Why an Esprit now

(Continue from last post: My Lotus Esprit S4 blog – Forward, published on July 15, 2010)

To make a long story short is not easy, but I’ll try.

I was a satisfied 1997 Lexus ES300 owner for 9 years, I wanted a reliable and affordable luxury car and it delivered for nearly 250K miles. One day I felt the suspension was getting way too soft. I was short on cash but wanted the best handling car and bought a used 1997 BMW 528i. It was great while it last for a year. I was flying down the freeway full of confidence. I got a taste of what a good sports car can feel like. However, water bump and radiator leaked on the highway and burned the engine twice. The repair bills were a lot more than the cost of the car. I had to travel between Northern and Southern California often at that time and I had to trade it for a much more reliable car – 1995 Lexus LS400. The driving experience on the Bimmer had totally changed my taste in driving. I put racing coilovers on the LS but the balance was just not there. I want a reliable BMW. As a new one was way over budget, I looked hard in 2008 for a used 2006 model. This model year has a new engine and electronic water pump so I won’t likely to suffer the same fate as my last Bimmer. I found a good deal on a 2006 525i with Navigation and Sports package and traded the LS for this car which I still currently own and very satisfied with it. While I was looking over the auto websites for the BMW, I went to see where the Esprits are costing these days. To my pleasant surprise, the used Lotuses are almost the same price as the used BMW. For a moment I almost went with an Esprit instead. However, the need to carry a family and a reliable car was a more “logical” choice. I drove the Bimmer home and the whole family was happy.

Since then, I become a regular checking into Esprit prices on the internet. I was tempted in February this year when a couple local used car dealers advertised a couple 1989 Esprit for under $20K. I final draw came in April 2010 when I saw on MSN Auto a 1989 Esprit in San Diego went on sale for $13K. I know the calling is now; I can no longer sitting on the sideline. If I don’t get it now, I may never fulfill one of my life time dreams. Even if I will be able to get it at a later day, will I still have the physical to enjoy the car as now? I guess this is what some call mid-life crisis – the need to feel young again in mid life. I am taking out my check book and digging into my savings (emergency fund?). I am getting a Lotus Esprit this year.

Why a S4?

The original Giugiaro design was the first love. The angular wedge shape design is timeless. Even though it came from the same pen, I still think the Esprit is much better looking to BMW M1. However, the reliability issue that goes with the early days Esprit kept me looking.

The Stevens redesign was right on the spot. It kept the beautiful wedge shape but soften the angle for a modern look. The Esprit identity is intact. The various rear spoilers on the later models added the sporty look. The most important consideration was the newer parts in the newer Esprits are a lot more reliable and much easier to get.

Just because a 1989 Esprit Turbo was selling for $12900 does not mean it is a good buy. I want to able to enjoy driving the car and not to worry about it too often. I need to do more home work. I checked out all the major Lotus Esprit websites, like LotusEspritTurbo.com, LotusEspritWorld.com, Lotus Esprit Fact Files, The Lotus forum, and Turbo Esprit at Yahoo group. I know I will get my hands full if I do not get a good Esprit, especially since I do not plan to work on it myself.

The 1989 has the old Citroen gearbox in it (older parts), and the car has over 100K miles in it. I am worried about the timing belt at this age. The steering rack also may have problem down the road. I had to mark this one as a back up and look for a more reliable Esprit. After more studies, I have decided the S4 will be the best model for me to get. The main reasons:

1. Power steering. This should not have the steering rack problem and should be a lot easier to drive.
2. ABS brakes. It is nice not to change your “braking habits” as all my cars have ABS these days.
3. 100K miles rated timing belt for California. I should not have to worry about it for a while.
4. Along with the S4s, the S4 is being called the most reliable Esprit around.
5. It is a lot cheaper than any of the V8 models.
6. I like the unique spoiler that made S4 stands out even in groups of Esprits.

My S4

Just like fate, this red 1995 Lotus Esprit S4 showed up in eBay Motors in May 2010. The car is listed just 50 miles from where I live, too. The next decent S4 listing is in Colorado and it is a good $10K more ( I don’t like black cars either). It has some serious issues on paper that’s why most people are cautious about it. It is a “Salvaged” title, which means this car was treated as a “complete goner” one time. It also has a bad mileage discrepancy. The car history report has it at 73,388 miles, while the owner claimed the odometer is showing only around 46,000 miles. Here is the statement from the former owner on ebay motors:

THIS CAR IS A SALVAGED, IT WAS HIT ONDERCARRIAGE,  PARTS REPLACE ARE LOWER CONTROL ARM RIGHT SIDE, BUSHES REPLACE BOTH SIDE

NEW FULLY ADJUSABLE FRONT AND REAR DAMPERS & SPRINGS , FROM S J SPORTCARS LTD,

A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT B&D ALINGNMENT INC, TWO TIRES REPLACE ,

IT HAS RUN FLAT TIRES, NEW CD PLAYER WITH BLUETOOTH , WITH SMALL AMP

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A AUTO AUCTION , IT HAD NO CAT, I HAVE INSTALL A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FOR SMOG

INSTALL NEW EXHAUST PIPE WITH TIPS LESS THE 2000 MILES

AC WAS SERVICE LESS THEN 2500 MILES , NICE AND COLD

NEW FRONT BRAKES LINES AND PADS  LESS THEN 200 MILES

ECM WAS PROGRAM BY LOTUS CAUDIUS AND CERRITOS LESS THEN 100 MILES, AND SCAN FOR FAULTS OR CHECK ENGINE , A SPEED SENSOR REPLACE,

NEW INTERIOR WAS DONE ABOUT 2500 MILES , RUNS GREAT , I NEED TO SELL MY TOYS.

NO PICTURES FROM BEFORE SORRY , SERIOUS BUYER ARE WELCOME TO SEE THE CAR. PLEASE SCAMS OR LOOKIE LOO, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS CAR , THIS CAR IS VALUE AT A HIGH PRICE, FROM 22000 TO 25000 . SALVEGED CUTS YOU COST, AND A VERY AFFORDABLE EXOTIC CAR

The listing price of $16500 sure is attractive. I will have left over budget for fixing the car if needed. I called the owner up and made an appointment to check out the car. He told me two other people are also very interested but not in the area and have to fly in to check it out. I got there before they do easily. The Esprit S4 looks even more stunning up close. There was no sign of any obvious damage at all. The odometer reads 45,893. The car starts right up and settled into a good idle. Everything seems to work in the car, except some minor things like the lift rod for the back engine / trunk lid, and no back view mirror. The previous owner, Marc, drove me around the block and it felt smooth and powerful. No warning light of any sort on the dash. The engine bay is clean and no leak or oily smell observed (However, there is no engine cover). Marc owns a small car oil change and repair shop and I think he was honest and straight forward on everything. I also think he did a very good job restoring the car to fully operational condition and some more. I think the discrepancy on the mileage was due to a clerical mistake (type in a 7 instead of a 4 as they are next to each other on the numeric pad) and the history should really state 43388 miles. It makes more sense as the miles recorded before this was only 17408 miles. With such a good deal on the table and the car appears in good shape, this is a very good risk to take. I rushed to the bank and got a certified check for Marc. He handed over the pink slip and the keys. 

On May 24, 2010, one of my life time dreams finally came true, I become a Lotus Esprit owner.

(Next: My first driving impression of the Lotus Esprit S4)