2005
Lotus Elise

Starts at:
$42,990
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New 2005 Lotus Elise
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Factory warranties

Basic
2 years
Corrosion
8 years
Powertrain
2 years

Consumer reviews

96% of drivers recommend this car
4.6 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
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Comfort 3.0
Interior 3.8
Performance 4.6
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.3

Most recent

  • By Grisdent from Buffalo, NY
    Owns this car
    June 1, 2020

    Very reliable and very fast!

    The Lotus Elise is a true sports car and that is all the company makes. This car is surprisingly comfortable even for tall drivers. Handling and acceleration are great for road or track and the unique styling of the Elise will set you apart from all the others.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By LotusDave from Charlotte, NC
    Owns this car
    June 7, 2019

    Most fun car I have ever driven.

    I'd give it five stars if it had a little more seat comfort. Might have to look into some padded covers. This car is not for everyone, just folks who REALLY love to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Andrew from Tulsa
    Owns this car
    February 17, 2019

    The most fun car for the money, hands down.

    The car is exiting and thrilling. The value of the car holds very well. It is daily derivable and very reliable. This is by far the most fun car for the money.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By GetMotorvated from Atlanta, GA
    Owns this car
    June 29, 2018

    Beautiful, sporty and reliable.

    There is a reason these cars have had such low percentages of depreciation. A Toyota drivetrain for reliability along with stunning good looks and the kind of performance typically reserved for cars with way many more zeros attached to the price tag. The only price to pay is that the car has spartan creature comforts, but if that is the most important thing to you, let's be honest, this shouldn't be on the radar for you. Bang for buck, can't beat it with a Lotus Elise.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By ConatanceTrips from Chandler AZ
    Used to own this car
    June 27, 2018

    The type of car that requires dedication

    This car is definitely not the most comfortable or practical car, so if you are looking to buy that you need to undersatand you will have to make some compromise. It is an exotic car and there are always people looking at it and you and often I found myself talking to complete strangers about it. Overall I enjoyed my experience with the care but as I said it isn?t perfect especially for daily commutes.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By TheStig from Columbus, Ohio
    Owns this car
    June 21, 2018

    Does what it engineered for exceptionally well

    The Lotus Elise was built to be a road going track car. It is just that. Dont get into this thinking its going to be great for a long road trip although I have spent a few hours at a time in it. Its always shocking to me when people fault it for being exactly what it is. What is it? A small, low, nimble, light, simple vehicle, with great engineering. There are very few driver aids like power steering and the air conditioning is almost useless if temps get into the 90's. But that's the point. It's a drivers car through and through. They didn't pretend by dressing it up and calling it a sports car that you can take to the track. Instead, its a street legal race car that you can park in your garage.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Apizano from Los Angeles
    Owns this car
    May 22, 2018

    Elise is my Daily driver

    I bought this 2005 Lotus Elise two years ago and has been great! I daily drive it and and have an amazing time everyday. Come from owning Honda S2000 and 370z it is my best owner ship experience yet. Nerver letting it go
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Wastenott
    Owns this car
    May 19, 2018

    Best handling Car I have Owned

    This is a fun car to drive, not too hard to get in with the top off. The hard and soft tops are not too hard to take off or put back on.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Huge lotus fan from Indianapolis, IN
    Owns this car
    November 26, 2017

    Best drivers car ever made

    You must own or drive this car to experience how absolutely fantastic it is. It?s weighs 2,000 lbs. That?s at least 1,000 lighter than the lightest Sportcars available. It?s is just an incredibly pure joyful driving experience. I dove a 911 the other day and it feels like a Toyota Camry after the Elise. It is just so responsive in corners. Any tiny little adjustments going in or out of a corner are immediate. Also, be ready for a ton of attention. Everyone will want to look at the car, take pictures etc. It?s pretty cool. I usually let kids sit in it and they are blown away because they think its a $100k super car. Just a fantastic timeless design. Love the car. It?s just a blast.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By s2khan from dayton, Ohio
    Owns this car
    November 18, 2017

    This car will ruin a lot of other cars for you !

    The power to weight ratio is very impressive. Don't let the numbers fool you, this car will easily hang around 300hp cars and take corners like its on rails. Very exotic styling , great on gas , fun to drive !
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Zpatvr from Tauranga, New Zealand
    Owns this car
    November 12, 2017

    The real drivers sports car

    If you are looking for that comfortable, cushy sports car for that leisurely drive on a Sunday, this car is not for you. If, however, you are looking to fall into a secure feeling glove that just wraps around you in preparation for a true driving experience, look no further. My 2005 Elise 111R is everything I wanted in a sports car: the sound, the cockpit, the acceleration, the noise, and the handling. It is truly a race car for the streets. Don't look too the Elise to be the fastest in a straight line, that's not what's Chapman designed her for. This is a car meant to go fast through the turns. It's very difficult to find a limit with the horsepower and the mid engine balance perfectly tuned with each other. Hit the accelerator at the start of the turn and be prepared to get flung out the back end of the turn at a very high rate. It's just too much. Yes, she is a bit of a challenge to get into, but it's all part of the fun. You sit 7 inches of the ground in a little rocket that just wants to go.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By s2khan from dayton, Ohio
    Owns this car
    November 9, 2017

    The most fun per dollar car

    This is by far one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. It will bring a smile every single time don't let the low horsepower fool you. This car will hang around other cars very well and will leave them in dust on corners
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2005 Lotus Elise?

The 2005 Lotus Elise is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

Is the 2005 Lotus Elise reliable?

The 2005 Lotus Elise has an average reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2005 Lotus Elise owners.

Is the 2005 Lotus Elise a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2005 Lotus Elise. 96.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.0
  • Interior: 3.8
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.3
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