A few individuals harbor a rather cynical belief that Lotus stands for “Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.” However, the company has indeed produced some dependable and competent vehicles, including this 1991 Elan SE. This car is a solid survivor that presents well and is a turnkey proposition. Its rarity makes it worth a closer look for those seeking a British sports car with a modern feel. The seller has listed the Elan on eBay in Miami, Florida. The bidding is currently below the reserve price of $3,450, but the strong interest generated suggests that the action may intensify in the final hours of the auction.

The Elan badge returned to the Lotus model range in 1989 after a fourteen-year absence. It continued the Elan design philosophy as a relatively lightweight two-seat sports car, although with significantly more modern styling. This Elan SE left the Norfolk factory in 1991, ordered by its first owner in dazzling Calypso Red. The seller describes the paint condition as 9/10, and the listing images seem to back that up. The exterior shines beautifully, the panels are laser-straight, and the plastic hasn’t warped or buckled due to age or UV exposure. Crucially, this classic is rust-free and as solid as the day it left the showroom floor. The contrasting Black soft-top fits well, though the back window appears to be slightly cloudy. The remaining glass is clear, and this Lotus retains its original OZ Racing alloy wheels.

The original Elan represented a bare-bones motoring experience, reflecting the Chapman mantra, “simplify, then add lightness.” Such isn’t the case with this 1992 Elan SE. The buyer receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, leather trim, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. This interior presents well for its age. The driver’s seat shows minor wear on the outer bolster, but I believe a leather specialist could address the issue for a few dollars. The dash and plastic are in good condition, as is the carpet. It is unlikely to score any show trophies, but it won’t embarrass the buyer if they hit the road with the top down.

What makes the M100 Elan unusual is that it remains the only Lotus model produced with front-wheel drive. This represented a more modern approach than that taken with its predecessor, but was also one reason why the badge failed to meet sales expectations. Buyers believed that sports cars should send their engine power to the rear, and the release of the Mazda MX-5 with a more traditional drivetrain undoubtedly poached sales from Lotus. This isn’t to say that the Elan was a bad thing. By tweaking its Isuzu-sourced 1.6-liter DOHC four and adding a turbocharger, the Elan churned out a fairly impressive 162hp. Power is fed to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle, with power steering and four-wheel power brakes standard. Lotus invested considerable time and effort into suspension tuning, and contemporary road tests consistently praised the handling as exceptional for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The seller confirms that this Lotus is a turnkey proposition, ready to hit the road with its new owner behind the wheel.

It is often said that timing is everything, and it is fair to say that the release of the Lotus Elan SE in 1989 proved to be the wrong car at the wrong time. It immediately faced competition from the Mazda MX-5, a vehicle that harkened back to the original Elan’s design philosophy. While Mazda struggled to meet buyer demand, Lotus only produced 3,855 examples of the M100 Elan between 1989 and 1992. Of those, a mere 559 made their way to North America. That makes this a relatively rare beast, though it doesn’t necessarily translate into a high market value. Recent successful sales suggest that a reserve of around $15,000 would be realistic, although a lower figure is possible. This car presents well, has no apparent needs, and is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel. Is that enough for you to consider pursuing it further?