Megatech
Jr. Member
Posts: 25
I'm a llama!
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« on: April 15, 2010, 09:37:39 am » |
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I guess, some of Murena owners like me, also have very nice feelings about the Lotus Esprit. I also know of some Esprit owners "grew up" in a Murena. But how different are they? Of course the price tag and the running costs are 2 - 4 times higher, is it then worth the money?
I have recently bought myself a '85 Turbo Esprit, and after 700 km I will dare the comparison.
The Turbo Esprit is due to the power difference A LOT quicker in terms of acceleration. That said, as I am also the lucky owner of a Lotus Excel with the normal aspirated motor, an Esprit S3 will only accelerate marginal better than a Murena S. 1:1
The steering is a bit lighter in the Murena probadly due to the smaller tires, but just as responsive. 1:1
The Esprit is faster on a twisted road, the grip is better, it is better balanced. More like a racing car. 0:1
The comfort is better in the Esprit, less noise, better absorbing. 0:1
Visibility. In the Esprit the car ends at the windscreen, and 3/4 rear is non existent. You have to guess the corners. 1:0
Brakes: I normal use, you will not feel the difference, but on a track day, the Murena will soon fade. 0:1
Quality: Well no of these will pull out trees, but the Esprit has more nice details to comply with "La dolce Vita". No visible plastic surfaces - all covered in leather. 0:1
Technical. The Esprit is far more complex and at a higher level. 0:1
Serviceability: The Murena is the winner here. I have ovned my Murena for 13 years, and I have service costs of a level of a Toyota. I can do most of it with simple tools and my bare hands. The Esprit will in many cases require a specialist (where are they?). 1:0
Attraction: Here in Denmark the Esprit is an UFO. You are defenetly turning more heads. 0:1 (If you do not prefer this, just switch the scooring)
Design: I will leave this to you.....
Verdict: The Murena (S) is a very good car, which gives you 80% of an Esprit at a 1/3 costs. If mid engine is a demand, you could not spend your money in a better way. If you also want some exhibioniostic exotic apperance, the Esprit is only 1/3 price of a Ferrari 308.
I decided to realize a 33 year old dream - bought the Esprit on eBay and collected it this weekend. I would estimate, that the prizes are at the bottom now, with Lotus being much more involved in motorsports in the future - take a look on the internet and go for it. Btw. has anyone knowledge of a vacant Bond girl - preferably from the later moviies?
The Murena stays as my daily driver.
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Oetker
YaBB God
Posts: 1097
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« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2010, 10:47:49 am » |
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Quote --------- anyone knowledge of a vacant Bond girl - preferably from the later movies? ======================================================== I prefer them from the older movies, they are more my age I liked the Esprit to, but I remembered the English chap I talked with about 10 years ago. He was pretty negative about the brand. Doesn't Lotus stand for Lots Of Trouble Usealy Serious? Also the price for a Murena was much lower. I think it has more to offer for budget classic driving, and has as much fun. You don't want a Lotus engine going down, because then youre realy f*cked, where the Murena parts are better priced. However, i wish you all the best with the Esprit. Like the Murena it's becoming a collecters item.
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« Last Edit: April 15, 2010, 10:54:38 am by Oetker »
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I feel like Jonah, only my fish looks different. Murena 2.2 Red 1982. Murena 1.6 black on places.
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michaltalbot
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Posts: 566
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« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2010, 07:56:53 pm » |
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davidewanprice
Guest
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« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2010, 11:07:02 am » |
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I'm guessing but the esprit was proberbly more money than the murena which would account for some of the refinement differences and let's face it, I'm sure if you bolted a turbo unit to the murena I'm sure it would give it more kick to keep with the Esprit. I see the Murena as a true entry level sposts car. I think when comaring other cars to the murena I would say the monte carlo was most comparable, maybe x19 or mr2 but most the these came either before or after the murena, I can't think of many cars like murena that came out at the same time. Compare the build quality of the murena and the alpine 310 and for an "entry level sports car"it's far better made, it's just a shame that they never put that nice v6 in the back of the murena.... This would have been a great car!
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Anders Dinsen
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Posts: 3186
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« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2010, 05:10:59 pm » |
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Congrats on the Esprit! I'd love to see some photos - or the car itself, perhaps? I have one thing to add to your comparison, which is that the Murena is a social car. No other sports car (apart from the Bagheera and one other car) has three seats, which allows you (as it was originally intended!) to take both your wife and your mistress with you in the car (wife in the rightmost seat, of course). We who aren't real frenchmen can't even think of doing such a thing of course, but I enjoy giving rides to my sons' friends. Having both my son, and the friend aboard so much more fun for everyone than giving the friend a ride alone would be! Cheers, Anders
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1982 Talbot Matra Murena 2.2 prep 142 2017 BMW i3 "Charged Professional" 94Ah
Used to own: 2001 Renault Matra Grand Espace "The Race" V6 24v 1997 Renault Matra Espace 2.0 8V 1987 Renault Matra Espace J11 2.2
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michaltalbot
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Posts: 566
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« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2010, 10:01:04 pm » |
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