If no Esprit, then what?

[dos Santos]

If for some reason you had to give up your Esprits, and drive something else, what would it be?

Wondering how similar the choices would be...

[karmavore]

If I was looking for an "exotic" daily driver I'd be after an NSX or a 993 or XK8 coupe.

Luke.

[Mark Blanchard]

. . . and I was rich? Well, easy, Lambo Gallaro!!!!

[karmavore]

Oh, yeah, I was thinking in the same price range as an S4/S

[DanR]

Porsche 968 cabriolet (or 944 cab turbo).

[Bibs]

I quiet fancy a Noble M400 next

[Loose Cannon]

If I were rich - Aston DB4, Miura, LP400 Countach

Current (debt to just above eyeballs) - 69 Charger, 67 Mustang, Mangusta, Grifo

Poor - Opel Manta

If I wanted to be even poorer - Lotus Elite S2

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Silly Money - Zonda

Lots of Money - Countach Anniversary or Noble M14

Some money - Elise

Less money - Elan SE

S0d all money - Peugeot 106 GTi

[Paul C]

Silly Money - F1

Lots of Money - Pantera Gt5, 512bbi, Diablo/LP400, gt40, 348

Some money - 308, Cerbera, V8 aston, Merak, longchamp, 400i

Less money - 928, 944, Espada, XJS V12, DS, InterceptorIII, AC 3000. Montreal

S0d all money - Capri 2.8V6, MG Meastro Turbo, Ford Granada Ghia X-pack, Starion, Mk1 mr2, Feista RS turbo, Supra-celica, Mk1 transit, Bond bug.

[Guest Troy Halliday]

If I didn't have the Esprit then I guess I would be restoring a 1975 Jaguar Coupe that I've got sitting about.

Mind you I wouldn't like to fill the bugger up 4.2L!

I actually would have proberbly built a Lotus 7, I've just finnished one for a friend and was going to do one for myself next but the Esprit came up for the right money.

[Couger]

If I didn't have the Esprit then I guess I would be restoring a 1975 Jaguar Coupe that I've got sitting about.

Mind you I wouldn't like to fill the bugger up 4.2L!

I actually would have proberbly built a Lotus 7, I've just finnished one for a friend and was going to do one for myself next but the Esprit came up for the right money.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

E36 M3, Convertible (which I nearly got instead of my Esprit), or maybe a Dodge Vipor if I had a wad of cash.

Ian

[jono]

Because I've had to be thinking about the prospect......

Tempted by an Elise - although I feel a bit exposed in them and they are a bit small for my liking. I'd like to take on another, older Lotus but I doubt it will happen.

Other than that always fancied building myself a GT40 replica which is another option now I have a fully kitted garage to build it in, in my humble opinion the only car that pushes the same buttons as the Esprit does to me - hideously impractical though, tried one out - inside it's a 'mare, good job the outside makes up for that !

Failing that a modernised series 1 E-type roadster with hard top would float my boat, they look great and I've got quite a bit of experience on them. Always had a soft spot for a 70's Corvette Stingray too, it was 2nd car of choice after the Esprit.

Life without an Esprit is a hard thing to come to terms with though, its much more than the car, its looks and the way it drives....its rarity and soul is something only the GT40 can come close to...and even then thats a replica.....

[s4simon]

Something a little different.

HSV GTS

V8 400HP RWD - Brutal

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Ah the Holden V8 / Vauxhall Menaro ......Nice!

[s4simon]

Ah - Not quite.

This is the more 'sensible' family car version with four doors.

[Paul C]

I'll be seeing one of them tomorrow (picking my van up from repair at vauxhall's), there was one in the showroom last week when i dropped it off.

Thirty five grand though

Personally i think it's a bus, and i'd buy a used passat and spend the

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

LMAO

You let it out Paul... We're here for you!

[jono]

LOL Paul....

Oh the other car I'm partial to is the last RX-7 incarnation.

Although the Wankel (rotary) engine worries me a bit.

Sadly let down by everything backwards of the door pillar (common with Jap cars imo) - however, sorted with this simple modification

[Paul C]

(On my second beer now and hence calm...)

Yep!

I've always been drawn to the RX7. Nearly got a white Turbo2 convertible a few years back, but went for the 3 litre Supra instead (In fact add the supra to my list, as i'd have one of them again).

The engine is kinda scary, as here in rural Oxfordshire there is not a glut of places that would understand it (Or my Esprit!).

But at the same time, those pub 'know-it-all's' that list cylinder configuration and engine size of just about anything they have probably never even seen... (let alone driven)

....don't know what to say.

And that is cool B) B) B)

(nearly, just nearly, got in a rant then. But i don't think anyone noticed...)

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Car? What Car?

[pitstoppete]

I'll be seeing one of them tomorrow (picking my van up from repair at vauxhall's), there was one in the showroom last week when i dropped it off.

Thirty five grand though 

Personally i think it's a bus, and i'd buy a used passat and spend the

[Paul C]

not into the old vauxhalls then old chap?

Thought you were on holiday!

[backtrack mode damage limitation]

Looks like a very tidy motor that Pete!

Bet you do the work yourself though...

It is the dealer network i have my gripe with Pete.

but i do think it 'looks' like a

[pitstoppete]

Thought you were on holiday!  

[backtrack mode damage limitation]

Looks like a very tidy motor that Pete! 

Bet you do the work yourself though... 

It is the dealer network i have my gripe with Pete.

but i do think it 'looks' like a

[Paul C]

van into a wall, good god. at least it werent the esprit eh!

True. Especially as i had an audience...

Three weeks ago...

An important client phoned with an 'urgent' job.

As i'd got to my site early (One of the Oxford colleges),

i was parked right at the back of one of the quads,

and was boxed in by other contractors cars and vans...

I went from building to building finding college staff, painters,

builders and carpenters and asking them all to move their cars

around and let me get my van out.

So, with a whole gaggle of other workmen, college staff,

and an entire japanese overseas group sat in the quad

on their lunch break. I got in my new van, and drove it into

a wall sideways on, putting a meter long gash in its flank.

They were all still laughing when my mobile rang.

The client had changed their mind.

You gotta laugh

[Guest devacom]

Something a little different.

HSV GTS

V8 400HP RWD - Brutal

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry Simon!

I just don't like HSVs or the Ford equivalents. They tend to be driven by balding, overweight Aussie boofheads with an inferiority complex about the size of their tackle!!

Them and coppers!

'Brutal' is the word, no subtlety and no finesse!