I own a 85 s3 na ,spent a fortune on it but don't grudge one penny it's a really special car 36 years old but stands out amongst other cars on the road and can keep up with most off them . Puts a smile on my face every time I start it.
Own one and have it for many years, there are the best in there time and still is, Peoples who own Lotus have a specials love for the car, to me peoples like you should own a Toyota or Honda ! A man who can paid for a Lamborghini, and any super car , do not care about what the young dreamer think.
For the Giugiaro era, you drove what I'd call the middle choice. The S1 and S2 cars were a bit crude and rough around the edges by comparison, lacking things like proper upper links in the rear suspension which were added for the S3 and Turbo Esprit, and made life in the cockpit much more pleasant due to allowing the powertrain to be soft-mounted and saving much noise, vibration, and harshness (I laugh every time I see James Bond and Anya Amasova having a pleasant convo in the Esprit!). But then for 1986 several improvements were made (this is the high choice), which included vacuum-assisted brakes and a front suspension re-design that used a few Toyota bits and ball joints, and eliminated the old trunnions (which were the same ones used in the Triumph Herald!). For the Turbo Esprit, the Dellorto carburettors were binned in favour of Bosch fuel injection, and the engine produced 215 bhp and good power was available well below 5000. Turbo-lag was all but nonexistant due to the throttle-bodies being located downstream of the turbocharger. For 1987 nothing changed, then for 1988 the new Stevens-body cars came in and shortly after that the working bits started to be changed due to access to GM's global parts-bin. I owned a 1986 Turbo Esprit from 2010 to 2014. It was a hugely gratifying experience to own and especially to DRIVE this car. And yes, I'd fantasised about it ever since I saw the then-new Turbo Esprit in my dad's Road and Track magazine when I was 13 in 1981. If you're good with the spanners you might be able to keep an Esprit maintained yourself, but be aware that it's challenging and demanding- bring your A-game! But when you drive it, it is OH SO WORTH IT! The handling is still excellent even by today's standards, but of course that depends on how well-kept the suspension is. A thirty year old car may still have thirty year old shocks and bushes and ball joints in the suspension, and that will diminish the handling (I renewed mine and yes it made a difference!). So here's your homework assignment: go drive a well-kept, well-sorted 1986-7 Turbo Esprit and report back to us. :)
Thank you so much for your review. I just found a nearly complete black 1986 turbo model with gray interior for $5,000. It does need a bit of work on the interior but the gray leather appears to be pretty much intact. From the pictures the body looks pretty good and it appears to have a large oem spoiler. I will find out soon if it runs and drives but it does unfortunately have a salvage title. I think the wheels may be aftermarket. I don't yet know why. From the limited information I have given you should I buy it? I have always loved the Esprit but I much prefer the body lines of the V8 S4S model. Those don't go for $5k so I may very well jump on this opportunity if indeed it is a good investment.
The Esprit that was used in the Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge was actually an Esprit Turbo SE (made from 1989.5 - 1993) Look up the Lotus Esprit SE and you will see what i mean. cheers
My wall poster car was a Countach Yep still don't have it but in my early twenties it was a 1986 944 Turbo, I was 22 when they kit the showroom and I swore I would own one...now I do. Is it as good? well yes...I think..It has a manual boost controller and running 16 pounds of boost with a tune it's a rocket at high speed it's far from stock the suspension has been lowered and stiffer springs installed and Koni yellow shocks. Flip up lights? check. Does it live up? well it's not stock so...but these were so easy to modify most people did even back then. I LOVE it. It rides rough and the steering is unfortunately power (I hate power steering on a car like this, it's not needed) I say the things you dislike are the exact reason most of us buy cars like this!
I've got my dream car, a 1983 Delorean DMC-12. This Esprit's sister. I use to daily drive it. Even delivered pizza with it. My DD now is a 2010 Audi S5. The two are incomparable. This S5 is lightyears better than the DMC in every measurable way. But you can't measure our hearts or how we think a car looks. While a modern car, even a Toyota Camry, is infinitely better on paper and LOADS easier to drive...most modern cars will be forgotten. The Esprit, and my Delorean, will live on forever and continue to give us the most joy and driving satisfaction.
I owned an '83 Esprit S3 NA (same as the one in your video but Yellow!) and used it as a daily driver back in the early 90's. It was great fun and mechanically reliable (despite the L.O.T.U.S. reputation..). The only real challenge was descending multi-story car parks - when it was possible to ground out the front spoiler. I had some epic drives in that car. Kinda wish I had kept it but I wouldn't buy another, I'd rather have a newer Evora or Emira. Lottery Win required! BTW the Lotus in the video game was based on the later Steven's revised design Esprit, rather than the Giugiaro original...
