1989 Lotus Esprit S3

2dr Coupe

4-cyl. 2174cc/172hp 2x2bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$25,800 CAD*

-0.4%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph01/2404/2407/24$5k$10k$15k$20k$25kOct 2024
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1988-1996 Lotus Esprit stats
Highest sale
$98,328 CAD
Lowest sale
$10,319 CAD
Most recent sale
$29,381 CAD
Sales
173

Photos

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1991 Lotus Esprit SE Turbo Coupe
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Model overview

Model description

As the 1980s progressed, the Guigaro-penned lines of the Esprit Turbo were beginning to look dated, prompting Lotus to embark upon a masterful in-house restyling by Peter Stevens at the end of 1987. This new "Stevens" Esprit Turbo was available in the U.S. starting with the 1988 model year. Mechanically, the car was identical to the previous year, with the same Type 910 2.2-liter turbocharged I-4 making 215 hp in U.S. trim, as well as a subtly revised four-wheel independent suspension.

For 1989, the Citroen-sourced transaxle that had been utilized since the Esprit’s introduction in 1976 was replaced by a Renault unit, and horsepower went up to 228 in U.S. trim due to exhaust and turbocharger changes. The really big news for 1989, however, occurred halfway through the model year when the Esprit Turbo SE was introduced. The SE had a liquid-to-air intercooler, or “chargecooler” in Lotus-speak, that helped boost horsepower to 264 continuously and 280 intermittently, secondary to an allowable overboost. Outside, a larger front spoiler, sills, and a large rear spoiler were added. The SE existed unchanged through the end of the 1990 model year, while 1991 saw the introduction of an airbag and ABS as standard.

Lotus did not send any regular production cars to the U.S. in 1992, and 1993 marked the end of the Esprit SE run. These final year cars can be identified by a larger rear wing and one-piece alloy wheels that imitated the three-piece units on the Esprit IMSA Bridgestone Supercar race car. Additionally, halfway through the year the Esprit received an interior redesign that added leg room and carried over to the 1994 Julian Thompson-restyled Esprit S4.

Lotus is known for offering special editions of production models, and the 1988-1993 era cars are no exception. Among others, Lotus produced 88 pearl white cars for the U.S. in 1988 that had a rear spoiler and differing engine cover. A run of twenty green and yellow "Jim Clark Edition" SEs were produced in 1991 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Lotus's 1965 Indy 500 victory. Another twenty street legal X180R race replicas were imported in 1992, and are highly prized today.

Lotus Esprits from the "Stevens" era have depreciated to the point that some have attracted owners who don’t always follow the necessary maintenance regimen. Any such cars with chronic deferred or shoddy maintenance histories are to be avoided at all costs. Otherwise, this era in Esprit history represents fantastic performance with a sub-5-second 0-60 dash in a relatively inexpensive and honest-to-goodness supercar.

Vehicle specifications

  • Drive TypeRWD
  • Front Tire SizeUnknown
  • Market SegmentationLuxury Sport
  • Front Tire Size CodeU

Equipment

  • StandardOptional
  • Restraint typeActive (Manual) Belts

Equipment

Standard

  • Restraint typeActive (Manual) Belts
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Common Questions

The value of a 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $23,750 USD for a 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 in good condition with average spec.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are representative of stock condition vehicles only and based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Value adjustments for optional equipment are in U.S. dollars. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.CA/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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