Anyone own a vehicle that works 100%. No Problems!
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938 Posts
Hi.
Is it due to your own hard work and passion?
Did you get lucky because of the previous owner was anal?
Curious.
Very few cars are 100%. A lot has to do with the fact that if you don't do your own work it can be very costly and time consuming to get that last 5% right. The door that doesn't close like it should, the rattle here, the squeak there, the burnt out bulb, the trunk that doesn't pop open easily, etc. Add to the fact that all of these are limited production, hand made cars and they all need an excessive amount of "fettling". Even from new! Then the car gets neglected and the service runs out of date. Eventually so many little things pile up and you don't know where to begin. Time to sell the low mileage car. It is low mileage because it doesn't run!
David Teitelbaum
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175 Posts
I would say my Esprit is normal for it's age. Given the amount I drive it I would say it is no more of an issue than any other car 20 years old never been rebuilt.
I have a friend with a Mazda Miata that has over 250 thousand miles on it... oil changes, 3 clutches, and brakes. Nothing else. I expect it would be hard to beat that number for any other vehicle.
I have a friend with a Mazda Miata that has over 250 thousand miles on it... oil changes, 3 clutches, and brakes. Nothing else. I expect it would be hard to beat that number for any other vehicle.
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206 Posts
It's been 3 years of persistence. I had the engine completely rebuilt a year ago. Not your topical build. Engine was brought down to the bare block and every piece jet washed and blueprinted. After that I worked on replacing anything and everything else I could find that was worn or started to look worn. If I see a leak I fix it. If the clutch got mushy I'd replace all the hydrolics just to be sure. If the brakes were mushy I'd replace all hydrolics. If a window was slow, I'd take apart the door. If the air conditioning felt warm, I'd replace the pump and dryer. Basically I haven't played around when it comes to maintaining the car. The previous owner was terrible about maintaining and so there was a lot to do. I just look at the car as a hobby and I don't get mad or frustrated with it because it is a hobby. Right now I'm painting engine parts. Not because it needs paint to run well but I'm doing it cuz I've fixed everything and now I'm bored.
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576 Posts
The 89 I just sold was near 100% and was a reliable car.
Actually I don't think the Esprit is as bad as people make it out to be.
The 4 banger is as good as any other car from the era, if it is cared for, and no worse than any other when it isn't. I've had way more issues with other older cars.
The major problem with the Esprit which earns it the reputation of an unreliable car is the lack of qualified mechanics, and the difficulty in obtaining parts, which then leads to poor maintenance and poor upkeep and substandard repairs often by well meaning owners.
Randy
Actually I don't think the Esprit is as bad as people make it out to be.
The 4 banger is as good as any other car from the era, if it is cared for, and no worse than any other when it isn't. I've had way more issues with other older cars.
The major problem with the Esprit which earns it the reputation of an unreliable car is the lack of qualified mechanics, and the difficulty in obtaining parts, which then leads to poor maintenance and poor upkeep and substandard repairs often by well meaning owners.
Randy
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151 Posts
Yes, my 95 S4 is running very well, has never quit or stranded me and I trust it to drive anywhere. I do a lot of routine maintenance and put 8000 miles on it since last April which I believe is the secret, these cars need to be used routinely so you can work through all of the minor issues that may appear.
My 2005 Volvo XC also runs very well and same as above, except the very specific windshield wipers cost $48 each! The lotus is less expensive and gets better mileage.
My 2005 Volvo XC also runs very well and same as above, except the very specific windshield wipers cost $48 each! The lotus is less expensive and gets better mileage.
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3,421 Posts
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My Esprit currently is in very good nic. Runs and drives perfectly. Everything works - the AC, power windows, radio, etc, etc.
But, I do have ONE issue: My low fuel warning light comes on WAY too early. Like a half tank and its flickering like crazy. Especially around corners. Stupid thing
Overal though, Id say my car is as trouble-free as yer gonna get with a 25+ year old English car.
But, I do have ONE issue: My low fuel warning light comes on WAY too early. Like a half tank and its flickering like crazy. Especially around corners. Stupid thing
Overal though, Id say my car is as trouble-free as yer gonna get with a 25+ year old English car.
Hey Mikey,I do have ONE issue: My low fuel warning light comes on WAY too early. Like a half tank and its flickering like crazy. Especially around corners. Stupid thing
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:tadts::tadts::tadts::tadts::tadts::tadts:
You'd better slow down, you scofflaw. rotfl
++++++++++++++
Show me an owner who thinks there are no issues with their car (DD or Lotus) and I'll show you someone who will drive happy...until the motor falls out....
That reminds me, my "Energy-Saving" door switch doesn't turn the interior light on everytime....but in the scheme of things, that's not an Issue...it"s an Idiosyncrasy.
I could not agree more. They really are great cars. Sadly, just a lot of ****ty owners get a hold of them...nothing worse than when someone who can afford to buy it can't afford to own it...then blames the car...
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327 Posts
I own Jeeps, Buells, and the Lotus... So no, nothing I have is 100% reliable. The Jeeps crack exhaust manifolds, and the crank sensors need replaced... frequently. Oh, and the seat frames break and need to be removed and re-welded, just did this. Purple Jeep needs a front drive shaft at the moment. The Buells are air cooled high performance V-Twins... they need a lot of work. Black Buell needs a rear base gasket at the moment, and it's had a temp sensor, and the computer constantly needs the TPS sensor reset. Race Buell is a track bike, it's currently in pieces... it needs constant work. The Civic I had ate input shaft bearings for the transaxle. The Suzuki needs a stator and rotor, the GS likes to burn up it's own charging system.
Right now, I have more parts laying around than I have time to fix projects. I seriously have parts for every vehicle I have at the moment, and working off little things as I can.
Oops, forgot the ski, it's a Polaris, so it needs a fuel pump at the moment, and the carbs gone thru.
Right now, I have more parts laying around than I have time to fix projects. I seriously have parts for every vehicle I have at the moment, and working off little things as I can.
Oops, forgot the ski, it's a Polaris, so it needs a fuel pump at the moment, and the carbs gone thru.
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