Lotus has been selling new cars in America since the ’50s, so one might imagine that it can’t be that hard to come by used Lotus cars. But, as a niche manufacturer of lightweight sports cars, Lotuses are an indulgence bought for the thrill of driving and racing, not for any practical purpose, so they sell in small numbers. Founder Colin Chapman famously said, “Simplify, then add lightness” and Lotuses have stuck with that philosophy ever since. If you love the type of driving experience that can only be provided by this type of car and you want to buy a Lotus near you, it might seem like an impossible task because there are simply so few Lotus used cars to buy in the USA at any given moment. And even if you find a second-hand Lotus near you, there might not be a Lotus dealership near you where you can have your car serviced. With dealerships in less than half of US states, this must factor into your buying decision. Because of their rarity, finding a cheap Lotus second-hand for a few thousand dollars is very unlikely. Still, it’s easiest to look for and buy Lotus cars online.
The research part of the shopping process is easy to do on the internet, as well as tracking down the currently available cars. If you’re looking for recent models, read CarBuzz’s Lotus reviews for more information and to see their BuzzScore ratings. The next part of the process is to shop for the actual car and for this, you can use our used-cars search page. Make sure you set the search radius to nationwide, because there are so few Lotuses available that you will want to see them all. You can sort them from cheapest or most expensive, or by year or mileage. Our Fair Deal rating scale will give you an indication of whether the price being asked for each advertised car is fair or not. However, many things influence the prices of old Lotus cars, and rare, collectible ones will certainly not be cheap.
Over the years, Lotuses have used engines from various manufacturers, including Rover, Toyota, and Ford. The 2005 Lotus Elise stands out with many customer complaints regarding engine overheating and failing cooling hoses. Many 2006 models suffered the same fate. Check any model you are considering for recall information on the NHTSA’s website and make sure all recall work has been carried out. One of the most recalled Lotus models was the 1997 and 1998 Esprit, which suffered from faulty seatbelts and cracked wheels. When you test drive an old Lotus, take a knowledgeable mechanic who knows Lotus cars along to thoroughly check the car out with you. Request a full vehicle history report and service record.
The available fuel types are:
Model | Deals | Starting Price | Average Price |
---|---|---|---|
Lotus Elise | 9 | ||
Lotus Evora 400 | 3 | $69,998 | $73,949 |
Lotus Evora | 16 | $52,900 | $62,262 |
Lotus Evora GT | 11 | $92,990 | $104,496 |
Lotus Exige | 1 | ||
Lotus Esprit | 2 | $99,900 | $99,900 |