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 41 through 50 of 73.00

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  Fits like a tailored glove - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Chris - November 24 - 4:13 am

  An awesome handling car. Sometimes it seems the car anticipates what I am going to do. The biggest problem I have noticed with this car is all the attention you get. Sounds like a cool thing but try changing lanes rapidly (you will understand if you drive one) to get set up for that nice curve you want to accelerate through and you cant because all the cars around you are slowing down to figure out what type of car you are driving. Not to mention wanting to run a quick errand and being stopped by everyone as you exit the car asking how fast, how much, can I ride (women love this car).... Just buy one, you wont regret it.

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  ALL SMILES - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Batmanrick - May 2 - 10:00 am

  It took three years from the date of deposit to pick up my starlight black Lotus Elise ... and the smile hasnt left my face yet !

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  Colin Chapman LIVES! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Eric - March 27 - 5:26 pm

  What a stunning car- Lotus has really done a super job with this Elise. Its a very evolved car to be used for one purpose: driving. Whiners looking for more room, more features, more whatever- hey, theres an Acura dealer just around the corner from your house. Paraphrasing the words of Mr Chapman, more power is faster in the straightaway, less weight is faster everywhere. Hee-YAH!!!!

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  Ubelievable fun, not an everyday driver - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Brian - March 13 - 6:36 pm

  I have had a lot of sports cars, and this is the most fun pure sports car I have ever owned. If this would be your only vehicle I would not recommend it. Ride is very stiff; daily potholes into the city may rattle your fillings out. But as a toy, there is no more fun to be found for under $100,000.

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  my 2005 Lotus Elise - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By larry - February 23 - 5:23 am

  Handles better than any car Ive ever driven. Excellent brakes. With top off, easy in and out but requires a good back and knees to get in and out with the top on. Air and heat work great.

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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!