Tony Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 Here's my little baby She has a full Lotus service history to the sum of 20k over 19yrs, i'm not sure if this is good or bad for the type of car? I suppose 1k a year is reasonably good. It's been two weeks since i bought the car so i'm still learning about it, initial concerns are the handling and a smell of fuel when hitting boost. I measured the Geo in regard to the handling and this was fine which is just as well since the chassis is not very adjustable. The problem i have is every road undulation the car bolts off...... seriously bolts off, so you need both hands on the steering or it's all over. The car was MOT'd three weeks ago which as we know means very little, nevertheless the steering/ joints and so on seem ok, my conclusion is the suspension is spent so a new set of coils and oils are in order......... Oh GAZ can i have a word The smell of fuel was very concerning, and it only happens on boost .... According to the superb advice from the owners club this is due to a breather issue and the dump valve, on inspection i did find a split breather pipe and replaced it........ Kin hell this made the turbo even faster Other issues if one wants to complain is the steering ( maneuvering ) is so, so heavy, it takes both hands on the wheel and proper tugs to incrementally turn the steering at low speed, ironically at 130mph the steering is scarily light So at the moment my only mission is to change the suspension and hopefully improve the handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hms Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 Here's my little baby Other issues if one wants to complain is the steering ( maneuvering ) is so, so heavy, it takes both hands on the wheel and proper tugs to incrementally turn the steering at low speed, ironically at 130mph the steering is scarily light At those speeds, on private roads/track, you probably need a chin spoiler, splitter or similar to send the air above and below the car.The splitter acts to send air below the car at a higher speed than the air going over the car, working as an upsidedown wing, providing an area of low pressure under the car, pulling the car down providing grip. Cann't remember if you have a chin spoiler/splitter on TBO, or wherther you will be at those speeds again on private roads/track! Have you spoken to Derek yet? h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 I have to agree h, the front felt like it was lifting off the ground, steering became progressively lighter the faster i went and at 130mph i bottled it. Mick@ wim followed me down the lanes and i got a bit spirited speed wise and he said the rear was bouncing all over the place, if this is the case and it feels like it is then it explains why i need such drastic steering actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammy Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 looks tidy though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Would i settle for anything less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul XE Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Looks very tidy Tony, good buy! Am interested to hear the before and after settings on the geo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 You gonna get some custom made coilovers then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Can I just point out my £800 Porsche is fully adjustable, including rear ride height. Assuming it can all be freed-off, ofcourse.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hms Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 That's a big assumption! h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 You gonna get some custom made coilovers then? Just so happens GAZ make coilovers for the Esprit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 Well i spent most of the bank holiday detailing..... what you think I never had time to do the carpets or glass...... to be continued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e4tnu Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 Looks a real stunner well done mate....Is that a cigarette lighter i see in the passenger door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 You gonna get some custom made coilovers then? Just so happens GAZ make coilovers for the Esprit Really? How many of them do they sell, I wouldn't of thought they'd be that popular? Is that a cigarette lighter i see in the passenger door? I bet Tony smokes in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 Looks a real stunner well done mate....Is that a cigarette lighter i see in the passenger door? Both door have one....... Old days ah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 You gonna get some custom made coilovers then? Just so happens GAZ make coilovers for the Esprit Really? How many of them do they sell, I wouldn't of thought they'd be that popular? Is that a cigarette lighter i see in the passenger door? I bet Tony smokes in it! .... It's a car not an iron lung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 GAZ cover the entire Lotus range, in fact one of the forum members who i know via his Esprit was in today, he says the Esprit forum are waiting to see how things go once the Gaz is fitted, don't forget these cars have been made for around 30yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 You gonna get some custom made coilovers then? Just so happens GAZ make coilovers for the Esprit Really? How many of them do they sell, I wouldn't of thought they'd be that popular? Is that a cigarette lighter i see in the passenger door? I bet Tony smokes in it! .... It's a car not an iron lung. I'm sure the fag burns on the interior will look good! You need to update the vehicle you drive as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 No mate, these Lotus Esprit's come with complimentary ash trays, after a few days training you can actually get ash to fall into the tray Seemingly this ability has been lost over the years where smokers no longer have ashtrays and have to hone new skills like flicking ash out of windows, apparently this is not aerodynamically correct resulting in burns to seats and carpets but in the Esprit what would i know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I think i need to look at the smell of fuel when on boost..... seemigly this can be the outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 What are the panels made of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Fiberglass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Fiberglass I thought so, every panel then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Fiberglass I thought so, every panel then? Yeah i think so, it's a light weight car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHAHZ Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 Well i spent most of the bank holiday detailing..... what you think I never had time to do the carpets or glass...... to be continued. Nice work mate, looks stunning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 In blue but you get the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.