Originally Posted by Bullseye
Sorry I didn't see the until recently. But, you have to admit even though the esprit is an old platform it still could perform. I remember it one magazine, it toped out at 187 bouncing off the rev limiter in 5th gear. Not to mention went 12.6@113 or 112. Was tested back in 99' or 97'. Can't remember. No but the x-type sells. If I wanted a sports sedan, and was on a budget as I am. I would look no further than a Legacy GT 2.5 5 speed. Its a nice car, can't beat it for the price. You may have gotten it for $24,500 but the avg. buyer does not know that. Still for 25k-ish, I would buy a used STi or a 03' Cobra. But that is the speed freak in me.
I'm a huge fan of the Subarus, as well. I thought about doing a WRX for a long time, to get my turbocharger fix. But after years of doing the sport compact thing (I had a Protege5 with a lot of mods on it), I wanted something a little more rakish and impractical. IMO, a true auto enthusiast would not at all be disappointed by any number of Subarus - Legacy 2.5 GT, WRX (standard and STI), or the ultimate sleeper - the turbo Forester (deceptively fast). They build performance cars using a formula that no one else in the world follows - four door cars with front mounted, horizontally opposed, flat four engines with turbo chargers on them, driving all four wheels. The Evo is as good as an STI, but IMO, a lot less original in its thinking. Oh, and nothing sounds similar to the sweet burble coming off of a free breathing Subaru flat four. An uncorked WRX is magic!
And, regarding that Lotus - for a 30 year old car, it still had legs. Still does, to this day. Credit a good basic design, low curb weight, and a great looking profile. It's a bargain among extotics. It is an old car, no denying that. And, in a lot of ways, it shows its age. But, for people that always wanted one, that probably doesn't matter one bit. Another complaint is that they are impossible to see out of, especially in the rearview... sound familiar?