S4 vs GT3 - the age old dilemma

[Bibs]

Fine again now, temporary glitch.

[The Pits]

I would imagine the S4 to be a comfortable, more luxurious car and the GT3 to feel more basic inside and a bit stripped out, more driver focused. Much like the V8 GT vs V8 SE. The GT wasn't much lighter but it felt it somehow.

 

The S4 was Lotus's flagship car at the time whereas the GT3 was a move back to basics. I'd be amazed if that didn't show through in the way they drove.

[dodge1979]

I think in reality a lot of gt3's were spec'd with aircon and comfort seats anyhow so theyre not quite as stripped out as the pure version would be..

[Bibs]

They're not that light anyway. I remember our old member 'Jonathan' in tear when we took his GT3 to the weighbridge at Brands Hatch! 

 

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/32085-esprit-weight/

[Trevsked]

Jonny,

 

They certainly have a different feel to them and what you describe is about right. GT3 is not stripped out though (I wish it was) but does feel a little more sporty over the S4.

 

Trevor.

[Advantage]

/whispers/ They're all the same.

[dodge1979]

Except the yellows ones. ...sshhhhh. .secretly superior

[Loose Cannon]

The S4 will demand higher resale prices over the GT3 in the future - if not now.

 

 

So how does that work then?

[Bibs]

It's the logic of an S4 owner.

[jimblob]

I'll weigh mine when I get back can't think it's gonna be very light I have the heavy seats and aircon

[Trevsked]

/whispers/ They're all the same.

In what respect?

 

Trevor.

[dodge1979]

I assume what is meant that they all handle and perform very well and as said earlier on the road under absolute non extreme track type driving there isnt a great deal between all the later models. At a guess..

[jimblob]

I think all charged cooled models will perform roughly the same, it's down to style which is where your s4 with its Dogey spoiler falls flat (runs for cover)

[Advantage]

In what respect?

 

Trevor.

A couple of kilos here and there on an already lardy, slightly wobbly chassis, combined with a few degrees of geometry differences all add up to the placebo effect. They're the same car.

[Trevsked]

But, it's the placebo effect that makes all the difference.

 

Trevor.

[Advantage]

No, no.That would be the rum.

[dodge1979]

Oi...you cant go around calling people "wobbly chassis" ...its just rude

[top-plumber]

More S4 lovelyness.

[Gasman GT3]

So how does that work then?

 

Wishful thinking obviously, GT3 is rarer so will be worth more in the long run, also gets favorable reviews in articles

[Davswilson]

How many GT3's were made, less than 300? Why did it sell in such limited numbers if it was produced over 2/3 years?

?

[mr.oogieboogie]

S4. Nuff said. Gt3 are nice but then you see them next to an s4 and wish you had gone the other way

[Sparky]

Naturally most people will own the model they prefer. So the vote's a foregone conclusion because the S4 is so common. :-P

[Jacques]

None of the two. I'll take a Sport300, please

 

Cheers,

Jacques.

[Davswilson]

Just looked - 196 GT3's, less than I thought. S4 -625 made

[OwenGT3]

Being a GT3 owner I may be bias, but I do prefer my model to the S4. I'm not a lover of the half way up the gate spoiler, but prefer my S4s version on my car. I have the early dash, one of the last before the face lift, but the dash pod is unique to the Esprit, no other car had a dash like it, also I like plenty of dials. The S4s is perhaps the worst dash with the walnut wood, straight out of a Rover 75, doesn't suit the car.

 

Performance wise I doubt there is much in the two models. Mines been chipped, race injectors, performance exhaust, uprated suspension so it no snail when performance is required. Regarding value, I've read classic mag articles stating the GT3 is the model to go for as a future classic, the cost now is low, but they are rising well.

 

The only thing I don't like on both models are the wheels, nice spoke pattern, but never thought they were big enough to fill the wheel arches, one of the reasons I bought mine as it had the late V8 wheels.

 

I'm not keen on the GT3 decals as well, not so much the design, but the harshness of the design being in a dark colour. That's why I intend to get a set made sometime in the future in the car colour, but a matt version, so it's very subtle.

 

Edited July 27, 2014 by OwenGT3