Some Sorting Required: 1991 Lotus Elan M100

The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995.  The Elan was later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan was a pretty design and it used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  By all accounts it was one of the best handling front drive cars ever built...but it just seems wrong to suffer power-on understeer in a Lotus! Regardless, I find myself inexplicably attracted to the little two seater in red.  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 here on eBay with zero bids and starting bid of $4500 in Citrus Heights, CA with 2 days to go.

Love Solving Puzzles? 1991 Lotus Elan M100 SE

A challenge...you say? The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995...and later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  The only problem with this next example is when the seller states: "Will need someone who is handy and loves hunting for parts, solving puzzles." Yikes! Or sweet!  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 SE offered for $6,200 in Castro Valley, OR via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Relatively Complete: 1966 Lotus Elan S2

Most of the automobiles features on these pages are inexpensive classics or late model maniac machines...with an emphasis on cars you can drive and enjoy on the cheap for years on end.  However...there are sometimes cars that cross our path that offer a combination of exclusivity and cool factor at an economy car entry price...BUT you might need to put thousands of dollars and hours into a restoration. Ehh...what else are you gonna do with your weekends? Find this 1966 Lotus Elan S2 offered for $18,500 in Worcester, MA via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1966 Lotus Elan S2

Find this 1966 Lotus Elan S2 here on eBay bidding for $14,100 reserve-not-met with auction ending Friday at 11:32AM Pacific.

35 Year Owned: 1965 Lotus Elan S2

The original Lotus Elan is one of those classics that on paper should be extremely expensive, but is actually not that expensive.  You won't find them for the price of a Datsun SP311, but for a European classic with low production numbers, nimble chassis, twin-cam engine, and Colin Chapman seal of approval -- they are cheap.  Dirt cheap when compared to a big Healey or Porsche 911...and while you might claim it can't compete with those 6-cylinder powered cars, you might have forgotten about the 1500 lb curb weight.  Find this 1965 Lotus Elan S2 here on eBay bidding for $18,700 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Fulshear, TX.

Kía de Muertos: 1991 Lotus Elan M100

I love it when a plan comes together -- John “Hannibal” Smith.  I love it when a man comes with pepper --Hannibal Lecter.  Today's competing themes of All Souls' Day and Día de Muertos will now be brought together in perfect harmony with this next feature...find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 here on eBay bidding for $1,999 with a few hours to go located in Colorado Springs, CO.

15k: Almost A Lotus: 1997 Kia Elan M100

 The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995...and later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  Find this 1997 Lotus Kia Elan M100 offered for $17,900 CAD ($14,061 USD at time of printing) in Walkerton, ON, Canada via kijiji.ca.  Tip from Gianni.

10k: Cool Blue: 1970 Lotus Elan +2

The Lotus Elan +2 was a long wheelbase coupe-only version of the lightweight Elan and added back seats in exchange for a few pounds of extra mass.  The Elan +2 still kept with Colin Chapman's mantra of simplify and add lightness, but it had room for two small children in the back.  The Elan was commercially very successful for a Lotus and sold more than 17,000 units over its 8 year lifespan, with about 5,000 of them the +2 version.  The number that remain on the road today is quite limited and to find one this condition for the current bidding price is unusual and a great buy.  Find this 1970 Lotus Elan +2 for sale in Granite Falls, WA currently bidding on ebay for $8,600 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.

10k: Fun Until Your Friends Find Out: 1991 Lotus Elan Turbo

Owning the best front wheel drive car ever built is a somewhat dubious honor that you may want to hide from your gearhead buddies.  It is like dating a well done post-op transexual female, sure it's gorgeous and fun to ride, but you don't want to let your friends know what evil lurks between the shock towers.  In the case of the Lotus, it is an Isuzu 4-banger powering the front wheels - heinous stuff indeed, born from a time when Isuzu was putting "Handling by Lotus" badges on its own cars.  The truth is that Lotus Cars, a small firm in Norwich, UK, just didn't have the resources to build an entire vehicle so they used badge prostitution, legacy-for-hire and parts bingineering to build the first and only front drive Lotus.  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan Turbo for sale in Baltimore, MD for $10,500 via craigslist.

15k: Locost: 1965 Lotus Elan Series 1.5

The original 1960s Lotus Elan is a highly collectable roadster and normally can't be found anywhere near DT prices, unless its been in a few accidents, leaks oil like a teenager's face and needs regular 'fiddling' to keep it running.  Find this 1965 Lotus Elan series 1.5 for sale in Des Plaines, IL currently bidding on ebay for $14,009 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go.

Update: Car failed to meet reserve just above $15k.