After an extensive period of market observation, navigating through numerous opportunities that slipped away, and patiently waiting while our new treasure resided in storage, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of our 2011 Lotus Elise SC! Joining our Evora GT, this Graphite Grey over Black beauty marks an exciting addition to our garage. We understand the enthusiasm within this community for such acquisitions, and we’re eager to share our experience.
Side View of Graphite Grey 2011 Lotus Elise SC
Our search initially leaned towards a more vibrant, “Skittles” hue, but the subtle blue undertones of this Graphite Grey captivated us both. Its chameleon-like nature, shifting from a classic grey to a hint of blue depending on the light, adds a layer of intrigue. It’s a dynamic color that keeps the visual experience consistently engaging, offering a similar depth to pearlescent paints without being overtly flashy.
Wife and 2011 Lotus Elise SC "TwoCuties"
This second photograph, affectionately titled “TwoCuties,” perfectly encapsulates the unwavering support of my wife, my high school sweetheart, for my automotive passions, particularly my Lotus obsession. Her encouragement confirms I undoubtedly chose the right life partner!
The acquisition of this 2011 Lotus Elise SC was nothing short of an adventure. Based in North Idaho, we found the car located on the Atlantic coast in Virginia. This opportunity arose unexpectedly while we were traveling in California. Time was of the essence, so my wife swiftly arranged flights, accommodation, and a rental car, enabling us to be in Virginia within a week.
We met the seller punctually in a Wells Fargo parking area, a convenient choice as we both bank with them, simplifying the financial transaction. We dedicated a thorough hour to inspecting the vehicle inside and out. Although lacking tools for a deep dive, my assessment of this remarkably low-mileage car (under 12,000 miles) reassured me of its exceptional mechanical state. The seller’s transparency was unparalleled; he provided an exhaustive list of every known minor imperfection, guiding us around the car and pointing out details that most, including myself, would likely have overlooked. He was, without question, the most forthcoming and trustworthy seller I have ever encountered.
Following the inspection, the seller handed over the keys along with a map detailing a scenic local driving route to properly evaluate the car. The test drive was superb, revealing minor quirks characteristic of a sports car but no significant issues. Upon our return, we finalized the transaction inside Wells Fargo, completing the payment and paperwork, officially making the Elise ours.
We proceeded to the airport to return the rental car. With some strategic packing, we managed to fit our two backpacks into the trunk, after relocating some clothing items behind the seats to maximize space. We then embarked on a 400-mile drive to Knoxville, Tennessee, where a friend with a four-post lift in his home garage had generously offered to store the car. We had a business trip scheduled in Knoxville for late May, so the plan was to store the Lotus 2011 Elise SC in Tennessee until our return, then arrange enclosed transport back to North Idaho at the end of our trip.
I was well-acquainted with the tales of discomfort associated with long journeys in an Elise: the notoriously firm seats, the intrusive road noise, and the stiff ride. My wife was also aware of these reputation, and I anticipated some level of complaint during the drive. We opted to split the trip into two days due to a late start on the first day. Upon reaching Knoxville, we compared our experiences and were pleasantly surprised to find the ride quite agreeable. Admittedly, it was louder than a luxury sedan, and bridge expansion joints were certainly felt more intensely. However, the car performed flawlessly, allowing for normal conversations, and the air conditioning was highly effective. The journey transformed into two enjoyable half-days of discovery, experiencing our new Lotus 2011 Elise SC in a new region of the country. We would readily undertake another long drive in this car, luggage logistics aside!
The only drawback of this initial drive was its entirely freeway nature, which offered limited opportunity to appreciate the car’s renowned handling prowess. That would soon change!
In Knoxville, we treated our friend and his 16-year-old son to separate demonstration drives around their neighborhood. Afterwards, the Elise was placed on his lift, connected to a battery tender, covered with a temporary car cover I had shipped ahead, and elevated above ground level, where it patiently awaited our return.