Nice little report - only thing is I do not understand this now current fashionable comparison of 20, 30 or 40 year old cars - and asking does it live up to what my dream of it was. If you drove them when they were built yes. A modern car in 20, 30 or more years time ( if they still exist ) will also feel outdated, under performing etc. I just find it ridiculous to ask an aged car to be as fantastic as it was in its day - so many years later. Having said that - many still are! I would still much rather drive this Esprit than most 'moderns' any day at any price or make. Best regards.
I live in Norfolk near the Lotus plant. In the eighties I saw these cars being built. Still remember how proud they were of the cars and how luxurious they were.
He's a young man. It's like trying out an Austin Seven and complaining there's nowhere to charge your mobile phone. Young people are obsessed with themselves and can't see past their ipods. Whatever they are
+Burner's Cars High praise indeed Mr Burner! I was lucky enough to have a friend that has an Esprit that, after a bit of convincing, let me borrow it for a day. Would have liked to have taken it onto a track though.
Thanks. This video was a lot more enjoyable for me than the usual car videos. You want to see the car. Not hear all sorts of stuff about it that's interesting but you only get like two generic shots. Might as well read a magazine then.
I always thought the S3 is the nicest looking Esprits of all. I don't mind the Turbo but it's not as sleek as the S3. I love the S2 but too much problems. I'm assuming the S3 to be more reliable.
My mate had one, pulled it to bits then never put it back together again! All the parts ended up everywhere and eventually when he left the unit he was at the shell just stayed there and was sold by the owner of the unit. Real shame. His latest project to be pulled apart and not fixed is a Porsche 924 :')
Road and Race Thanks for the coil tube vid by the way! Mine was leaking from one. Never heard of that kind of setup before but after that I was able to sort my 986 in no time :) Next leak to do is around the oil cooler am assuming it's just O rings again. Great cars I get a lot of beef saying it's just an expensive mr2 but as I've owned both its defiantly not the case. Mines manual though ;)
These cars aren't bought with the head, they are bought with the heart, and admired or coveted for the same reasons. Not supposed to be a daily driver: more for fun and smiles over short periods.
hey - I like your taste! ( I also own oceanblue 986S and liked esprit eversince learned about it - so it helps ;) ) how do you compare 986S & Esprit? anything a bit more enjoyable with lotus?
Good to include all significant details,but to litter action viewed from outside the car.Hate to end on a negative note,but for a mid engined two seater ,with an Italian designed body,way too much chat and not enough action veiwed from the outside of the car.
I sold my white S2 recently. It was ridiculous, if you drive it smoothly it stalls if you drive it firmly it catches fire, they're all the same, I've driven loads of them. Yes in this case never meet your heroes was true for me. Beautiful body and chassis, wheels and interior, but everything else is absolute pure crap.
I own a 85 s3 na ,spent a fortune on it but don't grudge one penny it's a really special car 36 years old but stands out amongst other cars on the road and can keep up with most off them . Puts a smile on my face every time I start it.
Own one and have it for many years, there are the best in there time and still is, Peoples who own Lotus have a specials love for the car, to me peoples like you should own a Toyota or Honda ! A man who can paid for a Lamborghini, and any super car , do not care about what the young dreamer think.
kilmer fiero ,done
“I’ve never driven a car this old before”
I think I found the reason for your disappointment.
For the Giugiaro era, you drove what I'd call the middle choice. The S1 and S2 cars were a bit crude and rough around the edges by comparison, lacking things like proper upper links in the rear suspension which were added for the S3 and Turbo Esprit, and made life in the cockpit much more pleasant due to allowing the powertrain to be soft-mounted and saving much noise, vibration, and harshness (I laugh every time I see James Bond and Anya Amasova having a pleasant convo in the Esprit!). But then for 1986 several improvements were made (this is the high choice), which included vacuum-assisted brakes and a front suspension re-design that used a few Toyota bits and ball joints, and eliminated the old trunnions (which were the same ones used in the Triumph Herald!). For the Turbo Esprit, the Dellorto carburettors were binned in favour of Bosch fuel injection, and the engine produced 215 bhp and good power was available well below 5000. Turbo-lag was all but nonexistant due to the throttle-bodies being located downstream of the turbocharger. For 1987 nothing changed, then for 1988 the new Stevens-body cars came in and shortly after that the working bits started to be changed due to access to GM's global parts-bin.
I owned a 1986 Turbo Esprit from 2010 to 2014. It was a hugely gratifying experience to own and especially to DRIVE this car. And yes, I'd fantasised about it ever since I saw the then-new Turbo Esprit in my dad's Road and Track magazine when I was 13 in 1981. If you're good with the spanners you might be able to keep an Esprit maintained yourself, but be aware that it's challenging and demanding- bring your A-game! But when you drive it, it is OH SO WORTH IT! The handling is still excellent even by today's standards, but of course that depends on how well-kept the suspension is. A thirty year old car may still have thirty year old shocks and bushes and ball joints in the suspension, and that will diminish the handling (I renewed mine and yes it made a difference!).
