What to get: NSX, 355, or Esprit V8

[StallionX]

EspritMike,

listen buddy, I've done some work..not a lot.. but I put time into it.. I have a good cheap mechanic that does most of it..

What I do is I get in it, and then I drive it. then I put it away.. and I've owned other exotics or sports cars and so far this is one of my favorites..

BTW since you have not owned a v8 esprit or seen one at the track what makes you think it can't keep up or beat a 360 or 996 TT? My esprit which has 450HP can beat them all in a straight line and with a good driver can hold it's own on the track.. still waiting for the vid of me and a gallardo neck and neck at poconoo in a 150mph straight..

Listen, I'm not saying the esprit is perfect machine, it's an exotic car that has good qualities and bad.. is it better than this or that or the other thing.. it's all subjective..

[lotuson74]

Here is the truth: The Porsche GT3 is a melted gum-drop looking pig of a slug that sounds like a Hoover vacume being drug across a gravel driveway (where the GT3 should stay) either that or a farmers feild.
The Esprit has lines (that's why it is used in multiple movies) ITS DAMN GOOD LOOKING!!!
As far as performance goes, the Porshe has no throttle response, lack luster power, no grip in turns, clumbsy braking & totally awkard ergonomics (good for a lobster maybe) I have seen unmodified Pinto's go faster on a track!

Porsche owners are just jealous looser wanna-be's who are afraid that their driving tallents (or lack thereof) will be exposed as tallentless by the increadably fast and demanding Esprit V8 for which those LOOSERS are not able to command.

Furthermore, notice that those naysayers had 4 cylendar Esprits
Like I said: They (like Porsche chumps) can't handle the V8 - Let alone a modified turbo V8!!

Ferrari , Lotus taught them everything they know:
1. disc brakes
2. mid engine layout
3. side mount radiators
4. aerodynamics
5. duel eliment wings
6. composite materials
7. magnetic valvetrains, ect, ect...

The great Esprit was the last car that Colin Chapman personally signed-off on and time will prove its true depreciation (Colin taught the racing world everything it is to this day, and his last car "Esprit" will prove his worth in the racing world!)

Oh, I was just kidding about the Porche GT-3.
It is a trully a great preformance and track car. Also, a better daily driver than an Esprit. I actually want one! But I am not willing to let go of either of my Esprit V8's to do it. Why??? I don't know. I will not try to explain - because I cannot. But it is the fact.
For some reason, I want my Esprit's more.

[lotuson74]

BTW - I have beat several (make that all) Ferrari's I have encountered on these tracks:

Cars beat; 550 Maranello, 575 Maranello, multiple 360's, a 355 & two 360 Challenge Stradle's
Many 991's, 996's, 996 turbo's and a GT-2

Tracks; Laguna Seca & Willow Springs

[lotuson74]

Originally Posted by Stephen

No, there is nothing wrong with that, to each their own.

What is funny is that to me a car standing out is a pretty big negative and I am driving an orange Exige S. I really can't imagine standing out much more than that. Keep in mind that many still think it is a $300K Lambo or Ferrari. I honestly don't believe that a brand new CO Gallardo Spyder (do they make those) would get any more attention; the average Joe just sees it as a crazy looking exotic.

As for the sound of a GT3; you really should hear the new 997 exhaust on sport mode at full howl before you make that comment; just to be fair. Same goes for me on both cars!

Alot of people must mistake your car for a Pinto in primer with a "wings-west" body kit?

[texige]

If you want something rare and unusual, get an Exige. There are less Exige's on the road than Esprits, NSX's or 355s and instead of an old worn out exotic that could live in the shop and cost a bundle to maintain, you get a new car warranty and reliability that is far better.

[whynot]

save the extra insurance, and supercharge or turbo the elise.

Whynot

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by shawncweed

I am willing to spend about 60k and have narrowed down my search to either a 2003 NSX, a 2003 Esprit V8, or 1998 Ferrari 355.

Currently have a '98.

Great car if bought at the right price.

That 1998 Ferrari is rock solid though. 1999 was their last year of production and it shows in how dependable they are. Have two compadre's that own them and have had ZERO issues.

Awesome piece of rolling stock too boot.

Go Italiano.

[whynot]

you have the answers, why ask the questions.

[JeffYoung]

cause we like listenting to Kirk post to himself?

[StallionX]

My advice is to listen to Kirk, like Stan and very few others on here the man knows his stuff when it comes to cars..

His stable speaks for itself, and the fact that he has experimented with modding all of his cars and THEN tracks them all is very cool.. He kicked ass with his esprit and elise the day that I saw him racing..

Or you can listen to Jeffyoung.. who will talk your ear off about a car he has never owned (v8 esprit)as if he was the man behind the design himself..

decisions.. decisions..

[TheRedMenace]

Originally Posted by ExoticCarForThePoor Mike

Yeah, so? And everyone knows that Esprits are exotic cars for the poor.

In the defense of Esprit owners, they usually don't start poor - they just end up that way after a few years of ownership.

