2006
Lotus Elise

Starts at:
$42,990
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New 2006 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

91% of drivers recommend this car
4.9 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
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Comfort 3.4
Interior 3.9
Performance 4.8
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.5

Most recent

  • By jeseod
    Owns this car
    August 7, 2018

    2006 Lotus Elise

    -This is one classy car!! street legal but handles like a go-cart! -Not really meant to be a daily driver but I do use it that way. -Gets a lot of looks and compliments. -Well priced, excellent value fot the money.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By GGGTripleG from Los Angeles, CA
    Owns this car
    June 26, 2018

    If you are looking for fun, this your car!

    If you want an everyday driver, with all the comforts a modern car can provide, then no.. this is not your car. If you want exhilaration and an ear to ear grin each time you take this car through a mountain pass or a glance from a sexy guy or gal each time you pass, then yes.. this is your car. It's bucket seats offer very little in terms of cushioning, the setup is stiff, and the steering is not powered. But for those who crave a tight connection with the road and a go-cart feeling like no other car you've ever driven, then the Lotus Elise simply can't be beat. Once driven, it's clear, Lotus has created a car for the car enthusiast who prefers the sound of the engine over the radio, performance over creature comforts, and a feeling you'll always reach for every time you push the ignition button. This is a drivers car, not a pampered car.
    • 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 mask_rider05
    Owns this car
    April 2, 2017

    Best sports car for the money!

    IT'S $30,000+++ CAR FOREVER so maybe its a good investment in someway. love the way it handles TOYOTA reliability, gets attention every where you go. not so hard and expensive to insure, and if your wondering what my age is I'm mid 20's. over all great fantastic Exotic car/Sports car.
    • 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
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By CW from Northern VA
    Owns this car
    January 3, 2014

    Amazing Little Car!!

    This car is the best bang for your buck... It drives like a car 2-5 times the price; Handles Great; Accelerates quickly... It even gets great gas mileage. Small and easy to maneuver; Just a great all around sports car!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Clutchplate from San Jose
    Owns this car
    June 13, 2011

    A must own sports car

    It's this simple...if you love cars, you simply need to own one of these at least once in your life. This is a small exotic with remarkable handling characteristics, plenty of power even in its base form, and a connection to the road like nothing else. Mine's been trouble free except for minor interior noises, but once you hit your first apex, who cares. Best part is if you find a used, clean car, you can own one for a few years for next to nothing providing you're easy on the miles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Netviper
    Owns this car
    April 4, 2011

    The best handling production car

    You simply have to drive one to understand. At 6'3" I have daily driven one for several years, so don't believe it when people say they are too small for big drivers. Getting in and out takes some practice, but after a week, you are used to it and once you get in it has more room than most sports cars. I don't fit in a Viper, but I can get in this with a helmet on and/or drive comfortably for hours on end. Great car!
    • 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
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  • By quimna from CA, SB
    Owns this car
    July 22, 2010

    Great performance!

    i love this car! it is my second Elise and i have yet to be disappointed with it, now the dealerships network is terrible!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By I can't drive 55 from Midwest
    Owns this car
    July 26, 2008

    Wicked fast

    I have owned one for a month or so and love it. Everything about the car is there for a reason. It does have a radio but I didn't even turn it on for the first three days. It is fast straight line and even faster on the curves. Turns heads wherever you go. The getting in/out takes a bit of practice but worth the effort. Yes, it is loud, stiff and slightly lacking in creature comforts but I wasn't looking for a Cadillac ride when I bought it. It is a beautiful purpose built vehicle that performs amazingly well.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Lotus Connosiuer from Keller, TX
    Owns this car
    November 23, 2006

    Lotus 2006 Elise: Expectation vs. Inspection

    This car turns heads and handles like a dream, but lacks the aminities that most would desire when paying upwards of $50,000 (Navigation, automatic transmission, power steering ,heads up display, etc.). Fuel economy is great. The trunk space is miniscule. However, the aesthetic external beauty and race car performance makes every car enthusiast tip their hat to the reborn British phenomenon, the 2006 Lotus Elise.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By Fate from Pembroke, NH
    Owns this car
    November 14, 2006

    Beautiful Work of Art

    Beautiful handling, excellent outside design, if you want to turn heads while driving down the road or highway this is the car for you. Pretty reliable sports car too. This is one of the greatest cars i have ever owned.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
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  • By tomdfw1 from Dallas, TX
    Owns this car
    August 8, 2006

    After one year...

    This car is EXCELLENT for what it is. It is a street legal performance race car. It is not a family hauler. If you are into performance and exclusivity, this car is for you. There is not a better handling/braking car made...period! To make this claim at under 50,000 is incredible value. It runs fast and sounds great. It looks like 100k car and I continually get people surrounding the car asking what it is and guessing it to cost over 100k. I have not had a single problem with the car, except for the soft top trim which was replaced under warranty. It is small...but it is light. Ohhh, it also gets great gas mileage and I drive it for the most part as my daily driver. I would recommend this car to any performance minded car enthusiast. For the money you will not find anything even close to it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Love it; But it's a lemon from Florida
    Owns this car
    May 24, 2006

    Hoped it was a little Lamborgini.

    I love the Elise; and would have difficulty finding a car in it's price range, that I would rather have. However, in the year and 15,000 miles I have owned it; I have had multiple mechanical problems with it. Having problems with a new car; especially one that is in it's first year of prodution, is to be expected. However, when those problems have been worked on 3-4 times, and still have not been fixed; I begin to get concerned! I have talked to my dealership and Lotus several times, regarding my concerns. Unfortunately, thier primary response has been "What do you expect from a sports car?" and "These problems are inherent with all the Elises.". My response to them was "Other comparable sports car do not seem to have all these problems." and "If these problems are inherent to all Elises; then all of them should be fixed.". Ultimately, I informed my dealer and Lotus; that I felt my car qualified as a lemon, and requested a new car. Lotus' response was; that I could keep bringing the car back for repairs (to work on the same problems, that 3-4 previous attempts have not fixed) or I could hire an attorney! What is most disconcerting; is that on more than one occasion, Lotus' regional representative has admitted that Lotus was aware of some of the problems I have encountered, and felt that they were an acceptable trade off for performance. My concern is, if I am having these very noticable on-going problems now; what other current and/or future problems are present but unnoticable? Just for the record; I have not been rough on my car, it has never been on the track, and I service it religiously!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 2.0
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2006 Lotus Elise?

The 2006 Lotus Elise is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2006 Lotus Elise?

The 2006 Lotus Elise offers up to 22 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2006 Lotus Elise reliable?

The 2006 Lotus Elise has an average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2006 Lotus Elise owners.

Is the 2006 Lotus Elise a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2006 Lotus Elise. 91.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.4
  • Interior: 3.9
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.5
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