2005 PANOZ ESPERANTE NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Panoz Esperante?
The homegrown Panoz Esperante is a bit more customizable this year, and some of its mechanical hardware has been updated. Panoz has come up with new 17- and 18-inch wheel designs for the Esperante convertible and Esperante GT coupe, and has upgraded the tires, as well. Additionally, the Esperante GTLM can now be optioned with painted or chromed 18-inch wheels. Changes also occur to the Esperante's interior. Panoz has expanded the number of available trim finishes; customers can now choose from wood, carbon fiber and billet aluminum trims, and there are two new leather colors, too. New features include a Recaro driver's seat (standard on the GT and GTLM) and two available Blaupunkt audio systems. There are also engine and suspension changes. The normally aspirated V8 has been recalibrated; it now makes 305 hp, a slight drop, but more torque at a lower rpm. For the suspension update, Panoz has taken the improved rear subframe that was introduced to the 2004 GTLM (said to improve handling and reduce NVH) and made it standard on all Esperante models.

Advantages of the 2005 Panoz Esperante:

• Rarity in the marketplace
• Capable handling
• Customizable interior trim
• Useful trunk space

Objections to the 2005 Panoz Esperante:

• Giant center-mounted gauge cluster
• Ford and Panoz parts mix
• Expensive for what you get

Editor's Advice:
Credit is due for Panoz. In today's world of globalization and automotive consolidation, here's a small outfit that produces limited-production, high-performance sports cars right here in America. It's true that by most measures, one should not buy an Esperante. A new Chevrolet Corvette is faster and cheaper, for example, and a Porsche 911 is simply superior. But that statement also points to the Esperante's strength: it ain't your average Corvette or Porsche, both of which are so plentiful that they might as well sell them at Costco. The appeal of the Esperante is its homegrown roots, its exclusivity and, yes, its performance, which, while not top of the class, is certainly enough to keep one vastly entertained.