This is a bit out there!

[Martin]

Ok, maybe this is going too far.

I'll give you the preface:

I drive a p.o.s. chevy everyday. I used to drive a Maserati Biturbo for everyday use, then an Alfa Romeo and now I have turned to the dark side and drive a reliable, yet super boring, 2000 Chevy coupe. I have found that driving a cheap and boring car really does have many benefits as you don't have to worry about it at all.

Don't worry this gets back to Lotus engineering, albeit Lotus engineering from the 80's.

I saw an ad on craig's list in my area for a 1992 Isuzu Stylus. As some of you might know Lotus did their "handling by Lotus" trick to some of those cars.

I want to trade up my Chevy for this Isuzu just based on the Lotus aspect of the car.....is that crazy or what?

http://www.avto-otchet.net/CarReviews/2500_0.jpg

[SuperTrooper]

Yeah, I'd say you're pretty nuts.

[4re308]

Well, parts would be cheap on it, and its kinda cool looking, definately cooler than the Chevy. For sure. I'd say go for it!

[Martin]

I knew I could count on some support.

[DavidYow]

That is one ugly car man. Go buy a Isuzu-Elan for $10,000.

[Esprit2]

[QUOTE=4re308;50]Well, parts would be cheap on it, and its kinda cool looking (Snip)...QUOTE]

The Stylus XS is a cool little car. Styling is always subjective (I liked it) but I wouldn't call it timeless. It's starting to look dated, but then I'm not into the current trends so perhaps that's okay.

The engine is the naturally aspirated version of the Elan M100's, and more than competitive with the Toyota 4AGE from the MR2. Toyota basically copied the Cosworth FVA (which was a development of the Lotus Twin Cam), and Isuzu pretty-much copied the 4AGE... and took it a little further. In naturally aspirated form, the Isuzu put out 140 hp while the Toyota put out something like 118 hp. It's a nice little engine, but never got noticed as much as the 4AGE did. It deserved more credit.

The 4-seat Stylus XS weighed about the same as the 2-seat MR2, so with the power advantage the Stylus was faster (my son and I autocrossed an XS and an MR2 MkI in the same season).

But could it handle?... oh yeah! With the Lotus tuned XS package the Stylus was a sweet handling little car. In an autocross it handled more like a rear wheel drive car and you could hang the tail out all the way around a sweeper if you were so inclined. The only negative was a little torque steer, but not a big deal.

The mainline Isuzu parts were mass-production cheap compared to Lotus. But the Lotus-designed suspension in the XS was unique and not just Lotus-tuned Isuzu. Parts were priced like Lotus. I was shopping for struts about (?) ten years ago and they were around $150 per corner then, plus you ordered and waited.

But proper maintenance was worth it even if some bits were expensive. When it was in top form, the XS was a great sleeper. It drew none of the wrong kind of attention, carried 4-people in sedan comfort, had a generous trunk, got good gas mileage but could embarrass sports cars like MR2's and Miatas.

Unfortunately, the Stylus XS never achieved any kind of special status, so they were driven like any other disposable car. Now, finding a clean one in good condition can be a real challenge. If you have a line on one, buy it.

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[Martin]

I tell you what, you have inspired me. I think I'm going to atleast go check it out. Sounds like if the suspension components are in good order than the rest won't be too hard to deal with. I'll let you all know how it goes!

[4re308]

If anything it is a rare car to run around in, and it has it's proper lineage! Go get it and let us know what happens.

[Martin]

Ok, I called the guy and he said that the car has coil overs from a Honda and it has been lowered an inch all around. It sounds like the car has been compromised... what do you think Tim?

[Martin]

Another question, did the Impulse ever get any Lotus tuning?

[Esprit2]

Another question, did the Impulse ever get any Lotus tuning?

Yes, similar but different.

[Esprit2]

Ok, I called the guy and he said that the car has coil overs from a Honda and it has been lowered an inch all around. It sounds like the car has been compromised... what do you think Tim?

??
Sounds like he gave up the best part.

If he had started with a plain-Jane Stylus, he might have made some improvements with those changes. And who knows, maybe he's better at tuning a chassis than Lotus. Somehow I doubt it. The Lotus-tuned Stylus XS was a nicely balanced car and I would be suspicious about this owner's "improvements".

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[Martin]

Crap. That is what I figured. Have you looked around to see how many of these are available, they are like hens teeth. They are practically non-existent. I found a few but they are all crap!

If you don't mind, educate me a bit on the Impulse.

[Esprit2]

If you don't mind, educate me a bit on the Impulse.

The Impulse name spanned a couple of itterations. The first was a Guigaro design that looked quite nice. The second was more chunky-muscular than the more sleak original. The second was contemporary to the Stylus XS. I don't know as much about the Impulse since I never had one in the family. A fellow in the local Lotus club has the second generation Impulse and it's a very quick car.

