From sitting in the car, the build quality seems on par with other modern cars. Nothing rattles or squeaks - but that's just an observation from sitting inside it.

English cars, from what I've heard, suffer enmasse from electrical problems. I'm certain these days Lotus has worked those problems out. Engine problems - I highly doubt it. Toyotas are very reliable. I'm sure if one wants to be an enthusiast, yes, they can hope to find a Rover K 1.8, but those engines aren't nearly as reliable, nor can they be federalized. Toyota's a better motor anyway. And puts out much more power.

I for one like the new face on the Elise, as well as the rear "under spoiler." People to whom I've talked to about the car state it as looking toy like. Someone went even as far to say it looks like "Speed Buggy," that scarcely-known Hannah-Barbera cartoon. :)

The best (and safest) thing going for the car in the U.S. are its speed and lightness; like the Porsche, its speed and quickness can be used in evasive techniques to get out of the way of those cel-phone-jabbering pre-occupied housewives in their Suburbans and Hummers. :mad:

Does the car come with some of his DNA, also? :D

Well, personally, there are some American cars I'd gladly take over any European car, and in my opinion, since the 240-Z and maybe the early-90s RX-7, Japan has produced nothing worthwhile. The Miata? That was a home-grown product out of Orange County, CA. The Stingray comes to mind, as does the modern Corvette as cars I'd rather have over anything foreign.

As for Euro-envy? The only envy I have for Europe is each country's binding thread of culture. British are British, French are French, etc. Their culture binds them, which I wish was more a part of the U.S. without having the ACLU and all these other blasphemous organizations telling us it's illegal for our children to say the "Pledge of Allegiance."

I sort of like Can't Afford Both Cars.

Oh, man! Hilarious! And so true...:D

I like the Elise driven by Victoria on At Home with the Braithwaites (British TV), and I like the way her dad has (had, LOL) a 911. We are on series two of At Home with the Braithwaits now, and Victoria is driving some old Vauxhal Viva?

On the question of Elise reliability, I never had any problems with my S1, electrical or otherwise.

BTW Victoria is driving a Vauxhall Chevette - not much more than a re-skinned Viva.