2005 Lotus Elise Consumer Reviews

2005 Lotus Elise

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2005 Lotus Elise

Kelley Blue Book Retail $19,250  

Average Rating

3.9 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:2.4 out of 5
Performance:4.1 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.7 out of 5
Interior Design:3.4 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.0 out of 5
Reliability:3.6 out of 5

7 out of 8 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

Page 1 of 1

The funnest car I've owned

by P Bol
from Los Angeles, CA | April 18, 2013

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"This definitely my favorite vehicle I've owned. I get the opportunity to drive multiple cars, including exotics on the track and not very many leave a smile on my face quite like the Lotus does. This car is more so meant for a True Driving enthusiast...NO Stability programs or Traction Control (at least in my case) to interfere. Considering the things that are important to me such as Driving Fun, Closer feeling to a racecar, Minimal options, and the eye catching eye attention you get from this car...the Lotus is it. If your really into the gizmos and comfort, this car is not for you. It is true that it is relatively hard to get out of due to the high door sill, but you watch enough YouTube videos, you get use to it. Once your in, it is comfortable...just give you an idea...I'm 6'2" 240 lbs. and I drive it just fine, but I wouldn't want another one of me in the passenger seat, which why my wife is typically my only passenger. If you ever need to perform mechanical repairs or maintenance...you will spend a considerable amount of time more than expected getting to parts...For example, you'll have to remove 13 bolts in order to remove the skid plate and then you can change the oil and filter (BTW, be careful when you jack this car up and where jack is...better to leave to the dealership if you considered yourself just "handy"). I personally Instruct and teach racing for a living and highly recommend this vehicle for any beginner to advanced driver due to the fact that it's a very forgiving platform to learn on and also requires smooth and concise driving to be fast on the track. Hope this helps!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Absolute Junk

by hinotes15
from Los Angeles, CA | November 12, 2011

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 1 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"The Elise is by a LONG way the worst car I've ever driven. I've seen people say that it's a "hard-core" sports car....whatever. It has the engine out of a lawnmower. Interior is a joke, just a plasticy rattle trap. Also, the roof leaks and has virtually no suspension. Riding a motorcycle would be quieter. A specialty dealer gave me an Elise with 1000 miles on it to drive for 5 days while considering a purchase....I brought it back after 12 hours."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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6 out of 39 found this review helpful

love my Lotus

by djbrianc
from Baltimore | September 19, 2011

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 3 out of 5

"I get so much attention. even when other exotics are around. thats the icing on the cake because i bought my lotus to impress me not others. FUN FUN FUN, its only down side is hard as rock suspension and poor sound insulation."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Outdoor sports (hiking, cycling, etc.)


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8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Lotus junk

by woody
from | February 3, 2011

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 2 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"I was the 2nd person in Texas to get this car. On the drive home from Austin the air conditioning didnot work. The car spent 29 days of the first 90 in the shop. The dealer had to take the front end apart to get down to the air conditioner. They found insulation in the duct work. On the way home I was past off the line by a Toyota. Then I realized that the 0-60 numbers were achieved by flooring the gas and popping the clutch. I doubt anyone drives like that. I was so glad to get rid of this car. I came out of a Ferrari to the Lotus and into a Corvette. No comparison in these 3 cars. The Lotus was pure junk. I read what others write and wonder what they are used to driving."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Having fun


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10 out of 35 found this review helpful

hardcore sports car enthusiasts won't regret it

by Lotus Enthusiast
from Los Angeles, CA | August 8, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"The elise is easily the most fun sports car a hardcore enthusiast can buy. Yes, it has a few tradeoffs like a high door sill, but never has there been a car that I was so emotionally attached to. I have owned 4 porsches in the past and now I cannot even think of buying another porsche. The car is that satisfying."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Having fun


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18 out of 24 found this review helpful

The Elise is the last of the purebred sportscars

by Whatever
from Los Angeles | November 1, 2008

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 2 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I've had mine for two years. I'm a real enthusiast of driving, I don't really care much about luxury, but the mechanicals and the functionality of a sports car are extremely important to me. For that reason the Elise is a total gem in a field of soft, over-stuffed, wannabe sportscars - Porsche, Ferrari, you name it and they are SOFT. The Elise is reliable, does not complain after days of hard track driving and canyon cruising. It's a joy on open roads - as long as they are smooth. As far as city driving goes, I wouldn't recommend it for someone who needs a luxurious ride at all. It's very short, fairly rough on the bumps - it's a pure-sports car - enough said. It does get GREAT gas mileage although I've never calculated it. I think I'm getting 30mpg on the hwy. Remember that this car has a bombproof toyota drivetrain and it works very well for this car. The suspension is 100% Lotus, which means you cannot find better. The interior is exquisite for a pure-sports car in my opinion. I a world of wannabe drivers in wannabe sports cars that cost tens if not hundred of thousands more, the Lotus is a wonderful option for the true enthusiast. Get one while you can."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun


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18 out of 22 found this review helpful

Great Fun Car...

by Asian Racer
from San Diego | March 10, 2007

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"Great and fun car, but not one to take on a road trip...Seats are thin and not well padded, but does give adequate support. Getting into the car requires a feat of flexibility, but once in the car proves to be roomy and quite user friendly."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A


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11 out of 15 found this review helpful

Most incredible car I've ever driven!

by flys
from Philadelphia | October 22, 2006

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Nothing handles like this car - You look forward to every turn and bend you can find. A true sports car!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Page 1 of 1

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