1999 Lotus Elise Standard review from UK and Ireland

Started blowing windscreen wiper fuses, and was diagnosed as a faulty wiper motor. Replaced under warranty. A bent wiper arm wasn't covered - £100.

Losing coolant. Booked into garage, and lost a lot more. Diagnosed as a split radiator core rather than the suspected loose pipe connection to the radiator. Replaced under warranty.

The roof leaks sometimes - must learn how to fit it properly every time.

Very economical, noisy with a sports exhaust, but sounds the better for it, and it makes me take the fun way to work.

Picks up a lot of stone chips on the windscreen, and generally it's going quite fast when it gets hit. Only replace the windscreen when it really needs replacing, you'll only need to do it again otherwise.

The dealer has been remarkably helpful, always taking the car in straight away, but never offering a courtesy car or even a lift to the station. They're not that good at contacting the owner either, but better than the Citroen dealers.

I never feel I can 100% rely on the car, so to overcome this I've decided to get a second car as a daily driver. Hopefully I'll appreciate the Lotus more than too.