So here's your homework assignment: go drive a well-kept, well-sorted 1986-7 Turbo Esprit and report back to us. :)
+elveggoloco Wow, such a great comment!. Many thanks for your insight. Will try to drive a later model turbo - just need to find one!
Thank you so much for your review. I just found a nearly complete black 1986 turbo model with gray interior for $5,000. It does need a bit of work on the interior but the gray leather appears to be pretty much intact. From the pictures the body looks pretty good and it appears to have a large oem spoiler. I will find out soon if it runs and drives but it does unfortunately have a salvage title. I think the wheels may be aftermarket. I don't yet know why. From the limited information I have given you should I buy it? I have always loved the Esprit but I much prefer the body lines of the V8 S4S model. Those don't go for $5k so I may very well jump on this opportunity if indeed it is a good investment.
I own a 1982 Esprit S3, a 1989 Esprit Turbo SE and a 1976 Elite. Have no desire to ever sell them.
The Esprit that was used in the Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge was actually an Esprit Turbo SE (made from 1989.5 - 1993) Look up the Lotus Esprit SE and you will see what i mean. cheers
James Jean it's still an sprit you div
The bronze turbo with the golden spoke wheels from For Your Eyes Only did it for me
Pop up headlamps. You don't need to say anymore!
My wall poster car was a Countach Yep still don't have it but in my early twenties it was a 1986 944 Turbo, I was 22 when they kit the showroom and I swore I would own one...now I do. Is it as good? well yes...I think..It has a manual boost controller and running 16 pounds of boost with a tune it's a rocket at high speed it's far from stock the suspension has been lowered and stiffer springs installed and Koni yellow shocks. Flip up lights? check. Does it live up? well it's not stock so...but these were so easy to modify most people did even back then. I LOVE it. It rides rough and the steering is unfortunately power (I hate power steering on a car like this, it's not needed) I say the things you dislike are the exact reason most of us buy cars like this!
I've got my dream car, a 1983 Delorean DMC-12. This Esprit's sister. I use to daily drive it. Even delivered pizza with it.
My DD now is a 2010 Audi S5. The two are incomparable. This S5 is lightyears better than the DMC in every measurable way.
But you can't measure our hearts or how we think a car looks. While a modern car, even a Toyota Camry, is infinitely better on paper and LOADS easier to drive...most modern cars will be forgotten.
The Esprit, and my Delorean, will live on forever and continue to give us the most joy and driving satisfaction.
Love the Delorean. So jealous.
I owned an '83 Esprit S3 NA (same as the one in your video but Yellow!) and used it as a daily driver back in the early 90's. It was great fun and mechanically reliable (despite the L.O.T.U.S. reputation..). The only real challenge was descending multi-story car parks - when it was possible to ground out the front spoiler. I had some epic drives in that car. Kinda wish I had kept it but I wouldn't buy another, I'd rather have a newer Evora or Emira. Lottery Win required!
BTW the Lotus in the video game was based on the later Steven's revised design Esprit, rather than the Giugiaro original...
Nice little report - only thing is I do not understand this now current fashionable comparison of 20, 30 or 40 year old cars - and asking does it live up to what my dream of it was. If you drove them when they were built yes. A modern car in 20, 30 or more years time ( if they still exist ) will also feel outdated, under performing etc. I just find it ridiculous to ask an aged car to be as fantastic as it was in its day - so many years later. Having said that - many still are! I would still much rather drive this Esprit than most 'moderns' any day at any price or make. Best regards.
Wow, that brings back memories for me....... of my Austin Allegro! Those steering column stalks look to be identical. 😂😂
I live in Norfolk near the Lotus plant. In the eighties I saw these cars being built. Still remember how proud they were of the cars and how luxurious they were.
I think you are far too negative, almost everything you described as a negative is a positive to me.
He's a young man. It's like trying out an Austin Seven and complaining there's nowhere to charge your mobile phone. Young people are obsessed with themselves and can't see past their ipods. Whatever they are
I always wanted one. Love the mid-engine design. I used own a Fiat X1/9
Lotus are my favorite cars outside of Italy.
Good call. What's your favourite inside of Italy?
thanks to lotus esprit turbo challenge on the amiga this is one of my childhood dream cars
+sam newman Yeah, a classic game for the Amiga. I must have played it for months back in the day.
Brilliant, mate! Vicarious dream-car test drive realisation. Spot on. Cheers.
+crispincrunch Glad you enjoyed it Mr Cruch!
I love this! ...and I'm very jealous you got your hands on a Lotus Esprit!
