2007 Lotus Elise Review
2007 Lotus Elise Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+7
Used Elise for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight chassis, uninhibited steering, supercar performance without the supercar price, low volume ensures rarity, relatively high fuel economy.
Cons
- Spartan interior, difficult entry and exit, peaky power delivery, ride quality more Formula One than grand touring, limited dealer network.
What’s new
Changes on the 2007 Lotus Elise include redesigned headlamps and upgraded Alpine-sourced audio systems. The new stereos are still basic four-speaker units, but Lotus says the control layout is simpler, and the optional system has an iPod adapter and is satellite radio-ready.
Edmunds says
For those willing to put up with its heavily compromised utility and comfort, the 2007 Lotus Elise provides the most unfiltered driving experience of any roadster sold today.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2007 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$235/mo for Elise Base
Elise Base
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Ask any of your car geek friends to describe the Lotus Elise, and they'll tell you it's a sports car for purists, a racecar for the streets, the closest thing to a Formula car they've ever dreamt about driving. And as cliché and annoying as they'll sound, they'll be right on all counts. A two-seat roadster, the 2007 Lotus Elise is like no other two-seat roadster in the $40,000-$50,000 price range. For one thing, it's smaller, and with a sub-2,000-pound curb weight, it's anywhere from 1,000-2,000 pounds lighter than any conceivable competitor. Should you decide to buy an Elise, you won't waste time deciding which color leather upholstery best matches the paint or whether or not to get a navigation system. Instead, it will come down to how much you value air-conditioning (deleting it saves 22 pounds) and how firm you can stand the suspension calibrations. In short, this isn't a car for those seeking luxury amenities or commuting comfort. It's a highly focused performance car for people who just want to drive.
The Elise has been on sale in Europe since 1996, but European demand for the vehicle, along with stringent U.S. crash standards, kept it from coming here until the 2005 model year. Fitting all the federally mandated safety equipment added weight, of course, as did the installation of antilock brakes and a CD player -- basic amenities that Lotus knew even the most dedicated sports car fans in this country would be loath to do without. But don't look for stability control or power steering on this car. Lotus was willing to bend its "weight is the enemy" philosophy to suit American tastes, but the company refused to break it.
With minimal weight to push around, there's not a huge need for power. So even though the Elise has just a 1.8-liter, 190-horsepower four-cylinder engine, Lotus says it will sprint from zero to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. The real story about the Elise, though, is handling. Body roll is negligible, grip is exceptional and every subtle turn of the steering wheel has an immediate effect on the roadster's heading and attitude. This is a car that demands your undivided attention every second you're behind the wheel, but the reward is that it involves you in the process so directly you'd swear your fingers were touching asphalt.
There's no doubt the 2007 Lotus Elise is a special car. For the money, you're not going to find a more thrilling open-top driving experience in a new production car. Just be aware that this is a no-frills, racetrack-oriented machine. Even the Honda S2000, a car we've previously noted as being quite minimalist, seems rather posh in comparison. Those wanting a roadster that provides more day-to-day functionality than the Elise while still providing plenty of driving excitement will want to check out Porsche's Boxster or the aforementioned S2000.
Performance & mpg
Power for the Elise comes from a Yamaha-built, Toyota-badged 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Lotus fitted unique intake and exhaust components, as well as a reworked engine controller, to broaden the engine's power band and push peak hp to 190 at 7,800 rpm. Torque peaks at 138 pound-feet at 6,800 rpm. The four-wheel independent suspension system features Eibach springs and Bilstein monotube shocks. Lotus claims a 0-60-mph time of just 4.9 seconds. A limited-slip differential is optional.
Safety
Don't expect much more than federally mandated safety equipment on the 2007 Lotus Elise. An antilock brake system is included, but neither stability control nor side airbags are available. A traction control system is optional.
Driving
The Elise's non-power steering feels as natural as anything we've ever driven. Braking is handled by AP Racing two-piston calipers up front and Brembo single-piston calipers in back (11.5-inch rotors all around), and 60-0 braking distances under 110 feet are commonplace. Handling is nothing short of extraordinary. Not only does the Elise exhibit superb balance and grip through the turns, its exceptionally low curb weight allows it to react to driver inputs much faster than other cars. In addition, it transmits every ripple in the road to the driver's hands, feet and seat -- a quality that makes it highly engaging to drive on a back road or on the track, but taxing during highway travel.
Interior
Interior accommodations relay a clear sports car theme. Composite sport seats provide plenty of support, and controls are simple enough to keep your attention on the road. The wide door sills and low steering wheel require some fancy footwork when entering or exiting the vehicle. Additionally, thick-soled shoes are recommended, as an entire day of dancing on the bare steel pedals can be hard on the feet. Needless to say, the Elise's cockpit emphasizes driving above all else, as there are minimal comfort and storage features for long road trips.
