How Realiable is a Lotus Esprit?(READ ON)?

Question

I am considering a 1990-1993 Lotus Esprit with about 50K miles
on it,
BUT I have no idea how realible they are.
My Questions are--

What gas quality?(Can it use regular and still run fine or does it NEED premium or Supreme)

Can it be driven as a daily driver at about 40miles a day from Mon-Fri?
How much are parts on a chart(EX. 1 is the least price-10 is the most priced)?

An Estimate on how much it cost to maintain a year?

How Realible(1 being worst-10being best like a Honda OR Toyota)

Finally can they start at 6:00 AM drive 20 miles park for 7 hours and start again and drive 20 mileswith no problems.(really the question is are these cars like Maserati which choose when they feel like starting or will they start anytime in any condition)

THANK YOU!
ANSWERS ARE VERY APPRECIATED !!!

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Esprit

Answer 2

You have to be kidding.

I am a lifelong Lotus enthusiast but I have to say, a Lotus is a car you endure out of irrational sentiment, not something cute to drive on your daily commute. The fact that the cars you are looking at are already 15 years old doesn't help.

They are particular (in other words; don't go cheap on the gas when your buying a limited production hi-buck exotic), cranky, irrational beasts with minds of their own. Parts are exceedingly rare and hard to find locally. It is a weekend toy, not a daily driver. Which isn't to say they can't be driven regularly, but you certainly don't want to count on one as your only car.

Answer 3

I've had a couple of friends who owned Lotuses. Based on their experiences (I had to retrieve them a few times and listen to the gripes):

Premium. Only. You'll trash it quickly on regular.

Daily driver? Yeah, but would you want to??

Parts: 3 or 4 for filters. 8 or 9 for anything else. Engine: 2nd mortgage.

If you have to ask, you probably should look elsewhere.

Reilable? 4 or 5 if you baby it. -9 if you don't. Remember, Lucas electrics!

Much more like a Maz or Lambo -- quits when it wants to. Lucas again.

When they ran right, they were a blast. When they acted up... Shudder...