What to get: NSX, 355, or Esprit V8

[jlr]

May the elves be with you...

[Coujer]

I'd say depends on what you want to spend your money on after you get one of them. The Ferrari's cost a fortune to maintain thus why people don't drive them. The Lotus is a high maintenance car but you can find a nice v8 for less then $40k with maintenance records. The NSX is built by Honda and from what I've heard its a very strong car and maintenance is probably going to be a little bit more then the S2000. Personally I would go with the Esprit V8, its the better looking and more aggressive of the bunch. Good Luck

[StallionX]

Originally Posted by Coujer

I'd say depends on what you want to spend your money on after you get one of them. The Ferrari's cost a fortune to maintain thus why people don't drive them. The Lotus is a high maintenance car but you can find a nice v8 for less then $40k with maintenance records. The NSX is built by Honda and from what I've heard its a very strong car and maintenance is probably going to be a little bit more then the S2000. Personally I would go with the Esprit V8, its the better looking and more aggressive of the bunch. Good Luck

Again, I cannot stress enough that you should not be buying a CHEAP Esprit v8.. Usually the ones under 40k miles are 97's or 98 or crappy 99's that need liners or god knows what else..

If you get an esprit spend the extra 10-20k and get a 55k-70k sorted v8 that is at least a 2002 or else you might seriously regret it.

[Coujer]

Thats what I was trying to say is make sure it has the maintenance records, so you dont get any surprises.

[shawncweed]

Jeff...

Good luck with your TR6 trip...I always like the lotto aspect of the one I had and whether I was going to get stuck somewhere...I have to admit though, every time I see one on the road I get addicted all over again...I was a big fan for a long time too of the Sunbeam Tiger...way back in the 80s...before they became collectible...It is funny, when I finally drove in one 15 years later, I loved the sound of the 289...but the rest of the car kind of turned me off..also seemed to have a suspension made of jello and cellulite...

I looked up the 996 gt3s and they are as much or more than the used 911 Turbos...still cant believe low mileage ones are as resonable as the other cars...and the inside seems pretty well laid out...and I like the small space behind the seats (I have 2 young boys) for the times I have to take us all somewhere...The big negative with that car...and coupes in general...is I like open air motoring. The NSX has the targa top...the Esprit a pretty nice sunroof...the 911 turbo comes in a cabriolet version, but more money than I want to spend and I dont like the convertible hartop that much...the Ferrari of course is a full convertible...

The nearest Porsche dealer to us is in Hilton Head...i think I will venture up there and see both an NSX and a 911 Turbo (2001 of course, as the new ones are twice what I want to spend)...

I also like the Beck spyder...but have never seen one on the road in Savannah

[StallionX]

Originally Posted by Coujer

Thats what I was trying to say is make sure it has the maintenance records, so you dont get any surprises.

and what I am saying is a good Esprit v8 in good shape will not be had for under 40k.. Trust me someone that has put the money and time to maintain that car likely will price it accordingly..

If you see a 99 for 37k run for the hills..

[JeffYoung]

Most 99s are under $45k.

[StallionX]

Originally Posted by JeffYoung

Most 99s are under $45k.

yes for 45k a 99 could be a decent car and check it out.. but as I just said.. at 37k run for the hills..

Again with only 12 v8's (1996-2004) available in the US on autotrader right now (I think one of them is a 99).. that isn't enough basis to judge the market value for 99's through all conditions..

I would say that for 45k it would be a good-decent condition 99.. at 37k it would be more of a poor-fair condition car. and in a Lotus V8.. poor condition will/can easily cost a ton.

don't pay attention, go see a high priced esprit then go see a cheap one.. drive them both.. try to get a feel for the gearbox etc.

[JeffYoung]

Or it could just be a motivated seller. I agree it is hard to figure the market for these cars. Saying one at $50k has to be in good condition and one at $37k is not, isn't really how things work.

Definitely check out specific cars. There can be good deals at less than $40k on good cars, and bad deals at more money. Check to make sure the liners have been done, the car has not been abused (chipped, etc.), all maintenance done, etc.

[Lotus84123]

dont buy a 355 for the love of god. I work at a Ferrari dealership and can speak from first hand account that the 355 may quite possibly be the most expensive/highest maintanance Ferrari to own. We have seen many come in the various issues. They burn catalytic converters, have major electrical issues, and have just so many problems. You would be better off getting a 348 in all reality. They are much more realiable, and far less expensive to maintain

[Dmbrown34]

Is that true of the 348? I looked into them and decided to go with the 328 over the 348 due to high maintenance costs! I thought the 355 was an "upgraded" 348. Pretty much the same engine and stuff? Please enlighten me!

Ended up with an Elise and love it!!

[shawncweed]

Intereting comments across the board...

In regards to the Esprit, I defnitely agree it is better to get one in the best condition I can afford...which for me is 60k (including my S2000 trade in)...Trying to save a few bucks by getting one in ok condition, just isnt worth the potential long term misery...That is why I am looking at as low mile cars as possible...I do agree though, that the price is not a universally accurate metric as to the condition of the car...I notice cars from a large city or form a dealer (as you would expect) are significantly higher cost...My intent is when I get back to take the Elise down to Jacksonville to get it serviced and look at the used ones there and talk to the maintenance tech. While there I am also hoping to try and test drive an NSX...

