Love this car. Although this is the later S4 stevens design which went away a bit from the folded paper styling of giugiaro which imo was perfection. I have a series 2 over here is the USA and damn, everytime i go out into the garage, I fall in love again!
Had my 1984 Turbo Esprit for over 10 years and took it on many long runs. Never had a problem with it, but there again I am a very careful driver and will not thrash any of my classics through the gears. I must say though that on an open road I gave her some welly and backed off at 160 m.p.h (260 kph). The only modification to get this performance was to change the carbs to after market EFI. Another of my seller's remorse.
I remember when you could get old Elises for 6k. They have all doubled in value over the last 10 years. Some of them are worth more than they cost new when you factor in inflation.
These aren't £14k anymore. More like triple that price. Not sure how old this video is but TVR went out of business in 2006. That was a hell of a showroom.
Love the Esprit, TVR's are lovely to look at, but too unreliable, and the Lotus example in that video, although we didn't see much of it, was a great example
Men&Motors could you write when this video was recorded? And is it from some documentary, TV show or something else? I'm just interested in this kind of stuff.
30 years on and I've still never seen one of these cars on the road lol. It's like the "supercar" nobody ever bought. When you consider price and rarity, the fact that I've seen Ferrari's, McLaren's, the highest end Porsche 911's (GT2 Turbos), Acura NSXs, Lamborghini's, Maserati's, and on and on down the list.... but never a Lotus Esprit is kind of strange.
I'm a retired 25-year Florida State Trooper, and I have seen everything you mentioned.....and not one Esprit. For the record, I really like the Esprit.
He is crowing about "People can see me!" but he is so damn short in the car that no-one really can see him. Also it's a wonder he didn't crash it based on his record with driving exotic cars.
DO NOT SKIMP ON THE TIMING BELT SCHEDULE. My old mechanic was looking after a 4 cylinder turbo model twenty years ago, and the owners had done just that. The water pump was $700, and the pistons were almost a thousand EACH.... And if the editing drives you nuts in this video, go watch Harry's Garage where he takes an S3 on a 2,000 mile road trip.
Every time I see Hammond driving fast round the country roads I expect him to drive it off the road and turn it over, turning it into a crumpled wreck, as his past track record shows, Like Clarkson wouldn't let him drive a B&Q wheel barrow
The 910 is a sweet heart the 918 will beat you up, steal your wallet , drain your bank account and break your heart....you come back for more but eventually you’ll give up......
Calling the Esprit a "supercar" is being very generous. The V8, maybe. Certainly not the 2.2L 4 banger. I suppose in its day (70s through the 90s) it was a "supercar". It did actually out perform the Countach. These days a Ford Focus would wipe the floor with it. It is a beautiful car though and I would love to have one because they are quirky and quite rare to see where I live.
TyrantRex I suppose a car that could do sub 5 seconds nought to 60, and knock on the door of 160, could be considered a supercar in 1989. And with those looks? I know which of the two I'd rather have out of the Lotus and the Ford Focus.
I remember the times around 2008/2009, when we drove to the UK two times to collect some cars due to the low pound value. Esprits were standing at dealers for around 10k and nobody came to catch them. It's a supercar of the 80s, a dinosaur of the 90s and a quirky rattle box today.
But now everyone wants classic British sports cars. What used to be un-sellable is now worth loads because no one makes cars like these anymore. Put an Esprit, Elise S1 or S2 up for sale now and people queue up to buy it.
That is also true for a bunch of other classic cars of the 60s up to the late 90s or even mid-2ks. Nobody cares for the flaws of these "products" of the past anymore because it's just a window of the past or simply a pleasure to drive. And, unfortunately, for a certain amount of buyers just an investment. But I would estimate that this current market situation is some kind of a hype. Concerning the Elise, as a long-term owner of some of them I have to disagree: At least in Germany where I live, they haven't rise in value during the last year. Even more, they lost in value and are hard to sell in the last two years.
@@vollhorst9996 In the UK there are dealers on Lotus forums asking for cars to buy because they are selling so fast and are desperate for new stock. They have been going up in value for years now.
Salesman is the wonderful, and now sadly late Neil Shepherdson of Christopher Neil. He owned the company, and in classic English style he wouldn’t ever do a ‘hard-sell. He had more class than that. He died 4 yrs ago following cancer, and within a year of losing his son, Ben, in an Elise crash. Very sad indeed. CN became part of the Oakmere group, but in the early days when I bought my 1968 Elan S4 SE in 1985, they were a great source for all parts for classic Lotus. Much missed and emblematic of a very happy time in my life of motoring. I had to sell my Elan after 24yrs of ownership after the banking crash. Miss that too!
