berin@sun.com (Eddie Berin) (02/01/90)
RE: Turbo Esprit pricing, chassis changes, etc. 16, here's my two cents worth: PRICING: Here in San Jose, CA, the local Jaguar dealer has a 1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit, 19K miles, showroom condition Red with tan interior - $39K About a year ago, same place, a 1984 Lotus Turbo Esprit was selling for $22K (needed work). The few random samples I've seen run around $30K, but those are probably '83-'85 cars. Anything newer than that is upper $30K and beyond. CHASSIS: indeed a stressed member of the suspension (A-arm function). This unreliable feature tended to chew up CV joints. 1979 was also the year of the Series II (S2) Esprits; these also were using the halfshaft/A-arm scheme. 1980 was the last year Lotus Esprits were sold in the USA (officially)? In 1981-83(?), the Series III (S3) was introduced outside the USA. However, the only official S3 chassis sold in the USA was the newly introduced Turbo Esprit in 1983(?). I was under the belief that all Turbo Esprits were S3 chassis-equipped. As far as desirability, the S3 is the way to go, especially at the $30K range. By the way, I coincidentally just called the Lotus factory in Norwich to inquire about factory tours (my vacation around June 21). For your information, June 12,13,and 14 tours (10:30AM and 2:00PM) are still open - come on down! I am planning to go July 10 @ 2:00PM. If you really want it straight from the horse's mouth, Lotus' number is 011 44 953 60 8000 (this dials direct to Lotus Cars Limited in Norwich). There is an 8 hour ahead time difference from the West coast. Eddie ~