Models · Lotus
Lotus Esprit buying guide
The Peter Stevens-styled Esprit, built from 1987 to 2004 on a galvanised steel backbone chassis with a glassfibre body, with Lotus's own turbo four-cylinder engines and, from 1996, a twin-turbo 3.5 V8.
The versions
- Turbo (1987 to 1992): 2.2 Type 910 turbo four, 215bhp; Turbo SE (1989 on) with intercooler and injection, 264bhp; non-turbo models to 1989
- S4 (1993): 264bhp with power steering; Sport 300 and S4S, about 300bhp
- GT3 (1996 to 1998): 2.0 turbo four, 240bhp
- V8 (1996 on), V8-GT, V8-SE and Sport 350: 3.5 twin-turbo V8, about 350bhp
- Renault-sourced five-speed manual transaxle, rear-wheel drive
What to check on a Esprit
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Cambelt age
What to look for: Check the history for the date and mileage of the last cambelt change, and for servicing at 6,000-mile intervals by a specialist.
Why it matters: The four-cylinder engines need a new cambelt every three years or 36,000 miles, and the V8 more often, every two years or 24,000 miles. Specialist servicing matters on these engines because torque settings and adjustments are critical.
Turbo smoke and the wastegates
What to look for: With the engine warm, have someone blip the throttle while you watch the exhaust for white smoke. On the drive, use the accelerator gently at first, and watch the boost gauge for readings above normal.
Why it matters: The turbos run very hot, and poor warming up and cooling down shortens their life; white smoke and reduced power are the signs. After a long lay-up the wastegate can seize. On the V8, its two wastegate actuators can corrode from heat and cause overboost, which can seriously damage the engine, so their condition matters.
Cooling and head gasket
What to look for: With the engine cold, look in the coolant filler neck for an oily, mayonnaise-like emulsion. Once warm, check that all three cooling fans run, and look for leaks at the radiator and oil cooler. Watch the oil pressure gauge.
Why it matters: Emulsion at the filler neck points to a failed head gasket. Radiators rot, fans seize, and oil coolers and intercoolers can split, all of which put the engine at risk of overheating. On the V8, heat damage and cylinder liner seal failure are the main engine faults, so a car that runs at a steady temperature is reassuring.
Also in the full guide
- The Renault gearbox
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Esprit
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Lotus.