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Owner
WOW...one of the greatest sports cars ever built
by An MSN Autos Consumer on 06/20/2007.
Trim: 2002 Lotus Esprit Esprit V8, Owned less than 1 year.
1
Pros:
Great Performance. Very luxury for a true sports car; everything covered by leather...oh...forgot to mention the styling...still one of the best...wedge design & aggressive look. Great exhaust sound. Attracts a lot of attention.
Cons:
Mid-Engine design makes it hard for service & repairs...spent a lot of money on labor getting to the engine and putting everything back. Cheap steering wheel from GM. Strangers walk up to you and ask you "What is this? Ferrari?" "What is a Lotus?"
Overall review:
Those who left negative comments on the Esprits without owning one are so funny. You probably never seen one on the road before in your life. If you own other sports cars or exotic cars...I'm sorry...you might have the money but you don't have the class...this car may not have the best built quality but Esprits are definitely one of the greatest sports cars every built.
Review ID: #512530
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Owner
A REAL no B.S. honest review.
by DJ, Redmond, WA on 02/05/2004.
Trim: 2002 Lotus Esprit Esprit V8, Owned 2 years.
1
Pros:
Let me tell you what this car is really like. This car is perfectly balanced & let’s you push it to the edge, with a slight under steer, & dares you to do more. Its classic wedge design has aged beautifully & has done, IMHO, well keeping up with the times. Ladies this is a true thoroughbred sports car, your civics are what we call a gas efficient commuter car. If you think this car is expensive, you probably haven't owned anything more than a Civic. This car out performs Ferraris that are far more expensive. For a car that is in the Supercar status, $90k is a screaming deal when you consider you will pay twice as much for its competitors.
Cons:
Lotus should have replaced the Renault Trans w/ a more robust trans & 6th gear! Cable shift takes away from the "feel". I despise the Pontiac steering wheel. The plastic horn buttons easily wear & break. Cabin room is limited, hope you aren’t Closter phobic. Invest in a good set of racing shoes due to the wheel well intruding into the foot peddle space & leave no room for wide feet. This can be great on the track but off track it’s a pain. Improved new interior, especially the binnacle. Larger gauges make it easier on the eyes in the way of style & readability. Wish the sloping 70s dash was updated. What’s w/ that new cheese grater on the back?
Overall review:
I never post to boards whatsoever but I am extremely annoyed w/ the reviews posted here by 16yr olds who have probably never even sat in the car. Despite the small glitches w/ the car, once you drive it all those problems fade away. I.e. the trans; Lotus borrowed the trans from a Renault 25 which Renault is no longer making. Could be one of the reasons the Esprit is retiring. The steering wheel problem can be delt w/ by replacing it w/ the MOMO wheel that was intended to be on the car. No airbag but big improvement. Subaru has a MOMO wheel w/an Airbag, why can't Lotus get that kind of deal? I know that Lotus wouldn't be able to recover the funds it would take to develop their own airbag wheels & trans so they outsource. Most REAL sports cars have the same problems w/head & foot room. At 5’11” I’m at the limit for someone who can fit in the Esprit. There are kits to replace the seat rails to gain an inch or two of head room. Still, it's a beautiful car, an absolute blast to own & drive!
Review ID: #409812
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Owner
Colin had the right idea
by WRX Wagon from Chicago, IL on 02/15/2003.
Trim: 2002 Lotus Esprit Esprit V8, Owned 1 year.
1
Pros:
Classic styling, sharp handling, more comfortable than you would expect
Cons:
V8 not quite as "melodious" as it could/should be.
Overall review:
Yes, the Lotus Esprit has been showing its age the past few years, but it still remains one of the sveltest shapes on the road today, capable of turning heads everywhere. The people who are "dissing" this car are just jealous that they have to drive their Pep Boy'd APC'ed cars around town. Not that I'm dissing Pep Boys -- I usually buy my oil from there (yes, I do my own work on my cars). But I digress. The Lotus Esprit is an "affordable" supercar, in the same price range as cars like the NSX and Viper. All three have their positives and negatives, so it comes down to personal preferences. The Lotus isn't for everyone, nor is it perfect, but I love it. Blame it on 007.
Review ID: #343834
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Owner
Don't be so harsh
by Jon From Toronto, Canada on 02/09/2003.
Trim: 2002 Lotus Esprit Esprit V8, Owned 2 years.
1
Pros:
Exceptional styling, inside and out. Thank god the designers have not followed the American jelly bean craz in car redesign over the past 10 years. It has an angular ultra wedge shape design that is tasteful and does not look dated. This car has evolved/matured nicely since its "James Bond" days. It also has more than adequate power to overtake almost any car on the road.
Cons:
Because of its height its difficult to get in and out of.
Overall review:
The Lotus esprit is a very nice sports car with a long tradition of quality. Just like any other car, It may not be for everybody but it sure is nice to know it's out there.
Review ID: #342258
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Owner
Buy an Elise or Exige instead!!
by RumpleTweezer from Hampshire, England on 11/22/2002.
Trim: 2002 Lotus Esprit Esprit V8, Owned less than 1 year.
1
Pros:
An 80's design icon.
Cons:
An 80's design icon.
Overall review:
Why would you buy this? Lotus sells far better cars - Elise, Exige in Europe for a fraction of the price. I'm amazed they only sell the Esprit in the US....
Review ID: #326696
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