2003 Panoz Esperante Review
Price Estimate:Â $8,961 - $12,122





+3
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Exhaust note, great shifter action, impressive structural integrity, easy to drive and fast.
Cons
- Lack of stability control, no side airbags, still quirky ergonomics, awkward steering feel.
What’s new
Revisions to the Esperante's rear suspension and interior ergonomics, along with new options that include a carbon-fiber hardtop and Brembo brakes bring this limited production American roadster into its sophomore year.
Edmunds says
Though suffering from quirky ergonomics and borrowed cockpit components, the Panoz offers performance on par with the world's best sports cars and exclusivity that practically guarantees that yours will be the only one at the country club.
For sale nearby
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Panoz Esperante 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Texas.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
Not EPA tested  for Esperante Base
Esperante Base
vs
$141/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Panoz Esperante Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(75%)
4(0%)
3(25%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Panoz is the absolute best
5 out of 5 starsjack orbin, 07/15/2006
2003 Panoz Esperante 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5M)
This is a great car. I have or have had a Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW, Lexus, Triumph and this car beats them hands down in almost every category. My Panoz Esperante is the very best looking car on the road. I love it.
danny's esperante
4.75 out of 5 starsdw simp 48, 11/10/2002
2003 Panoz Esperante 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5M)
i have had my experante for about 6
months now and i love it. i cant go any
where without it drawing a crowd. i
have had the new maserati, a 360 modena
and a 911 porsche and this car is my
favorite. it drives great on a long
trip and its quiet with the top down. i
would highly recommend it
With a Panoz You Get a Poke in the Nose
3.13 out of 5 starsPanoz , 08/12/2006
2003 Panoz Esperante 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5M)
My thought when my wife wanted a new Jaguar was that the Jags looked a lot like the Ford Tauras at the time. I thought that if we bought a sexy very good looking sports car like the Panoz it not only would not look so common but hopfully hold more of its value. I was wrong. The car's style unargueably is very good. They forgot to put any shocks on it though and therefore it is very, … very, very rough to drive. The other thing is the convertible roof of the car is is not well designed and it rattles a lot when driving. The worst part of owning the Panoz is the resale value. There is none. Don't buy one unless you can afford to lose $80,000 really fast.
Where do I put the kids?!
3 out of 5 starsCool Cat, 04/17/2003
2003 Panoz Esperante 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5M)
My wife and I bought this car before we
thought about where we were going to
put the kids. As it turns out we can
only fit the two older boys in the
trunk comfortably. Our daughter has to
be strapped to the hood.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2003 Panoz Esperante, so we've included reviews for other years of the Esperante since its last redesign.
2003 Esperante Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $88,950 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Esperante include:
- Alarm
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