Lotus 1966-2012Change

I have owned a Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo for almost 4 years and during that time I have had tremendous satisfaction from driving this famous beast.
The car is extremely fast. I have been challenged a few times over the past few years and yet to have anyone pass me, especially those hard heads who think their Subaru STI can beat everyone.

I have two complaints:
1. It is noisy and there are a few rattles that I have just been unable to get rid of.
2. The start tends to be slow and is probably hard on the starter motor. Apparently that is normal/common.

Highlights:
1. It is still a head turner and I am constantly asked about it when stopped at traffic light waiting for the green.
2. It has been quite reliable, although I did have to change the timing belt and that was not cheap.
3. I have had several offers to buy it, all of which are $$$ more than I originally paid for it.
4. It was good enough for James Bond, so that's all I needed to know.

All in all, there is no other supercar in its class that is as powerful with amazing road control for less than twice the price that you can pick up one of these babies for.

This thing is a street-legal go-kart. It is high-revving (8500rpm) 4-cylinder with extra power coming on the second cam around 6000rpm. What other car can do 0-100km/h in less than 5 seconds and still get amazing fuel economy? My best was a run up to a friend's cottage - 6.7 l/100km (43mpg).

The handling and responsiveness is not like any other car you will ever drive. It weighs a thousand lbs LESS than just about any other sports car on the road. That let's you stop, turn, and react to everything faster.

It's performance limits are so high, you really need to take it to a track to fully appreciate it. Not a drag strip, a track! This car lives for curves and winding roads. I speed up on the off ramps!

It is surprisingly comfortable! I've driven 3+ hours at a time and it's not too bad. The seats are excellent. What I would recommend, though, is earplugs. Being a convertible, the wind noise really gets to you after being on the highway for a while. Even with the soft-top or hard-top, it is still a loud car to be in.

This is an excellent auto all around, it is a true sports car so practicality and comfort are somewhat non existent lol

The handling and performance are as you would expect from one of the most celebrated and decorated iconic brands in the world. This car demands your full attention as it is incredibly powerful and the handling is sublime. There is always talk of reliability with Lotus, and it's true in the early versions of the Esprit the maintenance costs were rampant, but since 1998 with the arrival of the V8 TT the engineering has been excellent there ore maintenance is low and reliability is excellent.

Amazing sports car experience, 800 Kg with gas and driver…not great for transporting kids or groceries. Very simple and cheap to maintain and run.

A unique and rarely seen car with the look of an ecotic and reliability of a daily driver. Handling is better the anything out there and is truly a drivers car. IF you want more kick, look for the S with the added horsepower. Coming from an Exige, that about my only compleint with this car. Not everyone wants that though so I don't consider it a knock to the vehicle.

Love this car, even when I was kid. A dream of a vehicle. Too bad I have to sell it for the little one.

This car handles like it's nobodys business. It is very fun to drive and reliable. I have an Elise for two years and I will remember it for ever. I will probably buy another in the future. The chassis is very stiff and you can feel every crack on the road so it's not ideal if you live where the roads are bad.

i love this car i actually sat in it and it was amazing. it had a very high speed and a very smooth ride

Not too long ago, I got the unique opportunity to sit passenger side in a 2011 Lotus Evora S, and I must say, it was quite a ride I'm not going to forget anytime soon.

Comfort: For a car of it's kind, I was surprised by how Comfortable it is. It's a car that can pack a punch (Remember, the S contains the 345 HP 3.5 L Toyota FZE V6, as compared to the 276 HP 3.5 L Toyota FE V6.) whilst feeling like you can enjoy a nap or something if you are on a long ride.

Performance: The car for it's performance, does move alright. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and it's light, nimble self can definitely help for when you're on the track. A definite Driver's car for sure.

Fuel Economy: It's nothing that's considered to be mind-blowing and state of the art, but it does have quite enough fuel to last and keep it going for longer than some of it's main competitors.

Interior Design: Again, it's nothing to get super wowed over, but for a car like this, I found it more than suitable.

Exterior Design: From every curve and angle, this is a beautiful looking machine. It stands out on it's own and definitely has a memorable look worth taking many photos of.

