UPDATE 04/03/2025: Finding a buyer for your classic is sometimes challenging, requiring more than one attempt for the vehicle to head to a new home. Such is the case with this 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo. When we last saw this classic a month ago, bidding reached $18,600 before the auction ended. However, the seller is making another attempt and has thrown caution to the wind by offering it with No Reserve. The rest of the listing details remain the same, but this time, the Esprit is guaranteed to head to greener pastures. If you are sorely tempted, you will find the Lotus listed here on eBay. The bidding currently sits at $13,099, which is substantially lower than the previous listing’s closing figure. The action has been subdued, which means this could be a potential bargain for the right person.
03/08/2025: “I do not fit in this car” is a top reason vintage cars are listed for sale. We can ask why that deficiency was not forecast before splashing out for a particular car, but the fact is, many times, it just isn’t. “I do not fit” has brought us this 1987 Lotus Turbo Esprit HCi (high compression injected). The car is located in Eugene, Oregon. The seller knows his way around Land Rovers; he purchased this Esprit several months ago for $27k, understanding that it would need work, but now feeling unmotivated about the project since he won’t even be able to drive it. The car was taken apart for paint under prior ownership and not properly reassembled…apparently. Parts may be missing completely, and some electrical functions are inoperable. But several mechanical items have also been refreshed, so all is not lost.
Lotus developed its 900-series four-cylinder engine for years before modifying it to equip the Esprit. By the time the turbo variant arrived, the engine displaced 2.2 liters and breathed through twin Dellorto carburetors augmented by a Garrett turbocharger. Compared to the limited production Essex – Lotus’ first attempt at turbocharging – compression was hiked from 7.5:1 to 8.0:1. For the US, those Dellortos had to go, supplanted by fuel injection. All these changes resulted in 215 hp, much-improved mid-range torque, and almost no turbo lag. That said, the car still sent power to the ground through a Citroën five-speed manual, and currently, the clutch pedal – despite a new clutch – is misbehaving. On the other hand, the tires, brakes, and water pump are new, and the timing belt was replaced. The new tires alone are a big plus – it’s hard to find these odd, staggered sets nowadays. Tire Rack says no! and Longstone in the UK says…maybe. For the other parts, you’ll need these guys.
The interior design remained stuck in the ’70s until about 1993, when it was modernized. The gauges are notoriously difficult to see – buried as they are deep in that pod. Note the handbrake on the left-hand side. The seating position means you wear the car – kinda like a Marcos. The seller notes that the car has a new headliner.
Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the first Esprit, which both thrilled and dismayed Lotus fans. The new shape was in keeping with the times – edgy, modern – but outside of the design, the car was judged underpowered and poorly constructed. For a car with so many knocks against it, it’s a wonder the Esprit didn’t die; instead, perseverance and continuous improvement made it the longest-running model Lotus ever made. The S2 solved a few ergonomic problems, the S3 cured suspension issues, and the Turbo Esprit brought a needed power boost. The later V8-equipped cars were even faster, and the final versions made from 1999 through 2004 breathing through twin turbo-chargers were wicked performers. This model is the last of its kind, though, before Peter Stevens was tasked with modernizing the car’s styling. It has a special appeal in the marketplace, and prices have risen steadily. A nice example can cost $25k to $30k these days, and as more examples are sorted with modern techniques, it’s likely prices will remain buoyant.
I had two Lotus cars and always wanted a Esprit. I doubt i will fit also. Those rear tires look huge and sits too high in the rear.
Sort of like a prima donna Hollywood actress. Beautiful to look at and be seen with. But impossible to live with.
Yes, I think the first part of my title – needs fettling – can go in front of every Lotus all the time, ha ha. Now someone can tell me they have a vintage Lotus that behaves well all the time!
Looks like a duster buster vacuum to me!
There are only a couple of cars with sharp, straight body lines, that I find pleasing to the eye. The Aston Martin Lagonda is one, and this Esprit shines (for me) as well.
It seems to me that there should be any number of retrofits, using modern components & tech, that could make this car less temperamental as a driver. I wonder if they’ve appreciated in value enough, though, that keeping them original is important?
