✦ Shifty Estimate
$36,800
- 12 months median
- $35K
- Market cap
- $58.9M · 1,600 built
- Sales, 12 months
- 8
- Original MSRP
- $32,000 · ▲ 15% since
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1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo
1980 to 1987 · Coupe · 1,600 built
Price history
Recent sales
46 sales
1982 · black · 45,314 mi · manual2026-08-25$31,250
1984 · Calpyso Red · 59,000 mi · manual2026-07-14 · foreigntoysinc$15,500
1987 · Black (A02) · 57,000 mi · manual2026-07-05 · BayouBill123$35,500
1988 · Calypso Red · 19,000 mi · manual2026-05-14 · summerdownunder$42,000
1988 · Pearlescent White Metallic · 67,000 mi · manual2026-04-06 · summerdownunder$35,000
1988 · Calypso Red (A23) · 47,000 mi · manual2026-01-20 · cagedbunny$40,000
1983 · Silver and black with red pinstriping · 40,000 mi2025-11-11 · scoutoby$34,000
1984 · Ruban Red · 33,000 mi · manual2025-10-21 · 1957Kirk$23,500
1988 · White · 13,000 mi2025-08-15 · Flipseat$61,000
1988 · White · 5,000 mi2025-05-06 · 1600veloce$44,500
1983 · Red · 200 mi2025-04-27 · Gilthom$23,350
1983 · Black · 21,000 mi2025-04-01 · OTSandCo$60,000
1985 · Gray · 71,000 mi2024-12-20 · Johns$35,250
1987 · Green · 57,000 mi · manual2024-11-23 · CaptainStevie$28,750
1988 · White · 11,000 mi · manual2024-08-26 · NuccioAutomotive$37,5032-YOUsjhYjql.jpg?t=171684725525)
1989 · Black · 23,100 mi · manual2024-06-05 · WeekendMotorCo$20,000
1988 · White · 17,000 mi2024-02-21 · Joelsef$44,000
1987 · Red · 11,000 mi · manual2023-12-17 · Scorpius$70,000
1987 · Red · 65,000 mi · manual2023-07-25 · gkiebala$43,250
1988 · White · 21,000 mi2023-07-06 · Mahmad9109$32,000
1988 · Blue · 33,000 mi · manual2023-05-28 · summerdownunder$30,500
1987 · Red · 44,000 mi · manual2023-05-01 · Sideswipe$29,000
1987 · White · 11,000 mi2022-12-02 · FantasyJunction$38,500
1987 · Red · 95,000 mi · manual2022-10-19 · eberin$32,000.jpg?t=166432764849)
1988 · Calypso Red · 37,000 mi · manual2022-10-06 · pinmaniac$25,000
1988 · White · 165 mi2022-04-07 · 1600veloce$96,180
1989 · White · 35,000 mi · manual2021-12-08 · Motohead323$30,799
1986 · Black · 67,000 mi2021-10-10 · Tim86$34,666
1986 · Black · 80,000 mi2021-07-18 · MurrayMelina$28,750- 1985 · Glacier Blue · 50,092 mi · manual2021-07-08 · Farmhouse27$35,000
1988 · Red · 47,000 mi · manual2021-05-02 · nickv82$24,250
1988 · White · 54,000 mi · manual2020-07-06 · JLush$19,000
1985 · Red · 96,000 mi · manual2020-06-26 · Jimmyjam30$15,500
1983 · Gray · 30,000 mi2020-06-03 · pmotoring$31,500
1988 · Black · 47,000 mi · manual2020-05-18 · eurocol$20,750
1986 · Red · 36,000 mi · manual2020-04-10 · CharlieChip38$27,500
1988 · White · 19,000 mi2020-02-28 · PhilipK$31,000
1987 · White · 47,868 mi · manual2019-11-08 · Rufus456$34,000
1988 · White · manual2019-08-02 · Ntyce$16,000
1983 · Red · 32,000 mi · manual2019-04-05 · AmericasPackardMuseum$37,500
1989 · Red · 39,000 mi · manual2018-09-11 · MMMickey$18,750
1988 · White · 18,000 mi2018-08-22 · Giediprime$29,500
1988 · White · 12,000 mi · manual2018-08-03 · Thirdrail99b$18,000
1985 · Gray · 20,000 mi · manual2018-06-19 · jbartunek$14,752
1983 · Red · 31,000 mi2018-05-31 · viper2pt0$32,000
1987 · Red · 32,000 mi · manual2018-02-23 · MikeSchneider$17,250
Specifications
- Engine
- Turbocharged Inline-4, 2.2L
- Power
- 210 hp
- Torque
- 200 lb-ft
- 0 to 60
- 5.6s
- Top speed
- 148 mph
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Curb weight
- 2,690 lb
- Production
- 1,600 units
- Original MSRP
- $32,000
- Designer
- Peter Stevens
Common questions
How much does a Lotus Esprit Turbo cost?
A 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo cost $32,000 new. Over the past 12 months, 8 have sold publicly at a median of $34,500. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $36,800. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $23,395 to $55,350, depending on mileage, color, and history.
What is a 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo worth today?
The Shifty Estimate is $36,800. Confidence is high: 8 public sales in a year gives a firm read.
Is a Lotus Esprit Turbo a good investment?
It has appreciated 15% against its $32,000 list price. Only 1,600 were built. The caution is spread, not direction: across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $14,752 to $96,180, and mileage explains most of that.
What has a Lotus Esprit Turbo sold for at auction?
The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:
- $31,250Aug 25, 2026black · 45,314 mi
- $15,500Jul 14, 2026Calpyso Red · 59,000 mi
- $35,500Jul 5, 2026Black (A02) · 57,000 mi
The first turbocharged Esprit transformed Lotus from sports car maker to supercar contender. Peter Stevens' subtle aerodynamic revisions included the iconic rear wing and NACA ducts, while the Garrett-blown 2.2-liter delivered 210 hp—a 31% power increase that dropped 0-60 times below six seconds. This was the Esprit that could genuinely challenge Ferrari and Lamborghini, with a top speed approaching 150 mph. The distinctive turbo whistle and dramatic boost delivery created an intoxicating driving experience. With 1,600 examples built, these cars represent excellent value in today's market, offering genuine supercar performance at a fraction of contemporary exotic pricing. Early turbo cars are particularly sought after for their raw, unfiltered character.