2002 Lotus Elise S2 review from Australia and New Zealand

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

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.