People's reaction to the Esprit - what's yours?

[Andyww]

26 minutes ago, ChrisJ said:

I had an almost identical experience back in 1987 - 2 weeks after I had bought my Esprit when a motorcycle cop pulled me over for "speeding" in the centre of Croydon. It was just an excuse to look over and sit in the car 

 

When I owned my first Esprit in 1984 I used to drive it to work in the City daily, and once got pulled over on Upper Thames St.

The cop told me I had "been going a bit fast" and then we discussed the car for a while. He asked me where I was going and I said home to Wimbledon, and he offered the advice:

"If you really want to floor it, go down the A3 and when you get past the Hook underpass there is a straight section and you can just cane it, we generally leave that area alone"

Somehow I cant see that being said these days! Also the police do patrol that section now, there is even a raised police parking spot.

[Steven162]

1 hour ago, Barrykearley said:

I’ve heard my missus say that more than once 

I've heard her say that too

[Barrykearley]

Sorry - she was fairly loud about the expression when the first Esprit turned up

[GTK]

59 minutes ago, Andyww said:

The cop ...offered the advice: "If you really want to floor it, go down the A3..."

Perfect anecdote to get you a pass if you get pulled for flooring it down there now Andy. 

[GTK]

Got one! An aunt and uncle were in a cab from the airport the other day, coming back in for Christmas. When they were on the motorway a Maserati came past. The cabbie goes...

"There you are now, a poor man's Lotus". 

[TimSportsTourer]

That's bloody classic! Lots has been said (most of it on this thread!), but that's just bloody classic! Love it. That's what I drive now – a Maserati, but for someone with money. I'm going to be telling that one for weeks…

[Mark Blanchard]

Almost every time I take my Esprit out these days I get people talking to me about it, saying it looks awesome.   Just had another car nut saying "what a great looking car, 4 pot isn't it" and taking photos.  This has only started happening in the last year or so. 10-15 years ago people either turn their noses up at it or were indifferent.  Very happy the Esprit is finally getting appreciated

 

[Loose Cannon]

On 13/01/2018 at 14:21, Mark Blanchard said:

10-15 years ago people either turn their noses up at it or were indifferent.  Very happy the Esprit is finally getting appreciated

 

My daughter's 20 year old boyfriend is in absolute awe of the Esprit despite him having a nearly new performance car of his own. There seems to be a small but significant band of younger enthusiasts who still prefer a more analogue approach to sports cars.

[Escape]

Strictly speaking not a 'peoples reaction', but still want to share: I took my Esprit to a meeting for work today. When finding my way through the parking garage, I suddenly heard a car alarm, but there was no one to be seen. Apparently the exhaust rumble of the Esprit was enough to trigger the alarm. 🙃 I was taking it very easy, but had noticed the good acoustics. 😜

[Giniw]

(What is your exhaust?)

 

[Escape]

The exhaust on my Esprit is a custom job. It was salvaged from my previous red SE and fitted to my current silver one when a flange on the standard exhaust started leaking. I think it was made in Germany by a previous owner, about 70mm diameter, only a small muffler and an empty cat.

[Jeanvm]

Filip you are a bad boy.

The last times I drove around I got quite wild reactions of BMW M's & Merc AMG guys who think I should be go crazy with them. But I'm a calm boy who enjoys driving with the old-timer on the B-roads.

[C8RKH]

2 hours ago, Escape said:

I think it was made in Germany 

So it's a stage 1 only then?

 

[GTK]

[Jacques]

?

[GTK]

This is a sign ☮️the times.

 

[gvy]

Magnus Walker goes Lotus?????

This man is a real and true Porsche addict....and he goes Lotus. I will be very interested to see what he will make of the heritage of Colin Chapman and the design of Giugiaro. Fact is, he will restyle the car. That is what he does with 911's . His work is kinda interesting. 

 

[GTK]

He wants YOU! Geert 

[Bibs]

He wants a haircut

[Frickin_idiot]

14 minutes ago, Bibs said:

He wants a haircut

And a bloody good wash by the looks of things.

[TimSportsTourer]

17 minutes ago, Frickin_idiot said:

And a bloody good wash by the looks of things.

Nah. What he really wants is a Lotus!

[Chillidoggy]

Can someone call the police and tell them a shitty-looking tramp has taken up residence in Magnus Walker’s garage?

Thanks.

[Barrykearley]

I think what he really wants is a bloody big spliff and some cookies. 

[johnpwalsh]

By Cookies I guess you mean Lotus coffee biscuit's then.

[Escape]

Two nice reactions coming back from work earlier this week. First, a motorcycle came past in traffic and I noticed he was really checking out the Esprit. The next section was calmer, just outside Brussels, a few nice corners I know very well and always give me a big grin going home. I closed the gap, he must have seen me and held back. At the next traffic lights he pulled up to me to say what a fantastic car the Esprit is. 🙂

When parking up, a young mother (not wanting to use a certain four-letter-word 🤐) walk passed, her son looking at the car. So I popped up the headlights as a wave, but the kid didn't quite understand it seemed. I guess he was too young to understand. His mother did catch on, tried to explain to her toddler and rewarded me with a big smile. 🙂

Stuff like that always makes my day, not many cars will get similar reactions.

Filip