MarketPlace: 29k-Mile 2003 Lotus Esprit V8
Vehicle Details
- Year: 2003
- Make: Lotus
- Model: Esprit V8
- VIN: SCCDC08223HA10485
- Mileage Shown: 29,501
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Red
- Seller Type: Dealer (Consignment)
- Dealer Fees: None
- Location: Richmond, VA 23234
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0057935-MP
Having been in production since the original Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed model of 1976, the iconic Lotus Esprit underwent its final styling revisions in 2002 before production ended in 2004. This 2003 Lotus Esprit V8 was originally sold by Matheny Imports of Jacksonville, Florida, and is finished in red over red-piped Raffia leather upholstery. It features a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V8 engine, a 5-speed manual transaxle, AP Racing brakes, 17”/18” OZ Monoblock Nova wheels, pop-up headlamps, a rear wing, an optional glass roof panel, heated power seats, air conditioning, power accessories, and an Alpine stereo system. The car is said to have been registered to the original owner in Massachusetts until the current owner’s purchase in 2016. It underwent major service in 2022, including a new timing belt, thermostat, spark plugs, and tires. Showing less than 30k miles on the odometer, this Lotus Esprit V8 is now being offered for auction out of Virginia, accompanied by an owner’s manual, service records, and the original window sticker.
The final styling revision to the Esprit was done by future Lotus Design head Russell Carr and included a revised tail panel with round taillights from the contemporary Lotus Elise S2. This example is finished in red and features an optional removable glass roof panel. The standard steel roof panel is included in the sale. Other equipment includes pop-up headlamps, fog lights, a front spoiler, heated power side mirrors, side air intakes, wheel arch flares, a fixed rear wing, and a rear valence with dual central-mounted exhaust tips. The car rides on 17”/18” OZ Monoblock Nova wheels dressed in Toyo Proxes Sport tires from 2022. The seller notes that clear paint protection film has been applied to the front end since new. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin features red-piped Raffia leather bucket seats with a matching dashboard, door panels, and center console. Accessories include heated and power-adjustable seats, an aftermarket Raid three-spoke steering wheel, an aluminum gear knob, drilled aluminum pedals, red accents on the door panels and shifter surround, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and an Alpine CD stereo system. The seller adds that approximately 3k miles have been added since the current owner’s purchase in 2016.
The Esprit V8 features Lotus’s 3.5-liter Type 918 V8 DOHC engine, which uses all-aluminum construction, a flat-plane crankshaft, four valves per cylinder, and twin Garrett turbochargers. It delivers up to 350 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle. Standard equipment includes four-wheel independent transverse link suspension and AP Racing brake calipers with cross-drilled discs and three-channel ABS. Service in December 2022 included replacing the timing belt, spark plugs, thermostat, and fuel filter by Sportscar Workshops of Richmond, Virginia.
This sale will include a clean title, owner’s manuals, the original window sticker, a spare tire, a toolkit, and a body-colored removable roof panel.
The seller would like you to know: “Turnkey example. Adult-owned and maintained. All major services performed.”
Comments (44)
@sportscarworkshops sent you a DM the other day, can you have a look please.
RM Sotheby's sold a version that was two years older for $151k this past March. This car is ever bit as good if not better. A "Buy Now" of $89k is a bargain. Please remember you are dealing with cars where 100's were built, not thousands. These are great cars that deserve the love.
Offer in the amount of $73,000
Bid in the amount of $72,000
Bid in the amount of $71,500
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Bid in the amount of $50,000
Bid in the amount of $45,000
This car did not meet reserve on bring a trailer earlier this month. highest Bid was $68K
Bid in the amount of $44,000
Bid in the amount of $43,250
@Carjunkey - This is the factory tail light configuration for this year.
Bid in the amount of $43,000
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Bid in the amount of $40,250
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Bid in the amount of $37,750
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Bid in the amount of $37,001
What a gorgeous car. Don't know the seller and will not be a bidder (I might have outgrown my taste for Lotus after a half dozen older models), but this car pushes all the right buttons. Beautifully presented. Good luck, bidders and seller.
Bid in the amount of $36,250
Most Lotus Esprit S3-4 I've seen, have old Toyota Corolla taillights. Did Lotus eventually change the rear end, to round tail lights, or is it aftermarket on this car?
Bid in the amount of $36,000
Bid in the amount of $33,333
Bid in the amount of $32,000
One day left!
@tegwj - It does, see the pictures above.
Does the aftermarket wheel preserve the airbag? If not how was the SRS warning defeated?
Hi all - Seller here. Thank you for the kind words, this really is a magnificent example of the most desirable Esprit model there is! It is an incredibly well sorted machine that delivers that the special kind of fizz that we look for on every drive....
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $16,000
First, I do not know the seller. I have a 1998 that I have owned since 2015, so I am pretty familiar with these cars. This color and interior combo is awesome. Love the wheels on these, and the car looks to be in great shape. For the most part, maintenance is pretty straightforward and not that difficult, so you can certainly do most of it yourself. These cars are very light and quick. They don't have all the nanny features to save you.....soooo pay attention when you are having fun. It is tight getting into, but once in, you are good. You don't have to worry about seeing another one driving around or even at the local Cars and Coffee!!!! Buy it you will be happy!!!!
Very nice car would love to have it
Bid in the amount of $15,000