2003 Lotus Esprit

Lotus Esprit (2003)
for sale

Price: US $32,000.00

Description:


This auction is for a very FAST 2003 Lotus Esprit twin turbo V8. With just over 24, 000 original miles the car has been driven very little since it was assembled by Lotus in 2003. The car looks the part of an exotic European super car on the exterior, but this particular Esprit is particularly exotic, it has been highly modified by Lotus Prepared by Claudius, a well known Californian independant Lotus specialist. The car has the original rims with Dunlop Sport 9000 tires, 285/35zr18 on the rear, 235/40zr17 on the front.
The interior is slightly used, but in good condition, with race inspired leather seats and dash, as well as a leather wrapped steering wheel and hand break, leather shift boot, and stainless Lotus shift knob also has a Halon fire extinguishing system installed, and aftermarket boost gauge that looks and fits like a factory gauge. This Esprit also has been equipped with a Kenwood radio with IPod connection with DVD and GPS system, and has had additional speakers installed for a total of 6 Alpine and Infinity speakers, 4-mid range and 2 large woofers, and two tweeters with an external amplifier system. The car also has an active Low Jack anti theft system installed. The car is also equipped with aftermarket Valentine One generation 8 High Power laser/Radar detectors/deflectors, with controls units installed on the dash and sensors installed in the bumpers. The car has factory heat and air conditioning, that both work as intended. The headlights were upgraded to new Hella Headlamp System, and the taillights are LED Lighting System.
The exterior paint very nice, a deep black and in good condition, there is one minor scratch on the driver side quarter panel. It has had an invisible bra fitted on the front to lessen the chance of stone chips at speed. There are some chips and scrapes to the lower valence/bumper but nothing unexpected or unusual. It has had a new gasket kit for the sun roof installed. The car has an after market exhaust, although it appears to be factory, which gives the car a distinct sound. Overall this car has a very beautiful and very exotic exterior and interior.
The engine and drivetrain have been heavily modified and improved. Originally this car was designed to have 500 horsepower by Lotus, but the Renault UN-1-26 transmission could not handle that much horsepower, and continued to fail, so the car was released at a detuned to 350 horsepower. This car has had the Upgraded UN-1-13 gearbox, replaced 1st and 2nd synchro, new shifter cables, replaced output shaft seals on both sides, and custom linkage shifter kit installed with the transmission upgrades. This is the car Lotus wanted to release. The Transmission has been modified, and a Quaife Limited Slip Differential LSD, racing 3 plate clutch installed to handle the near 500 horsepower this particular Esprit puts out. This car has had the engine blue printed and balanced, forged pistons rings and pins installed, as well as new rod bearing kit. Car has matched injectors, racing catalytic converters, intercooler, blow off valves installed, and ECU has been chipped with a high performance adjustable kit, 350-450 horse power. The connecting rods, crank shaft, forged pistons, flywheel, and pulley have all been balanced. The heads have also had work, both have been ported and polished, also has Aeroquip lines, and braided hoses. The exhaust manifolds were replaced, and turbos rebuilt, and a custom cooling system for the turbos was added and a high performance exhaust was installed and oxygen sensors replaced, as well as high flow K&N air filters and heavy duty motor mounts installed. After the drivetrain was modified and improvements made, the radiator was replaced with an upgraded with a heavy duty radiator, replaced the original cooling fans with high performance efficient capacity fan units, and a ¼ inch thick aluminum skid plate was installed to shield the new cooling system. When this work was done, the inlet manifolds and other exterior engine parts were Powder Painted candy apple blue (see photos), which looks fantastic when you pop open the rear gate to expose the engine bay, makes this car really stand out.in the crowd. It also has had the water pump replaced, and the alternator rebuilt.
As far as driving, this car is extremely powerful, but easy to drive. Its not hard to cruise, and drives quite docile until you stop wanting to cruise. Not only was the drivetrain upgraded substantially, so were the brakes and suspension, and it really shows. This Esprit has Eibach Springs in the front and rear, and Bilistein Shocks front and rear, and the front sway bar was upgraded to sport 350 17mm sway bar. This car stops as well as it accelerates, brakes were upgraded to six piston Wilwood racing brakes up front, and four piston in the rear, 12 inch disks all around. Even with a heavily modified drivetrain suspension and brakes, this car drives quite nicely, and when it comes time to open it up it drives like it should, easy over the steering yet responsive, clutch is easy to operate but feels strong. Like the suspension, the brakes are heavy duty but forgiving when cruising. Car starts with ease, idles as if it where factory, and runs in the designated temperature range, doesn’t run hot even after long idling periods or stop and go traffic. The car does all of this, and passes California Smog.
It has been looked after and driven lightly by non smoking mature owners and now it is time to pass it on for someone else to enjoy. Bid to buy with confidence, this car will not disappoint. I try to fully describe the cars I sell so you can make an informed decision when bidding. We have sold many exotic cars on e-bay with only 100% positive feedback. As always I would recommend driving and viewing the car if at all possible, please call for an appointment 310 833 1525.

update: 2015-07-30

Features:

Condition: Seller Notes:
Used
“see vehicle description”
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): SCCDC08213HA10526 Year: 2003
Exterior Color: Black Make: Lotus
Interior Color: biscuit Model: Esprit
Vehicle Title: Clear Trim: V8
Options: Sunroof, Leather Seats, CD Player Engine: High Output V8 twin Turbo
Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag Drive Type: 5 speed
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows Mileage: 24,193

Click to enlarge