2007 Lotus Elise models
The 2007 Lotus Elise is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, midengine roadster available in one trim level. The interior is understandably spartan, but must-haves like air-conditioning and a CD player are standard. (An A/C-delete option is available to save weight.) Several option packages offer a bit of customization: The Touring Pack includes leather seating, power windows, a stowage net, a double-insulated soft top, additional sound-deadening material and full carpeting. On top of that, you can add the Premium Pack, which provides leather trim on the shift knob and parking brake handle, an upgraded sound system with satellite radio capability and an iPod adapter, and a cupholder.
The Elise's standard wheel/tire arrangement specifies 16-inch alloys with 175/55R16 Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tires in front and 17s with 225/45R17 rubber in back. The optional Sport Pack features enhance the car's performance capabilities by swapping out the standard wheels for lightweight alloys, while fitting Yokohama A048 LTS tires (with wider 195/50R16 rubber in front) and a track-tuned suspension. For those who plan to use their Elise exclusively for racing, the Track Pack offers an even more aggressive setup with adjustable shock valving and antiroll bar stiffness. A hardtop is available as a stand-alone option.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2007 Lotus Elise.
5 star(87%)
4 star(6%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best Sports Car!
jhill, 01/21/2007
2006 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
I have been an owner of five Porsches over the past 14 years. I have driven a 968 convertible, '86 911 Carrera that had a race suspension and performance engine, '98 996 S w/turbo body, '03 997 turbo and a '06 Cayman S. All of these cars were amazing and unique, but the Lotus Elise is truly the ride I have been looking for. Yes it is not a Porsche uni-body design and it does lack … German engineering, but the feed back and handling is so much like a race car it is truly awesome! The light weight chassis design along with the independent suspension makes this vehicle very unique. For the driver that wants a sports car experience, Lotus is as close as you can get to driving a formula one.
5 out of 5 stars
Simply sublime
KH, 09/29/2006
2006 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
My first car ever purchased, and I would have it no other way. I test drove the Cayman, 911, Corvette (base, not Z06) and had a Z3 in college, but this car blows all of them away. After driving it, I knew I couldn't pass. I live and work in Malaysia, but was home in the US for 2 months over the summer and took that opportunity to purchase this car and drive from Houston to Chicago … overnight to drop it off with my family. 1000 miles in 15 hours was a breeze; I felt very little discomfort the entire trip. My only pain was from my left arm resting on the door sill for hours on end. But for the thrill of driving a car with this performance and still getting 28 mpg, the discomfort was worth it.
4.88 out of 5 stars
1st Month with My New Lotus Elise
Brian , 11/08/2006
2006 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
This is definitely a car for the person that likes to get noticed, and enjoys performance and handling. I bought a black Elise with a hard top and the neighbors thought I was driving the Batmobile. If you want a car that has a fun factor of 10+, it's a no brainer; however, it is a bit of a challenge to get in and out of, and if you're a large person, or over 60, I'd say, don't even try … to get in and out of it. Braking and acceleration are great. Love the exhaust sound as your driving. Beware, it's an attention getter! For people with large feet, it may pose a challenge to operate pedals, I have to wear certain shoes when I drive as the pedals are close together.
4.88 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Rush
CC, 10/12/2006
2006 Lotus Elise 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
This car is amazing, BMW calls their cars the "Ultimate Driving Machines" but this car truly is, no other car comes close. I bought this car to drive to and from the track, and on weekends. After owning a 1986 BMW 3-series track car, two highly modified VW GTI VR6's, a 2000 Audi S4 with over 400hp, and a 2003 Mini cooper S, and I currently own a 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe as a daily driver, … and I've driven several Porsche 911's, but the Lotus is bar-none the most exciting sportscar I've ever owned. I race shifter karts, and it seems like that's the only type of machine anyone will ever out-handle an Elise in! Plenty quick stock but Forcedfed 275 turbo kit is going in when the warranty runs out.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2007 Lotus Elise, so we've included reviews for other years of the Elise since its last redesign.
2007 Elise Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $46,270 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $235/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 4.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Elise include:
- Alarm
- Post-collision safety system
Related Used 2007 Lotus Elise info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota Venza 2015
- Used GMC Rally Wagon 2010
- Used Cadillac CTS-V Wagon 2013
- Used Lamborghini Urus 2019
- Used Hyundai Palisade 2020
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Cadillac XT5 News
- Audi Q4 Sportback E Tron
- 2023 SL-Class
- 2023 Dodge RAM 350
- 2025 GMC Canyon News
- 2023 Sierra 3500HD
- 2025 Kia Sedona News
- 2024 Land Rover Range Rover
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
- 2023 Polestar 2
Other models
- New Chevrolet Traverse for Sale in Beckley, WV
- New Acura MDX for Sale in Raleigh, NC
- New GMC Sierra-3500Hd for Sale in Troy, MO
- Used Bentley Continental-Gt-Speed-Convertible in Bayonne, NJ
- Used Chevrolet Cavalier in Queen Creek, AZ
- Used Hyundai XG350 in Bayville, NJ
- New Honda Accord for Sale in Gilroy, CA
- Used Chevrolet Trailblazer-Ext in Sebastian, FL
- Used Chevrolet Spark-Ev in Havelock, NC
- Used Volvo C40-Recharge in Oviedo, FL