Do it 🙂
I’m on my second, had a few years off with an Evo and messing about with motorbikes but for a combination of “feeling special” and not being too expensive to run it can’t be beaten.
A few replies to things mentioned above:
1) Build quality
No, it ain’t as slickly put together as an Audi and it will rattle and clunk. It won’t however suffer from anything falling off. There is very little sound proofing and the chassis acts as a boom box so makes it sound worse. Later bilatein suspension has different valving and is a lot quieter. Most cars will be on that by now.
The build quality is certainly not so variable that you can’t fit certain people in it? Different models have different seats which can increase leg room.
The Pug 106 is better:
With all due respect, do me a favour! No doubt that they can be made to pedal along as quickly but a well set up Elise feels like nothing else. I include Sevens in this. Also, when has a VR6 EVER been considered a good handling car? No mK3 golf has ever had a cult following, certainly not one with a boat anchor in the front. 😉
You’ll write it off if you damage the chassis:
The front end has an F1 style carbon crash box (replaceable) and the rear has a steel subframe (replaceable). Any impact that leads to the chassis being wrecked would also in all likely hood destroy a “normal” car. The difference being that the Elise chassis won’t have folded like a tin can (see 106 above).
Head gasket:
If it was going to go, it will have gone. Don’t ever be tempted to replace it “just in case”. If it goes get someone who really knows what they are doing to fix it and all will be well. I sold my 1st Elise with 46k and plenty track use with no issues. My second has 103k and had a repair about 40k miles ago. It’s about £500 so keep that stored up in case of emergency or get AA parts and labour. Look for a car that has been fixed by a good independent and has had an all aluminium radiator fitted. The OEM Peugeot one pops its plastic end caps off.
It’s impractical:
Put the roof on straight and the rain stays out. MK2s are better in this respect ans the roof is easier to remove/refit. Kit wise i have fitted myself and a passenger, 2 crash helmets and all the stuff needed for a week away on euro trackdays. You just learn to pack better. Space wise I’m 6ft and fit in with no grief. I know a guy 6ft 4″ and built like the proverbial, he also fits. With practice you’ll hop in and out without thinking. MR2 is no where near as practical if you look at the newer style for storage and interior space!
Power:
It doesn’t need a lot of power as it doesn’t weigh much, then again neither does the aforementioned 106. The Elise however is about much more than 0-60 (which isn’t shabby). Without wanting to get all ethereal it’s about the experience. Without wanting to appear a snob the “feel” of an Elise can’t be replicated buy a hot hatch, even a good one.
What you need to do is decide on your priorities. The S1 is a bit more (forgive me) undiluted in its driving experience and the s2 a bit more comfy for the commute. The S2 roof in undoubtedly less faff. Toyota engines are probably more reliable but are thirstier and a bit more expensive for road tax and servicing.
Best thing to do is sign up to http://www.seloc.org and find your local meet and have a look around and chat with the owners. The forum is very active with an excellent wiki & FAQ. Any other questions feel free to ask.
Did I say just do it!