Straightbend

Thanks. Compared to these I would say the red Elise's tyres look indeed fatter. The Yokos are known to have a stiff side wall right? So maybe this is why they look fatter? Side walls will be less compressed maybe? Can anybody tell if the tyres on the red Elise are AD08RS?

Looking at this photo, the tyres seem somehow fatter. Specially the rear tyres. I quite like the looks. Do they look stock size for you? Maybe it's just my impression.

Oh no! Better get mine before this comes out. If it's a hit even the body shells will go up with people building replicas of the car. But then again it has a 50/50 chance of flopping. It's already quite unpopular with fans of the anime and since it's made for the mainstream chances are the story will be watered down. The visuals seem to match quite well though. But the whole thing has a been there done that feeling all over it. Mainly because the anime already ripped off Blade Runner a lot and then The Matrix ripped off what was left of original in the anime way back in 1999. Since public opinion is playing a stronger and stronger role in movie box offices these days, see the Ghostbusters remake, it won't take much for it to flop with all the white washing cries and the certain to happen watering down of the story.

There are not many contemporaries to the Giugiaro Esprit which would make me look at them while driving an Esprit. The only ones which come to mind are the Countach, Pantera and GTO. Definitely no Porsche, BMW (no, not even the M1) or any Testarossa. Let alone a 308 or 328. But as much of a fan as I am I must admit. The Ferraris probably should be worth more money. If for nothing else just for the simple fact Ferrari worked hard for it. Lotus, not really. It’s true Ferrari has used Fiat parts many times. From switches to taillights. But that’s very different from just taking the cheapest parts you can find to complete a car. I have heard many times that Chapman was only interested in building the cars as quickly as he could and sell them as quickly as possible to finance his racing passion. Enzo had a similar goal. But he did it the right way. Ferrari’s reputation is not undeserved. It’s tailored. It’s forged over years and years. Although it is true that Ferrari’s reputation is as much overrated as Lotus’ is underrated, the fact still stands that, Ferraris are higher level cars and as such they should probably cost more. I honestly would never exchange a S1 for a 308, unless it was to sell the 308 and buy me another S1 plus a Turbo Esprit and a GT3. But I can’t be so selfish as to try to preach my personal preference as some sort of totalitarian truth. Not when it goes against logic. Ferraris are just a cut above and that’s all there is to it. Not as a car itself. But as a brand. And this is what you pay for in any car, specially classic ones. Then comes the metal, rubber, plastic and glass bits. As for the Esprits being undervalued, compared to things like Escorts, Lancias and the like, definitely. Even compared to the flattened up VW bugs (their fans call them Porsches). But not compared to Ferraris. I myself do hope the Esprit never reaches the level of classic 911s. Not only because I don’t have one yet. But also because I want to drive it. Once a car becomes a collector’s piece then everything becomes harder. Look what is happening to the Lotus Carlton. Mint ones are already fetching upwards of 50K! And it’s not like with the Esprit where you can buy a project one and restore it. It’s nearly impossible to find bits, specially for the engine and even the body kit alone cost around 1/3 of what a low Esprit costs. It’s not like with the Esprit where you can buy a whole body shell for 500 quid. So basically either you buy a mint Lotus Carlton or you just can’t have one. And very cheap ones with high mileage or damage are never sold anymore anyway. It’s more profitable to break them up for parts. And those who have the cars are not really driving them anymore because the lower the mileage the higher the resale value. And if anything breaks, parts are very expensive. IF you can find them. Yes, it’s the old classic car story. But like the Esprit, you could buy Lotus Carltons for real people’s money not too long ago. I would really hate for that to happen to the Esprit. As much as I know it deserves just as much as most of the cars which have shot up in value. I think the beast was born to eat motorways. Not to watch the streets from behind a glass window. It’s just not fair not to give the beast its due. It is just not.

Yep, sold! Maybe you should have private messaged me the link. So the good places to look for in the U.S. are bring a trailer and craig's list? Because the usual channels, just like in Europe, are all expensive cars.

Yeah that makes sense. It's easy to forget how huge the U.S. is and that most states there are larger than any given European country. Although with Esprits which have the galvanized chassis, rust is not much of a worry at all is it, since the body itself is glassfiber? That would be great if you could ask him about the shipping costs. Thanks.

What shanagins are those? Like I said, eventually I may have to gravitate to a Stevens. But I have not lost hope yet. We will see.

Could anybody who has driven both, a S3 and a Stevens 4 pot comment on the differences in handling and driving experience between them? Thanks.

This is the first I have heard of cars not rusting in California. It surprises me. I know they don't need salt on the streets but they have an ocean and that normally means rust as well. What is the catch? Do you have any idea of shipping costs? Thanks Andy.

Hey, thanks for the link. How do you chaps dig up this stuff? Like I suspected Stevens much more common in the U.S. You are absolutely right. Price is pretty good. If it was a S1-S3 I would have to just buy it I guess! But I'm not at the point where I'm ready to give up on a Giugiaro and going with a Stevens just yet. Although given the hardships of finding a Giugiaro project I'm getting more and more used to the thought of a Stevens to start with. And that is the perfect Stevens for me. An earlier one without the wing and without the more boxy ground effects. Although I have been doing more reading on Stevens. It seems again like with the Giugiaro cars I would be better off buying a later 4 pot Stevens and retro fitting it to look like an earlier one. But with the Stevens should be way easier than with the S1 at least. Lots of early Stevens for parts out there. Should not be much of a problem to get a rounder early Stevens front bumper, the more streamlined side skirts etc to fit a later SE car. Interior wise I wouldn't really change anything. I'm fine with all the Stevens interiors up till when they changed it to the "1970's VW" style interior with the later Esprits. I like the wrap around dash better. By the way, is the 1988 Stevens really just a re-skinned 87 Giugiaro? Or is this just cute reporter speak? I would have thought they would have had to at least rework the suspension and brakes to cope with the new shape, aerodynamics, driving dynamics and weight. Back to buying a car from the U.S. I'm liking more and more this idea. They seem really much cheaper there. But I have no idea of the process and prices involved. Has anybody here bought a car from the U.S.? How much am looking at for shipping alone? The worst part is that I would guess it would involve jumping on a plane to check the car up close. Or do you recon that for a project car where you know lots will be wrong anyway, if the price is right, just make sure to look at enough pictures and have it shipped sight unseen?

I bet they handle pretty different. Would you say the TVR is more Corvette or more BMW M3 when it comes to the handling? No wheel spin with 550HP and no computer aids in such a light car as the Elise is amusing. Do you know the weight with the Audi engine?

You know, those don't even look that bad. I think the over coloring on the yellow one might be what makes it a bit harsh to look at. I also think that Stevens open top sketch looks nicer than the G cars open top. I guess the Stevens lines are more suitable for a convertible, I don't know.

Life sized Hot Wheels car.

Yep. And if we want to talk about fun, in the fun department the 4C is a lot more fun than the Cayman. But that is not a hard task.

Barry, you are arguing with physics. I don't understand you. I don't know what your point is. Fun to drive? What does that have to do with the proven effect of larger displacement, which you contested? It can be as fun as it gets. It doesn't change science. You are comparing turbo engines, speaking of fun to drive, all things I have already pointed out do not play into the importance of larger displacement or lack of importance debate. All the while ignoring sheer hard science to stick to your personal view. If this is what you want to do, then fine. But then there is no point in furthering this conversation just as you have no point when you discreet the notion of "there is no replacement for displacement" without considering real facts. So let's just end it here.