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2004 Lotus Esprit V8 ... Purchase?

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Old 09-03-2006, 10:12 PM
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My Ride: 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 - Chrome Orange/ Magnolia, 5spd., twin turbo. 2007 Porsche Carrera - Guards Red/ Savannah Beige, 5spd., sport seats, nav, Xenons, 20 x 9.5/ 11.5 MHT Merlots, H&R sport springs, Fabspeed catback exhaust, more to come :) 2008 Mercedes Benz CLK350 - Majestic Black/ Parchment, 7spd. auto, P2 pack w/ nav. On ORDER: 2009 Mercedes SL65 AMG Iridium Silver/ Red slated for Jan '09 delivery! YAY! Previous rides: 1998 M3 4dr. - Cosmos Black Met./ Light Gray, 5spd. auto, fully modded. 2002 M3 conv. - Laguna Seca Blue/ Black, 6spd., stock. RIP :( 2004 525i - Orient Blue Met./ Black, 6 spd., Premium Package, 20 x 9.5/ 10.5 Asanti AF116s, H&R sport springs, 50% tint all around, 10K Xenon upgrade, Orion 12" sub/ amp/ cap in custom enclosure. 2005 Chrysler Crossfire - Alabaster White/ Cedar-Charcoal (Red/ Black) interior, 6spd., custom aftermarket Roots-style blower, custom CAI, dual 3" SS exhaust from manifold back , re-mapped ECU, 250.2WHP @ 8PSI, 12K Xenon upgrade. 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V8 - Reflex Silver Met./ Kristal Gray, 6spd. auto w/Tiptronic, bone stock :) 2007 Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic - Obsidian Black/ Charcoal, 5spd. auto, 12k Xenon upgrade (headlights & foglights), 20% tint.
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What's up all?!?

Alright, I'm gettin' that feeling again ... You all know what I'm talking about ... That little feeling in the pit of your stomach that screams "I NEED A NEW TOY!!!!!" I'm getting rather bored of my Crossfire, supercharged and all, so this is what I've found: Feast your eyes on this 2004 Lotus Esprit V8. It's being offered by a factory Lotus dealer with less than 8K fully documented miles for a (somewhat, by Lotus standards) reasonable price. Apparently, it's one of a handful 2004s that were produced, and 1 of only 4 2004s in Chrome Orange. FYI, I'm also considering a post-2002 NSX, a post-2003 Viper, or a Maserati coupe. The reason why I'm leaning towards the Lotus is because I don't want to run into the same car at every stoplight, you know what I mean? Anyway, what do you guys think? Any of you guys ever owned a Lotus, or know anything about the quirks/ intricacies/ etc? Any comments are welcome ... Thanks!
Attached Thumbnails 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 ... Purchase?-lotus1.jpg   2004 Lotus Esprit V8 ... Purchase?-lotus2.jpg   2004 Lotus Esprit V8 ... Purchase?-lotus3.jpg  
Old 09-04-2006, 08:34 AM
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I would have to look into a Maserati coupe or the NSX the color here for me is a no go. But the car itself is a nice ride. The Maserati coupe or the NSX would be my choices let us know what you deciede thanks
Old 09-04-2006, 02:18 PM
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My Ride: 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 - Chrome Orange/ Magnolia, 5spd., twin turbo. 2007 Porsche Carrera - Guards Red/ Savannah Beige, 5spd., sport seats, nav, Xenons, 20 x 9.5/ 11.5 MHT Merlots, H&R sport springs, Fabspeed catback exhaust, more to come :) 2008 Mercedes Benz CLK350 - Majestic Black/ Parchment, 7spd. auto, P2 pack w/ nav. On ORDER: 2009 Mercedes SL65 AMG Iridium Silver/ Red slated for Jan '09 delivery! YAY! Previous rides: 1998 M3 4dr. - Cosmos Black Met./ Light Gray, 5spd. auto, fully modded. 2002 M3 conv. - Laguna Seca Blue/ Black, 6spd., stock. RIP :( 2004 525i - Orient Blue Met./ Black, 6 spd., Premium Package, 20 x 9.5/ 10.5 Asanti AF116s, H&R sport springs, 50% tint all around, 10K Xenon upgrade, Orion 12" sub/ amp/ cap in custom enclosure. 2005 Chrysler Crossfire - Alabaster White/ Cedar-Charcoal (Red/ Black) interior, 6spd., custom aftermarket Roots-style blower, custom CAI, dual 3" SS exhaust from manifold back , re-mapped ECU, 250.2WHP @ 8PSI, 12K Xenon upgrade. 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V8 - Reflex Silver Met./ Kristal Gray, 6spd. auto w/Tiptronic, bone stock :) 2007 Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic - Obsidian Black/ Charcoal, 5spd. auto, 12k Xenon upgrade (headlights & foglights), 20% tint.
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Originally Posted by DINAN530i' post='330678' date='Sep 4 2006, 12:34 PM
I would have to look into a Maserati coupe or the NSX the color here for me is a no go. But the car itself is a nice ride. The Maserati coupe or the NSX would be my choices let us know what you deciede thanks
Yeah, I know what you mean about the color ... When I first saw it, I was like "Hmmm, look at me! I'm driving an Orange Lotus!" But then I figured, HEY, we put 20s and body kits on our E60s to get noticed, so I guess we buy exotic cars to get noticed too ... Anyway, thanks for the response, and I'll certainly let you guys know what I get. ::Footnote, I drove a BEAUTIFUL 2003 Spa Yellow on Yellow NSX today ... Decisions, decisions...:::
Old 09-05-2006, 12:11 AM
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You know what we call them over here in the UK.

