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.

Social Distance Car: 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo S3

Before I pass on to the great junkyard in the sky, I want to own a supercar.  Not a "supercar" like a Honda Civic with a turbocharger and giant fart can exhaust, or a Fauxrari kit car that rides on Fiero suspension, but a legitimate supercar. Something that looks amazing, goes fast, turns heads, snaps necks, and costs a bunch of money to maintain. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are silly expensive but if you want the looks of a supercar and the budget of a classic British car...look for a Lotus. Find this 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo S3 offered for $19995 in Plano, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Distinguished Pedigree: 1971 Lotus Europa S2 Type 65

I don't like posting cars that are on the expensive end of the typical DT price range ($1-$20,000) but occasionally a car comes through that could be offed for $50k...if not today, then in a few years.  If this next car was a similar condition Porsche 911, Austin-Healey 3000, or Fastback Mustang it would certainly demand more money...but this car has all the class and is half the price.  Find this 1971 Lotus Europa S2 Type 65 offered for $19,500 near Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Dig Those Mirrors: 1970 Lotus Europa S2 RaceCar

This next car comes from Erik202 who writes: I know this one is slightly above the DT budget but maybe there are some readers who've been saving that Christmas money from grandma up for the last i dunno, 30-40 years and can to afford stretch a little for something cool. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $25000 in Westside Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Lotus 7 Clone: 1992 Westfield SEI

A legit '60s Lotus 7 will set you back something starting around 50 large...and the same goes for building your own brand new Caterham 7...but you can get the same open air light weight feeling of acceleration and danger at a fraction of that bucks with a used kit like this next thing. Find this 1992 Westfield SEI offered for $16,500 in Parkland, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Dual Overhead Cam Classic: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The C4 generation Corvette ZR1 was the result of a project between GM and Lotus Engineering, which resulted in a 375 horsepower DOHC V8 engine, big brakes, heavy duty suspension and active ride control.  It was really ahead of its time for a GM product from the early 1990s but a hefty price tag (twice the cost of a standard Vette at $60k) and special assembly plant limited production to 6900 units over 6 years.  Thankfully the magic of depreciation has dropped them into el cheapo territory and you can get one for the price of a 10 year old Camry.  Seriously. Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offered for $12,000 near Cincinnati, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Hayabusa Powered: 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy

I recently had the opportunity to ride in and drive a late model Caterham kit version of the Lotus 7 that was built by an insane friend and equipped with a 350 horsepower turbocharged GM Ecotech 4-cylinder and 6-speed.  Getting into the coffin-shaped passenger compartment was tricky, but acceleration was nothing short of psychotic. At the end of a 45 minute ride through curving coastal California blacktop I felt equal parts impressed, sun-burned, nauseated, and euphoric. I've driven some fast cars in my time (SLR McLaren, Z06 C7.R) but this was in its own league in orders of the level of excitement (and NVH) you experience on WOT in 2nd or 3rd gear...so I can only imagine that a Hayabusa 11,000 rpm powered version of the same car should similarly deliver a visceral gut punch of fun.  Find this 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy here on eBay offered for $22,800 buy-it-now located in Waxhaw, NC.

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.

Mid Engine Project: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

The Lotus Europa has always been a favorite car over around these here parts -- we DT writers love its lightweight composite chassis, mid engine high revving powerplant and cheap entry price.  Time has driven the nicer examples to higher prices, but you can still get nice cheap Europa for the price of a 911 rear bumper mounting flange and we think the Europa is sweet. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $7450 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

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.

The Thing From Another World: 1960s Lotus 7 Replica

This next car comes as a tip from Hugh who writes: What do you call a T-bucket roadster with a Jaguar XK engine and an automatic transmission? A lotus Seven of course! It's almost as strange as that desert boat pickup thing.  Maybe pickups that aren't pickups week?  I dunno...but this next car sure is a pick-me-up.  Find this 1960s Lotus 7 Replica offered for $19500 in Centerreach, NY via topclassiccarsforsale.com.

Spitfire Kit: 1960ish Lotus Seven Replica

Last I checked most of the Midwest was under about 30 feet of snow, so I'm not sure when these pictures were taken, but it looks like convertible season to me! Find this 1960ish Lotus Seven kit offered for $6750 in Hubbard, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Will Only Get More Expensive...Probably: 1969 Lotus Europa

A wise man once told me: A cheap exotic might just be the most expensive car you ever buy.  It may have been the cheap wine, the altitude, or the way his beard moved when he said it...but those words have stuck with me, and are particularly poignant in the context of this next feature.  And, unfortunately (or fortunately?), I share the same opinion as tipper Erik202 who writes: File this one under cars i should buy but won't but will probably wish i had in about 2 years. Anyway, instead of sitting on this  I'll share it with the DT faithful!  Find this 1969 Lotus Europa offered for $9500 CAD ($7162 USD at time of printing) located in Edmonton, AB via Kijiji.ca.

Lotus Power: 1973 Jensen-Healey

I stumbled upon a local Jensen Healey a few years back where the owner was asking a very low price and the car looked decent from the outside.  However, when I sat in the drivers seat I noticed the seat wasn't attached to the body anymore, the seat tracks having rusted out of the frame, and a moldy carpet was the only thing between me and the ground.  Naturally, I passed on that car, but if you want something that is slower and handles worse than a Miata in every possible way...but isn't a Miata...you could get one of these.  Find this 1973 Jensen Healey bidding here on eBay for $6,800 reserve-not-met with $10,850 buy-it-now located in Lebanon, TN.

BuY ThiS cAR oR eLSE: 1976 Lotus Elite

Have you ever sat in your driveway and looked at two cars and thought...what would it look like if I combined these two?  Yeah, me too.  And probably the designer of this next car..who clearly was inspired to combine the front end of a Triumph TR7 with rear end of an AMC Gremlin...which really isn't as bad as it sounds once you get the throw-up taste out of your mouth properly prepared...I suggest bourbon.  Find this 1976 Lotus Elite offered for $5000 somewhere near Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

Needs Fixin: 1969 Lotus Europa S2

The Europa was a sporty two seater built by Colin Chapman's Lotus Cars in Norfolk, UK.  Only 9300 of these high-butted gems were built between 1966-1975 and in today's world of overpriced junk (see Porsche 912 prices...ahem) the Europa is still surprisingly affordable as long as you avoid over priced examples for sale on various interweb auction sites. Find this 1969 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $12,500 CAD ($9,431 USD or 649,440 Indian Rupees) via Kijiji.ca. Tip from Erik202.

Supercar Red: 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo

Imagine you are a successful 50-something car fanatic and you've decided it is time for  your supercar. Do you buy an older Ferrari 355 for $50k or a newer Porsche 911...or do you save a pile of cash and pickup something more exclusive and far less douchey? Like this 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo offered for $19,500 in Des Plaines, IL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!