Forum accounts - Basic Account - Full Forum Member - Club Esprit

[Barrykearley]

A 911 is more refined as a drive - yes it's a drivers car....but not as much as the lotus.

The lotus gives you that seat of your pants, I could kill you, excitement and sheer rush.

For me the first drive of the esprit was like sex for the first time all over agin!!!!

[Grahaml]

I took a liking to getting an Esprit back in 2008, joined the forum, did all the research, got a few books.  But I eventually chickened out as it would be my daily driver and was just too worried about that - at that time my budget would have been up to about £10K.  I ended up buying a Boxster S which was a nice car, pretty quick and reliable.  

I then sold that and bought a 911, 996 model, Carrera 4 which I wold say I liked a little better.

 

My experience and confidence of working on them greaw all that time,  I'd replaced the brakes, a steering rack, Air/oils separator and crank sensor, springs, droplinks, lower suspension arms on the Boxster.

 

The 911 I converted to GT3 look with a bodykit, lowered springs, wheel spacers, upgraded thermostat, changed the exhast a couple of times, replaced entire brake pipe system  etc.  Then lately the Air/oil separator failed, the engine filled with oil and stopped.  I thought it was wrecked and took the engine and gearox out before I found the source of the failure.  So I put it back in, inspect and modify the infamous IMS bearing, replacing bits as I went - new clutch.  I had a few trials along the way but at the end the car was back running great.  

 

It made me think again about an Esprit though - as I am now more confident and willing to takle just about any job.  So I started to look initially thinking of maybe an SE for around £12-£15K.  However lots of advice and encouragement from here amongst others more or less made me decide on an S4, or better still S4S - but then good ones of these are pretty much at V8 money.  So I seconned I would spend just a little more, for a car that id 5 years newer, more modern dash (I know the old one is nice too though) and similer or lower miles!!

 

So I now am pleased to find myself the soon-to-be owner of a V8.  Can't wait!!!

 

I'm nowhere near as experienced at driving an Esprit but all the feedback and reports suggest I will like it.  

[Barrykearley]

Graham

I look forward to seeing a picture of your new buy - the v8 WILL be my next trade up. I'm envious,,,,,,,

Hope you enjoy her when you do take delivery - let me know how you think the drive compares to the 911. The rush is simply better for me - I considered long and hard an older 911 - some of the newer stuff is just too refined and looses the driver responsibility to control the car

[Jacques]

I find the Singer rebuilds of old 911 cars to be quite interesting.

 

Cheers,

Jacques.

[paulob1]

911 is a bigger 'biter of your butt' than a lotus esprit can be...rear engined cars are a handful when they go..I was going to buy a carrera 4x4 turbo.  I took it for a drive and was pondering how difficult it was to drive on the limit and was worried that it would catch me out.  The salesman assured me it would not...he wasn't saying that when we got back to the showroom...all i did was hit the throttle gently in a roundabout and around we went...all planned but proved my point instantly, we were doing less than 25 mph..abuse them and they will bite you hard...harder than most other high performance cars..

 

I am now a member...20 quid is nowt, anyone who doesn't pay up is not helping themselves...but its the way of the world there are always those who think they should get it for free because they can...

 

so far i think i have spent around 900 quid on the car...20 quid on the forum...hey ho...

[fflyingdog]

I'm starting to feel a pang of gilt......but in my defence i was here at almost the beginning !

 

When i'm back at work i'll pitch in.

[Bibs]

You're member number 28 Nick!

[fflyingdog]

Flipping heck that long...had the car 12 years now,never a dull moment !!

[mdw]

I tend to look at it that the advice in the forum threads have saved me a fortune and a lot of time, effort and mistakes zeroing in on a problem.  That's without even looking at the discounts.   The threads are the real value  for me in forum membership.

[Grahaml]

911 is a bigger 'biter of your butt' than a lotus esprit can be...rear engined cars are a handful when they go..I was going to buy a carrera 4x4 turbo.  I took it for a drive and was pondering how difficult it was to drive on the limit and was worried that it would catch me out.  The salesman assured me it would not...he wasn't saying that when we got back to the showroom...all i did was hit the throttle gently in a roundabout and around we went...all planned but proved my point instantly, we were doing less than 25 mph..abuse them and they will bite you hard...harder than most other high performance cars..