Ihave not heard the same as what Lotus84123 conveyed. Everything i have read said the 348 was among the least sorted Ferraris ever sold...and that the engineers at Ferrari were extremely proud of the 355 as it corrected many of the faults of the 348...and the engine, the 5 valve 3.5 liter, is one of the great engines of all time...I cannot speak to specific maintenance issues as I dont have the comparitive data at hand, but know when my wife picked up the Elise in 2005 there was a 348 on the lot and the salesman said it was fraught with problems...

The other cars that seem to be gaining favor with me in this quest of mine are the 2001 911 turbo...and a new Lotus Exige S...I have never been a great fan (or detractor) of the 911, but the turbo reminds me of the awesome 959 and nearly equals it in performance to include incorporating 4 wheel drive...it is faster than any of the cars I have looked at...And the Exige I think woud be the most fin of all of them for driving, except in traffic...I need to see how big a deal it is for me not being able to see out the back...

I really like the NSX...but I think people ae being silly greedy in what they are asking for them used...in many cases over their original costs. Very few were sold at MSRP the last 2-3 years...and I was offered one from graciously at cost 2 years back from a veteran, but at over 70k was out of my league...

Thanks again

S

[Lotus84123]

I guess I should clarify something, It really depends on the car. The 355 has shown to be one of the worst Ferraris as far as maintenance goes. In all reality, all Ferraris are high maintenance. Just go with the Esprit V8 and call it good.

[EspritMike]

Originally Posted by shawncweed

Ihave not heard the same as what Lotus84123 conveyed. Everything i have read said the 348 was among the least sorted Ferraris ever sold...

That was certainly the prevailing wisdom for some time but it's turning out that the 348 has lots of irritating faults related to electrics but a reasonably bulletproof drivetrain while the 355s have all kinds of expensive problems that seem to be endemic to the car. Careful reading of the FerrariChat Technical section will learn 'ya plenty.

The 360s seem to be much, much better.

[biobanker]

From the experience of owning my NSX for the past 3 years, I can tell you that if you are looking for:

1) A very unique and rare car;
2) A car that is dramatically better in real life than on paper;
3) A car that will not leave you stranded;
4) A car that is timeless;
5) A car that is as comfortable tearing up a track as it is going on long roadtrips; and
6) A terrific group of owners,

then you will be very happy with an NSX.

Come on over to NSXPRIME and say hello. Snoop around there and you should find everything you need.

I chose my NSX over a 355 and a PTurbo, and I couldnt be happier about my decision. Love my NSX.

[StallionX]

what the esprit v8 will give you is gut wrenching acceleration, something the 355 has to a lesser degree and the NSX has to an ever lesser degree..

do you enjoy the thrill of hitting the gas and having the car TEAR away into the distance.. then you have one option. E S P R I T V 8

(oh you need johan chip and upgraded wastegates)

[TheRedMenace]

Originally Posted by StallionX

what the esprit v8 will give you is gut wrenching acceleration, something the 355 has to a lesser degree and the NSX has to an ever lesser degree..

do you enjoy the thrill of hitting the gas and having the car TEAR away into the distance.. then you have one option. E S P R I T V 8

(oh you need johan chip and upgraded wastegates)

As a sports car fanatic and owner of many of them at one point or another, I have to say the NSX is one of the most boring sports cars ever made.

The only thing I'd disagree with StallionX on is that I prefer the 4 cylinder car over the V8 for many, many reasons. As an Esprit nut I feel the 1995 S4 and S4s are the best Esprits ever made. The only downside is it'll take you forever to find one worth buying.

[Viggen]

Originally Posted by biobanker

1) A very unique and rare car;
2) A car that is dramatically better in real life than on paper;
3) A car that will not leave you stranded;
4) A car that is timeless;
5) A car that is as comfortable tearing up a track as it is going on long roadtrips; and
6) A terrific group of owners,

1) to me, not really unique but yea, kinda rare however not compared to the other cars mentioned
2) slow (accelerating) on paper, same in real life! Handles great on paper & in real life! Reliable..... on both accounts
3) very true
4) the looked outdated years ago, typical japanese styling!
5) very true
6) true......

[biobanker]

Originally Posted by Viggen

1) to me, not really unique but yea, kinda rare however not compared to the other cars mentioned
2) slow (accelerating) on paper, same in real life! Handles great on paper & in real life! Reliable..... on both accounts
3) very true
4) the looked outdated years ago, typical japanese styling!
5) very true
6) true......

Ok, well it depends what you compare to. The stock NSX does the quarter, which is its WEAKEST performance measure, in 13.2ish and many people have reported consistent 12.9s times (@107 to 110mph). That is about par with an Exige S, no?

I am not going to turn this into a flame or troll post, but the guy who said that an NSX is boring clearly has no idea what he is talking about. If working every time you go to turn it on, accelerating as fast as a 355 with handling that matches anything else on the road is boring, perhaps you should stick with the Esprit, the car that is glued together and has wood underneath those panels. Guess being left stranded and suffering wicked depreciation is exciting. I wouldnt know.

[biobanker]

Originally Posted by TheRedMenace

As a sports car fanatic and owner of many of them at one point or another, I have to say the NSX is one of the most boring sports cars ever made.

The only thing I'd disagree with StallionX on is that I prefer the 4 cylinder car over the V8 for many, many reasons. As an Esprit nut I feel the 1995 S4 and S4s are the best Esprits ever made. The only downside is it'll take you forever to find one worth buying.

The NSX was critical in the design of the McLaren F1. If it was good enough to use as a baseline for that car, its certainly good enough for any of us. STILL.