I gather the powertrain isn’t so much the issue with these, moreso the electrics and the build quality of everything else.
When I look at these, my wallet starts to ache. A friend bought one one the cheap and proceeded to become best friends with the towing company. But as a chick magnet it was non-pariel.
mmm… what I’ll buy my nxt car for: “a chick magnet”
It sounds like the seller actually got behind the wheel before buying it. ” I paid cash, pulled it out of the barn and brought it home on a trailer.”
The lust of owning a “007 car” must have been overwhelming at first, and then reality set in.
What’s the deal with the dashboard photo? It appears that someone copied the RH side of the gauges and pasted that image over the passenger side of the dash.
Noticed that too, suggests something hinky in that end of the dashboard that they covered up in the photo, tho’ I don’t notice anything amiss in the glimpses of that area we can catch in the other photos. Maybe a mangled/missing defroster vent or speaker grille?
take that anemic engine out and get a Buick/ rover 215 and drop it in lots you can do to one of those.
Just one question, how does one purchase a car without driving it, or at least sitting in it. I can see just by the photos that you would need to be as flexible as an Olympic gymnast to get in and out of it, particularly in light of where that E brake lever is. Now, I find it a bit of a chore to get in and out of my C5, but when I bought it 25 years ago, that wasn’t a problem.
I can only guess the parking brake procedure must be:
Exit: Right foot on brake pedal, left foot out the door, pull parking brake, stand up on left leg while extracting right foot.
Entry: Right foot in, ease into the seat, right foot on brake pedal, release parking brake, left foot in.
The brake is more or less a “fly off” brake. It can be set and the brake lever put down.
Went to $18,600 reserve not met.
I finally had a chance to buy my dream car the XKE. after driving 7 hours I contorted myself into the seat had to open the window to shut the door and found my size 13’s covered 2 pedals at the same time, even barefoot it was a struggle to not push 2 at once and left dejected that I will not own a car I have lusted after for 50 years.
relisted : https://www.ebay.com/itm/156803143419
I obtained a carbureted version of this car essentially for free a few years ago that had sat for quite a while. I believe it will prove to be one of the most expensive cars I will own. But Damn does it look good sitting in the driveway.
How does someone purchase a car without sitting in it?
Easy , it was practically for free.
Now trying to flip it and realizing that not everyone born these days is stupid.
I feel bad for the guy. Paid too much for a complete project Esprit with wiring issues and a color change. Now getting more and more frustrated trying to sell it. $18k was a strong offer in my opinion. They aren’t worth a ton in drive away condition, and this one appears to need a lot of work to even get to that point.
Wish I could find buyers like that!
I wonder if his “end the auction at any time and sell to anyone I want at any point” will come in to play at all, especially if it doesn’t approach the previous offer. It really is a nice car and if you are familiar with these and can do the work yourself, it looks like a good start. I usually hate color changes but at least this one was well done…?
Since 1991 I always wanted an Acura NSX . Until a friend leased a new NSX and gave me a ride in it. I didn’t fit. Can’t really recline the seats that much. Size 13 XW feet don’t help much. I’m tall from the waist up , so my head was resting against the ceiling . Such a let down. Dodge Viper’s are worst. I put my NSX money in a SEP IRA instead.
I saw one of theses for sale years ago with a BMW V12 stuffed in it. The guy got it to a driving state. Then stripped out all the dash and electrics to make something custom. It was really cheap at that point.
I was building a very custom hot rod Lotus Elan JPS for a customer of mine. Tried to talk him into buying it, so we could complete it. Could get him to go for it. Bummer, always woundered what happened to the V12 Esprit out there somewhere.
I have an 94 Esprit S4 – so newer than this one, but the same basics. Getting in and out are a challenge, but once in the seats are generally very comfortable and spacious even for taller people (up to around 6’2″)…but probably not for heavier people. These cars are fantastic to drive. They do require maintenance like the timing belt – or it will cost you plenty to have serious work done. The biggest driving issue is the massive blind spot.
Lotus loves blind spots. Look at the Europa.
How well does it corner underwater?