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!
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.
The Lotus 7 epitomized Colin Chapman's philosophy of high performance through low weight and simplicity. The original 7 was produced by Lotus from 1957 through 1972. A cottage industry of 7 clones sprung up after production ended and exists to this day. Very few of these clones are the same as the builders can be very opportunistic with the donor car parts used and drivetrains selected. Today's Locost example is powered by a 2003 Yamaha R1 motorcycle engine backed up by a 6 speed sequential gearbox. Find this 2007 Locost 7 for sale in Middlefield, CT for $10,000 via craigslist. 
Take a look at this 1963 Lotus Super Seven Series 2 here on eBay bidding for $14,100 with auction ending Wednesday at 12PM Pacific. 
Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman left the corporate world behind in 1952 to build kit cars with his mates in a shed behind his house. He probably never expected that his second creation, the Seven would live on into 2015 and beyond after selling the rights to it to Caterham in 1973. The last hurrah of the Seven as a real Lotus was the "Super Seven" or Series 4. Find this 1972 Lotus 7 Series 4 for sale in Granite Falls, WA for $17,500 via craigslist.
What do you get when you combine a '58 Triumph title, a custom frame, a Ford Pinto 2.3 liter 4-banger, and finish it to look vaguely like a Lotus Seven? I don't know, but it sure seems like a steal at this price. Find this "1958 Triumph" Custom with Ford Power offered for $3,500 near Columbus, OH via craigslist. Tip from Justin.
"Don't look in the box," he says. But the UPS truck just left and that custom oil cooler isn't going to install itself. Such is the life of building a car from scratch to satisfy your lust for driving fast. For $15,000 you get a 2.0-liter Duratec engine mated to an NC Miata 5-speed and an NB Miata Torsen differential inside a hand-constructed chassis. DeteeeecTIVE! You're looking for this Locost.
The cost to build one of many available Lotus/Caterham Seven style kit cars can be prohibitive to the budget tinkerer, and finding one that is already assembled is typically the way to go. The market is better in the British Isles where used examples in various shape are offered for pence on the original pound. This next St Patrick's day special is an undisclosed model year Raw Striker kit car offered for €4,995 euros ($6,946 USD at time of printing) in Ireland via Irish Kit Car Club forums. 
In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, ostensibly written by William Shakespeare (who are we kidding, we all know that Shakespeare didn't write all those plays, it was Christopher Marlow, Earl of Oxford) there are two feuding Italian families, the Montagues and the Capulets. If a modern day version of Romeo and Juliet was created with a Fast & Furious tilt, Mercutio better watch out because Tybalt is going to whoop him in some kind of drag/drift/stabbing event in today's feature. Find this 2011 Capulet Lotus Seven Kit
currently bidding for $7,700 in Hermosa Beach, CA with less than 1 day to go.
If you could build a car to the exact specifications of your brake fluid-soaked dreams, what would it be? Besides those of us afflicted with Volvo 1800ES-itis, most would pick something topless and lightweight, with a free-revving and highly responsive powerplant in a package a little different than the average Mustang. Find this 1962 (titled) CMC/Brunton/AE86 Corolla Lotus Seven replica for $11,000 in Philadelphia, PA. Words and tip from DT commenter & contributor slowcarSLOW-MPGlol. 