@@victornoir3594 Nicely put and thank you. The nicest salesman is the quiet one, just shoves you in the right direction to get what you want...with thanks Neil Shepherdson RIP
B NA - What do you want from a salesman? I want an expert on the product and one that can answer any questions I may have politely and respectfully. I don't need him to be able to tap-dance, do impressions or tell jokes.
A Lotus is a bit like an extreme Alfa Romeo: it's unreliable, it'll cost you pain and money owning one, but it is designed to give you orgasmic excitement on the road in between all those breakdowns and expensive services! 😉
I only saw one Lotus Esprit in my Life Time while waiting for the bus. It was a beautiful red Esprit and I will never forget it.
This car is timeless. The sweetest.
The typical "cool" editing from the early 2000s...
But it was published in 2017 though...
Matt Luman Doesn’t change the film date.
*EuroBeat Intensifies*
I'll try spinnin! That's a good trick
It's an aesthetic that I can get behind, even if it's not to everyone's tastes.
Always loved that model . beautiful looking car
2020 and i still loving that car,
Love this car. Although this is the later S4 stevens design which went away a bit from the folded paper styling of giugiaro which imo was perfection. I have a series 2 over here is the USA and damn, everytime i go out into the garage, I fall in love again!
Lately been watching Richard Hammond on M&M reviews, and you can definitely see the talent that served him so well in presenting TG 👍
no
Had my 1984 Turbo Esprit for over 10 years and took it on many long runs. Never had a problem with it, but there again I am a very careful driver and will not thrash any of my classics through the gears. I must say though that on an open road I gave her some welly and backed off at 160 m.p.h (260 kph). The only modification to get this performance was to change the carbs to after market EFI. Another of my seller's remorse.
Hmm, I wonder if you can drive it to Patagonia? Hmm
Has always been my dream car. Sounds like I can stop dreaming, very soon!
Did you manage to buy it after 3 years?
the editing on this is so fckn cheesy
Pretty annoying! Lets wave the camera around and then star wipe to an upside down fast tracking shot.
come one, it's from the nineties, they didn't know better ;)
You mean Brilliant.
Everyobe can critize with a hindsight of 20 fucking years. Genius.
he things that the dubstep serious tone of now gona last forever.
I'm getting a 02 v8 can't wait
Joy banger101 Nice! Tell me how you like it man. I'm looking to get one soon as well.
Did you get it?
Enjoy your Crown Vic.
I prefer the 98 version with the block lights rather than circles, still a great car though
@BosoxnationI972 how so? Ford owned lotus at that point in time?
14k for that lotus.... yee wiz times has chanced not its close to 40k
Shit
I remember when you could get old Elises for 6k. They have all doubled in value over the last 10 years. Some of them are worth more than they cost new when you factor in inflation.
Yeah 80s cars are more and more in vogue these days. It's only going to get worse and worse
These aren't £14k anymore. More like triple that price. Not sure how old this video is but TVR went out of business in 2006. That was a hell of a showroom.
Video is from around 99-2000 I believe
@@lukeguilfoyle24255th July 2001. It says so in the description.
Before they had every corner shaved off, they were truly Beautiful.
The salesman told him it would cost 2 grand a year for maintenance on a Lotus Esprit Turbo, I love salesmen like that.
only if they worked for me....i wouldn't buy a car off someone who said that...
I'd rather have a lotus esprit over a Ferrari any day of the week... especially after seeing James may driving one in south America!!.💕🇬🇧🇺🇦
legends say that the car at 0:33 is still waiting to make that turn
It has that classic supercar look. Wow...!!!
An 80s Esprit isn't what I'd call a "Supercar," but under 15K, it's a lot of fun for your money.
All the way back in 2001. I remember this episode.
Greatest car design of all time.
Look at all those NEW MR2's!!!
Young Richard Hammond reminds me of the car wash guy from Happiness and Cyanide.
I think that is neat. I wonder how much for the 'submarine option'? (James Bond movie).
TVRs are so beautiful
Look at all these wildly expensive cars! Touch. Touch. Touch touch.
Can anyone help us with the name of the music track?
The camerawork/editing where staight abnoxious in the early 2000's .... "keep the camera moving, no matter what"..
Anyone know the song at 2:06?
OZ Futurs rims.... just awesome
Damn ... he has aged a lot in just 12 years. He looks like a young adult here
James has aged more.
They have all aged badly.
It’s what happens when u drive at 290mph
@@gdawgsuper758 ...while doing blow off the dash...
