The the owner of a "hairdresser" car, I'll comment on my own reasons for buying it. I've driven an Elise a number of times and like them....enough to want one if I had the room for a fourth car. But I need a reliable, comfortable car for my every day car and the Lotus just doesn't fit the bill. Also the car has to stay outside so anything with a soft top is ruled out.
I certainly had no intention in trying to find a car that would match the Roadster in terms of "sportiness" , why should I need to? The Z4 is not an out and out sports car, more a roadster but it is sporty enough for my driving and ticks most of my boxes. And heavy and complicated? Aren't most modern cars....excluding your Lotus that is?
I'm not for a moment suggesting that a Lotus is the answer to everyone's prayer - simply expressing surprise that in a debate on a car enthusiasts forum, it isnt even mentioned.
One minor correction. The Lotus with the Toyota engine ( emphasis on that) is reliable - in the 7 years that I have owned my car I have had one breakdown with a plug falling out of a socket. Thats better than the family Merc or the Volvo that went beofre the Merc. And as for comfort, and admittedly to my surprise, the Probax leather seats are goog for long journeys with no back ache. SWMBO reckons they are better than the Merc ones. As for soft tops, then hard tops and coupes are available too.
