2002 Lotus Elise S2 Sports Touring

Highlights 

• Highly engaging and usable sports car in excellent condition throughout

• Comprehensive service history

• Sports exhaust plus induction kit

• Low owner car

• Low mileage

• Mechanically sound

• Long, advisory-free MOT

Overview

If you carry out an online search for “best driver's cars of all time” we can guarantee that the Lotus Elise will feature in most, if not all of the lists that are returned. When people who have actually driven an Elise wax lyrical about its capabilities and inherent drive-ability it isn't merely hyperbole. The fact of the matter is the Elise, in any guise, makes every journey entertaining, whether it's clipping apexes at the track or nipping to the shops for a loaf of bread.

A true racing car for the road, part of what makes the Elise so special (and why it consistently pops up on those aforementioned lists) is how it feels. Yes, it looks fast standing still and handles like it’s on rails but it's how mechanical it all feels, how analogue it all is. And it's precisely that distinctly “engineered” quality that connects driver to car and car to road that makes it such an alluring proposition. Lotus really did nail it with the Elise.

That's not to say the Elise is an unforgiving bone-shaker, able to be tamed only by the most die-hard of racing fanatics though. Far from it. And that's what sets it apart from more stripped out, track focussed toys. It can be driven “normally” and enjoyed day to day too. Yes, there are more circuit specific variants but cars like this 2002 S2 Sports Tourer provide the best of both worlds.

Being the Sports Tourer this Elise features a more comfortable interior with the addition of leather seats, sound insulation, full carpets, and enhanced audio over the standard model, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a more refined S2. A low-owner, low-mileage example that comes to market in excellent order, complete with an impressively comprehensive service history from new, this Lotus Elise has a lot going for it. Add in some subtle, choice performance upgrades and a long, advisory-free MOT and things start to look even more appealing. 

History and documentation

• 2002 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• One registered former keeper

• First registered 23 Apr 2002

• In current ownership since 18 Mar 2020 

• Original book pack and wallet

• Two keys

• Excellent service history with original service book showing mostly main dealer inspections at the following intervals: after sales service (2002 – main dealer), A service at 5,073 miles (2003 – main dealer), A service at 11,439 miles (2004 – main dealer), B service at 13,942 miles (2005 – main dealer), A service+belts at 17,917 miles (2006 – main dealer), A service at 20,212 miles (2007 – main dealer), C service at 23,729 miles (2008 – main dealer), A service at 25,619 miles (2009 – main dealer), A service+belts at 28,441 miles (2010 – main dealer), B service at 29,794 miles (2011 – main dealer), A service at 33,032 miles (2012 – main dealer), A service at 34,552 miles (2013 – main dealer), A service at 36,039 miles (2014 – main dealer), A service+cam belt+hydraulics at 37,478 miles (2015 – main dealer), B service+hydraulics at 40,436 miles (2016 – main dealer), annual service at 43,365 miles (2017 – main dealer), service+hydraulics at 45,187 miles (2018 – main dealer), service+cam belt+alternator belt+hydraulics at 45,687 miles (2019 – main dealer), service at 46,109 miles (2020 – specialist), service at 47,313 miles (2022), service+rear brake pads+NSR brake caliper at 48,342 miles (2024)

• Numerous invoices (including main dealer) for parts, servicing and maintenance with the vendor informing us that every invoice since 2002 is present

• Advisory-free MOT until 18 Mar 2027

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

• 48,909 indicated miles

Interior

• In excellent order 

• Minimal signs of use with only some light wear to the driver's seat and steering wheel to note

• Vendor reports that everything works

• No signs of any damage

• Door cards are in great shape

• Carpets appear to be clean and dry

• Dashboard remains intact and presents well

• Pioneer Bluetooth face-off stereo head unit (original supplied)

• Luggage compartment is clean and tidy

• The engine bay presents well overall 

Exterior

• The exterior bodywork presents incredibly well across all panels

• Polar Blue paintwork is in fine condition with no signs of any major blemishes aside from the usual light stone chips to the front end

• No evidence of any corrosion, damage or repair work

• Panel gaps appear uniform

• All glasswork looks to be free from any issues

• Blue fabric hood presents in fine condition and fits well

• 16” six-spoke alloy wheels all present beautifully with no signs of any kerb damage

• Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 performance tyres on the front 

• Yokohama Advan A052 performance tyres on the rear reported as new by the vendor

• Underneath looks to be in great shape with only some light surface rust to the lower suspension arms to mention 

Mechanical

• 118bhp, 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 5.6s

• 125mph top speed

• ITG induction kit (original supplied)

• Hangar 111 sports exhaust (original supplied)

• Drilled brake discs all round

• Rear brake pads and NSR brake caliper replaced Mar 2024 

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car is always kept garaged, starts first time, runs perfectly and the sports exhaust has a lovely tone

Summary

Rightfully revered to this day, the Lotus Elise was a revelation. Providing oodles of feedback via its race-derived mechanicals, the car is a go-kart for grown-ups that feels equally at home at the track as it does tearing up good old British B-roads. This particularly fine and meticulously maintained Series 2 example remains a pure distillation of that undiluted driving pleasure that keeps the Elise topping those lists we mentioned earlier, whilst still being comfortable enough to enjoy day to day thanks to the Touring spec.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.