Here are the mandatory "pics or it didn't happen." I just got the car back from being sorted out by my mechanic and gave it a quick wash.
Pictures of my NSX replacement.
- Thread starter DocL
- Start date
So very nice! That and the Countach were my dream cars growing up. If it were not for me having the NSX I would have that instead. It is timeless and puts the NSX to shame from the eyeball department.
What an interesting vehicle. Thanks for sharing, looks awesome. Enjoy!
Lucas
Lucas
I was in love with the Espirit growing up. One of the most beautifully designed coupes ever. Congrats.
Funny to see this today! I rarely see these cars, but actually just saw one of these driving down the street here in Orange County (The CA one not FL 
)
Great looking car! I also loved these when I was growing up.
Keep us updated on how you're enjoying it.
) Great looking car! I also loved these when I was growing up.
Keep us updated on how you're enjoying it.
I like it!
nice car.From a purity standpoint the first esprit was really a beautiful uncluttered design.The car however was quite fragile and yearned for more hp...sounds familiar.While the later cars got the power they grew appendages/festoons and got a little over styled imho.Still though Rob you will be the hit of any c@c.
i remember that car from test drive the video game. looks very mint!
Thanks for all the kind words guys. It was a tough decision not to get another NSX. Especially when I saw FeetFxr list his for sale. I love his car.
One of the things I loved about the NSX was that you rarely saw another one on the road. However, down here in S. Florida that means you saw another NSX every other day, not every day like F-Cars, Lambo's, McLarens, etc... With the Lotus, I will probably never see one one the road as there were only 10,000 made since inception, and mine is only 1 of 33 sold in the US for 2004. Lotus did a few special things to the Esprit the for the last 33 such as a fully adjustable suspension, retuned ECU, and a few updates to the interior. The Esprit is similar to the NSX in that they got the design right the first time, but Lotus did realize the need to increase the engine size to keep up with the other exotics. I happen to like the 99-04 styling the best. It is a bit over the top with the body extensions, but the car looks mean. It also gets more attention than the NSX. My first time washing the car today and a few neighbors stopped to ask me questions and look at the car. That never happened with the NSX.
I really haven't gotten the chance to drive the car on clear dry roads, but I can tell you that the torque and turbo boost is a rush. If any of you ever get the chance to drive one, you should entertain that opportunity. It's not as light and nimble feeling as the NSX, however you know you are driving a special car.
One of the things I loved about the NSX was that you rarely saw another one on the road. However, down here in S. Florida that means you saw another NSX every other day, not every day like F-Cars, Lambo's, McLarens, etc... With the Lotus, I will probably never see one one the road as there were only 10,000 made since inception, and mine is only 1 of 33 sold in the US for 2004. Lotus did a few special things to the Esprit the for the last 33 such as a fully adjustable suspension, retuned ECU, and a few updates to the interior. The Esprit is similar to the NSX in that they got the design right the first time, but Lotus did realize the need to increase the engine size to keep up with the other exotics. I happen to like the 99-04 styling the best. It is a bit over the top with the body extensions, but the car looks mean. It also gets more attention than the NSX. My first time washing the car today and a few neighbors stopped to ask me questions and look at the car. That never happened with the NSX.
I really haven't gotten the chance to drive the car on clear dry roads, but I can tell you that the torque and turbo boost is a rush. If any of you ever get the chance to drive one, you should entertain that opportunity. It's not as light and nimble feeling as the NSX, however you know you are driving a special car.
Love the Esprit, I find myself looking at them on eBay very often and can see myself owning one. I'm itching for a new addition to my collection.
that's a sweet ride! Almost pulled the trigger on an Esprit but got the X instead...always one of my favorites!!
Believe that is the exact car I almost bought just over a year ago in Palm Coast. Owner was in failing health and couldn't drive the car anymore. No one seems to know how this car has black badges when the rest of final cars it seems had the standard Lotus badge. Probably swapped out by first owner. I am sure you have noticed that the V8 Esprit drives nothing like the NSX and you feel like your sitting in a tub in comparison with far less outward visibility, but it sure is a blast to drive. IIRC, on your car some of the switches were sticking which is an easy fix. Bordeaux is a fabulous color. Enjoy:smile:.
Beautiful car Doc. Very few cars have as much character.
Please don't take this personally but I really like your rear end.:redface:
You are 100% correct. The gentleman passed away last February and there were a bunch of tire kickers looking to steal the car since then. I have both original badges and was thinking of putting them back on, however I kinda like the black ones. I bought the car without doing a PPI and got lucky. However, the service that the Lotus Stealership did was less than stellar. They took a lot of shortcuts that needed to be corrected. The car is 100% now and will need a major service in 1.5 years which I anticipated.
I got a very good deal on it but it needed some TLC. Luckily there is a factory Lotus trained mechanic near me who knows these cars inside-out. I would never have bought it if I didn't have an independent mechanic locally.
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You're making me blush. LOL.
Nice!
I've never seen one that color. Stunning. THX for photos, Doc. :smile:
I've never seen one that color. Stunning. THX for photos, Doc. :smile:
Thanks. I'm learning a lot about the last Esprit's made in 2004. There isn't as much info available online like there is with NSXPrime, but I'm slowly gathering info about the car.
shawn110975
Suspended
OOOOOHHHHHH that Lotus, when you told me what you got I was thinking the small 4 cyl Ugly slow version that looks like something puked it out LOL
now this is a good choice Doc
and dont pick up any strangers like the movie " Pretty Women " you may get some ...
now this is a good choice Doc
and dont pick up any strangers like the movie " Pretty Women " you may get some ...
very nice ride, doc -- congrats.
Very nice car!
Back in high school the local Lotus dealership had a yellow Esprit that I loved. They were nice enough to let my friends and I sit in it even though we were only 16 and obviously did not have the means to buy something like that.
Back in high school the local Lotus dealership had a yellow Esprit that I loved. They were nice enough to let my friends and I sit in it even though we were only 16 and obviously did not have the means to buy something like that.
Back in 89 in Wilkes-Barra, Pa a local dealer had a Burnt Orange Lotus. The color made you just stop in your tracks and drool.
I think the stciker was about 78k. It sat for a while since NE PA didn't really have the clients for that type of exotic. Congrats.
I think the stciker was about 78k. It sat for a while since NE PA didn't really have the clients for that type of exotic. Congrats.
I agree totally! I always thought the originals were a piece of art and just about bought a '95. But as someone else said, the reliability issues killed it for me. In one of the popular car magazines of the day, I think it was voted the "car most likely to leave you stranded". But perhaps by 2004, they had most of the bugs worked out. I wish you luck with it .. it's a striking car and color.
