Used 2011 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M) Consumer Reviews

Teenage dream car lived up to the hype

I bought my 2011 Elise in late 2021. After a year of ownership, I still feel excited hopping into it. The car drives so well. Straight line performance won’t wow anyone who has driven high powered cars before, but it definitely isn’t a slouch. I average about 24 mpg in mixed city/highway driving in Southern California, where traffic is a daily issue. I don’t baby the car for fuel efficiency either, so it’s impressive that the car doesn’t ever dip below 23 mpg. I took my Elise to a track for the first time in October 2022 for a time attack event. What an experience! My first time on a track and I placed 3rd out of about 15-16 participants, only behind 2 guys who were more experienced than me (one in an Audi TT RS and the other in a heavily modded Lexus IS350). I have used the Elise to get groceries, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The one time I used the trunk for groceries, my gallon of milk was pretty warm by the time I got home (~5 minute drive)! I put the groceries on the passenger seat and floor the 2nd time. I drive the Elise pretty regularly. I’d say a good 3 days per week minimum. It’s not for everyone, but at 5’11” and 170 lbs, I find it to be a great car. It has stood the test of time all these years later. People still want to chat about it, take pictures when I’m driving around, and it just oozes sexiness.