He hasn’t aged, he’s just grown a goatee and been in two near fatal accidents.
Love the Esprit, TVR's are lovely to look at, but too unreliable, and the Lotus example in that video, although we didn't see much of it, was a great example
retro... i love it!!
felt like i was watching green wing for the first minute
qhat dealer was he using, as they have some nice stuff in stock?
They should do s similar model now, the same name,modern supercar and also an mx5 type thing.
That lotus is 😍😍
14 grand ! Even in those days that was a bargain. Now you can multiply that by three or five for the same car.
Anyone know the song that plays right at the start of this video?? It's a classic 90s tune but I can't remember the name!
Men&Motors could you write when this video was recorded? And is it from some documentary, TV show or something else? I'm just interested in this kind of stuff.
its from a tv-show called men and motors...
Ahhh :D Thanks!
Summer 1999.
Thank you!
What year is that car and is it a 4 or 8 cylinder?
Anyone know the song? Reminds me of the early Gran Turismo soundtrack.
Always wanted one grazie ciao
what MODEL YEAR is this car?!....I love the color combination and wheels....VERY VERY KOOL
'97-'02 possibly.
what is that open wheel lotus at 1:15??
Lotus 340R
Lots of trouble usually serious. Lotus
I'd take the risk for that beast it sounds mean.
Such a stupid phrase. The problem with the British is that they like to denigrate their own brands. That's why virtually none of them have survived.
Who the fuck edited this? Please tell me this was shot in the 90s
like, how many times did you drive on those white lines 🤔
30 years on and I've still never seen one of these cars on the road lol. It's like the "supercar" nobody ever bought.
When you consider price and rarity, the fact that I've seen Ferrari's, McLaren's, the highest end Porsche 911's (GT2 Turbos), Acura NSXs, Lamborghini's, Maserati's, and on and on down the list.... but never a Lotus Esprit is kind of strange.
I'm a retired 25-year Florida State Trooper, and I have seen everything you mentioned.....and not one Esprit. For the record, I really like the Esprit.
@@Dave-co1cvliving in the UK, but know at least 2 Esprits in FL, but it's a big place.
music from hell
so many TVRs!
The editor of this video must have been on speed.
That background dance music screams late 90s or early 00s 😂
Reminds us of our roots! 😂
15 years later
Some Old Woman drives it to Patagonia with Mustang & 924
He is crowing about "People can see me!" but he is so damn short in the car that no-one really can see him. Also it's a wonder he didn't crash it based on his record with driving exotic cars.
How much the cost 😊
DO NOT SKIMP ON THE TIMING BELT SCHEDULE. My old mechanic was looking after a 4 cylinder turbo model twenty years ago, and the owners had done just that. The water pump was $700, and the pistons were almost a thousand EACH.... And if the editing drives you nuts in this video, go watch Harry's Garage where he takes an S3 on a 2,000 mile road trip.
That people can buy a 30-old-classic and skimp on maintenance is beyond me. But it happens. Buyers beware.
He looks tiny in it! Gorgeous car though.
Permission from the home office😂😂😂
Reason to stay single.
I saw one of these on AUTOTRADER in my town for 25k
This was shot in Northwich - this garage is now a Mazda showroom. (or is that, toilet)
Every time I see Hammond driving fast round the country roads I expect him to drive it off the road and turn it over, turning it into a crumpled wreck, as his past track record shows, Like Clarkson wouldn't let him drive a B&Q wheel barrow
A lotus esprit for 14 grand we don’t know how good we had it 💀
If only they cost that little now.
The Esprit and the E type,when 🇬🇧 Britain was cool.
The 90s, it buuuuurrrns us!
Still a nice looking car. Sounds like it would be nice to gut the internals for something more reliable and try to keep the exterior intact.
There's literally nothing wrong with the 910.
The 910 is a sweet heart the 918 will beat you up, steal your wallet , drain your bank account and break your heart....you come back for more but eventually you’ll give up......
Classic.
Classic car insurance after ten years? That's nice.
Calling the Esprit a "supercar" is being very generous. The V8, maybe. Certainly not the 2.2L 4 banger. I suppose in its day (70s through the 90s) it was a "supercar". It did actually out perform the Countach. These days a Ford Focus would wipe the floor with it. It is a beautiful car though and I would love to have one because they are quirky and quite rare to see where I live.
TyrantRex I suppose a car that could do sub 5 seconds nought to 60, and knock on the door of 160, could be considered a supercar in 1989.
And with those looks?
I know which of the two I'd rather have out of the Lotus and the Ford Focus.
