Heroshot

2002 Lotus Esprit

25th Anniversary Edition
$100,800
Sale Price
$60,000 - $80,000
Est. Range
No
Reserve
10 December 2022
Sold Date
116
Lot Number
#2-
Original
RM Sotheby's
Auction House
Chassis no. SCCDC08242HA10440; Engine no. LL918020731044. Solar Yellow over black leather with yellow piping. 3.5/350hp twin-turbo V8, 5-speed, CD stereo, original window sticker.

Evaluation: From the Rey Collection. One of 100 anniversary cars sold in the US. Sold new in Houston and driven 33,004 miles. Consistently maintained, although the last noted service was in 2020. The mileage isn’t insignificant but this Esprit looks quite well cared for. 

Bottom Line: By the time of the Esprit’s 25th anniversary in 2002, Lotus’s flagship wedge was far from the freshest exotic on the block, but the small chronically cash-strapped company was able to keep it relevant with consistent styling updates, special editions and performance upgrades, particularly the addition of a twin-turbo, all-aluminum flat-plane crank 3.5-liter V8 in 1996. 

Relative to its performance, looks and rarity, the Esprit was always a good value when new and it remains one today. Even the very strong, above-estimate result for this anniversary car is way cheaper than a similar Porsche, Ferrari or NSX. For certain people, a clean Esprit is always a good buy. Even an overpriced one. 

by Andrew Newton
16 December 2022
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