just drove lotus/compare to nsx

[huckster]

just noticed a similiar post from someone who bought a lotus. but theyre not really comparing the cars.

test drove a 98 lotus with less than 9kmiles. wanted to know from other lotus drivers if what i experienced is spot on or not.

this car really is immaculate. whole lot of horsepower there. what i didnt like was the foot pedals were really hard to navigate. no room down there for size 10plus feet(im 11.5 size).

the car felt a little rougher on the road than the nsx, though pretty comfortable around corners.

the gearbox was difficult to navigate. the guy warned me about finding first gear, and i still made that mistake once (ouch). really difficult to find first gear. is that typical??

really nice car, i like the looks too. however, i think i now have a greater understanding of the nsx difference. i went looking to potentially buy(dont tell my wife), but walked away a little disappointed. definately not the nsx.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

"THE LOTUS DOESN'T HAVE THE LUXURY or refinement of the Acura NSX. No cruise control, for instance. It's just an extremely racy automobile. If you want a race car with explosive power and handling, this is it. Its build quality, paint, seats and hardware are all passable, but again, it is not built like the NSX. I drove the NSX and given the same choice again, I'd still take the Lotus. I wanted the exotic raciness. And, by God, I got it."

FRED STEINBERG, Cape Coral, Fla.

http://www.autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=autofile&content_code=04257825&Search_Type=STD&Search_ID=557191&record=11

 

[bill92nsx]

Major stoner that is just one owner's opinion. I for one find the fit and finish of superb finish on my car. Paint is deep with a deep gloss, the panels line up perfect (exactly 1/4 inch everywhere), the interior (newer type--completely different) is a bit roomier than the older ones. Yes there is no dead pedal because the front wheels protrude into the interior.
Huckster, the tranny is a well known problem with the Esprits, but not first gear--means the car was abused. They changed the linkage I believe in mid98 where the new one has better shifting feel and shorter throws, but getting into second can still be notchy. This was the downful of the Esprit. One remedy for this is to use Redline MT which helps a whole bunch. I recommend this product very much.
As for comparison, both cars couldn't be worlds apart. The Lotus is a throwback to the older days where you really had to master you car, where you made a mistake you were punished. This car feels the closest to a racer. The NSX on the other hand set the path that sportscars are taking now--more refined, easier to drive, car compensates for driver error,--to ME this took that edge off in driving. To ME I prefer the older type of cars where they are more raw--same with the old Porsches. In the handling department, the Lotus has a better steering feel alot more accurate. It is very comfortable over bumps and potholes--not what you would think from a car like this. Both cars go after the same idea--you want to go faster add lightness(Colin Chapman was one of the first to go with the lightness route) Brakes are awesome alot better than the NSX. The ergonomics (of the newer interior mid98 and up) are greatly improved--not as good as the NSX but better than before. The interior is all covered in real leather everywhere. There is no rattles or anything. In the looks department it is subjective, they are both great looking cars--I like the Esprit a bit better than the NSX style. In the power department there really is no match. A stock Lotus will annahilate the NSX any day of the week. The Lotus hits 60 in 4.4, 100 in under 10sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 12.6 -12.8sec. But in the end they are different cars, one is not better than the other, they are just different. ME, I actually prefer the Lotus over the NSX, as well as over any Ferrari. Could both cars be any better? Sure, the NSX can use more power, better brakes. The Esprit can use a better tranny with Limited Slip(will help alot with the handling) and intercoolers. Hope this helps a bit

 

[NetViper]

Originally posted by bill92nsx:

The Lotus hits 60 in 4.4, 100 in under 10sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 12.6 -12.8sec.

According to the Article Major Stone linked to, the Lotus does
0-60: 4.52
1/4: 13.39 sec, 105.5 mph

Slower than the 2001 NSX C&D tested: 0-60 in 4.5 and 12.9 in the quarter.

So in the power department, there may be no match, but in the acceleration dept. they are really very close.

 

[bill92nsx]

A bunch of derelicts must have driven that car. That is the slowest time traps I have ever seen. Those times are from an S4 not even an S4s. Here is a nice link to motor trend done with the slowest of the v8s, the 97 model year. Kind of long but very enjoyable http://www.espritfactfile.com/videos/motortrend/MT3-med.ASF

 

[Lud]

My '98 Esprit experience...

Clutch was quite touchy

Tranny was a little vague but I never missed a gear. Judging by bill92nsx's information, I'd guess it was one of the earlier '98s before the updated linkage.

Fit and finish: exterior was pretty good, interior was poor (crooked stitching, poorly trimmed leather, etc.)

Below-average visibility, but not terrible and probably not below-average in it's class.

bill92 is also right that the interior is a bit roomier than the old Esprits, but that's not saying much!! I still found it to be quite small. I'm guessing you'll never see one in the parking lot of a "big and tall" mens store.

Lack of a dead pedal and the slightly shifted-to-the-right leg position to reach the pedals is a real turn-off to me, though MANY other sports cars are very similar. The lack of this issue makes the NSX really liveable for me.

Good power

Great looks (subjective)

Very good brakes

I did not really push the car to really test handling but everything I've read is good. Felt good on the street.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 24 September 2002).]

 

[NetViper]

Originally posted by bill92nsx:
http://www.espritfactfile.com/videos/motortrend/MT3-med.ASF

Thanks for the link Bill! That was sweet. No question, the lotus is fast, but compared to the 2001 NSX from C&D, its not THAT much faster for having a v8TT.

 

[huckster]

thinking on it, maybe ive just gotten really used to the nsx. i think the nsx really reminds me of my motorcycle days. really quick and smooth and controllable without that big thumping engine feel.

anyway, i walked away really happy with the nsx.

 

[bill92nsx]

Netviper it isn't much faster, no. The biggest problem is the engine is very detuned due to a weak, very weak transmission (renault), It can just about handle the power it puts out now. I have found a stronger tranny with a six speed which can handle alot more power and the upgrades are endless and cheap as well.
1--take off muffler and put test pipes--20hp
2--buy Race ECU straight from factory--100hp
3--add intercoolers(there are none) good for at least 50hp
4--add K&N filters (dyno results in 6-8hp)
and a few little other tidbits--reflow the turbos, add Blow Off valves, and better injectors and you will have a car that weighs 3000lbs pushing 500hp. All this without even touching the motor. The motor can handle the power the drivetrain cannot. There are few guys working on fixing this problem(try to use a Porsche transaxle).

 

[bill92nsx]

Huckster you should be happy with the NSX. It is a great car. The Lotus is kind of a raw car almost like the Viper. Two complete different personalities. Where the NSX looked for comfort and ease above performance Lotus gave a damned about comfort and livability with the Esprit. But their goal is one and the same--to make the car go faster add lightness.