Just bought a 1997 Esprit V8

[kyohan03]

Originally Posted by SteelrzLotus

thanks a lot for all the info, this car has just over 40k miles on it right now and so far it runs great !!

That's great and I hope it continues to do so for you. I hope you get the issues raised re the engine looked at, it running great does not mean it is not also prone to failure from the inherent problems.

I learned early on with Lotus, including the Esprits, that what one would consider low mileage (like 40K) on a 'typical' car can be the brink of a rebuild in a Lotus.

With the Toyota mill the Elise/Exige will likely break that string...but an awful lot of Elise/Exiges will be hitting the market now and into the future with low miles, but having been flogged thoroughly at the track, but that's another topic.

Seems like the suggestions are to first, confirm if the liner rebuild has been done on your car. If not, the suggestions seem to be best to spend the money to get it done. Looks like another $4K spent now will save $10K or more later on.

Good luck with the car, it's beautiful.

[StallionX]

With the liner rebuild I would feel that 40k is very low mileage.. Problem is the engine could get perfect compression and leak down and still blow at any time due to the liners.

[Mr. Esprit V8]

Man...I LOVE the original AWI flat 6-spoke monobloc rims. It's by far my favorite factory rim on the V8. Unfortunately they've halted production (AWI) on these rims, and these rims still fetch a premium in the used market (if you manage to find a set).

Nice polish job on the rims and engine plenum cover -- very original.

-Will

[TheRedMenace]

I read most of the posts and nowhere did I see anyone suggest changing the timing belts. On every Esprit I've bought that was the first thing I did. You only have to see one Esprit motor sitting on a stand with a shredded belt to learn that lesson (never happened to me personally and I'll do everything in my power to make sure it never does).

If there is no record of it having been done - do it first!!!!

Then it's on to chip, BOV's, straight exhaust, stainless braided clutch line, ceramic brake pads, transaxle fluid change, air horns, leak fixing (I finally got all of them :-) - and a good old fashion 4 day clay, sand, buff, HD Cleanse and Zymol detail.

Looks good. I like the polished intake.

[JeffYoung]

Amen -- change the belts! On a 4 cylinder Esprit it was scheduled every 24k. I think it extended some on the V8s, but I'd do it just to be safe. Interference motor, motor basically dead if it pops.

Next, no one mentioned the dreaded red clutch hose. Bad stuff that, flexes over time, makes it hard to shift. Change to stainless.

BOV will help save the turbo.

Decats and chips...hmmmmm....drive the car for a while first and see if you THINK it needs more power. That UN-1 can't take much more Captain, she's gonna blow.

[StallionX]

Lotus pays for timing belt checks up to like 100k miles I believe..

The v8 esprit is such a great car.. it fantastic looking.. VERY fast and sounds amazing.. a great exotic if you take good care of it.. Have fun playing James Bond and pulling up to clubs..

[JohnnyQuik]

Congrats on the V8 Esprit. Even with a 20 year old chassis design, a cramped interior, that rubbery yet clunky shift feel, and a useless HVAC set-up, there's nothing than can touch it for the money. I'd spend some time driving it (on a track if you can) before you start modding too much. These cars can be a little tricky to drive at the limit. At least your V8 has a relatively smooth power delivery. My slightly modded S4s would swap ends in a split second if one wasn't careful with the rather peaked power delivery. Sort of like the powerband on a 2 stroke motorcycle. Great color choice, btw.

[SteelrzLotus]

I talked to Harry at Viking Motorsports, he is the one that has been servicing this car since 2001. He said the timing belt was just changed at 38k miles and he said the engine on my car was as solid as you could find anywhere.

He gave it a big thumbs up and a clean bill of health :-)

[SteelrzLotus]

Thanks to everyone that has posted such great information and well wishes. Hopefully I will see some of you out there on the road soon

[StallionX]

I think the last model v8's look great to this day.. I don't see them as dated at all.. also if you do upgrade the rear lights, everyone will think you have a 2002.. not to mention the circular rear lights really do a great job of updating the car.

[SteelrzLotus]

I like the lights just as they are

[Colvindesign]

If it were me, I would go not do the lambo doors. If you do, make sure you try to check out an Esprit with it done, sometimes the doors do not leave much space to get in/out when opened. I just wouldn't do it. Also, considering I know where they buy those kits from and how much they REALY cost, I would never buy them.

I would however get a set of rims (depending on which ones you have), Upgraded ECU, exhaust and that's about it. I also like the 98+ dash and later round tail lights, and the rare mid level wing (S4 was it on maybe?).

edit: ok, nevermind, I like those rims.

[StallionX]

haha those are the best rims for the esprit, the ones he has

[1997 TTV8]

Congrats on the new Lotus Esprit! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. Here is the link to view all the upgrades my '97 has: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2481383

You will see HUD, new steering wheel, Valentine One concealed radar detector, upgraded wheels, tail lights, stereo, shift knob, brake, etc.

You can catch me via email: kirkmuffley@yahoo.com or via message post at the cardomain URL.

Enjoy the ride.

Kirk

[gmendoza]

Nice car. Was this a southern CA car? Dealer?

[P90Puma]

Originally Posted by SteelrzLotus

I like the lights just as they are

+1. But we are in the minority. I like these lights far more then the rounded ones.

[StallionX]

well the square lights lose me when I look up close and see the lovely word "toyota" on them.. just wonderful on a 100k exotic car...

I do admit they are the classic lights that I attribute to my youthful love for the car.. but I think the rounded ones are a little more appropriate post 95'

[pedm5]

Autosport International | Irvine, CA 92618

Is this not the same car? Was serviced at Viking motorsport and certainly looks like the same car with a few minor differences.

[lc_09]

Originally Posted by pedm5

Autosport International | Irvine, CA 92618

Is this not the same car? Was serviced at Viking motorsport and certainly looks like the same car with a few minor differences.

there is actually more than just a few minor differences. Also, just for starters the car in the link is a 98, the car mentioned on this old thread is a 97.

[pedm5]

Originally Posted by lc_09

there is actually more than just a few minor differences. Also, just for starters the car in the link is a 98, the car mentioned on this old thread is a 97.

The dealership showed me paperwork that stated a 97 build date. The minor differences are definitely things that could've been changed over the years like the wheels and the front spoiler, especially since the car is so low the front lip rarely goes unabused. The car at the dealership was falling apart it seemed like. Made 30k miles look like atleast 70-80 but the odo showed just under 30k. Maybe it is maybe it isn't obviously if it is then something is surely fishy about it because of the mileage discrepency.