Turn Heads with This 2005 Lotus Elise
Here’s a ride that could arguably stop traffic just by being its sleek self—a 2005 Lotus Elise. Born and bred in California since day one, this little beauty has clocked 36k miles, with 27k of those joy-filled trips driven by its current owner, who snagged it from the original owner in December 2007. Draped in a coat of Phantom Black over black leather, this heart-thumper is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-four engine, seamlessly married to a six-speed manual transaxle. That’s gear-shifting bliss, folks!
The Specs and Accessories
Let’s talk features. You’re looking at:
- 16″ and 17″ eight-spoke alloy wheels ready to grip the road.
- A removable soft top to let the sunshine in or keep things cozy under wraps.
- A Blaupunkt stereo for your beats on the go.
- Chilly air conditioning to keep your cool through California’s endless summer.
And to top it off? This baby comes complete with service records, a car cover, and a clean-as-a-whistle Carfax report, all tied up with a pristine California title in the owner’s name.
Picture This
Imagine a Phantom Black finish, glinting under the sun, accentuated by a removable soft top that says, “Go ahead, I dare you to open me.” There’s dual exhaust outlets that promise everything you’d expect from a car this audacious, complete with a rear spoiler that casually flaunts its cool. Just a heads-up, though—a fender bender back in June 2013 did lead to some nip and tuck work: a door swap, hood repair, and a paint touch-up on the left side. But who doesn’t have a past?
Wheels and Brakes
Talk about rolling in style. The car boasts 16″ and 17″ eight-spoke alloy wheels sporting Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tires. Brakes? They’re ventilated, cross-drilled discs coupled with AP Racing and Brembo calipers. The brake fluid got a fresh start in January 2023, so you’re set for a smooth stop.
Inside Scoop
Step inside and get cozy with black leather seats, your loyal companions on the road. Equipped to entertain, the car offers a Blaupunkt stereo, power windows that glide open with ease, much-needed air conditioning, and a convenient storage net. The sellers even threw in a brake pedal extender for that extra reach and opted out of the immobilizer system—for once, feeling less is indeed more.
The Heartbeat
Under the hood, you’ve got a Toyota-sourced, transverse 1.8-liter 2ZZ-GE inline-four engine. It roars out 190 horses and 133 lb-ft of torque—numbers that, quite frankly, feel more like promises for an exhilarating drive than digits on a page.
Control and Comfort
Wrap your hands around the leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel that proudly frames a 160-mph speedometer and a fiery 10k-rpm tachometer. Admittedly, the airbag cover has seen better days, sporting a few scratches, but hey, that’s character, right? The digital odometer confirms 36k total miles so far on this journey.
The Final Drive
Sending all that power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transaxle, this ride isn’t just about talking the talk. FYI, a bit of tape has found its way under the front bumper cover, but that’s just a small price for such charisma.
And let’s not forget, the Carfax report is devoid of any dark past or dents of disrepute. Clean, mean, and ready to be seen—this Lotus Elise awaits its next lucky owner, promising drives that overflow with joy and just a dash of envy from passersby.
Fun Fact: The Lotus Elise was named after Elisa, the granddaughter of Romano Artioli, who was chairman of Lotus and Bugatti at the time.