Saying hi - LotusTalk

The Veg · 07-05-2009, 03:12 PM

Hey all, new here...and seriously lusting for an Esprit! I've done tons of homework and endless hours of reading...now I just need to get to where I can actually afford the thing (I am currently a 'casualty of the recession').

My dream is a later G-car, preferably an HCI...the 'purity' of the earlier cars is nice, but a lot of real-world/living-with-it-type of stuff makes me lean toward the S3/Turbo cars. But no matter how you slice it, I've wanted an Esprit since about 1980.

I found out about this forum this morning from talking to some guys at a local cruise-in. I was there to see an '87 Turbo up close. I'd seen it for sale on eBay then heard that a local guy bought it...traded a few emails with him and he was very gracious about meeting me and allowing me to check out his car from every angle and to sit in it.

I mention sitting in it for a very important reason. Back in 1987 when I was 19, I sat in a brand-new Turbo in a dealer's showroom. I remember fitting rather comfortably, despite my great height. I am 6'4", although at that time I only weighed about 170. Today I weigh about 245 and have gained about 8-10" of waist-size.

Here's what it looked like today when I sat in my new friend's car:

It was, in a word, TIGHT- my head was in firm contact with the ceiling, and my legs were in firm contact with the steering wheel. Despite this, I remain undeterred as I have read a few web-pages about the modifications possible to accomodate tall drivers. I have even seen one article about a 6'7" fellow in Britain who, while he does need to open the sunroof, still makes it work. I also wonder if due to being a small-production, hand-built car, there might be some variance from one car to the next. In any case, I am very good with tools and have spent my life tinkering with foreign vehicles so I have full confidence that I can handle both the 'tall-guy mods' and the regular maintenance and upkeep of such a car.

Just for kicks, here's another picture of the car I saw today

So my plan, once I'm financially healthy again, is to make a major goal of Esprit-ownership. I'll be lurking and reading here, and probably will ask a few questions here and there, always driven to learn more about the object of my lust. Wish me luck, and I'll let you know when I get my Esprit.

V-RAPTOR · 07-05-2009, 04:19 PM

good luck on your quest!

DeanG · 07-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Good luck.

...m... · 07-05-2009, 04:31 PM

...welcome aboard!..a lotus makes great motivation for a weight-loss plan...

RoadDad · 07-05-2009, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the forum.

There are several Esprit owners here and I have seen a few come up for sale now and then. Watch the "Lotus cars for sale" section here Lotus Cars for Sale - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community. You can also find some esprit owners at Welcome to The Lotus Forums (which also has a for sale section).

If there are any cars you find that are out of town for you post about them here and I'm sure someone close to the car would be willing to go take a look at it for you.

Good luck.

ABorkat · 07-05-2009, 06:32 PM

Well hey Ben! Your first new post in the forum beat mine by seven minutes

My post if anyone's interested....

Glad you got to come out. Next time maybe it won't rain, and Jen and I will have a little more time so I can take you for a spin (not literally

). And if it's sunny, I'll take the roof off so you can hold your head upright

I'm really hoping you find an Esprit too. Maybe I'm being selfish, but aside from you getting past the economy (don't worry, it will get better!) and having your dream car, I really want a driving buddy

What a sight that would be!

Adam

MickOpalak · 07-05-2009, 06:35 PM

Welcome. That's a good looking Esprit.

See my sig for details on the local club.

RoadDad · 07-05-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABorkat

I'm really hoping you find an Esprit too. Maybe I'm being selfish, but aside from you getting past the economy (don't worry, it will get better!) and having your dream car, I really want a driving buddy What a sight that would be!

Adam,

He can still be your driving buddy. You just need to share your car with him for now

.

The Veg · 07-05-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABorkat

I'm really hoping you find an Esprit too. Maybe I'm being selfish, but aside from you getting past the economy (don't worry, it will get better!) and having your dream car, I really want a driving buddy

What a sight that would be!

Thanks Adam, and yeah, it's good to have friends in any obsession- especially when vehicles are involved!

RacyTracy · 07-05-2009, 06:40 PM

Welcome!!!

shay2nak · 07-05-2009, 07:24 PM

good luck and welcome!