 

I am now a member...20 quid is nowt, anyone who doesn't pay up is not helping themselves...but its the way of the world there are always those who think they should get it for free because they can...

 

so far i think i have spent around 900 quid on the car...20 quid on the forum...hey ho...

 

I must say - in defense of the 911 - I had a 996 Carrera 4 (300BHP) and never had a "moment" on it - tremendous grip - well planted.  Mine was lowered slightly and had wheel spacers - and traction control.

 

In contrast the mid engined Boxster (250BHP) I had before it I had several moments - just in the wet mind.

 

But both very able and driveable cars.  I can't really compare to a Lotus yet but looking forward to it.

[steve930]

Another comparison: ignoring all the discount offers, I'm sure if newsagents sold a monthly lotus publication most of us would subscribe for the year at 50 odd quid or so, the content on here far surpasses that of a magazine for a fraction of the cost

[Barrykearley]

It's £20 that's all...... About the cost of a decent steak at somewhere half about.

For all the effort the guys put in on this site - it's well worth chucking a steak their way

[GordonMasson]

270 signed up of which 30 or so are 12 month freebies we now give to people via dealerships when they buy a new car. Current membership is over 14,100 so 1.7% FFM!

Did I read that correctly Bibs? Are you saying there are only 270 FFM in total???

[swindon_alan]

Joined LEW and upgraded to FFM on here.

 

I don't see why you can't do both, but I do get the point that LEW has got somewhat crusty and could do with some revamping and updating. But there's some great info on there which will not date as the last Esprit was made over 11 years ago now and most of that info is still relevant...

[Bibs]

Did I read that correctly Bibs? Are you saying there are only 270 FFM in total???

Yup, only 240 paying one's at that. We have 5000+ visitors a day to the site, over 78,000 in total a month. Shocking isn't it!

[lotus4s]

That's a crying shame and the deadbeats need to step up to the plate and give a little back....  

[Barrykearley]

My gosh - that's too low paid up numbers

The benefits on here far far far out weigh the small fee requested.

Is there any benefit in limiting non member access in some way to forum posting? Not sure it's the best way - but everyone needs this site to continue and pay its way.

On here there is tons of knowledge, huge support and events etc - if we all want that to continue - dig in and cough up !

You know it makes sense........ This is the nhs service for lotus!!!!

[steve930]

" nhs for lotus "

Lol good one

[Mike6]

Only 240, thats crazy. As a way of prompting more to join could not full members be given a sweetner such as better position on line up at upcoming events ie national meet in May or Brands Hatch. That wouldnt cost anything and would I am sure result in more owners paying up. Otherwise their car would be parked half a mile away down the line up.

[GordonMasson]

Yup, only 240 paying one's at that. We have 5000+ visitors a day to the site, over 78,000 in total a month. Shocking isn't it!

Crazy..... I hope anyone reading this who is not paid up is suitably embarrassed and signing up for full membership now.

Can you not add a pop up to appear when non members log on asking them to give a few quid back for what they are taking out??

[Jacques]

I think that many members here, not being full dorum members, wouldn't mind paying the annual 20 gbp, but living in a World with so extremely many offers, sometimes one may just not be ar..d to do it. Being busy and all.

Still, join and pay the minimalistic fee, and keep this going!

 

Please

 

 

Cheers,

Jacques.

[Bibs]

Thanks for the TLF love and to all the new members who've signed up, it's most appreciated.

 

Can you not add a pop up to appear when non members log on asking them to give a few quid back for what they are taking out??

 

It would be more relevant to people who have made something like 100 posts since they've had some value from the site then.

[Daniel]

LEW is good if you just want to knock one out as it's got pretty pictures..... it's no ladyboy midget porn, but it's not bad.

 

Can't remember why I come here..... must be spiritual reasons.

[Bibs]

Can't be, sounds like your soul is already clean!

[cbclotus]

This is a great forum .i love lotus cars never get bored reading differnt people stories about lotus .Ecspecially Esprit related.And have made friends with various people here.Thanks for the forum Bibs.Its great value for the money.....Mike