Anti lock braking system failed.
Engine cooling pump failed.
Clutch master cylinder failed twice.
Gear train failed.
Clutch was destroyed by the above fault as the car struggled to the Lotus garage.
Fuel tank leaked into the cabin.
Turbo charge cooler broke.
Front spoiler always catching on ramps etc.
Steering rack failed.
Gear train failed (again).
Electric windows failed.
Air conditioning failed.
Electric antenna failed.
Exhaust failed and caught fire.
The Lotus Esprit is a staggering car in two ways. Firstly its performance is absolutely devastating; with 280bhp this model will reach 60mph in well under five seconds and attain a top speed of around 165mph. The car handles very well, able to corner positively and remaining stable even at exceptionally high speeds.
However, even more staggering are the running costs and the rate at which things go wrong with this most unreliable super-car. I used to joke with my friends that the Esprit would beat every car on the road... and then break down. This joke wore very thin as a succession of faults sent me to the main dealer time and time again.
Despite a full Lotus service history and my careful adherence to the maintenance schedule, things went wrong very regularly. And not just little things.
The car interior is very comfortable and roomy for a 2 seater; a pleasure to drive on a long haul trip lasting many hours. Despite its mechanical shortcomings, actually driving the Esprit was always a great pleasure, and the only thing lacking in the cabin was a decent sound system (the standard one is very poor indeed).
Owning the Esprit was a real love/hate relationship! I am hoping my next performance car, a new 996, will be more reliable, if a bit slower!
Is this one of the few cars left that are actually still made with pop-up headlamps?
Don't forget the Corvette, though I hear they are changing to regular lights.
I had a love/hate relationship with my esprit turbo 1988 in red with grey hide. love: handling,power, attention, able to see off anything on the road and that turbo! mpg between 22-28 mpg cheap insurance through lotus club and thanks to my brother for paying half the repair bills because when he borrowed it I knew he drove it harder than me! HATE:rose joints on gear stick kept breaking, clutch failed side light failed requiring bumper,radiator removed to fix broken wire in behind had to keep sunroof tilted at all times as 6ft 5 is just to big for an esprit and size 12 feet to big for the pedals, but price you pay for being lanky.
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