✦ Shifty Estimate
$28,400
- all time median
- $28K
- Sales, all time
- 8
Track this car in the app
Get its live Shifty Estimate, price alerts, and every sale on your phone.
1996 Lotus Elise
1996 to 2001 · Convertible
Price history
Recent sales
.jpg?t=171907334173)
.jpg?t=170917894777)
More sales on file
The full sale history lives in the app.
Every sale for this exact market, with the chassis behind each number. Drop your email and you are first in.
Specifications
- Engine
- Inline-4, 1.8L
- Power
- 118 hp
- Torque
- 122 lb-ft
- 0 to 60
- 5.8s
- Top speed
- 126 mph
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Designer
- Julian Thomson
Common questions
How much does a Lotus Elise cost?
Across every sale we have on file, 8 have sold publicly at a median of $28,056. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $28,400. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $24,140 to $62,822, depending on mileage, color, and history.
What is a 1996 Lotus Elise worth today?
The Shifty Estimate is $28,400. We rate confidence medium: 8 public sales in a year is a thin market, and the spread between them is wide.
What has a Lotus Elise sold for at auction?
The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:
- $27,000Dec 18, 2025Silver · 71,800 mi
- $71,777May 21, 2025Gray · 3,200 mi
- $25,000Mar 10, 2025Green · 100,000 mi
The original Elise marked Lotus's triumphant return to its core philosophy: add lightness. Weighing just 1,588 pounds, this mid-engine marvel proved that Colin Chapman's ethos still had relevance in the modern era. The extruded aluminum chassis, bonded and riveted rather than welded, created exceptional rigidity while keeping weight minimal. Power came from Rover's K-series 1.8-liter four-cylinder producing 118 hp—modest on paper, but transformative in practice thanks to the car's featherweight construction. The result was 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and handling that redefined what a sports car could be. With only 21,000 built across all variants during this generation, early Elises have become increasingly sought after. Clean examples command strong prices, particularly Series 1 cars with their distinctive headlights and purist appeal. The Elise didn't just save Lotus—it reminded the world why lightweight, driver-focused sports cars matter.