Lotus Elise

1996 to 2001 · Convertible

Over the past 12 months, 5 have sold publicly at a median of $21,674. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $44,900. Across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $16,568 to $78,888, depending on mileage, color, and history.

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Shifty Estimate

$44,900

Medium confidence · $26K to $77K

Median · 12 mo: $21,674
Sales · 12 mo: 5

Enthusiast

Sold$78,888 · Bring a Trailer · Oct 2026

The market

Every recorded 1996 Lotus Elise sale, by date and price

Oct 2026 · Collecting Cars

$20,064 · 62,493 mi

See this car

Sold Bid to, not sold

12 sales · 6 unsoldmedian $22kupdated Oct 2026

Community

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Latest results

The newest 1996 Lotus Elise sales with photographs

Sold $21,674

£16,000

1999 · New Aluminum · 46,000 mi

Sep 8, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

UK sales of this model ran 29% below US sales over 3 years.

Sold $27,000

1998 · Silver · 71,800 mi

Dec 18, 2025 · Cars & Bids

Sold $71,777

2000 · Gray · 3,200 mi

May 21, 2025 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $25,000

1999 · Green · 100,000 mi

Mar 10, 2025 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $29,111

1999 · Azure Blue Metallic · 24,200 mi

Jul 8, 2024 · Cars & Bids

Sold $27,000

1998 · Azure Blue · 78,800 mi

Mar 14, 2024 · Cars & Bids

Every S1

Sold prices, last 12 months · Oct 23, 2026

Every S1. Sold prices, last 12 months · Oct 23, 2026
	Elise1996 to 2001	111S1999 to 2000	Sport 1901998 to 1999
Shifty Estimate	$44,900	$27,100Low confidence	$39,100Low confidence
Sold median	$21,6745 sales	$27,0783 sales	Too few sales to call1 sale
12-month move	Too few sales to call	Too few sales to call	Too few sales to call
For sale	None	None	None

Other Elise generations

Specifications

Engine: Inline-4, 1.8L
Power: 118 hp
Torque: 122 lb-ft
0 to 60: 5.8 s
Top speed: 126 mph
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: RWD
Designer: Julian Thomson

Common questions

How much does a Lotus Elise cost?

What is a 1996 Lotus Elise worth today?

The Shifty Estimate is $44,900. That sits above the $21,674 median of actual sales because the median counts every car that sold, including high-mileage examples, while the estimate describes a clean, low-mileage one bought today. We rate confidence medium: 5 public sales in a year is a thin market, and the spread between them is wide.

How many Lotus Elise have sold?

Shifty has 12 public sales of the Lotus Elise on file. The earliest was on May 18, 2023.

What is the most expensive Lotus Elise sold?

The highest public sale on file is $78,888, on Oct 3, 2026, with 4,500 mi.

What has a Lotus Elise sold for at auction?

The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:

$20,064Oct 22, 202662,493 mi
$78,888Oct 3, 2026Silver and black · 4,500 mi
$21,674Sep 8, 2026New Aluminum · 46,000 mi

About the 1996 Lotus Elise

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.