Future 350 v8 owner

[Danny Boy]

Id really like to own a 350 v8 esprit i know they cost quite a bit to buy but thats not such a massive proplem! Im just wondering about the availablity of parts are they hard to get hold of?? And how relaiable are they as a daily driver? Im also wondering if there are any car shows coming up where i can see one?

Cheers Dan!

[gmendoza]

Id really like to own a 350 v8 esprit i know they cost quite a bit to buy but thats not such a massive proplem! Im just wondering about the availablity of parts are they hard to get hold of?? And how relaiable are they as a daily driver? Im also wondering if there are any car shows coming up where i can see one?

Cheers Dan!

Where do you live?

[Bibs]

Stockport but at Uni in Nottingham would be my guess.

Welcome to LEF Danny - Have a read on here and on LEW and you'll find out all you need to know. 350's are very rare so if you see a good one, go for it. You'll see them an usual LEF events, keep an eye on the events section.

How old are you, have you looked into insurance? If you're 18, you're gonna be paying a lot of cash for a Group 20* supercar!

[Backmarker]

Danny,

There will be at least one (Mr Oneshot of this here Forum) at the Lotus Parts Fair at Stoneleigh (Warwickshire) this Sunday the 4th November.

Pop along and meet the team. I'm sure Dave (Mr Oneshot) will answer all of your questions.

Graham

[BadJelly350]

Hi Danny,

Well, great to see a new (prospective) owner and I hope you are successful in getting a V8 particularly if you manage to find a 350.

I had one from new in 2000 and put about 20k miles on it during the first 6 months of ownership. It was a daily drive to work; from work; to the shops; to that bit of twisty road not too far from Chipping Norton without cameras that I needed to keep going back to just to check if had got any better; in fact to anywhere I had any excuse (however feeble) to drive to.

I've got another 350 now (#19 rather than #42) and the drive is equally compelling. As far as costs go, I've been lucky. I've not really had anything beyond normal wear and tear (bought it with 19k on the clock, now it has about 47k). Tyres and brakes obviously, I've gone through a couple of cats; tinkered with different exhaust options; needed a new clutch (at 46k); replaced the alternator; got new disks (also 46k); changed to the new suspension; replaced the radiator and oil coolers and had a couple of windscreens.

If you search the thread though, you'll see plenty of similar comments and experiences from numerous other V8 owners. In that regard I haven't personally seen anything about my 350s that has made ownership of one feel excessively expensive in comparison.

And besides, if like me you enjoy seeing that ironing board of a wing in your mirrors every time you glance backwards then any perceived cost of ownership premium sort of goes away....

Drop me a line if you have any specific questions about the 350 though.

Regards

Andy

350 #19

[toyroom]

I've got another 350 now (#19 rather than #42) and the drive is equally compelling. As far as costs go, I've been lucky. I've not really had anything beyond normal wear and tear (bought it with 19k on the clock, now it has about 47k). Tyres and brakes obviously, I've gone through a couple of cats; tinkered with different exhaust options; needed a new clutch (at 46k); replaced the alternator; got new disks (also 46k); changed to the new suspension; replaced the radiator and oil coolers and had a couple of windscreens.

Cats, exhausts, clutch, alternator,suspension,radiator and oil coolers and windscreens are NOT normal wear and tear. If that lot went on a Ford Escort, you would want a refund. I love my Esprit more than anyone loves theirs, but I am no longer under any illusion that it is reasonable to run. Reliable, yes. Devoid of frequent, expensive problems, No. I am afraid my wife is right on this one. The car may be BMW M3 purchase price, but I'm afraid it's Ferrari running costs! If you expect to keep your Esprit in the manner it expects, deep pockets are required frequently otherwise the whole thing becomes a false economy. Witness some of the home made disasters that dealers have to rescue (if they can)

[Bibs]

Maybe this Ferrari!

Do you have any idea of Ferrari running costs?

[bzguy]

Maybe this Ferrari!

Do you have any idea of Ferrari running costs?

[snuffy]

Cats, exhausts, clutch, alternator,suspension,radiator and oil coolers and windscreens are NOT normal wear and tear.

They are on an Esprit.

[Splodge s4]

They are on an Esprit.

Yes they are normal! Now i'd say mine was reliable but when you look back at things that you've had to change it is quite shocking. Lots of tyres, brake discs & pads twice, exhaust manifold, waterpump, exhaust, cam belt (twice) & loads of other stuff that you just accept & buy when its serviced.

My Merc CLK for example, over 2 years has needed one tyre and a set of front pads.

[Kimbers]

I'd agree that you need more than you would for a normal car, but as far as supercars go I think they are actually quite reasonable. I have figured out a budget of

[BadJelly350]

lol - just re-read my last post after the first response to it. Perhaps 'normal' is a little subjective.

My P-reg Rover 220Sdi has only needed tyres and pads oh and a new wiper in the 2 years I owned it. I guess that's more 'normal'.

Strange how quickly you get re-calibrated after you buy an Esprit. I think the point I was really trying to make is that a Sport 350 is not inherently more expensive than any other V8.

Unless you start clipping kerbs with the alloys or standing on the ironing board to reach something in the roof of your garage of course......

And if you're already thinking that you can afford to keep a V8 in your garage then the 350 is only an ickle tiny little step further.

Edited October 31, 2007 by BadJelly350

[Danny Boy]

Thanks for all the responses!!! And yes im not looking to insure one for a good time yet but im researching buying one in the next couple of years!

[MGFCrasher]

I would also agree that the Esprit is not more expensive to run in relation to other cars of its ilk.

In fact it has probably been as cheap to run that my new Range Rover .Its all relative of course.10" wide wheels require bigger tyres than 7", and so on.

My advise would be to use it though.I have found that since I stopped using mine, on the rare occasion that I do there always seems top be another problem with it !

Ultimately if you look at the performance figures per pound,what else can you buy anyway? And as my mate said last night ; Its a Sport 350 and a Lotus ,both exclusive clubs.

Its still about the only 8 year old car that is listed in the supercar section of Evo magazine.Actual tested figures (not claimed) 0-60 4.2 ,0-100 9.8 (from memory). That Ferrari 430 territory and probably beats a 360!!!!

Rich

Sport 350

[williamives]

Its still about the only 8 year old car that is listed in the supercar section of Evo magazine.Actual tested figures (not claimed) 0-60 4.2 ,0-100 9.8 (from memory). That Ferrari 430 territory and probably beats a 360!!!!

Autocar tested the Sport350 twice. The first time in the wet and and figures weren't great. The second time in the dry. If I remember correctly.. 0-60 3.9sec & 0-100 9.9sec

The esprit feels way quicker than a 355 (I drove one yesterday..)

Will

Edited November 4, 2007 by williamives

[MGFCrasher]

You are right Will.I checked,3.9 was the best actual 0-60 time.

Not bad me thinks. Plus it handles like a Lotus (pure race car). Maybe I wont sell it after all!

Rich

Sport 350

[kyliesmith.com]

Maybe I wont sell it after all!

Rich

Sport 350

Hope not, IMO its the ultimate Esprit !! Not after all the work you have done on it!! Enjoy it