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07-26-2008, 11:59 PM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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Automatic Transmission?
Hey Guys,
I'm new to the board, I have been a big fan of the Lotus Esprit since I was a kid and finally I have decided to buy one. Now the question I have which I know I'm going to get flamed for is there a way to convert the manuel transmission to a automatic transmission or that can not be done? Thanks, Tony |
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07-27-2008, 12:15 AM
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#3 (permalink) |
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98 Esprit V8 Calypso Red
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 93
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As far as I know an "automatic tranny" cannot be done...
However, you can get a sequential tranny for about 35K USD...which is a little too much in my opinion. I personally think the easiest way is to get familiar with driving a "stick shift"...which is way more fun anyways. Alan |
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07-27-2008, 04:49 AM
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#4 (permalink) | |
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Hydrocarbons Rule
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Okinawa Japan
Posts: 647
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Quote:
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06 Exige; BWR Supercharger, Adj Sway Bar, Ohlins 2-way Suspension, BSK Oil Catch Can, Moroso Oil Pan, ORC Super Single Clutch, Arqray Single Tip, Work Emotion CR-Kai's w/ RT615's, 2 piece rotors, Pagid Blue pads, BSK Wet Carbon (Side Skirts, Front Lip Spoiler, Gas Cap Cover, Center Console, Door Pannels), Dry Carbon rear Diffuser, Harness Bar, HKS Boost and Oil Temp Gauges, BWR Gauge Mount, Sabelt Harness, JVC Head Unit, Alpine Sub Woofer, Polk Audio speakers, OMP Superquadro steering wheel. |
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07-27-2008, 05:04 AM
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#5 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Posts: 264
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There IS a way, since the Lotus Elise which was entered in the DARPA Challenge was converted to Automatic. But all that required was the full resources of Lotus Engineering
 They claim it's the only one in the world and I'm with the others who think that's probably for the best 
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2007 Exige S Ardent Red w/Track Pack & Traction Control Mods: Ohlins/Plans Motorsport 46mm DA, Machined Steering Arms, Polyflex Bushings, Stock LSS w/R888 or Stella Corse w/Hoosiers, Lotus Motorsport Engine Mounts, Accusump, Quaife LSD tweaked to Plans Motorsport Spec, Lotus Motorsport Clutch, Pagid Blacks, Larini Sport 8 inch Exhaust, Schroth 6 Point, Data Acquisition by Race Technology DL-1, Video by Chasecam
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07-27-2008, 05:49 AM
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#7 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Minnetrista, MN
Posts: 676
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If you are not handicapped, learn to drive a manual.
If you are, there are ways to automate the clutch. I have a friend who had polio and can't use one of his legs very well. He has a Triumph TR4 that he modified with a button on the shift lever that activates the clutch. It worked very well and the clutch could still be used in the standard way. Not sure how this would translate to a high performance car, though.
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2005 Lotus Elise 2008 Land Rover RR 2006 Land Rover RRS |
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07-27-2008, 05:52 AM
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#8 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LA SFV
Posts: 313
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I don't think toyota made a auto tranny for the 2zz.
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07 Exige S - PhB., TP, TP, LSD, Rear Panel Delete, Custom Magnaflow Exhaust, Custom AEM Intake, 6k HIDs, Schroth 4pt ASM Harnesses |
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07-27-2008, 07:16 AM
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#9 (permalink) | |
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Resident Drunk
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 593
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Quote:
I think he's talking about the esprit.
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1993 Black BMW 325i 2000 Solar Yellow MR-S - SOLD 1987 White on White Porsche 944 Turbo - SOLD 1993 Maroon Lexus SC400 - SOLD Next Car - Elise, Exige, Exige S... CO, KG, AW???? Too many choices!!! |
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07-27-2008, 07:22 AM
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#10 (permalink) |
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peregrinus caelum
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 777
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...as mentioned above, if you're disabled, there are several companies which do hand-control conversions to just about any car on the road, but that can be a very expensive one-off process...
