For sale in California right now is a sweet green 2005 Lotus
Elise. The example shown here is a beauty – sleek yet aggressive.
Now here’s the thing.
This Elise in Cali is being offered at just under $25k. No
offense to the dealer, but we think the successful haggler could whittle the
selling price down to the $20,000 range, all day long.
The Elise was offered in Europe for years before coming to
America, much to the dismay of American fans of the marque. The Elise, which finally
made it to the USA in 2004, sources its engine from Toyota, in the form of
a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, 16-valve motor. The Toyota-made power center is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Allure
Lotus is an automaker based in Norfolk, UK and it has been
in existence since 1952. Over the years, Lotus has managed to make a name for
itself with its ballsy styling that belies its price point and encroaches,
visually at least, upon the guarded turf of Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Underneath the supped-up skin, the Elise certainly looks
mean. The car’s bonded, extruded aluminum chassis weighs only 150-lbs (wow!),
while the total weight is 1975-lbs.
I really like how the Elise looks inside the cabin. Overall,
the interior dimensions are snug, but nicely appointed with leather upholstery
and composite seating. Aluminum dots the dash and gear shifter, keeping the
Elise light on its feet.
The Disclaimer
The major factor parsing the Elise from truly being able to
hang with its costlier Italian competitors is the performance department. While
the Elise’s 0-60 mph time of 4.9-seconds is a full-second slower than a
comparable Lambo. Nevertheless, if you factor the price difference, you come
out better off in the awesome-looking Elise, which has plenty enough pep for
most drivers.
As far as reliability goes, Lotus is not too much to worry
about. In fact, it’s less costly all around than owning a Ferrari or Lambo.
That being said, Elise’s problems stem from the fact that is an aluminum
sweat box with an engine mounted right behind the driver’s head. You can forget
taking a phone call or enjoying classical music in this Elise.
Then again, that’s not what a Lotus is all about is it?
The Conclusion
This Elise in Alhambra, California has 19,500 miles on the
odometer, AC, and a CD-stereo, which will help add to, if not quell, the
cacophony of engine and road noise inherent in the aluminum roadster. Removable
top, spritely manual tranny, and devilish looks make this mean green Elsie
worth a look.
Buying a car like this is really about buying an experience.
One test drive behind the wheel and you will know if this car is the one for
you. At a price this low, who wouldn’t consider the chance to turn heads with a
car as cool as this Lotus Elise is?
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