Cheap Supercar: Lotus Esprit

Lotus was making race cars long before the Elise. The Lotus Esprit, a legendary car among car enthusiasts, is a mid-engined vehicle that turns heads to this day. Why do I say that? Because the latest model, made in 2004, was based on the original 80s design. Yet the car looks like it could be a 2002. To say it looked futuristic is an understatement. The looks are classic. The lines are as perfect as they get. And the car has now depreciated to its lowest point ever and forever - $15,000.

Let's hop into it (I wish). Even though this car was in production starting all the way back in 1981, it took a little bit of time for the cars to become fast. The first naturally aspirated cars had about 160 bhp which... Isn't that great (decent back then). There was turbo models pushing about 200 bhp and a little more torque but it wasn't until the 1990s that the 4th generation, or S4, came with 300 hp and about the same amount of ft-lbs of torque. That one was fast stock. I should mention these cars utilize an inline-4 cylinder engine. I know there's room in there for a V8...

But these cars don't have to be fast stock. Why? Because you send them to a tuner and build a 700 bhp monster, that's why! The engines are easily modified for more power and you just can't beat the looks... That's a hot car!

The older ones still looked good too. Just think again - the picture below is of a 1981 car. Even Ferraris didn't look like that! And the car looks like a Ferrari! Kinda. To girls and young kids (just kidding... young kids know).

The first couple generations are slower, like I said, and also don't look nearly as good in my opinion. They still look like a crazy unique car. Damn I want one! How much does a kidney go for? I'm okay with one right?

I want to get to the price real quick. There are Lotus Esprits of varying years selling for $15-20k. I never thought the car would ever even go that low. Right now is the best time to buy one. Convince your wife it's an investment because it is.

You read it here, folks - this is a definite classic by any definition of the word and not only will prices start coming back up soon but they will continue to get higher until the Lotus Esprit starts hovering around $70k or maybe $100k for a pristine example. I'm only basing this on what makes a classic. This was the car that started Lotus, of course, but is also still beautiful to this day.

It will have a strong cult following. It already does now.

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