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- Exterior
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- Chassis # SCCPC11146HL30221
- Engine # N/A
- A One-Owner Example
- 9,947 Miles From New
- Offered With Service Records, Clean CarFax, and 2-Tops
- Attractive Arctic Silver Metallic Over Black
The Overview
“Less is more” Colin Chapman’s mantra from the beginning years of Lotus through to the present day. Lotus has stuck to their basic formula of using the power-to-weight ratio to their benefit, and with much success. The lineage of one and two-seat Lotus sports cars is long and historically significant with seemingly countless notable motorsport achievements and track records. Despite a history of financial woes and setbacks, Lotus remains as one of the few race-derived brands from the 1950s still toppling records, and developing stripped-down racecars for the street. The Lotus Elise is no different, abiding by Chapman’s formula as a 1,984 pound, 190 hp track machine meant to shock drivers with its blistering cornering performance.
Production of the Elise began in 1996 and extends through present day remaining as a flagship car for the Lotus brand. It was not until 2005 that the Elise Series II made its way to the United States (Also known as the “Federal Elise”) where it received largely positive reviews by the major sports car Magazines. Its low center of gravity, nimbleness, and responsive power coupled with sparse amenities and questionable ergonomics make it a true driver’s car. With a 1.8L 4-cylinder Toyota sourced engine, the Federal Elise is also reliable with a 0-60 time of approximately 4.9 seconds. Plenty fast for spirited back road stints and track days. It lays down useable power for a perfect balance of speed, cornering capabilities, and stiffness giving the driver confidence in any adverse driving situation. It is one of those driving platforms where everything is in the right place to maximize your abilities as a driver without having useless power to scare oneself. Being such a user-friendly car does come with its downfalls. Many of these cars have been modified, abused, and have had many careless owners. It is extremely difficult to find a low mileage example that was not subjected to the harsh treatment of past owners.
This brings us to the example on offer here today- A one-owner, 2006 Lotus Elise with 9,947 miles from new. Chassis # SCCPC11146HL30221 is finished in Arctic Silver Metallic with Black interior. The maintenance booklet has its first recorded entry on November 8th 2005 from Rothrock Chevrolet Lotus in Springfield, Pennsylvania when it was brand new. The booklet was stamped consistently after regular service until 6,551 miles in October of 2012. Further service records from 2013 until present show a consistent history of maintenance at specialty shops with a more significant service done in 2013, which included an aluminum radiator upgrade for better cooling. These records and a copy of the clean CarFax are viewable by clicking the “View Documents” tab. The original Husband and wife owners have used it sparingly and carefully, which is why it presents today as a highly original, virtually blemish-free example. Included in the sale are two complete sets of keys/fobs, two additional fobs still in the wrapper, service records, both hard and soft tops, along with manuals.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The Arctic Silver Metallic paint is very consistent, maintaining an excellent shine with no visible signs of paintwork that we could detect. Given that it has always been garaged and taken care of, the paint shows as such. The body is straight with no significant dents or dings to be noted. The panel fitment is excellent for a Lotus of this vintage and all shut gaps are great. The door jams present as they should with factory finishes, stickers and markings throughout.
glass and trim
The glass remains clean, clear, and all original with no cracks or scratches. The windshield is also crack and chip-free minus a few very small virtually in detectable speckles. The headlights, marker lights, and taillights are all clear and present as nearly new. All of the rubber trim is supple with no dry rot or significant fading to be found. The plastic trim is also excellent with no fading or cracks that we have found
wheels
All of the wheels are virtually blemish-free. One of our photos depicts what looks like a scratch on the passenger side front wheel which is just old polishing compound.
notable flaws
There are some scuffs on the underside of the front bumper that we have noticed and have also captured in our photo set. There is also a very small nick on the passenger side rear quarter panel though hardly noticeable. The biggest eyesore would have to be the front 3M clear bra which is original and has aged. In our opinion, it should be removed and replaced.
interior
seats and surfaces
The bucket style racing seats are original and in excellent condition as is the rest of the interior. It presents as a car with slightly lower mileage than what is indicated on the odometer. All of the plastic surfaces and finishes present very nicely without any notable flaws.
functionality and accessories
Everything in the interior appears to function exactly as it should, with no issues to note. The windows move up and down with ease, the doors open and close lightly, and all the switches, buttons, and knobs appear in great cosmetic and mechanical condition.
notable flaws
The door still shows some scuffs from driver’s getting in and out as is typical with these cars that have a large sill. There are also some minor signs of use in the foot wells.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is in tidy, original condition with no signs of having ever been modified. Everything is correct albeit a bit dirty from use. Factory stickers and markings throughout the compartment and painted surfaces are clean and straight with excellent color. All hoses, tubes, wire, etc. look well kept and tidy with no old or frayed components present.
trunk area
The trunk area is clean and presents as new with no notable issues besides not having enough room to anything besides a briefcase!
Underside
The underside reflects that of a car with 9,000 miles and is all original with no notable flaws or issues. It is a bit dirty and could be cleaned up with a steam cleaning if you so desire. All of the factory finishes, markings, and seam sealer are present.
mechanicals
engine
This Elise has always been maintained and driven carefully by its original owners. The engine immediately starts and settles to a smooth, appropriate idle. It revs freely producing the power that it should while delivering a glorious exhaust note as you reach the high rev range. It has consistently smooth acceleration with no issue to note.
transmission
The transmission shifts smoothly with no grinding gears. The clutch operates as it should and appears to have a lot of life left.
brakes and suspension
The brakes bring the car to a smooth and controlled stop with no issue to note. The suspension feels tight and compliant, again with no issues to note.
tires
The tires are supple and look to have about 60-70% of tread life left and were replaced on a couple of years ago during a service. The Yokohama Advan Tires are 225/45 R17 in the rear and 175/55 R16 in the fronts. They are the correct style per Lotus's replacement recommendation.
driving experience
Weighing just 1,984 pounds and having just under 200 hp, the Elise is a dream to drive even in normal driving conditions it is useable. It feels fast, nimble, and ready to attack each and every corner it encounters. It gives the driver confidence at speed and remains as one of the few analog driving experiences left in modern time.