+Burner's Cars High praise indeed Mr Burner! I was lucky enough to have a friend that has an Esprit that, after a bit of convincing, let me borrow it for a day. Would have liked to have taken it onto a track though.
Thanks. This video was a lot more enjoyable for me than the usual car videos. You want to see the car. Not hear all sorts of stuff about it that's interesting but you only get like two generic shots. Might as well read a magazine then.
I almost bought one of these a while back when they were dirt cheap. Scared off by nightmare stories. Kicking myself now.
I always thought the S3 is the nicest looking Esprits of all. I don't mind the Turbo but it's not as sleek as the S3. I love the S2 but too much problems. I'm assuming the S3 to be more reliable.
My favourite childhood car. Of all time. I did promise myself one. One day! Nice vid.
Thanks mate.
My mate had one, pulled it to bits then never put it back together again! All the parts ended up everywhere and eventually when he left the unit he was at the shell just stayed there and was sold by the owner of the unit. Real shame. His latest project to be pulled apart and not fixed is a Porsche 924 :')
+Josh C wow, such a shame!
Road and Race Thanks for the coil tube vid by the way! Mine was leaking from one. Never heard of that kind of setup before but after that I was able to sort my 986 in no time :) Next leak to do is around the oil cooler am assuming it's just O rings again. Great cars I get a lot of beef saying it's just an expensive mr2 but as I've owned both its defiantly not the case. Mines manual though ;)
Glad you found it helpful, I wasn't sure how many people would find such a specific guide useful!
Great review
Many thanks Nick, means a lot when you give something the thumbs up!
+Road and Race I love driving the car and all your negatives were what I loved about the car.
Such a great looking car. A true Bond car!
It sure is!
Bro maybe if you drive the last batch of Esprit then you might feel it differently. The one you drove looks like an older version of Esprit.
Owned a 1987 Hci for 2 years. It was fun when it ran right, but it was a nightmare of maintenance and constant problems.
Ah, that is disappointing to hear. At least it was fun when it ran!
there was a reason why the bmw m1 and lotus espirit looked similar and now i know. both great cars
Brilliant review!
+jonkvh Thanks Jonkvh, glad you liked it!
The sad thing about these Loti of a certain era is...They are a lot better handling at high speed than a lot of modern cars, if you are brave enough.
These cars aren't bought with the head, they are bought with the heart, and admired or coveted for the same reasons. Not supposed to be a daily driver: more for fun and smiles over short periods.
hey - I like your taste! ( I also own oceanblue 986S and liked esprit eversince learned about it - so it helps ;) )
how do you compare 986S & Esprit?
anything a bit more enjoyable with lotus?
+vip3rpl The 986S is a great daily drive whilst the Esprit is more for your grand tour to the south of France
What's the music at 0:10?
Opening sentence needs correction. The Lotus Esprit would be considered by most as an exotic super-car.
Great review. Daily driver? Unwise.
starts as a fiero ,but put a coverd wagon in backm,down boy
I hope it's still going strong!
They were not famous for their reliability, I've been hearing...
I wonder if you did a RB26DETT swap in this car....how would it go!
What's a RB26DETT swap?
Road and Race engine from Nissan Skyline R34 GTR....do a quick UA-cam search with "RB26DETT swaps"
Oh, right, I see! Have people done this already?
Road and Race yeah....!!! do a quick UA-cam search with "RB26DETT swaps"
Cool. will do!
A non-turbo Esprit is no thrill, other than being seen in it. You must go turbo.
Very nice, but the music is horrible.
やっぱりLotus Esprit はイタルデザインらしいジゥジアーロらしいシャープなラインのS3までだなぁ。
Good to include all significant details,but to litter action viewed from outside the car.Hate to end on a negative note,but for a mid engined two seater ,with an Italian designed body,way too much chat and not enough action veiwed from the outside of the car.
Anyone know good engine swaps for these.
Mitchell Staley renegade does an ls kit
Rad racer!
This review is clearly and unapologetically done by someone with essentially no driving experience.
Upvoted. Not least because I own an S3 and his review is unrecognisable as the same car.
The Esprit in the game was a series 4 not an S3
You just got to engine swap with Toyota or Honda engine!!!
Too much chatter too little action.Especially veiwed from the outside.Good narration however.Informative,and refererencing all the relevant points.
Nice car, nice review, awful music.
I sold my white S2 recently. It was ridiculous, if you drive it smoothly it stalls if you drive it firmly it catches fire, they're all the same, I've driven loads of them. Yes in this case never meet your heroes was true for me. Beautiful body and chassis, wheels and interior, but everything else is absolute pure crap.
The designer is Giugiaro not Giugiario as I hear on 0:44, the devil is in the detail 😊
You should never own a supercar, a Toyota is more you...
put an injected chrysler hemi 426 in it!!!