Faults:

Air conditioning didn't work when delivered, due to loose wire which was eventually sorted without too much fuss some weeks later by the dealer.

General Comments:

This is my second Elise and its step on from the Series 1 Elise I owned for a year and a half before buying the Series 2 model. A Series 1 is a more raw experience, whereas the Series 2 is a better everyday super car.

I've gone for a limited edition heritage model (Type 25 - 50 made) which is effectively a Sports Tourer model with hardtop and viper stripes from the 1960s. Heritage models tend to be better buys, due to the additional equipment at discounted prices and the limited construction runs.

The hard top and soft tops on the post Feb 2002 Series 2 Elise is far more water tight and more hassle free when taking it off or putting them on.

Once you've driven the car there is no turning back. The Bilstein suspension was made especially for the Series 2 Elise, and it shows. Build quiality feel better and the car feels like a better planted car in terms of handling. Space wise it's tight and not much room for luggage, but then it isn't supposed to be a touring car.

This car is made for the track, don't avoid 2nd hand buys just because they have. Look for an enthusiastic owner on the Lotus BBS and if it's been regularly serviced and maintained then it's as good as any other.

Faults:

Irregular idle to the point of stalling (at idle) when the air con was on. Fixed by dealer.

General Comments:

You are likely to have heard the pluses and minuses of the Elise from one source or another. Pluses can be summarised: superb handling with incredible 'feel', head turning looks (you have no idea!), fantastic power to weight and enormous FUN!

Negatives include: hard bumpy ride, impossible to get in and out of, no frills at all, leaks, noisy and totally impractical.

I deliberated for a long time before buying my Elise. I didn't know if I could live with the compromises.

The clincher was the realisation that nothing is really an 'alternative' to an Elise. The negatives and compromises are exactly what make it so uncompromised. It can't be done any other way. So in the end it was a choice between an Elise or a life of wondering 'what if...?'.

So I went for the Elise and I couldnt be happier! The pluses continue exceeded my expectations. The negatives are so petty and pathetic when you have come to terms with what you are buying as to seem ludicrous!

The ride is firm and you feel everything, but, quite honestly, the seats are more comfortable than any car I have had previously and the chassis feedback is why you drive the car! You don't get hurt; you don't get tired; boy, do you get into the driving though!

It rattles and the engine is noisy. Once again this can be great or awful. When throwing it around tight back streets, roundabouts, mountain twists etc. the rort of the engine and the sound of the road is half the buzz. Driving 3hrs down a freeway would be better in big Merc, but is not unlivable. See how well you can throw the big Merc around a tight back street roundabout?

It WAS difficult to get in and out of initially. Now it is fine; natural even. No, it isn't a BMW sedan, but that is fairly obvious. If you are going to sit on the ground you are going to have to bend down.

In the end though, driving the Elise renders all other vehicles undrivable. Once you have adjusted to the unservoed brakes (about 1 minute) you can't go back. Stopping on a dime in this car is one of the most incredible feelings on the planet. Skydiving is boring by comparison. Likewise taking 90degree turns at 80-100kph. I can only liken it to watching a high action car chase movie in fast forward! When the Elise hits a bump it pulls back into the road faster than gravity could possibly do it. It is surreal. Every drive you take in this car is fun and I cannot overemphasise that point. You cannot compare plush comfort or electric windowed convenience to the buzz you feel from every drive you take in an Elise.

This is my everyday commuter and honestly, even if I had another car I couldnt leave the Elise in the garage. Even a trip to the supermarket is fun. And yes you can fit your groceries.

Faults:

Nothing much, only the alarm started to play up on the day of delivery. I only had the car for a weekend, and it had to go in to get the Cobra 8185 alarm sorted. This took 3 days, but the dealer was good and gave me a new Elise 72 to keep me happy in the meantime.

General Comments:

The car drives superbly, still haven't run it in yet, but the drive in the 72 was fantastic. It holds the road like glue, around every corner, it's so much fun to drive. The 40 miles to work are a pleasure to drive now, rather than the chore it was in my previous car. I love the Neon blue dashboard lights. I can't fault the car at all, apart from it being difficult to get in with the roof on.