We extended our business trip in late May to reclaim the Elise and dedicate more time to it. This allowed us to experience its inaugural drives on the legendary Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. These routes proved to be the perfect crash course in understanding the dynamic capabilities of our new sports car. “Action selfies” from these exhilarating drives are forthcoming, but for now, here’s a shot captured just after transitioning from the Dragon to the Skyway. With the top down, perfect weather, and uncrowded roads, the conditions were ideal.
Lotus Elise SC on Cherohala Skyway with Top Down
The open-top driving resulted in sunburn for both of us, but it was an absolutely worthwhile trade-off!
We had hoped to extend our time with the car during the work week, but Montway, the transport company, required a five-day pickup window. Despite my request for a pickup towards the end of that window, the driver arrived on Tuesday morning. We met him in a spacious paved area near our work location.
Lotus Elise SC Transport Pickup Location
I had specifically requested transport suitable for low-profile vehicles, and Montway delivered exceptionally, assigning a driver and truck equipped with a flat liftgate.
Loading 2011 Lotus Elise SC onto Transport Truck
The driver expertly positioned the Lotus 2011 Elise SC on the top deck, at the rear of the truck, and it remained there throughout the journey.
2011 Lotus Elise SC Loaded on Car Transport Truck
The Elise was unloaded on Saturday morning, and we finally drove it home to North Idaho.
In the interim, Bibs from TLF (The Lotus Forums) efficiently secured the Certificate of Provenance (CoP) for our VIN within just a couple of weeks. We had pre-ordered a car cover for the Elise, mirroring our approach with our Evora GT. While the seller included a CoP, we appreciate the format and added value of the newer CoPs, so we ordered them for both of our Lotus vehicles. Contrary to common delays reported, the CoPs arrived even before the car did. There’s no compelling reason to order a CoP from a dealership; ordering through TLF supports the UK-based sister forum and offers significantly faster service.
Below is the CoP for our 2011 Lotus Elise SC. Some of its data may contribute to enhancing the databases for Elises in the United States.
Certificate of Provenance for 2011 Lotus Elise SC
From my interpretation, a total of 51 2011 Elise SC models were shipped to the US. This figure, I believe, excludes Elise R models and other variants. Of these 51 Elise SCs, 35 were standard models, and the remaining 16 were Special Editions or other unique versions. Intriguingly, our Graphite Grey model is listed as 1 of 1 in this color.
We are delighted that it includes both the hardtop and the Touring Pack. (Perhaps this is the opportune moment to inquire about the Sport Pack option?). It also came with the soft top and its carry bag, and while we have seen photos of it on the car, we have yet to attempt its installation.
The earlier CoP, shown below, provides more granular details on the specifications of vehicles shipped to the USA. Seller’s personal details have been redacted for privacy.
Detailed Provenance Page for 2011 Lotus Elise SC
Here is the original window sticker. It was folded and slightly stained when we received it. I am uploading it at a high resolution to ensure the fine print is (barely) legible.
Original Window Sticker for 2011 Lotus Elise SC
Upon arriving home, the Lotus 2011 Elise SC received a meticulous wash followed by a detailed waxing. This afforded us the chance to closely examine the exterior. I would rate its condition as 8/10. The paint finish is flawless, exhibiting no clouding or dullness. There are typical minor rock chips in the Paint Protection Film (PPF), which, being approximately 12 years old, might soon require careful removal. A few chips have penetrated the PPF, reaching the paint beneath. Near the left taillight, there is a gelcoat crack, likely from a minor impact, possibly from a shopping cart. It’s situated on a convex edge. While the gelcoat is cracked, all the fragments are present, and the underlying body panel is undamaged. I plan to apply PPF over this area to secure the fragments but otherwise leave it as is for now. There are also some scratches, mainly on the hardtop, likely caused by passengers placing objects on it carelessly. These are not significant enough to warrant a respray at this stage.
More images and driving impressions are forthcoming as we continue our journey with this exceptional 2011 Lotus Elise SC.
