2001 Panoz Esperante Roadster

Description

Exotic. Elite. Roadster. American. All of these can be used to describe this 2001 Panoz Esperante, and the best part is all these attractive adjectives come in a race-inspired 320 hp package.

Panoz is one of those great exotic car companies that one day we will talk about in the same way we do now about the post-war coachbuilders of Europe. Only this story comes out of Georgia. The Panoz family takes their racing knowledge honed on the track and builds it into a few select road cars like this Esperante roadster. The one part of this story that won't be like the small batch Europeans is build quality. While we often joke about how poorly those were built back in the day, Panoz really understands how to make uniform panels out of strong and lightweight SPF aluminum. The racer-grade alloy has been shaped into a unique and aggressive design. This is a low mileage babied exotic, and so the original silver paint still has an amazing luster that would make new cars jealous. This level of care is reflected in all the other components from the power folding roof, to this 17-inch BBS wheels with Panoz center cap.

While this is a performance machine, it also was built to compete with the luxury exotics. You get a premium interior with black leather bucket seats and plenty of wood on the dash. It has great features like power driver's seat, power windows, AM/FM/CD stereo, power locks, dual airbag, cruise control, tilt wheel, keyless entry, and ice cold air conditioning. Even with these added luxuries, you'll know this is a driver's vehicle the moment you grab the Momo performance steering wheel and turn the key to watch the white-faced gauges do their dance.

The other great thing about turning the key is that it awakens the beast in the engine bay. When you take a look under the hood, you'll see Ford's 4.6-liter modular V8. This is an amazing 32-valve powerhouse, and that Cobra on the intake reminds you of its performance heritage. You get complete control over 320 hp powerplant thanks to the five-speed manual transmission. Even better is the race-inspired fully independent chassis that loves to hug the road and begs for the long way home. Add in power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and grippy BF Goodrich gForce tires, and you know this exotic is ready for the grand tour. Best of all, it has averaged barely over 800 miles annually, which is more evidence this Panoz was babied just like a cherished Mercedes or Ferrari.

The Esperante is the kind of rare exotic that's built in low numbers, which will always get you attention. If you don't know the Panoz name already, you'll even get the original window sticker in the sale. That way you'll get up to speed to where the rest of us already know special this roadster really is. Call today!!!