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Upgrade from 240Z to Esprit SE?

Upgrade from 240Z to Esprit SE?

  • Yea! Go for it!

    Votes: 1 100.0%

  • No way! Keep that Z!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I am just as confused as you.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    1
Z Draci

Z Draci

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
915
Location
Glendora/Riverside, CA
Just last night, I was asked by a pretty wealthy looking loan agent if I would sell my 240Z to him. I told him it was not for sale, but I would let it go if the price was right. In other words, I want him to make an offer I can't refuse. I gave him my cell number so I should be receiving a call later today.

The price I want is almost the same as used Esprit S4's (turbo with water-to-air intercooler). Since I've always loved Esprits and planned to buy one later anyways, I figured that it might be a possible switch.

What do you guys think?
Should I keep my 240Z and wait to buy the less reliable Esprit V8 (1999-2000)?
Or should I just sell my 240Z for an obscene price and get the slower S4 for now? (I am going to get the Esprit V8 later anyways or maybe it'll be an excuse to get the new V8 Vantage instead.)

My original plan was to keep the 240Z and buy the Esprit V8 as a second "grand tourer" (since the Z beats the crap out of me every time I drive it).

Maybe I am just caught up in the moment and need a good old slap in the face.
 
keep the 240z, no matter how good lotus handles etc, the 240z is a class of its own ;)

i say keep that.
 
hmm... very hard choice, but it really depends how attached you are to the car... if you really like the 240Z as a classic, I don't think you should sell it... its like my uncle who has an 1980's Alfa GTV6 and he has had numerous good offers for the GTV6 but he still refuses to sell it... plus I'm not sure how reliable lotus's are, AFAIK, they are not very reliable... there are 2 lotus Esprit owners on this forum(not sure if they still read here) and they could answer the reliability stuff for you... but if it was me, I would get the more modern lotus because I've never liked the 240Z that much to own one :D
 
ughh...pretty complicated

if u get a really good offer and u feel like changing car. then prolly it's for the best
but why esprit V8 ?? AFAIK it's not reliable, gas guzzler and IMHO the design is dated :?

isn't it there's heaps of better car out there ??

btw, how much u plan to get from your 240 anyway ??
 
I have a friend who is a total Esprit freak. He has owned several Esprits until he finally settled on the S4s. He also fully restored a 240Z after hearing I bought one. LOL
He should know everything about the Esprit's reliability.

Esprits (and Lotuses in general) are notorious for little problems. Replacement parts are also supercar priced. I'm a pretty competent gearhead so I can do many of the work myself to save money . . . but that's not the point! I can buy a 240Z body shell for the price of some small Esprit parts!!!

Like the Alfa GTV6 (which I also thought about buying), the 240Z does have its own charm even though it is an inferior car. I get compliments everywhere I go. However, it might be too spartan for times when I have to show up to a meeting in a full business suit. In the summer, I actually had to change into the suit after I arrived because the car got so hot. Even so, I've had her for 2 long years!

Maybe I should borrow my friend's S4s and see if I fall in love with it. I've only heard good things about the Esprit in terms of performance. Compared to the 240Z, it should feel like a Rolls Royce in terms of comfort and luxury.

I'm really not sure . . .
 
sydney_walker said:
ughh...pretty complicated

if u get a really good offer and u feel like changing car. then prolly it's for the best
but why esprit V8 ?? AFAIK it's not reliable, gas guzzler and IMHO the design is dated :?

isn't it there's heaps of better car out there ??

btw, how much u plan to get from your 240 anyway ??
Click to expand...

I have no idea but I've always wanted an Esprit V8. I really love the ideas and concepts used by Lotus. Plus, they put a heavy emphasis on light weight--something that is forgotten or never known by Aston, BMW, and other sports car makers. I really don't want to get a Ferrari or Porsche because they are cliche. Only a few hundred Esprits even exist in the US!

If I sell the 240Z (with the new wheels and turbo engine), I am expecting at least a $15.000 offer. Mine is the Series 1 which is nearly impossible to find these days. It sets it apart from all other (much more abundant) 240Z's. To me, it is worth $15.000 considering how much money I've spent--not to mention the countless hours working on the car myself!
With a couple thousand dollars more of my own money, I can easily obtain an excellent condition Esprit SE.

The old 4 cylinder Esprit will get almost the same gas mileage as a turboed 240Z. I am not entirely sure on the insurance . . .
 
Tricky one, but I'd keep the Z. I can't really say why, it's a bit of a gut decision, but I'd hang on to the Z and get an Esprit later on. I would however be concerned with how reliable the Esprit would be and what the cost of parts is.
 
keep the Z. its a classic it's hard to find one. and you could buy an esprit in the future. :lol: and remember the gas prices :)
 
Lotus Esprit. S4s all the way. (I'm a huge Esprit fan).

Build a Sport300 replica (no, thats not the v8 sport, its the i4 sport) and enjoy heaven on earth.
 
Z Draci, have you ever taken the Z's to any shows? If so, what have you won?

I'd keep the Z just for that. It's a wonderfully-preserved classic, and can only age like fine wine from here.
 
the 240z is about 4 in my favorite cars so take a guess at my choice
 
Keep the Z, I like it :) Maybe paint it another colour though...no offence ;)
 
Get a Ferrari Testarossa, if you can afford a Vantage. And then you will be my hero forever. :woot:

btw, I see a Fat mouse or a very fat cat in one of the smilies... :redx:
 
FATMOUSE said:
Get a Ferrari Testarossa, if you can afford a Vantage. And then you will be my hero forever. :woot:

btw, I see a Fat mouse or a very fat cat in one of the smilies... :redx:
Click to expand...
Persian Cat, they have big fur, and are REALLY tiny.
 
Hmmm, My answer is, It depends on how much he will give for your baby, have an expert look it over and tell you what it's worth, If what he will give doesnt exceed the sentimental value (it sounds like you are kinda attached to your car) then keep it, and if he will give what you want try to go drive prospective Espirits, try to find out what they are like to live with, make damned sure that it's for you, and then make your decision, keep us filled in!
 
My Esprit freak friend actually has a Jeremy Clarkson type job where he drives every single new car on the market. Even after driving everything, he still thinks the Esprit is the best. It tells you how good that car actually is!

We'll see if that potential buyer flakes out or if he is actually serious about owning my former Monte Carlo Rallye champion.
 
just keep in mind if something goes wrong, you're likely to wait quite a while for replacement parts if they aren't available locally. if it's your daily driver, you should keep that in mind. many exotic or luxury sports car owners i know always have a crappy car to beat up just in case the big boys fail. when my friend's ferrar208 broke down because of a tiny electrical glitch ($4000!!), it took them for 3 weeks to fix it. so 3 weeks of using the merc instead of it, otherwise it's either a rental, the bus, or a taxi.. :?
 
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