LOTUS - "Lot's Of Trouble Usually Serious"....


Seriously though, being a late low mileage example it ought to be well sorted by now. Make sure you get a comprehensive warranty and go for it.

PS: Fantastic Colour..
Old 09-05-2006, 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Kev946' post='330917' date='Sep 5 2006, 08:11 AM
PS: Fantastic Colour..
yes i agree

make sure the warranty is up to scratch, the Esprit is a very expensive car to fix
Old 09-05-2006, 06:43 AM
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My Ride: 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 - Chrome Orange/ Magnolia, 5spd., twin turbo. 2007 Porsche Carrera - Guards Red/ Savannah Beige, 5spd., sport seats, nav, Xenons, 20 x 9.5/ 11.5 MHT Merlots, H&R sport springs, Fabspeed catback exhaust, more to come :) 2008 Mercedes Benz CLK350 - Majestic Black/ Parchment, 7spd. auto, P2 pack w/ nav. On ORDER: 2009 Mercedes SL65 AMG Iridium Silver/ Red slated for Jan '09 delivery! YAY! Previous rides: 1998 M3 4dr. - Cosmos Black Met./ Light Gray, 5spd. auto, fully modded. 2002 M3 conv. - Laguna Seca Blue/ Black, 6spd., stock. RIP :( 2004 525i - Orient Blue Met./ Black, 6 spd., Premium Package, 20 x 9.5/ 10.5 Asanti AF116s, H&R sport springs, 50% tint all around, 10K Xenon upgrade, Orion 12" sub/ amp/ cap in custom enclosure. 2005 Chrysler Crossfire - Alabaster White/ Cedar-Charcoal (Red/ Black) interior, 6spd., custom aftermarket Roots-style blower, custom CAI, dual 3" SS exhaust from manifold back , re-mapped ECU, 250.2WHP @ 8PSI, 12K Xenon upgrade. 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V8 - Reflex Silver Met./ Kristal Gray, 6spd. auto w/Tiptronic, bone stock :) 2007 Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic - Obsidian Black/ Charcoal, 5spd. auto, 12k Xenon upgrade (headlights & foglights), 20% tint.
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Originally Posted by 700700' post='330948' date='Sep 5 2006, 07:18 AM
yes i agree

make sure the warranty is up to scratch, the Esprit is a very expensive car to fix
The factory warranty has expired (it's only 24/mo on these vehicles), but the dealer will give me 12/mo - unlimited mileage full warranty upon purchase... I think I'm gonna do it, I'm flying up to see the car Friday, will keep everyone informed! Thanks!
Old 09-06-2006, 01:36 PM
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I would shy away from Lotus Esprit especially the V8 versions. Those cars have very poor reliability records, and this particular one is of a color that would probably be hard to re-sell. Of the lot ou are looking at the Maserati Coupe would be the one I would look at. Actually I would probably go with a 911, but you said you wanted something a bit more rare so to me the Maserati would be the unquestioned leader.
Old 09-06-2006, 01:48 PM
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Out of the four cars you listed, I'd go Maserati, Viper, Lotus, NSX. That's just me though, it's your money, do what ya gotta do..
Old 09-06-2006, 05:37 PM
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FYI - I forgot what year, but the NSX had the best 5-year reliability rating of ALL cars - not bad for a semi-exotic.

I would hate to even think about the potential maintenance cost on a Lotus.
Old 09-09-2006, 01:27 PM
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It looks really cool but I would definitely check out Maserati.


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