Basically, the Impulse is more of a sporty coupe rather while the Stylus is a straight-up sedan. They share a lot of parts under the skin and look pretty similar from below. There's a wheelbase difference, but other than that the mechanicals are similar.

Lotus worked it's magic on both of them. I'm not certain what the designation is for the Lotus-tuned Impulse, but it has the usual suspension tweaks, the supercharged version of the same basic Stylus engine (ie, the Elan M100 SE's turbo motor) and all wheel drive. In stock form the engine puts out something like 180 horsepower and can be bumped to 205 with a chip. It's significantly more powerful and faster than the Stylus XS, and has the wonderful Lotus handling.

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[Martin]

Sounds like I should start searching for a nice impulse....if those even exist.

[t70]

I have a friend with 2 or 3 impulses in his collection... the rust is unbelievable! I don't think even the old toyota trucks rust that badly. I presume your motivation for getting one is it's practicality as well as it's performance. The engine seems quite impressive.. we severely over-boosted one by using a mechanical boost controller and it handled it just fine. Hard to find an example that's rust free though.

[Martin]

That is what I am finding. They are about impossible to find if you want a nice one. And I'm sure that who ever has a nice one intends to keep it.

[Günter]

..... that driving a cheap and boring car really does have many benefits as you don't have to worry about it at all.
http://www.avto-otchet.net/CarReviews/2500_0.jpg


can totaly agree with that!





by the way, the red car looks a bit strange : roof height and height of sideline does not match in the perfect (more elegant shape) and boot looks small ... !? But for a daily runner who has to do abit of everything this is all not important after all.

Its the same styling problems on my "ugly" border-police car, nobody loves it as a new car in its original selling time. But now it is a 'cheap and economical' student-car

[WayneB]

Martin, If I were you I would be looking for a rust free 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T.

Lotus did the head and Turbo setup on the Turbo III Chrysler engine, 0.60 in 5.8 secs and a top end of over 140mph is not to be sniffed at.

The only drawback is its boxy little body, but if you dont like its looks the same engine was available in the IROC R/T Daytona as well (better aerodynamics of that car means it will do over 155mph)

http://www.relentlessracing.com/images/customer_larry_spirit.jpg

[Martin]

Good to know. I like boring looking cars with performance. The wife hates it, but oh well :)

[WayneB]

Just noticed Gunters Ford Scorpio Wagon!:eek:

http://www.lotusbuzz.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35&d=1195113509

Station wagons are handy though, I run a Buick Roadmaster Estate as a daily driver , heres a pic of the old beasty!:D

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/PB040046.jpg

[Günter]

Just noticed Gunters Ford Scorpio Wagon!:eek:

Station wagons are handy though, I run a Buick Roadmaster Estate as a daily driver , heres a pic of the old beasty!:D

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/PB040046.jpg

Ok, great! If it can run on Alkohol or fast-foot oil, we can swap our horses... :p

[WayneB]

Gunter, I don't doub't that I would be bankrupt in a week trying to run that 5.7 litre V8 in Germany , paying european gasoline prices! :icon19:

(The prices are getting high here in Canada too If its any consolation):money::mad::money:

[Martin]

Wayne, your station wagon......:evil:

[WayneB]

It will go over 100mph*:)

*Whilst towing the Esprit on a trailer.:icon19:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/SUNP0002-2.jpg

[GregWO]

That is one mean wagon. :evil:

i like it!:)

[Günter]

Gunter, I don't doub't that I would be bankrupt in a week trying to run that 5.7 litre V8 in Germany , paying european gasoline prices! :icon19:

(The prices are getting high here in Canada too If its any consolation):money::mad::money:

Wayne, no worries , LPG or Ethanol[E85] is the way to go here. Cheaper modification than CNG [Erdgas] and easier to handle. Or maybe you go the Scandinavian way, with "timbergas"-trailers [Methan-Mix] at your back .. :D *keep on smokin*

[USAndretti42]

There's an Isuzu RS for dsale in Charlotte, NC, on Craigslist
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/car/446591134.html

[WayneB]

Shall we all chip in $2.99c each and buy it as a surprise for Martin?:confused::goat:

[Martin]

Holy crap!!!! Never even heard of the little bastard. God, the wife would kill me. Hope she doesn't see this one ;)

[WayneB]

Whatsamatta wid it Martin?:confused:

Put on some 16 inch low pros and a 5inch exhaust tip and you would be able to scare all the local Honda Civic driving boys sh*tless!:icon19:

http://images.craigslist.org/0102090103000104002007101193d8c162f11702dc0d0006b3 .jpg