The Lotus Esprit (5 generations, 1981–2009) window sticker (Monroney label) lists its original factory MSRP, the 3.5L, 8-cyl, Premium fuel, Rear-Wheel Drive build, standard and optional equipment, EPA fuel economy (up to 19 mpg combined) and NHTSA safety ratings. Enter a Lotus Esprit VIN and the label comes back with that car's own build — free.
The Lotus Esprit window sticker — build, options & years
The Lotus Esprit ran from 1981–2009 across 5 generations (1976–1978, 1981, 1982, 1990–1992, 1997–2003). Its Monroney label captures exactly how each one left the factory — the build, the options it was optioned with and the price, built around the 3.5L, 8-cyl, Premium fuel, Rear-Wheel Drive powertrain.
Which year's sticker do I need? Any Lotus Esprit VIN works — ForCar reads the exact model year automatically. On owner data the cleanest years are 1981, 1982, 1983; the most-complained-about are 1995, 1987, 2009. For year-by-year recalls, MPG and safety, see the full Lotus Esprit VIN decoder.
What the Lotus Esprit sticker says about fuel
Fuel economy is a legally required block on every Monroney label — city, highway and combined figures plus the estimated annual fuel bill. These are the EPA numbers on file for the Esprit, latest tested year 2004:
The label also prints an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel at 15,000 miles, and 520 g/mi of CO₂. EPA files the Esprit under Two Seaters, which is the class it gets compared against on the sticker.
How the Esprit's sticker figure changed
Combined MPG printed on the label, model year by model year — 1984 to 2004. Worth checking before you compare a Esprit sticker from one year with another:
Over that span the combined figure rose by 2 mpg, so an early sticker and a recent one describe noticeably different cars. EPA revised its testing method in 2008, which shifts figures printed before and after that year.
What's on the Lotus Esprit sticker
Every Monroney label carries the same required blocks: MSRP with itemised options, EPA fuel economy — for this car 16 mpg combined, NHTSA safety ratings, standard and optional equipment, and parts-content origin. Every Esprit VIN returns its own build rather than a generic spec.
For how to read each block, what to do if the sticker is lost, and how it differs from a build sheet, see the window sticker guide.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%) — not user reviews. For full recalls, MPG and safety see the Lotus Esprit VIN decoder.
Esprit window sticker — every model year
This covers the Lotus Esprit for 1981–2009. Enter any Esprit VIN above and ForCar pulls the exact build and Monroney label for that specific year automatically. No need to pick a year. Driving something else? Browse window stickers for every Lotus model.
Want Esprit recalls, MPG, safety and reliability too? See the full Lotus Esprit VIN decoder →
Other Lotus window stickers
| Model | Years covered | Class | Best EPA figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Emira | Two Seaters | 21 mpg | |
| Lotus Elise | Two Seaters | 23 mpg | |
| Lotus Evora | Minicompact Cars | 23 mpg | |
| Lotus Exige | Two Seaters | 23 mpg | |
| Lotus Elan | Two Seaters | 24 mpg | |
| Lotus ELETRE | — | — |
Where to find the VIN on a Lotus Esprit
- WindshieldLower-left corner, driver's side, readable from outside without opening anything.
- Door jambOn the driver's door frame of every Esprit, next to the tyre-pressure and build-date plate.
- DocumentsRegistration, title and insurance card — on a Lotus Esprit all three must show the same number.
All four must match. A Lotus Esprit whose windshield plate disagrees with the door jamb has either had a panel replaced or a tampered identity — check the paperwork before any money changes hands.
Window sticker — frequently asked
What MPG does the Lotus Esprit window sticker show?
The EPA figures on file are 16 mpg combined (14 city / 21 highway), from its 2004 rating, with an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel printed alongside.
Is the recreated Lotus Esprit sticker the same as the original?
It rebuilds the factory equipment, EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety from official records, so the core Monroney content matches. Dealer-added options and destination charges vary by sale, so the printed total on one Lotus Esprit may differ from another.
Where do I find the VIN on a Lotus Esprit?
Lower-left of the windshield, the driver's door-jamb sticker, or the registration and insurance documents — all three must agree. For what a window sticker is, how to read each block and what to do if yours is lost, see the window sticker guide.