Lotus ownership. Decisions decisions!
Fat Albert
New member
If you drive an Elise you will get fairly ignored, if you drive an Esprit you will get the admiration of women and 'that' nod from blokes in the know...
Alan Woods
New member
In 1984, when I had a new 924, I had a test drive in an Esprit at the main dealer in Altringham. They didn't have a demo car so borrowed a customer's car (don't know if they knew!). All I remember is how wide it was when you were sat in it, what looked like felt all over the dash and there were sweet wrappers littered everywhere inside the car. We just drove around Alty town centre on icy roads, not ideal test conditions. Needless to say fate didn't take me down the Lotus route, but I wouldn't mind a nice original S1 Elise.
There used to be a Green flame spitting V8 esprit (one of the last shape) on goldtrack days. I think Mr Smith might have had a chat with him at one point, IIRC it had quite a lot spent on mods and wasn't lapping any quicker than us the first time we saw it. I think it did start producing a bit more power later.
Tony
Tony
Plenty. It's really not that good an engine. They are notorious for cylinder liner problems, plus they eat gearboxes. The late 4-cyl turbos, especially the Sport 300, are the weapon of choice.
The Sport 300 is also very expensive, 993 Turbo sort of money!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2819790.htm for example
Neil Haughey
New member
Wasn't there a model also called a gt3 or something, these used to go for about £20K.
Yep: I believe the GT3 is a good one. They are very late cars - basically the last of the line V8, but with the Italian-spec small cpacity four-cylinder substituted for the V8. 2 litre rather than the 2.2 of the Sport 300 and almost all other 4-cyl Turbos, good for around 240 bhp I believe,
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