[Luke Hudson]

Maybe Elise's are a lot more expensive in the US but over here they are priced 5-10k less than a Boxster. And about half the price of a new 911.

They're aimed at the emerging "track day enthusiast" market in the UK and not the luxury sports market of the Boxster or 911, different horses for different courses.

I've driven a Series 2 Elise and its handling is quite amazing, verging on the sublime! The car is so light and precise it really is amazing fun to drive. Ok it doesn't have the grunt of a GT3 but its costs 4 times less!

Lotus are trying to pick off where the MGB left off, a cheap fun sports car for the masses. Porsche are not.

Yes a stripped out 9911, 964 or 993 will tear it apart, but only Porsche enthusiasts (like us) would consider than an option. Most "normal" drivers , if there is such a thing, want brand new cars, that come with a warranty and look new. If you can find a new Porsche in the UK for 26k (which is the most expesive list price Elise in the UK) I'll buy one!

That said yes the series 2 is ugly and I'll take my 31 year old 911's reliability over a Lotus' any day!