✦ Shifty Estimate
$31,800
- 12 months median
- $32K
- Sales, 12 months
- 3
- Original MSRP
- $68,000 · ▼ 53% since
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1987 Lotus Esprit SE
1987 to 1993 · Coupe
Price history
Recent sales
17 sales
1990 · Red/White · manual2026-06-11 · johnfs$31,750
1990 · Calypso Red · 39,000 mi · manual2026-01-13 · Braccior$34,777
1990 · Red · 83,000 mi · manual2025-08-28 · giffers$25,750
1989 · Red · 72,000 mi · manual2024-07-24 · carsfromafar$23,500
1991 · Red · 62,000 mi · manual2023-08-23 · Access1$28,250.jpg?t=168785225684)
1990 · British Racing Green · 25,400 mi · manual2023-07-06 · JPH1963$28,777
1991 · Red · 32,000 mi · manual2023-03-11 · 2thduke$33,000
1990 · Red · 18,000 mi · manual2021-12-10 · Brandongt3$35,600
1991 · Red · 62,000 mi · manual2021-11-11 · gbpowell$29,750
1991 · White · 39,000 mi · manual2021-03-28 · PearlWhite$27,000
1989 · Red · 18,000 mi · manual2020-10-27 · hlweeks1$30,750
1989 · Red · 72,000 mi · manual2020-07-31 · chagglov$25,250
1991 · Red · 36,000 mi · manual2020-05-26 · LincolnAMG$27,000
1989 · Red · 18,000 mi · manual2019-12-05 · wcclassics$30,250
1991 · Green · 39,000 mi · manual2019-09-13 · darkshot$25,500
1991 · Green · 5,500 mi2018-12-07 · euroclassics$30,250
1991 · Black · 42,000 mi · manual2018-12-04 · cobinov$17,500
Specifications
- Engine
- Turbocharged Inline-4, 2.2L
- Power
- 264 hp
- Torque
- 261 lb-ft
- 0 to 60
- 4.7s
- Top speed
- 162 mph
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Curb weight
- 2,844 lb
- Original MSRP
- $68,000
- Designer
- Peter Stevens
Common questions
How much does a Lotus Esprit SE cost?
A 1987 Lotus Esprit SE cost $68,000 new. Over the past 12 months, 3 have sold publicly at a median of $31,750. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $31,800. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $23,850 to $39,750, depending on mileage, color, and history.
What is a 1987 Lotus Esprit SE worth today?
The Shifty Estimate is $31,800. We rate confidence low: 3 public sales in a year is not enough to be firm, and the honest range is wide. Treat it as a starting point, not a valuation.
What has a Lotus Esprit SE sold for at auction?
The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:
- $31,750Jun 11, 2026Red/White
- $34,777Jan 13, 2026Calypso Red · 39,000 mi
- $25,750Aug 28, 2025Red · 83,000 mi
The SE represented the pinnacle of 1980s Esprit evolution. Stevens' comprehensive redesign introduced the rounded nose and sophisticated aerodynamics that would define the model through the 1990s. The heavily revised 2.2-liter turbo produced 264 hp, making this the fastest four-cylinder Esprit ever built. Charge-cooled induction and improved engine management delivered both more power and better reliability than earlier turbos. The SE's 4.7-second 0-60 time matched contemporary Ferraris while maintaining Lotus's trademark handling superiority. These cars represent the sweet spot of Esprit ownership—combining classic wedge proportions with genuine supercar performance and improved build quality. Values remain reasonable, making the SE an excellent entry point into serious Esprit collecting.