No ordinary sports car
The clutch trunnion was sticking and was replaced at 18000 miles.
The alternator needed replacing at 30000 miles.
After over 4 years of ownership, this is still my favourite car. I have use of another car, but if I had to choose just one car, the Elise would be my choice. It's surprisingly easy to live with.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th July, 2001
A good second car, a useless first car
It leaks big time, if you don't have a garage then don't even consider one of these, I have to mop the damn thing out when it has been raining overnight!
Alarm went wrong - had to be replaced.
Catalytic converter went 6 months after buying it and had to be replaced.
Be warned the older Elise's are quite different to their newer brothers (older being pre-1998, middle I think).
Different fixings for holding on the roofs, which I attribute to the leaking.
Different suspension giving a much firmer ride than the later models.
Different brake discs (although I'm told these are better than the steel ones, don't try driving in the morning after rain and expect to stop!)
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st December, 2000
Brakes are very squeaky when cold, due to design problem, dealer applied a fix which lowered the noise but did not remove it completely.
Hose connection to the radiator has twice worked its way loose, both times whilst on a long journey (travelling to the south of France).
Very fast posey car, which the French appreciate and the English spit at (literally)!
Most enjoyable to drive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th November, 1998