By the way, nice Porsche - or as I like to call them 'Exotic cars for housewives'.

[JeffYoung]

Right, right, listen to guys who claim to run 26 psi boost on their V8 Esprits. Now THAT is a good idea.

[gmendoza]

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by TheRedMenace

By the way, nice Porsche - or as I like to call them "Exotic cars for housewives".

Porsche does the very best job building sports cars for the bulk of the population. They will tear you a new poop shoot for sure.

I'm still digging my Esprit. It does it's thing very well.




Still think our colonel should roll with the Ferrari.

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by EspritMike

As I mentioned, I had an Esprit S4s for 6 years and really enjoyed it. I was not blind to its various shortcomings though. So, tongue planted firmly in cheek....

At least you're "unique".

Someone tell me just how this "because I drive a Lotus I'm special" crap got started?

This only recently reared it's pathetic head with the launch of the Buzzbomb.

[JeffYoung]

Dicked you nailed it. Even the Esprit boards and forums didn't have this mess on it before the Elise came out.

I dug my Esspreeeewhee! when I had it, but not blind to its faults. I dig by Exige now, but damn it ain't fast in a straight line.

You say something honest but "negative' about these cars on this board and people get all freaky.

Dude came on here from Iraq (we salute you sir) looking for advice about what car to buy. Some guys with Esprits posted some realistic looks at them to help the guy out and all Beelzebub's Haven breaks out.

[shawncweed]

Jeff...

Actually, I find the bantor entertaining...it is interesting to me though how emotionally attached some folks are to the make and how they lash out at others. Few car...or any vehicle...purchase are made for logical reasons...more on passion and desire. The only car i have owned which I thought was a logical purchase was GEO METRO because it was the cheapest new car you could get and got 49mpg...in that role, for me, it has been perfect.

The info passed on the 3 choices I laid out has been illuminating and helped. I think the Esprit is defnitely in the hunt, but my remaining concerns with it are ergonomic...can I see out the back of it...is the driving position functional...and will the lip scrape everytime I go to pull in the driveway...The NSX seems like a great choice. While not as fast as the Esprit, I like the way it looks, the fact the roof comes off and can be stored on board, and the engineering behind it is exemplary...I have heard mixed reviews on the "passion" debate...but I imagine that is a subjective notion. I think my S2000 exudes passion...while others may say it is lacking because of its innocuous looks. I have read several articles applauding the 3.2lr engine and its 8,000 rpm redline, but again, not having driven one, I dont have first hand knowledge...

I have seen the 355s...and must admit being smitten through and through...and while i believe, as others have mentioned, it would be the most expensive to buy, and possibly maintain, it probably has the best resale value mitigating some of those costs over the long term...

I talked to my wife yesterday...the handsome blonde sitting on the Elise's hood in an earlier popst...and she tols me she now likes the Aston Martin DB7 convertible...which ironically also fits into the same price range...My gut instinct...just looking at the weight...4,000 piunds !?!?!?..it must be like a tank to drive...my S2000 is 2850...the Elise 1950...hard to imagine 420hp makes up for all that heft...

Thoughts?

[JeffYoung]

The DB7 is not, in my view, much of a "true" sports car ...like you said, too much weight. The one I test drove pushed like a pig. Can be corrected, a beautiful car, but I don't think you will like the driving experience.

That said, all of this "mess" on this thread is just that - mess. The best thing to do is go drive the cars you are interested in and see which one moves you most. All have their positive qualities, and negative ones. For the Esprit, on your three concerns, I think (a) the spoiler up front will be a problem; (b) I could see out the back, just not easy; (c) other than no dead pedal for the left foot, the ergonomics aren't too bad.

But anyway, now you get to do the fun stuff. Go test drive cars! There is an old adage about buying Esprits -- don't buy the first one you drive. Do that with all these cars, go home, get a drink, talk your wife, and decide which one you REALLY want. Don't think about depreciation, don't think about resale, don't even think THAT much about reliability (you'll be putting money into all of them -- ask the NSX guys about how long rear tires last) -- think which one you really want and buy it.

You really can't go wrong with any of those choices you've listed above.

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by JeffYoung

Dicked you nailed it. Even the Esprit boards and forums didn't have this mess on it before the Elise came out.

Some guys with Esprits posted some realistic looks at them to help the guy out and all Beelzebub's Haven breaks out.

Besides it's other "issues".

In all my many years of Elan, Europa, Esprit and Seven ownership....I've never seen this strange behaviour among Lotus folk.




Did much battle with the Crazy Rabid and Keeper's of the Fu both here and on The Flea in regards to this issue.






All these Rednecks just want to feel "special" I reckon.

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by shawncweed

I think the Esprit is defnitely in the hunt, but my remaining concerns with it are ergonomic..

I have seen the 355s...and must admit being smitten through and through...

Leave the gun.....and take the Ferrari.

Ol' Jeff is spot on in his analysis of your choices. Being an Esprit owner myself, I don't believe that it is the vehicle for you.

Pick a good color.