Lotus Elise (00 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 20 November 2009
The original Elise saw Lotus return to sports cars with a bang. The new car improves on that further but retains the same key ingredients - a light weight body, high-revving engines and superb handling. This is an old-school approach to sports cars. There are few luxuries (there's no power steering for instance) and it's not a comfortable car to travel long distances in, but for sheer enjoyment and involvement few cars come close. It lacks the practicality and usability to be everyday transport for most, but as an indulgence it's ideal. Affordable prices and good economy mean it needn't be expensive to run either.
4 out of 5

Other Lotus reviews

2 out of 5

Safety

The Elise was one of the last cars to be fitted with ABS which was first made available on the 111R then added across the range from mid-2006. Traction control also became an option at this point. Newer cars come with twin airbags, but previously these weren't available.

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4 out of 5

Reliability

Hand built from aluminium and plastic, there's nothing to corrode and the light weight means the engines aren't too highly stressed even under hard driving. There can be the odd hood-leak but surprisingly, Lotus has not been affected by the well-publicised problems with the K-Series engine in older models (usually concerning blown head gaskets), which have plagued Rover and Land Rover.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

Check for any aftermarket upgrades.

Other

Two recalls in 2002. One for concerns that the front brake caliper bolts may fail and another for rear suspension problems which can affect the handling. Another recall in 2006 where the gear lever may break.