For The Elise is an exercise in making the bare minimum all you'll ever want from a sports car. Fantastic to drive, with jaw-dropping performance, delicious steering and stunning grip.
Against The refinement and hood design let the side down, and it's not easy to get in and out of. You're looking at the best part of £30,000 for a fully equipped car.
What Car? says
A proper sports car, full of sensation. Demands dedication for day-to-day use, but it’s worth the effort.
Reader review rating
4.470588
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There are 6 Lotus Elise versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
Make sure you know what you're letting yourself in for with the Elise. There's no great effort here to make it especially – or at all – luxurious. Instead, the opposite is true, and this is a car designed purely with the driver in mind. It's stripped back to basics, and pretty much all that's fitted is what is necessary to make this one of the best-driving cars on the market.
It may not be that easy to get in and out, but once you've driven an Elise, getting out will be the last thing on your mind - it's that good. Even the most basic version is thrilling, so there's no need to spend any more.
Perhaps the only reservation is that the prices are now on the high side. Start hitting the options list, and you'll be spending close on Porsche Boxster money.
Reader test team says:
Lotus Elise Open 1.8 2dr
Having owned an S2 for over 2 years,I have enjoyed…
4
out of 5 stars
Lotus Elise Open 1.8 111S 2dr
I owned the Lotus Elise Series 2 111s and 14,000…
5
out of 5 stars
Lotus Elise Open 1.8 111R 2dr
My last Elise, a 99 S1 was pretty raw. This one…
5
out of 5 stars
Lotus Elise Open 1.8 111R 2dr
Like the reviews say if you want a fat sports car…
5
out of 5 stars
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