Lotus Elise (96-00) - Review

Although longer journeys are surprisingly relaxed, the overall comfort levels are poor. There's no radio or carpet as standard, and the bucket seats are thinly padded. The hood is a nightmare to use, slow to assemble, draughty and not very watertight. Comfort is hardly the Elise’s strong point, but it isn’t the reason to buy one anyway. All other aspects outweigh this blemish, and you should be so bowled over by the driving experience that comfort isn’t a concern.

One particular problem with the Elise is the leaky, impractical roof. Not only does it take a while to assemble, but the design is also a little clumsy and slap-dash, allowing water to seep into the cabin in heavy downpours. Accessibility is also problematical, as getting in and out of the cabin is awkward and an art form in itself. One you are inside the Elise, space is meagre, but it is practical for moderate weekend use and short motorway journeys. It is equally suited to B-roads, where the handling capabilities can be fully utilised on twisty bends and tight corners. Finally, storage space is also undersized and cannot accommodate much more than a couple of bags of shopping or a weekend-sized suitcase.

You won’t be disappointed by the Elise’s snug driving position, as the low stance gives you a great feel for the road and visibility is also fine. The dash isn’t too groundbreaking, but it’s certainly adequate, while the long gear lever is a little cumbersome and gangly - not quite the short gear-stick that you’d expect in such a sportscar.