Despite looking like it’s been put on blocks and forgotten, this 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo supposedly benefits from a recent engine rebuild and runs excellent with 66,000 miles. The Esprit Turbo was a respected high-performance car when new, offering invigorating performance in the real of a 0-60 run that fell below five seconds. Couple that with the tendency for these cars to trade for far more reasonable sums compared to a Porsche 911 or Ferrari product of the same era, and they become even more appealing beyond their classic wedge shape – if you can find one. Check out this example here on eBay where bidding is over $16K and the reserve is unmet.
The listing is very shot on details, and auctions like this always amaze me that buyers are able to make a decision based on the minimal information provided. Regardless, the cosmetic condition of the Esprit is tidy enough that perhaps buyers are able to shake off any lingering doubts. The paintwork looks clean, and the optional rear spoiler helps bring the long-standing design into the modern era. The wheels present well, with no obvious scuffing or marring, and are mounted on newer Dunlop SP Sport tires. I always cringe when bargain basement rubber is used, but not here.
The most intriguing part of the listing is the reference to the rebuilt engine. If the four-cylinder turbo has been removed and rebuilt, this kills a few different birds with one stone. The major maintenance job every Esprit should have done for peace of mind is a timing belt change, and the general recommendations is for the engine to come out to do so. At the same time, it is generally recommended that the valves be adjusted often and spark plugs should be changed with every oil change. The listing doesn’t detail how far the rebuild went, but one would assume those aspects of recommended Lotus maintenance were done at the same time.
One area in which British cars of this era always show their age is the interior, as the hand-built nature of the cars tends to become pretty obvious as the interiors start to unravel. That, combined with the use of leather on multiple surfaces can have the effect of the cabin looking far more tired than it may actually be. This Esprit is exhibiting some of those signs of the leather surfaces and seats looking like they’re in need of a refresh, but it’s nothing the next owner can’t live with for the time being. Clean Esprit Turbos show up for sale less and less, and offer a compelling alternative to offerings from other supercar icons of the 80s.
Great looking car. I may have shared this story before, so please forgive the re-telling. Back in 1990 I would always see two (2) Esprits parked outside a nearby Medical Office complex. One late afternoon/early evening I was stopped at a light and saw a young couple hop in them and head due west at a high rate of speed. That image had me very sorry I wasn’t smart enough for Med School.
Now I have seen it all. The seller posts a pic on feebay of the car with the cover on it????
WTF??
Having said that, the pics of the car show it nicely. The issue I would question is how comprehensive the engine rebuild is. I’m assuming the timing belt was changed when the engine was out? Anyone who doesn’t take the maintenance needs seriously shouldn’t buy one of these. Its part of owning it. “tis a little high strung for this ol’ grey hair. Gimme my 390. Good luck to the new owner. I’m sure this beauty is blast to drive!!
Stay safe and wash your bloomin’ Hands
Cheers
GPC
I’m not gonna pretend to know much about Lotus’, and I know they require extensive maintenance, but why would you have to change the plugs every oil change?
Sounds like some LINED ALL THE RINGS UP.haha I wonder what else they could have done wrong.Maybe forgot to put the valve seals on? Anyways–its too much for this ole country boy,s piggy bank. Nice looking car,but I bet it would be a pain to work on.Good luck to the person who buys it. They would have to have alot of money and pay someone to do the work.
The more I learn about this era Espirit, the more I’d like to get one. Unlike the crazy high asking for similar used exotics, the Espirit is a bargain. Unless you need to claim HP bragging rights, the four cylinder is plenty quick and any British quirkiness has long since been exorcised by the aftermarket. The seats were pretty fragile when new, but easily recovered or replaced with some Recaros. I think these are truly the last affordable supercar.
Here’s a very enjoyable channel on the restoration of a S2 Esprit….in stop motion! https://youtu.be/ta7Yk8cW-TA
Nice car but it really looks uncomfortable. Looks like a hot box.
The later models with the V8 are the ones to have. All the fussy maintenance stuff eliminated with the demise of the 4 cylinder engines. Once in the cars they are comfortable and the ACs do a good job. Getting in and out is a bit tricky but nothing like the Europa. Really good looking cars…
And the front wheels are convex and the rear concave?
Charlie, look more closely… you got the wheels bass ackwards. The fronts are concave, and the rears are convex. The 1988 and earlier Federal models (1987 elsewhere) had inboard rear brakes, and deeply dished (concave) rear wheels. Beginning in 1989 for Federal models (1988 elsewhere), the rear brakes were changed to outboard, and the rear wheels went convex to make room for them.
7.0 x 15 = Front Wheel.
8.0 x 15 = Rear Wheel prior to serial number 2749 (this car is 2523).
8.5 x 16 = Rear from serial number 2749 (1990) onward.
This car is SCCFC20A7KHF62523 – the last four digits are the ‘serial number’
The wheel VIN changepoint = 2749 for North American LHD cars.
Thanks for the information. Maybe I got the front confused with rear, or, I was looking from under the car. Which brings up my second biggest complaint about my Audi Q5 – the wheels – 21 inch -hard riding not a lot of sidewall – and they weigh, with tires, 75 pounds each! And the discs for the brakes are so thin, to “save on unsprung weight” that they have to be changed when the pads are worn. (The wheels on my 2002 Audi A4, with tires, weigh 35 pounds each and it rides a lot smoother.) (And my biggest complaint is the electrical components, 10 days, not all at once, in the shop for failed electronics in the first 50,000 miles, including the navigation system/radio/etc. which is all one thing. Most of it, not Boech, said the dealer tech, Chinese knockoffs, a lot cheaper, but less quality control.)
For 1989 only, Lotus offered two versions. The NON Charge-Cooled (ie, non intercooled) base model with 218 Hp, and the Charge-Cooled “SE” model with 264 Hp continuous / 280 Hp on ‘overboost’ until the Charge-Cooler heat soaked (about 30 seconds). 30 seconds of full throttle over-boost gets you going really fast, so don’t be too quick to discount the ‘brief’ overboost allowance.
This car is the 218 Hp base model.
The eBay description says the car has ABS brakes, but it doesn’t. Just the vacuum assist power brakes. ABS came to USA models in 1990.
‘Selling for a friend’ says the flipper. I’m guessing it doesnt blow any smoke, only way a flipper can get away with ‘rebuilt motor’. I want to see paperwork & no mention thereof. I’d stay away like the plague on this limited info for that amount of cash.