Overview & Reviews

After years of letting Europeans have all the fun, the lightweight Lotus Elise sports car finally makes it to the States.

• Ultralightweight chassis, free-revving four-cylinder, uninhibited steering, supercar performance without the supercar price.

• Spartan interior, engine still a bit peaky for U.S. tastes, ride quality more Formula One than grand touring, limited dealer network.

User Reviews:

Showing 61 through 70 of 73.00

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  A True Weekend Racer - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By JK - December 16 - 6:06 pm

  The Elise is certainly not for everyone. It is not a luxurious vehicle, a daily driver (for most people), or extremely powerful. However it is very unique, very light, very fun, relatively affordable, reliable, and pure! This car weighs 25% less than a Mazda Miata, and maneuvers precisely. The steering car is very communicative, through its steering, ride, and pedals. Because of its light weight and low center of gravity it sticks to the road like glue. The engine isnt too powerful, but it is reliable with Toyotas 1.8L VVTi engine. At 6 RPM the VVTi kicks in and the car pulls very hard to redline.

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  Lots of Bang for your Buck! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By WC Kelly - September 23 - 1:00 am

  This car is a true head-turner. There is absolutely, positively NO other car that competes with the Lotus Elise in either looks or performance for the price. An absolute PLEASURE to drive, this car will give you a perma-grin. I have parked my Chrome Orange Elise next to cars costing twice as much, yet the crowd seems to gather around the Lotus. If you are shy, this is NOT the car for you, unless, perhaps, you are looking to come out of your shell. This is an excellent car for for women or men with small feet, as the pedals are located close together. It is certainly not the most graceful car to enter and exit... (dont wear a skirt ladies!) All in all a fantastic car to drive!

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  So Much Fun It Must Be Immoral - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By JimmyJoe - September 12 - 2:43 am

  This car is a no-compromise toy that can be used to actually get you from one place to another when thats what you need. The main thing though is that its obscenely fun to drive. Others have said it before and its true: The Elise is a perfect combination of jumbo-sized go-cart and wannabe race car. And its so fantastic looking that people cant help but smile and comment and ask about it. The only real problem is everyone is always looking at you.

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  111R - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By bryan conlee - August 29 - 4:26 am

  I am very impressed with the performance and build quality for this low production, hand built, semi- affordable automobile. The interior is a bit Spartan, but its really all you need. This car is meant for driving enjoyment, not cruising in the lap of luxury. Ingress/egress is a bit tricky, but once inside, the car fits you like a glove, and the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The stereo leaves something to be desired, but that is minor and can be changed. The exterior design is one of the most beautiful ever dreamt up, in my somewhat biased opinion. Performance is incredible, even with its mere 190HP. I plan on enjoying this car for a lifetime...

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  "Grin" - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Robert Hoar - April 22 - 2:10 am

  If I were to get a vanity plate for this car it would be "GRIN". It is so much fun to drive that I come up with the most ridiculus excuses to take it out. The car is beautifully engineered, very well built, and handles better than any car I have ever driven. And it has show-stopper looks! The Elise makes all but the most exotic cars look "normal".

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By MattB - February 20 - 5:03 am

  If you are looking for a weekend sports car with no compromises- this is it!

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  Lotus Elise 2005 - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Vance - February 19 - 5:36 am

  The car of my dreams. Its really a fun car to drive and the sexiest car on the road today.

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  Must have toy of the year, poor service - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Tim - October 30 - 5:06 am

  This car feels like all Porsches should feel -- elemental. Best handling car that Ive ever driven (all Porsches, BMW M3, S2000, 348, 355, 360, Corvettes, etc). Must get it while you are still young enough to climb into the cockpit!

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  Remember what its for... - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Jay - October 15 - 6:13 pm

  The Elise is a pure, unadulterated sports car. It does not try to be anything else. It is one of the fastest street legal cars, and handles arguably better than just about anything else on the road. Its form (all the vents are real and needed) is functional - you can like the look or not, but there is nothing extra, e.g. a big rear spoiler. That it manages to do this for under $50K is stunning. It does this by sacrificing weight (e.g size,gadgets, electronics, "comfort" stuff) and by designing to the best ergonomics once you are in it. My Elise puts a grin on my face every time I drive it, and feels as comfortable as a glove. Complaints about cupholders, ease of entry, etc. miss the point.

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  Kats Toy - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Kat - October 8 - 9:30 am

  Much more than I ever expected. Waited a long time for it, but more than worth the wait. So much fun to drive, its hard to get anything else done. Cornering is unlike any other car or motorized vehicle I have ever driven.