Reliability: In the 3 days I was in the car, there were no major problems whatsoever. So I'm sure it'll be just fine for everyone else.

Overall, it's a certainly fantastic ride that's really worth driving if you are ever given the chance.

Not violent but civilized. The turbos will only project you with tons of Gs if you are violent enough to ask for it. This will only happen after a few hours' practice in shifting the awkward Renault gears (way less inspiring than a Ferrari gated shifter). Yes, 0-100 is lightning quick but not under 4s. Mine is chipped (>base 350HP) and I was near the low 4s but never under. You WILL get looks; people often ask if it is a Lambo, probably due to the rear wing. They’re a bit disappointed to hear it is British, but DO enjoy the stories about its Toyota rear lenses, Pontiac steering wheel and Opel door handles. Cockpit is not as loud as a Ferrari due to a double window acting as a buffer. Cargo space configuration is better than a 348, not as deep, but it WILL fit common luggage. My headlights don’t shake so likely a case by case issue. Interior design: not the best but contributes to uniqueness of the car (most supercars have basic interiors, no?) Seats are comfortable enough for longer rides but driving position will force you to take a break. Getting in eloquently requires a few gym classes. DO figure this early ‘cause people will watch… Driving? Richard Gere said it best in Pretty Woman: it corners like it's on rails! Fuel economy? Bumpy ride? Come on, can't worry about these when shopping for a supercar. If you want a love seat, get a Cadillac. One DOES need to check maintenance records before buying. Owners defer tune-ups due to costs (major tune-ups are engine-out, labor intensive, and some parts must be imported). But once the car is sorted out, it is a reliable drive. Overall: nothing unusually bad about this car. Pros are obvious pros, and cons are just what you get for being in a supercar league - not the sedan category. Hard to find one for sale, but get a well sorted Esprit V8 and afford your 1st supercar. Performance-wise, it will eat same vintage Ferraris and even though it will not sound quite as great, it will turn heads just as much for half the price.

Comfort, performance and looks! This car has it all. i bought this car used a few years back as my first car and I am in love. It is the best car EVER!

This Lotus Elan started life as a kit car, it had been raced at Brands Hatch as a production racer, it had the performance of a motor cycle and handled extremely well. 130 MPH with no problem it loved the winding bends of the Welsh mountains and the quick knockoff central wheel nuts made servicing brakes easy and accessible. the gear changes were slick and the clutch were smooth and easy.
The soft top was a complete waste of time flimsy and awkward so most of the time is was top off and get wet at traffic lights.
I toured Italy and Spain and achieved 44 miles to the gallon.
Would buy another Lotus just to hear the Lotus growl.

I love this car. Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed about it, and now i drive it. Its so fast and smooth and so powerful. I only wish i live in germany so i could take it in the autoban. its such an awesome car

I've only rode it for 2 weeks and it has already made me speechless! The design is just amazing and it is very comfortable. There are a few small problems with the fuel economy but it's still a very performant car. All my friends want to ride it but I always refuse because it/s just too amazing. The exterior style is just as perfect as the interior style.

This Lotus is bullt for those car drivers who want an extremely violent , in control run. This 2800 lb car does 0 to 100 km in under 4 seconds with some very capable abilities to comer better than its competitors with a budget designed for the less than a millionaire status. I discribe the Lotus as a violent little car because if its way to bring the carractor out in the driver as you feel the Gs and mood that the car represents! You will get looks in this car like no other and attention received will help you with that lack of attention disorder you have been missing.

On the down side: loud cockpit so you may as well not bring your Self Help CD with you to listen to.

Headlights shake: so night driving becomes a little difficult at times. No one can see you in the dark anyway.

Interior: not a soft ride for long drives. Your butt will begin to feel it after 2 hours of hwy. believe it or not the driver has more room than the passenger. No one taller than 6 feet as a driver.

Ride: Rough. Not much more I can say about that. Let a little air out of the big tires. Down to 28 to 30 psi does help.

Overall if you can find a Lotus check the maintenance records thourouly .... it's a reliable vehicle only if it has been maintained!