Sold $34,777
1990 · Calypso Red · 39,000 mi
Jan 13, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Lotus Esprit SE
1987 to 1993 · Coupe
A 1987 Lotus Esprit SE cost $68,000 new. Over the past 12 months, 2 have sold publicly at a median of $33,264. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $31,800. Across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $17,500 to $35,600, depending on mileage, color, and history.
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Shifty Estimate
$31,800
Low confidence · $24K to $40K
- Median · 12 mo
- $33,264
- Sales · 12 mo
- 2
- For sale now
- 1
- Original MSRP
- $68,000Down 53% since new
Collectible
Sold$31,750 · Cars & Bids · Jun 2026
The market
Every recorded 1987 Lotus Esprit SE sale, by date and price
Jun 2026 · Cars & Bids
$31,750 · Red/White
● Sold● Bid to, not sold
17 sales · 4 unsoldmedian $33kupdated Jun 2026
Community
Latest results
The newest 1987 Lotus Esprit SE sales with photographs
Sold $25,750
1990 · Red · 83,000 mi
Aug 28, 2025 · Bring a Trailer
Sold $23,500
1989 · Red · 72,000 mi
Jul 24, 2024 · Bring a Trailer
Every X180
Sold prices, all years · Oct 23, 2026
| SE1987 to 1993 | Sport 3001993 | Turbo1988 to 1993 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shifty Estimate | $31,800Low confidence | $98,000Low confidence | $42,000 |
| Sold median | $28,77717 sales | Too few sales to call1 sale | $30,90024 sales |
| 12-month move | Too few sales to call | Too few sales to call | Too few sales to call |
| For sale | 1 | None | None |
Specifications
- Engine
- Turbocharged Inline-4, 2.2L
- Power
- 264 hp
- Torque
- 261 lb-ft
- 0 to 60
- 4.7 s
- 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, 2 have sold publicly at a median of $33,264. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $31,800. Across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $17,500 to $35,600, 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: 2 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.
How many Lotus Esprit SE have sold?
Shifty has 17 public sales of the Lotus Esprit SE on file. The earliest was on Dec 4, 2018.
What is the most expensive Lotus Esprit SE sold?
The highest public sale on file is $35,600, on Dec 10, 2021, with 18,000 mi.
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
How many Lotus Esprit SE are for sale right now?
Shifty tracks 1 listing of the Lotus Esprit SE for sale right now.
About the 1987 Lotus Esprit SE
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.
More Lotus in the market
Sales and listings
Showing 20 of 22 on file
1989 · White · 33,561 mi
Brian's Auto Center
Asking $42,900
Listed Oct 22
1990 · Red/White
Cars & Bids
$31,750
Jun 11, 2026
1990 · Calypso Red · 39,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$34,777
Jan 13, 2026
1990 · Red · 83,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$25,750
Aug 28, 2025
1990 · White · 25,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
Bid to $13,500
Sep 21, 2024
1989 · Red · 72,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$23,500
Jul 24, 2024
1991 · Red · 62,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$28,250
Aug 23, 2023
1990 · British Racing Green · 25,400 mi
Cars & Bids
$28,777
Jul 6, 2023
1991 · Red · 32,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$33,000
Mar 11, 2023
1991 · Red · 47,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
Bid to $26,600
Apr 27, 2022
1990 · Red · 18,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$35,600
Dec 10, 2021
1991 · Red · 62,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$29,750
Nov 11, 2021
1991 · White · 39,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$27,000
Mar 28, 2021
1989 · Red · 18,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$30,750
Oct 27, 2020
1989 · Red · 72,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$25,250
Jul 31, 2020
1991 · Red · 36,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$27,000
May 26, 2020
1988 · Red · 18,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
Bid to $14,500
May 4, 2020
1989 · Red · 18,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$30,250
Dec 5, 2019
1991 · Green · 39,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$25,500
Sep 13, 2019
1991 · Green · 5,500 mi
Bring a Trailer
$30,250
Dec 7, 2018
Free: the 2027 Collector Car Outlook.