In 1973 there was a fellow where I worked that bought a new one. I guess he had to wash and wax it every night after I walked around it drooling all over it every day.

I understand that there are very few that have escaped significant modification. Nonetheless, if I could justify one, I would make it right and enjoy the heck out of it.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

This was always a favorite if mine when I was a kid. After I had a chance to see a couple of them up close, I realized how much like a kit car they are.

For the money, I'd much rather have about a 1996-2004 Lotus Esprit twin turbo V8.

Like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Lotus-Esprit-Coupe-glass-roof-prem-sound-LOW-miles-manual-/370834091562?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item56576f2e2a

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Make sure and get one that has a upgraded cooling system. Panera’s do run hot in the big tomato. If you really have fun install a modular 5.0, you can get more power and it is less tale happy. I probably don’t have to tell you keep the 351c for resale.

__________________
Happy Benzing
Darryl, Hill
2005 SL55 AMG Kleemanized
1984 500 SEC
1967 W113 California Coupe
[SIGPIC]
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos

I love the Esprit also. I've wanted one for a long time and would have bought one recently except I wanted an open car for a change.

Although the Esprit and the Pantera are similar configurations, they are two ENTIRELY different animals. The Esprit is extremely sophisticated in most every category, while the Pantera is a pleasantly noisy beast that must be handled with a whip instead of light reins.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I've always loved the look of the Lotus and as a kid dreamed of owning one someday. I was terribly disappointed to read a number of times that anyone over 6' would be hard-pressed to squeeze themselves into the front seat, regardless of my currently-less-than-svelte status, and that limited foot well room made it more difficult to operate the pedals with bigger feet.

I wonder if there's a company that modifies cars for Big & Tall drivers? Professional athletes would be a prime target clientele!

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Is always drooled over the esprits, especially the later v8s. I have also heard their maintenance is atrocious in cost and regularity.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

http://www.v8fiero.com/

Haha they've been doing that for ages, I had actually considered one as a project before my MBs but realized a Chevy citation and celebrity underpinnings weren't for me (after owning a celebrity myself) I'm likely going the miata route.

Big part of the esprit is looks for me, they're just great looking cars. The Fiero gt isn't bad looking IMO but the one with the underbite in back is just ugly.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Didn't they do a suspension upgrade on the Fiero for 1988?

Yeah too little too late though. Finding a gt with a manual post-88 for the right price (and not trashed) isn't easy. Haven't looked in a while but I doubt the markets gotten better for them.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Never was a big Esprit guy. Yeah, they look good/have good performance numbers, but are just.... "Beige" in a way.

Plus, if I am not getting a Pantera, I am getting one of these:



That. Well, that is perfection.

Flat plane crank, 5 valves per cylinder, and 8 throttle bodies.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

There are three or four Panteras that come out for the monthly C&C in Scottsdale, nice but my preference is the Mangusta.

Back in the late eighties there were several guys at work with super cars. The Esprit Turbo, about an 85 model, seemed to be the most dependable and drivable. Also in the parking lot was a Ferrari 336. Those two guys insisted that the consensus among their super car owning friends was that the Esprit was the most practical for use as a daily driver.

That is anecdotal of course, but I guess everything is relative.

I wouldn't have any problem with a very early Esprit, even a normally aspirated one. That is what I had in mind.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I worked with a guy whose Dad was a doctor. As a side note, his mom was Miss America 1946 or 47. Anyway, he told about as a teenager, he went with his Dad somewhere on the coast and drove their brand new Mangusta back to Memphis. He said that the body was primitive and crude, and had a bimetallic corrosion problem due to ribs and sheet metal being of different metal types.

If I could have one though, I wouldn't let any of that get in my way.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Agreed - the early Esprits were actually pretty fair as far as maintenance goes (anecdotal as well). I see all generations around here, they look like nothing else on the road IMO. I'd take a 355 over one in a heartbeat too, but that's a big price jump.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth