I chose my 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 for the following reasons:
            1.  Looks
            2.  Handling
            3.  Performance per dollar
            4.  Rarity

    I have been very happy with my Esprit since its purchase in July of 1998.  I drive the Esprit every day, rain or shine.  It is a street car intended to have fun on winding roads and from streetlight to streetlight (where most of my driving is done).
    I have had few problems to date.  The alternator had to be replaced 4 months out of warranty.  I had a few small problems during the warranty period but they were so minor and few that I don't even remember what they were.
     The things I don't like about Lotus are that there are very few places that can or will work on it and due to that fact parts and labor can be quite high.   Also, it is very hard to get performance advice and enhancements.
    During my performance modifications I spoke to both Lotus UK and USA.   Both divisions were very helpful with advice and help on stock related issues but were very guarded relating to performance enhancements.  Dwayne Shoemake at Lotus USA was a big help.  We had some tuning problems and Dwayne came down, fixed it all and made a few adjustments to make it all work great.