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United States market

Lotus Elise (S1)

1996–2001

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  • Lowest price

    US$35,361

    Since 2020

  • Median price

    US$35,361

    Since 2020 · n=1

  • Highest price

    US$35,361

    Since 2020

  • Sold cars

    1

    All time

  • Sell-through

    100%

    Of 1 lots

Lotus Elise

Based on 1 verified auction result

HOLDStablemedium confidence

US$24,288

Market value · recent verified sales

+5.7%

12-month change

Hold or Wait

Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.

Prices have been flat (+5.7%). No strong directional signal.

MSRP

Collectibility

6/10

Collectible

3-Year Forecast

US$27,639

+14%

5-Year Forecast

US$28,818

+19%

Estimates pool 12 verified sales across United Kingdom, United States — cross-market prices FX-adjusted at Jul 2026 rates.

Market scores

38

Desirability

Illiquid

10

Liquidity

Good

60

Resale Outlook

Option premiums

What every option is worth.

  • Built ≤ 1999

    +US$2,093+9%

    7 with · 5 without · med confidence

Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Sales are pooled across markets on a relative-price basis, so exchange rates and market levels can't skew the split. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.

Marque analyst note

The Lotus Elise S1 is trading at a median of $24,288 in the US market, up 5.7 percent over the past year. The signal remains HOLD, reflecting modest but steady appreciation in a thinly-traded segment.

Liquidity is a defining constraint for this model. Only one transaction was tracked over the past twelve months, and there are currently no active listings, which makes pricing discovery difficult and negotiation dynamics unpredictable for both buyers and sellers.

Classified as an appreciating classic with a collectibility score of 6, the Elise S1 occupies a niche position in the market. Desirability is marked as low, a reflection of the car's limited mainstream appeal compared to more celebrated British sports cars of the same era.

The three-year projection stands at $27,639, representing a 13.8 percent gain from current levels. Over five years, the base case reaches $28,818, or 18.7 percent appreciation—a gradual trajectory consistent with the stable, modest upward drift seen in recent years.

Market confidence is rated medium, reflecting the sparse transaction data and illiquid nature of the market. Price movement will likely remain measured until broader collector interest in lightweight British roadsters strengthens or supply constraints tighten further.

Depreciation Benchmark

  • Current avg valueUS$24,288
  • Annual appr. rate+5.7%/yr
  • Segment average+3.0 to +9.5%/yr
This model holds value better than its segment average — strong long-term hold.

Vehicle History Signals

  • Auction lots tracked13
  • Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
  • No damage declared13 (100.0%)
No damage or salvage declarations found in the titles and descriptions of the auction lots we track for this model. That's a good sign, not a guarantee — always commission a professional inspection and history check before buying.

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)US$600
  • MaintenanceUS$1,210
  • StorageUS$3,220
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual costUS$5,030
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

For sale now · 1 live

All live deals

Market Liquidity

  • Active Listings0
  • Sales Last 12 Months1
  • Sell-Through100%

Market Snapshot

  • Active Listings0
  • Avg Sale PriceUS$35,361
  • Avg Mileage at Sale
  • Recent Price RangeUS$35,361 – US$35,361
  • Total Sales Tracked1

Recent sales

  • US$35,361

    Bring a Trailer · 14 Aug 2026

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.