You take the Focus and I’ll take the Esprit.
Meet me at any track in the world.
Angry short bloke.
You try getting one for £14k nowadays
Wants to buy a lotus goes to a tvr dealer
I thought it was Daniel for a second, lol
14k no way even in Euros that sounds too cheap. Did I miss something?
The year this came out....
I remember the times around 2008/2009, when we drove to the UK two times to collect some cars due to the low pound value. Esprits were standing at dealers for around 10k and nobody came to catch them.
It's a supercar of the 80s, a dinosaur of the 90s and a quirky rattle box today.
But now everyone wants classic British sports cars. What used to be un-sellable is now worth loads because no one makes cars like these anymore. Put an Esprit, Elise S1 or S2 up for sale now and people queue up to buy it.
That is also true for a bunch of other classic cars of the 60s up to the late 90s or even mid-2ks. Nobody cares for the flaws of these "products" of the past anymore because it's just a window of the past or simply a pleasure to drive. And, unfortunately, for a certain amount of buyers just an investment.
But I would estimate that this current market situation is some kind of a hype.
Concerning the Elise, as a long-term owner of some of them I have to disagree: At least in Germany where I live, they haven't rise in value during the last year. Even more, they lost in value and are hard to sell in the last two years.
@@vollhorst9996 In the UK there are dealers on Lotus forums asking for cars to buy because they are selling so fast and are desperate for new stock. They have been going up in value for years now.
This has to be at least 10 years old, there are TVRs in the showroom.
acalthu try 15
Aviaz X not 15
acalthu its from 2001 so 17
he didnt even go underwater
Lol did he say 14 grand?
no way
Fourteen grand... where's my time machine? 😋
sir please dont touch the paint
Cheesy transitions between the scenes and that background rave. Not missing those times!
He must have a cushion on that drivers seat...
Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.
To the reckless fools who buy cars but never take care of them. Far too many of those I'm afraid. Especially in the laziest parts of the world.
Not since they started using Toyota engines and gearboxes. A modern Lotus is more reliable than an Audi or BMW.
14k, Jesus.....
YEE HAA!!
Amo le inglesi!! 💣💣💣
I swear I heard the song at 2:06 in a game...I dont remember with one.
Need for speed 1 or 2 lol
@@ryanstarks5236 It was Test Drive Off Road 1 lol
@@RotaryLover what's the song called?
@@trievoluzione8868 Test Drive Off-Road 1 OST - Song 4
@@RotaryLover "Full On" by Steve Everitt to be more precise.
I have owned half of that Toyota Dealership, both Celica and one of those red MR2 MK3's
Hammond has just bought a 350 Sport, so he put his money where his mouth is :)
most boring sales person . wouldn't buy chips from him
He's not there to sell him anything... He was probably volunteered to talk to the annoying git!
Salesman is the wonderful, and now sadly late Neil Shepherdson of Christopher Neil. He owned the company, and in classic English style he wouldn’t ever do a ‘hard-sell. He had more class than that.
He died 4 yrs ago following cancer, and within a year of losing his son, Ben, in an Elise crash. Very sad indeed. CN became part of the Oakmere group, but in the early days when I bought my 1968 Elan S4 SE in 1985, they were a great source for all parts for classic Lotus. Much missed and emblematic of a very happy time in my life of motoring. I had to sell my Elan after 24yrs of ownership after the banking crash. Miss that too!
@@victornoir3594 Nicely put and thank you. The nicest salesman is the quiet one, just shoves you in the right direction to get what you want...with thanks Neil Shepherdson RIP
What exactly is it you want from a salesperson?
B NA - What do you want from a salesman? I want an expert on the product and one that can answer any questions I may have politely and respectfully. I don't need him to be able to tap-dance, do impressions or tell jokes.
I prefer the one that swims
AMC DOORHANDELS OUT OF A 1980-1988 AMC EAGLE WAGON 4X4.
got in the wrong side of the car
He got in the door. He got behind the steering wheel. He went from the outside to the inside. What the hell do you mean. Weird comment.
A Lotus is a bit like an extreme Alfa Romeo: it's unreliable, it'll cost you pain and money owning one, but it is designed to give you orgasmic excitement on the road in between all those breakdowns and expensive services! 😉
I bet you haven't owned one. My Evora was utterly reliable and solid for the 3 years I owned it. And the fun factor was worth three times the price.
Old top gear looks like indian soap opera
Lots of Trouble Usually Serious
Please fire whoever edited this.
an't - he's a volunteer !!
OZ futura the best
Mr2 Mr2 Mr2 !!!!
Ghost in the shell