07-05-2009, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Veg Still dreaming Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 5	Saying hi Hey all, new here...and seriously lusting for an Esprit! I've done tons of homework and endless hours of reading...now I just need to get to where I can actually afford the thing (I am currently a 'casualty of the recession'). My dream is a later G-car, preferably an HCI...the 'purity' of the earlier cars is nice, but a lot of real-world/living-with-it-type of stuff makes me lean toward the S3/Turbo cars. But no matter how you slice it, I've wanted an Esprit since about 1980. I found out about this forum this morning from talking to some guys at a local cruise-in. I was there to see an '87 Turbo up close. I'd seen it for sale on eBay then heard that a local guy bought it...traded a few emails with him and he was very gracious about meeting me and allowing me to check out his car from every angle and to sit in it. I mention sitting in it for a very important reason. Back in 1987 when I was 19, I sat in a brand-new Turbo in a dealer's showroom. I remember fitting rather comfortably, despite my great height. I am 6'4", although at that time I only weighed about 170. Today I weigh about 245 and have gained about 8-10" of waist-size. Here's what it looked like today when I sat in my new friend's car: It was, in a word, TIGHT- my head was in firm contact with the ceiling, and my legs were in firm contact with the steering wheel. Despite this, I remain undeterred as I have read a few web-pages about the modifications possible to accomodate tall drivers. I have even seen one article about a 6'7" fellow in Britain who, while he does need to open the sunroof, still makes it work. I also wonder if due to being a small-production, hand-built car, there might be some variance from one car to the next. In any case, I am very good with tools and have spent my life tinkering with foreign vehicles so I have full confidence that I can handle both the 'tall-guy mods' and the regular maintenance and upkeep of such a car. Just for kicks, here's another picture of the car I saw today So my plan, once I'm financially healthy again, is to make a major goal of Esprit-ownership. I'll be lurking and reading here, and probably will ask a few questions here and there, always driven to learn more about the object of my lust. Wish me luck, and I'll let you know when I get my Esprit.

07-05-2009, 04:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
V-RAPTOR STARLIGHT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NOVA (Winchester) Posts: 663	good luck on your quest! __________________ 2005 Starlight Black Biscuit Interior // Hard Top // Von Hep Exhaust // Von Hep Rear Delete // Full Heat Shield Removed // Fujita CAI // Rota Torque Wheels W/ Toyo R1R's // ForceFed Carbon Fiber Splitter // Carbon Fiber Engine lid cover // LidBone // JL Audio VR525-CXi Front and Rear // Micro Mirror // Painted interior bits // Bling Buttons // Darth Holder

07-05-2009, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,716	...welcome aboard!..a lotus makes great motivation for a weight-loss plan... __________________ 2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...73,000 miles and aging beautifully... 2000 New Beetle \| Turbo \| Reflex Silver ...107,000 miles of steadfast service...

07-05-2009, 06:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,042	Welcome to the forum. There are several Esprit owners here and I have seen a few come up for sale now and then. Watch the "Lotus cars for sale" section here Lotus Cars for Sale - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community. You can also find some esprit owners at Welcome to The Lotus Forums (which also has a for sale section). If there are any cars you find that are out of town for you post about them here and I'm sure someone close to the car would be willing to go take a look at it for you. Good luck. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

07-05-2009, 06:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
ABorkat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 17 Images: 11	Well hey Ben! Your first new post in the forum beat mine by seven minutes My post if anyone's interested.... Glad you got to come out. Next time maybe it won't rain, and Jen and I will have a little more time so I can take you for a spin (not literally ). And if it's sunny, I'll take the roof off so you can hold your head upright I'm really hoping you find an Esprit too. Maybe I'm being selfish, but aside from you getting past the economy (don't worry, it will get better!) and having your dream car, I really want a driving buddy What a sight that would be! Adam Last edited by ABorkat : 07-05-2009 at 06:57 PM.

07-05-2009, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
DeanG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 724	Good luck.

07-05-2009, 06:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
MickOpalak Prez: The K.G.B. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 5,307	Welcome. That's a good looking Esprit. See my sig for details on the local club. __________________ 2007 Exige S265 - Krypton Green - Gotham 265 ECU - Volk TE37s - Toyo R888s - B&M Shifter - QuickSilver exhaust - stripes - harnesses - Pagid pads - Green air filter 2002 Jaguar XKR convertible 2000 BMW 528i President - Lotus Limited Southeast http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LLSE/

07-05-2009, 06:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,203 Images: 1	Welcome!!! __________________ Tracy 2009 Lotus Exige S260 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

07-05-2009, 07:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,058	good luck and welcome! __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

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