2005 Lotus Elise

Convertible

1.8L 4 Cylinder High Output Gasoline Fuel

Manual

SCCPC11185HL30365

Rear Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Air Conditioning

I've had this Lotus Elise since 2008, what a fun car to drive! Attracts A LOT of attention, most people seem to think it's a $100K+ vehicle and are shocked to find out it retailed new for $42,990. This car has less than 14K miles on it, barely broken in with Toyota's bullet-proof 2ZZ-GE 1.8-liter 16-valve four, the same dohc unit found in the Celica GT-S. Thanks to the revised engine management, VVTL-i actuation (Toyota's variable valve timing and lift) hits at 6200 rpm (vs. the Celica's 6400 rpm), meaning you don't have to wait quite so long for the engine to reach the high-speed cam. As revs climb and the VVTL-i kicks in, the Elise reacts with an immediate burst of energy accompanied by a more vocal response from the intake and exhaust. Acceleration increases dramatically as well, jumping from Mazda RX-8 levels to Porsche 911 GT3 territory in just a few hundred revs. A shift light signals the approach of redline (8000 rpm), however, the ECU allows brief runs to 8500 rpm for 1.5 seconds or less. Driven this way, 0-60 mph takes just 4.7 sec. and the quarter mile is dispatched in 13.4 sec. at 101.4 mph. Top speed is equally impressive, arriving just a few ticks shy of 150 mph. Nice as the powertrain is, however, the heart of the Elise (or more accurately, its backbone) is its aluminum space-frame chassis. Constructed of ultra-light extrusions that are bonded together rather than welded, Lotus engineers have created a compact, mid-engine platform that's as light (150 lb.) as it is rigid. Add to that a fully independent double-wishbone suspension with legendary Lotus tuning, and the result is a telepathically responsive chassis that at the same time manages to be surprisingly compliant. The Good:Mechanically soundSport package wheelsleather seatspower windowspower locksDrives perfectoil and coolant were just changed, using Castrol Synthetic.clear title, no liens.low miles The Bad:Very bottom center of front bumper is scraped (see picture)there is a 2in. diameter scrape on the right rear corner of the body, also causing part of the 3M starshield to peel off.. (see picture)AC needs chargedcould use a new set of tiresYou will constantly get stopped by people wanting to talk about the car or take picturesVehicle hit a curb in 2009, repaired ( this was a low speed hit, still has a clear title, structure remained intact details below:Insurance company - USAA POLICY NUMBER - 02435 27 35G 7101 5 EFFECTIVE DATE - 12/11/08 DATE OF LOSS - 3/7/09 TYPE OF LOSS - COLLISION POINT OF IMPACT - FRONT LOSS LOCATION - NEW ORLEANS, LA NET CLAIM: $2,990.77 REPLACED FRONT RIGHT WHEEL, ALLOY...............$993.96 REPLACED FRONT RIGHT TIRE.......................$219.00 REPLACED FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM..........$456.93 REPLACED FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT...........$60.47 FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT............................$79.95 RIGHT HEADLIGHT.................................$64.88 LIGHT SEAL......................................$14.95 BLEND/SPOT REFINISH - DAMAGE FRONT LOWER TOTAL: $2,771.00 REF NO. - 24352735-7101-1-9999 MAKE - LOTUSMODEL - ELISEBODY TYPE - COUPEVIN - SCCPC11185HL30365YEAR - 2005DUAL MIRRORSPOWER BRAKESAM/FM RADIOCD PLAYERALUMINUM/ALLOY WHEELSCLEAR COAT PAINTPOWER WINDOWSBUCKET SEATSPOWER LOCKSSTEREO6 SPD TRANSMISSIONALARM - COBRA SYSTEM 8186INSTALLING ENGINEER: LOTUS CARS LTDENGINEER'S CERTIFICATE NO. - 2022DBDATE OF INSTALLATION - 8/19/04