[Flareon]

Okay, being in this forum should suggest something - you have a thing for Lotus cars, or you want to get one. I'm in the latter, as I've always had a little corner of my car-loving self reserved for Lotus. In any case, due to a recent promotion, my cash flow increased to the point that an Esprit may actually be feasible for me. So in my time of research, I've noticed many things said over and over.
For one, DO RESEARCH. On everything imaginable, apparently. For two, STRICT MAINTENANCE. This one scared me, but I keep getting mixed ideas on the price of said maintenance. One thing I keep hearing is that it's very cheap if you can do the simple, little stuff yourself, and leave the big stuff for the dealers (which should be experienced with Lotus.) I'll admit, I have very little experience under the hood.. but I'd like to. I'm fairly good at picking stuff like that up, as I'm VERY tech savvy with other complicated things like electronics (electrical engineer to be.) That aside, I'd also love to know if there was some sort of chart of recommended maintenance for whatever miles it appears at.
I'd also love to know a few things. Where does one figure this out? I can't exactly start taking apart the neighborhood cars, and I have a feeling that familiarizing myself with some random Honda Civic won't be the same as a Lotus Esprit. I want to learn, but have no idea where to start. Related to this, I'd also love to know what kind of "simple, little stuff" others have experienced over the years with their Esprit's. Every car needs the occasionally wrench, so.. what should I expect from a Lotus? Also, how much does that equate to in dollars per year, on maintenance? I hear it's similar to a BMW, but never having owned a BMW, I wouldn't really know what that equates to.

Sorry for the wall of text. I tried to keep it as brief as possible.

 

[serpent]

Welcome :wave:

You cant take apart the neighborhood cars and even if you do that wont help you. The only way to learn how to do work on an Esprit is to actually do work on an Esprit. There should be DIYs on how to do almost everything on an Esprit forum.

We have a couple of people here that have had Esprits that will chime in to give you specifics. Good luck and i hope you get to own one very soon.

 

[SweetDaddyD]

Welcome :wave:

You cant take apart the neighborhood cars and even if you do that wont help you. The only way to learn how to do work on an Esprit is to actually do work on an Esprit. There should be DIYs on how to do almost everything on an Esprit forum.

I agree and disagree. lol. Once you learn the fundamentals of working on cars you can apply it to many other makes and models. Because I understand the fundamentals of how engines work, what the parts do, and how they interact with each other - it really boils down to it's just bolts. Doesn't matter if it's an air cooled VW engine where the cylinders bolt on the to block and the camshaft in under the crank with pushrod tubes on the outside, or if the standard V8 everyone learns on, or and inline 4 with overhead cams. Learning how the parts work together makes the difference and gives you the confidence to get the wrenches out. If you really want to learn, I'd suggest checking out some books, focus on just learning the 4 stroke cycle and build from there, building one of those clear V8 engine models, if you have time and interest take a community college class or two, and if anyone in your area does "tech days" like we do, show up. You'd be amazed what people will teach you on a one and one basis for a case of beer, a couple good cigars, etc. Be generous- it's still cheap education!
You do gotta get hands on. When I was young I read all I could and then determined the only way I'd ever be able to paint a car was to buy a "learn to paint car" and the equipment. Pick something cheap to learn on that you can sell when you are done and work on learning why the parts work the way they do.

In the same regard I'm barely anything of a cook. I can grill and do simple things, but you won't catch me whipping up a recipe you'd want to eat. I have friends that have the midas touch of cooking though, even if it's something new. The difference is they have a hand on the fundamentals and me, well I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. (If anyone wants their brakes done though I'll trade you for a really good meal!)

 

[RacyTracy]

Welcome!! :wave:

 

[Flareon]

First off, have to say for the first day, thanks for a warm welcome! Now to respond:

if you have time and interest take a community college class or two, and if anyone in your area does "tech days" like we do, show up. You'd be amazed what people will teach you on a one and one basis for a case of beer, a couple good cigars, etc. Be generous- it's still cheap education!

I actually like this idea. I can easily take a class, and my local community college is a mere few minutes walking distance from my house. Though I do wonder how many courses they'd have, but thanks for the suggestion. The latter actually sounds more intriguing to me - how does one found out where something like that is?

You cant take apart the neighborhood cars and even if you do that wont help you.

Well I wasn't *serious*.. I don't think many would appreciate waking up to a dismantled car in the morning. rotfl

Welcome!! :wave:

Hi!

 

[SweetDaddyD]

You figured out multi-quotes on your first day? I just now got that. haha.

You can watch the regional forums on here for if anyone in your area does a tech day.

Cool, let us know if you find and sign up for any classes. If you want I can you send my old Modern Automotive Tech book from school. It would be like a 101 class type book, and it would also be about 13 years old but it will help you learn the basics. I'm sure it was $100 at one time. Cost of shipping and it's yours. Then again it'd be free at your local library and more up to date.

 

[serpent]

I actually like this idea. I can easily take a class, and my local community college is a mere few minutes walking distance from my house. Though I do wonder how many courses they'd have, but thanks for the suggestion. The latter actually sounds more intriguing to me - how does one found out where something like that is?

you can usually google local car forums and find info on meets and "mod meets"...people are usually friendly and understanding if you want to help out and learn. Just dont wreck their cars lol jk

Well I wasn't *serious*.. I don't think many would appreciate waking up to a dismantled car in the morning. rotfl

lol, i know you werent serious. My point was that even if you do learn the basics of an engine you wont be able to take apart an esprit and put it back together. You will know the basics and that will help you A LOT, but your going to run into problems and will have to do "DIY" searches on Esprit forums.

Knowing the basics is key so you know what your looking at...So SDD is right but i was speaking more along the lines of Esprits.

 

[Flareon]

You figured out multi-quotes on your first day? I just now got that. haha.

You can watch the regional forums on here for if anyone in your area does a tech day.

Cool, let us know if you find and sign up for any classes. If you want I can you send my old Modern Automotive Tech book from school. It would be like a 101 class type book, and it would also be about 13 years old but it will help you learn the basics. I'm sure it was $100 at one time. Cost of shipping and it's yours. Then again it'd be free at your local library and more up to date.

Quick learner, I guess? These aren't the first forums I've been a part of, though. But yes, I may be stalking these regional forums you speak of. As for your book, I may go the library route first to see what they have. Benefit of living where I do is the abundance of libraries.. very large ones.

lol, i know you werent serious. My point was that even if you do learn the basics of an engine you wont be able to take apart an esprit and put it back together. You will know the basics and that will help you A LOT, but your going to run into problems and will have to do "DIY" searches on Esprit forums.

Knowing the basics is key so you know what your looking at...So SDD is right but i was speaking more along the lines of Esprits.

Fair enough. I have no problems searching for things I don't know right off the bat. But it's one of those things where if they're telling me to attach wire A to socket B over tube C, I'd like to at least have a general idea of what their talking about. But yeah, I didn't expect that dismantling a beat up Honda Civic would suddenly make me an Esprit internals expert. Personally, as long as I'm dreaming, I'd prefer a Matrix-style education. Insert a disk, and send it all to the brain.

 

[serpent]

I'd prefer a Matrix-style education. Insert a disk, and send it all to the brain.

lol...so would i

i suggest you send a PM to Tesprit and ask him whatever questions you have. He will be able to help you out A LOT.