...manual transmissions are nothing to be intimidated by; anybody can learn to drive one in an afternoon, and with a week or so of extended practice you'll be fully proficient...try renting a car with a manual transmission, have an experienced friend come with you to pick it up and drive it out to a big empty parking lot somewhere for practice... ...if you're worried about very steep hills, well, it's true that there are some situations in which a manual transmission can be challenging...still, once you're proficient with driving one, you can attack any specific challenges you might face in your daily commute with methodical practice...sometimes the handbrake is neccessary, but with a carefully-planned strategy it's seldom required - i daresay that most such terrain isn't suitable for sportscar ground clearance anyway... |
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07-27-2008, 08:01 AM
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#12 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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Hey that wasn't that bad, I thought you guys were going to torture me.
I'm not handicapp but yes it is intimitating. I did go to a friends house yesterday but he has a Nissan Altima and I learned in 5 minutes but with a Lotus Esprit I'm not sure if it would be that easy or is it? I'm thinking of renting a corvette or a porche with the stick shift and practice that for a day. I guess when you one something that bad you will learn no matter what. :--) Thanks for the advises! |
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07-27-2008, 08:05 AM
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#13 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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What's funny was on Friday I was going to work and I came to a red light and the car which was next to me, was alittle behind me so I couldn't really see it and I could hear the engine which was very loud.
I was thinking man if only I had the Lotus now I would show this guy, anyways when the light turned green I wanted to see what kind of car it was and when he passed me it was a 1960s Lotus! I guess thats a sign or something. |
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07-27-2008, 08:07 AM
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#14 (permalink) |
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Live to Drive
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rye, NY
Posts: 8,346
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I promise you will learn with practice.
My Porsche, which was my first manual, was so simple, easy and smooth that any moron could do it. (except my friend, who stalled 49 times learning how to drive it, and sadly, never actually learned) The key is practice. Some people say you can be proficient in a week. But it took me several months to become perfectly comfortable with it, where I could operate it under any circumstance. You'll look back and laugh at the fact you made this thread... 
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Driving a Lotus Exige with sticky... performance tires on icy roads or in standing water is about as much fun as walking a high wire treated with WD-40 - Car & Driver BWR supercharged... I suppose I "got the power" now?? |
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07-27-2008, 08:10 AM
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#15 (permalink) | |
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道のお父さん
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hell
Posts: 4,048
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Quote:
.Go get your Esprit and enjoy.
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"There are two things no man will admit he cannot do well: drive and make love." -- Stirling Moss Nunquam est ponenda pluralitas sine necessitate. Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate. Pluralitas non est ponenda, nisi ubi est necessitas.
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07-27-2008, 08:58 AM
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#16 (permalink) | |
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peregrinus caelum
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 777
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Quote:
...it's perfectly normal to feel nervous when you first learn a manual transmission, but you'll come to love the experience... ...if you're renting something to learn on, try a cheaper economy car, as the basic skills are the same but the first week or so of learning can be pretty hard on its clutch...absolutely you'll be able to get the hang of it, though, no worries... ...once you get your esprit, take it easy and maintain a relaxed driving style until you're completely comfortable operating the manual transmission as a daily driver...high performance driving is challenging enough without throwing unfamiliar control operations into the mix, and lotus are more than enough car that you'll have no need to prove anything on the streets... |
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07-27-2008, 10:34 AM
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#17 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 120
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I learned in my Esprit.
Actually I did practice a bit in my friend's Honda DelSol, but not enough. The drive home in the Esprit (TN to CO) was pretty much how I learned. I did stall about 10 times on the test drive. |
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07-27-2008, 01:10 PM
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#19 (permalink) |
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CLR
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: I live in Glen Ellyn IL, a suburb of Chicago.
Posts: 823
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I learned how to operate a clutch by riding a 350 dirt bike before I was a kid. It made me learn real fast.
 After that a car was easy. The only real benefit I can see to an automatic is traffic jams. Sometimes I miss autos when I am in one for a few hours but that quickly fades when I finally get to run through the gears. |
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07-27-2008, 01:36 PM
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#20 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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Quote:
I agree, anything you need to be good at just needs practice. 49 times?? And I thought 5 times was bad. lol |
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