2001 Lotus Elise

First registered on the 18th of September 2001 and showing just four previous keepers, this uncommonly well-maintained Elise is finished in a subtle metallic blue and is fitted with a matching blue and black, leather ‘n’ Alcantara interior. It has also been the recipient of a lot of important mechanical work and upgrades in the last few years. 

In need of only some cosmetic refurbishing to the coachwork, this example would be ideal for anyone looking for a well-fettled track car to enjoy, one that would free them of the worry of picking up the inevitable stonechips that are part-and-parcel of high-speed track life.

Being offered with a very sensible reserve, this is an Elise you can buy with your head and your heart, confident that you should be able to add value with every job you tick off your (short) To Do list.

The light blue metallic coachwork suits the car’s lines beautifully; the Elise is a classic design and this, along with that huge rear spoiler, gives the little Lotus a muscularity that some lack. We love the way it looks, and the panel alignment and shutlines hint at a life well lived.

As does the minimalistic blue fabric roof, which is in great shape. As weathertight and well fitting as any we’ve seen, it’s a much more practical proposition that that of the early cars.

The six-spoke alloy wheels are in great shape as well, and they’re fitted with matching 225/45R17 Yokohama tyres on the rear and 175/55R16 on the front. As you can see in photo #100, only one is very lightly scuffed.

More importantly, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

That said, it’s not perfect. The lacquer is peeling in some places and there are quite a few stonechips to the front end. There are also some scuffs to the rear air intakes (#8), some light cracking to the offside door opening (#31), the nearside corner of the front valance (#53), and there are small horizontal cracks to the front clamshell (#124) and one air intake (#164).

Still, because rust isn’t an issue you’ll be free to ignore them until you have the money in the bank to pay someone to sort it out for you.

The blue and black leather and Alcantara interior is pretty good. With only light bobbling to the Alcantara seat centres, there’s a distinct absence of the sort of scuffs, tears and other damage that betray a series of careless owners.

Minimally padded and more supportive than carbon fibre jockstrap, they’re actually much more comfortable than they look despite weighing the same as an empty crisp packet.

There isn’t much more in there, of course. An Alcantara-clad dashtop minimises reflections while a modern Kenwood DAB/Bluetooth radio adds a welcome touch of modernity. Apart of that there is a steering wheel, a gear lever and a handbrake. Alloy door furniture and pedals, too. But really, what else do you need?

Problems seem to be limited to a rattle from behind the door trim when the offside window is lowered. It disappears when the window is raised, so shouldn’t be too difficult to eradicate it if that sort of thing bothers you.

Oh, and both sill covers are cracked. But that’s not a bad list, is it?

The car’s service history is impressive, and is recorded thus:

• 07.09.2002 and 6,526 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 02.03.2006 and 9,743 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 12.02.2007 and 18,070 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 22.01.2008 and 22,600 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 02.02.2009 and 27,747 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 15.06.2009 and 28,677 miles – service by JCT600 Brooklands of Leeds

• 12.08.2010 and 36,928 miles – service by Lotus Bristol

• 10.08.2011 and 44,528 miles – service by JR Auto Solutions, an independent Lotus specialist

• 11.07.2012 and 48,829 miles – service by JR Auto Solutions, an independent Lotus specialist

• 18.10.2013 and 57,710 miles – service by JR Auto Solutions, an independent Lotus specialist

• 18.08.2015 and 66,605 miles – service by JR Auto Solutions, an independent Lotus specialist

Importantly, the engine was fitted with the upgraded head gasket in 2012, which should forestall any problems in the future. Just as crucially, the invoices in the history file show that that TLC came using quality parts like EBC brake discs and Greenstuff pads, NGK Platinum spark plugs, Mobil synthetic engine oil, and genuine Lotus oil filters.

It also had a new clutch kit fitted in 2016, a set of rear Bilstein springs and dampers in 2018, a fuel system service in 2019, and new front and rear discs and pads plus a new cambelt, water pump, and Piper hydraulic cam followers in 2020.

The Elise tends to attract engineering types who appreciate the importance of regular servicing using high-quality parts and this is no exception. As a result, it not only starts and ticks over as it should – please take a look at the video to see it in action for yourselves - it also drives as brilliantly as you’d expect.

The engine bay is pretty clean, and the hard wiring is in place for a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.

The steel components underneath are a little crusty but stripping them down and refurbishing them would be a wonderful way to pass next winter, wouldn’t it?

We’re also impressed by the extensive red sealant that’s still present. Applied by the factory when the car was being built, it’s continued presence is reassuring.

The Elise’s MOT certificate is valid until April 2022. It gathered just two advisory points, one for having an undertray fitted (duh…) and the other for having a corroded offside rear brake pipe. That this was the extent of the concerns speaks volumes as to how well it has been looked after.

As you can see it comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a hefty sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years. It also still has its original owner’s handbook, the well-stamped maintenance record booklet, and the soft storage wallet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Elise is revered like few others, flattering a mediocre driver and rewarding the talented in a way that only a Lotus does.

And yet, there are an awful lot of dogs out there, cars that limp from MOT to MOT and being run on a shoestring by folk who neither appreciate or understand them.

This is not one of those cars. Very well maintained and repaired over the years, it’s had the right money spent on the right products and been worked on by the right people.

But, it is a little scruffy outside, which is actually good news if you’re looking for a car to drive and enjoy rather than polish and show because it’ll keep the price down.

How low? Well, we think the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £14,000 and £19,000, which is spectacular value for such a well maintained Elise.

Inspection is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.