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Lotus

Lotus - Esprit (1996)

Lotus Esprit – the legendary 1996 model that still turns heads on today's roads. Whether you’re a collector or a savvy buyer, uncovering the Lotus Esprit price and understanding the value its classic styling and performance carry is essential.

  • Model year: 1996
  • Engine: 3.5‑litre inline‑four, gasoline; 215 hp, 211 lb‑ft torque
  • Transmission: 5‑speed manual (optional 4‑speed automatic)
  • Drive layout: Front‑engine, rear‑wheel drive
  • Fuel type: Gasoline
  • Performance: 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds; top speed 155 mph
  • Dimensions: Length 4,401 mm | Width 1,650 mm | Height 1,120 mm | Wheelbase 2,685 mm
  • Weight: 1,065 kg (low‑weight chassis)
  • Wheels: 16‑in FWD/22‑in RWD (steel); 20‑in aluminum aftermarket available
  • Suspension: Independent MacPherson strut front, multi‑link rear
  • Brakes: Dual‑coil vented discs front, single‑coil vented discs rear; optional ABS
  • Interior features: Cloth seats, carbon or wood trim, manual climate control, optional premium audio system
  • Exterior highlights: Iconic wedge shape, integrated spoiler, retractable roof hatch (optional)

When you research the Lotus Esprit price, you’ll notice it changes noticeably based on factors like mileage, maintenance history, and cosmetic condition. Enthusiast forums and dealership listings commonly cite a “typical” range for a well‑maintained 1996 Lotus Esprit, but the actual figure can vary significantly between markets and individual listings.

Depreciation Insights: What to Expect

The Lotus Esprit depreciation trend over the past two decades offers useful context for both buyers and collectors.

  • First year: The car generally loses 15‑20% of its value due to initial market introduction and early buyers’ willingness to pay premium price tags.
  • Years 2‑5: Depreciation slows to around 10‑15% per year as the Esprit moves further from its peak production period; well‑documented histories help preserve value.
  • Years 6–10: The car often retains 70‑80% of its original selling price if properly kept; this is a hallmark of Lotus’s enduring desirability.
  • Beyond 10 years: Values plateau, with rarer models gaining a slight appreciation thanks to growing collector interest.

These figures align with general trends observed across comparable sports cars from the same era (e.g., Ferrari 360 1999, BMW M3 E36 1993), but each vehicle’s condition and provenance ultimately drive final market value.

For a clear answer to the question “what is a 1996 Lotus Esprit worth?”, you’ll want to browse current listings, check recent auction results, and reference historic sale databases. The combined evidence clarifies that cars in the 1996 category, especially those in pristine or near‑factory condition, sit comfortably above the median price range for similar vintage sports cars but remain affordable relative to Ferrari or Porsche peers.

Market Position & Competition

Compared to its contemporary rivals—such as the Ferrari F355, BMW M3 E36, and Jaguar XJ220—the Lotus Esprit holds a distinct niche: