Ownership question

[Skeeter]

Hi all,

I am considering filling a hole in my garage with an Esprit, anything from 1994 onwards as the interior looks a lot better. I am not that fussed whether it is a 4 or 8 cylinder.

I will only use the car very occasionally, a high days and holidays car. 

Does anybody have any experience as to how react to that sort of treatment, especially if left connected to a battery conditioner for a couple of months at a time. Also fair to say that I live in the Highlands so winter can be harsh so the car could be parked up for 3/4 months at a time.

I have just sold my Cortina 1600e and this was fine used like this, a trickle charger and a squirt of easy start and it was fine.

TIA

[jonwat]

2 hours ago, Skeeter said:

Does anybody have any experience as to how react to that sort of treatment, especially if left connected to a battery conditioner for a couple of months at a time.

I'm sure others who actually use their cars as you describe will come along soon but the quick answer is yes.

Checkout Lotusespritworld buyers advice and these buying guides

https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/buyers-guide-lotus-esprit-1987-2004

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/lotus-esprit-turbo-ph-used-buying-guide/38391

Good luck in your search.

[Bibs]

They prefer to be driven than to stand. Lots of rubber than can perish, mild steel that can rust etc. 

[MPx]

4 hours ago, Skeeter said:

 Also fair to say that I live in the Highlands ...

The highlands of Dorset??  Over the border in the highlands of Somerset what you describe is much like the life that Lionel now leads.  Dont know much about the reliability of post 94 youngsters...but when used as my daily my '86 G-car seemed to go "better", but it still doesn't really go wrong and of course it was also 30 years younger then.   They really don't give much trouble if you make sure they have an annual service regardless of milage and that includes all of the described checks, not just the oil change.  Also new belts every 4 years - again regardless of use. 

One of the few outings I do each year is to Castle Combe and enjoy some gentle track action.  In 2022 I managed to blow the engine and have just got it back from its rebuild.  It blew because the wastegate was rusted siezed and it would have overboosted - blew a chunk (actually 2 chunks) off piston 1.  That sort of seizing up with rust is a consequence of lack of use.  Affects the ultra shiney garage queens just as much as any other car.  So usage is best, but careful maintenance and proper checking and acting on what you find is a good enough second.  No different to a 1600E.

[JR]

I have a 88 Stevens X180. Every year the car has been put to bed over the winter in a dry area - attached to charger. Touch wood - no problems with first fire-up on or around the start of April - after being put to sleep end of October. It always has a six month oil change on top of Lotus service plan. Hope that helps.

[Skeeter]

Thanks all, that is good to hear, the search is on.

Sorry for not updating my profile, I moved to the Scottish Highlands a couple of years ago

 

ps just looked out of the bedroom window and we have our first snow of the year……

Edited November 24, 2023 by Skeeter
To add PS

[Paul Coleman]

I have a '76 S1 and this year I have used it only 3 times for 10 minutes each time. It is left on a battery conditioner all the time and the longest I've left it without it moving or starting is 18 months. I've never had a problem with it and so far it has always started.

[rudolphwolven]

*****

As a 2nd owner in 1993 I purchased a 1990 Esprit Turbo SE (25k kms on odo) I loved it and drove it untill 2021 (55k kms on odo).......so loved her 28 years.

In 2021 it was still in perfect and original condition and I decided to trade it in; with the purchase of the last in the Netherlands available Evora GT410 Sport IPS.  It was difficult to let her go, however I did not want to miss the latest analogue Lotus and the latest Lotus in my life......I now am 80 years of age

My Esprit was so good that the Lotus importer sold it within 2 weeks

It was stored in my garage and driven approx. 12 times a year mainly/only wih nice or dry wether, saw a couple of raindrops only 3-4 times, never drove it when salt on the road, it was permanently connected to a normal battery charger; due to this permanent connection the life of all the 63 Ah lead-acid batteries was each time limited to exactly 5 years.........this is not a problem as these batteries are cheap and I had no fuzz with discharged batteries.

My cam belt change period was extended to approx. 10 years.......never went wrong, the removed old cambelts were each time in a very good condition.

Brake fluid change was more or less a liitle neglected by myself........at 52k kms. the left front brake caliper began to "hang" a little......I renewed all pistons and rings of the calipers by myself plus new brake fluid.....it was a rather easy job.

My garage in the Netherlands was rather cool with less access of UV rays.......I think therefore the Esprit never had dried rubbers, tires etc............It was completely free from rust etc thanks to the galvanised chassis.

My financial depreciation from 1993 to 2021 was nearly zero; total maintanance costs (incl. 1 set of new Good Years and one revised turbo charger after damage when duelling with a Porsche) approx. € 8.000,- = approx GBP 7.000,- € 285,- per month)

Of course fuel and road tax should be added.......the legal liability insurance was all those years the cheapest available at GBP 270,- per year.  

 

My Esprit at home in 1995.........

 

My Esprit for sale at the dealer in 2021.......

 

Receipt of the '21 Evora GT 410 Sport IPS

 

My Evora GT 410 Sport IPS again.......dark grey metallic + alcantara

[jonwat]

9 hours ago, rudolphwolven said:

My Esprit at home in 1995.........

 

Nice looking car, what colour is that?

[Bibs]

Ruud's old car is Steel Blue I believe. 

[red vtec]

17 minutes ago, Bibs said:

Ruud's old car is Steel Blue I believe. 

All the good ones are...

[ChrisJ]

An Excel in Steel blue looks awesome !

[rudolphwolven]

*****

@ Bibs and @ jonwat :

Indeed the Esprit's colour is "Steel Blue" ...

The reflection of the paint differs along the day / from clear / sunny whether to dark afternoon....

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by rudolphwolven

[red vtec]

@rudolphwolven This is mine:

[rudolphwolven]

*****

Very, very nice......congratulations!

Best regards, Ruud