Lotus Esprit S3
Sold prices, market value and cars for sale
As of October 21, 2026, Shifty has recorded 26 public sales of the Lotus Esprit S3. The records run from February 2018 to October 2026. In the past 12 months, 6 sold at a median of $34,750. 1 is listed for sale now. The Shifty Estimate for the Turbo is $40,300.
Versions
About the Lotus Esprit S3
- Built
- 1980 to 1987
- Versions
- 1
- Body styles
- Coupe
- Engine
- Turbocharged Inline-4, 2.2L
- Power
- 210 hp
- 0 to 60
- 5.6 s
- Top speed
- 148 mph
- Designer
- Peter Stevens
The Lotus Esprit S3 was built from 1980 to 1987.
The Turbo, the most traded version: 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.
The market
Recent sales
For sale now
Common questions
How much does a Lotus Esprit S3 cost?
In the past 12 months, 6 sold at a median of $34,750. Half of the 20 most recent sales landed between $28,750 and $38,500. The Shifty Estimate is $40,300.
What is a Lotus Esprit S3 worth today?
The Shifty Estimate for the Turbo is $40,300. It describes a well-kept example.
What is the most expensive Lotus Esprit S3 ever sold?
The highest sale on file is $70,000, for a 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo at Bring a Trailer. It sold on Dec 17, 2023. It showed 11,000 miles.
How many Lotus Esprit S3 examples have sold?
Shifty has recorded 26 public sales since February 2018. 6 came in the past 12 months. The most recent sold for $55,000 on Oct 11, 2026.
How many Lotus Esprit S3 examples are for sale right now?
1 is listed for sale today. The newest asks $38,298 for a 1984 Lotus Esprit Turbo with 30,848 miles.
Where do Lotus Esprit S3 examples sell?
Of the last 20 sales with a known venue, 18 were at Bring a Trailer. The rest: Car & Classic (1) and PCARMARKET (1).
How many miles do Lotus Esprit S3 examples have when they sell?
Across the last 20 sales with a recorded odometer, the median was 53,546 miles. The lowest showed 200 miles and the highest 96,000 miles.
Where do Shifty's Lotus Esprit S3 prices come from?
Every figure here comes from recorded public sales and live listings of the Lotus Esprit S3. Each sale is filed by version and year. Shifty leaves out cars without a clean title, mismatched cars and implausible prices. The Shifty Estimate weights the most recent sales most heavily. These figures were read on October 21, 2026.