My last car was an Elise. Absolutely loved it. It was the only car I never got tired of driving. I don't know about the daily driver issue, I work from home. Maybe I'm different but in my opinion the Lotus made trips more fun so I can't imagine not wanting it for my dd. You can get an '05 or an '06 relatively inexpensive right now. In fact, I was looking at an '07 Exige S last month that was 34k so it's not too far off of the 370z.

that happens when you are 1500 lbs lighter...pretty sure Marc Anthony (post-skeletor) would run rings around Star Jones..considering its about the same weight difference

Thought people might enjoy this review as well as the comments:

Review: 2009 Lotus Elise | The Truth About Cars

I was looking for a lightly used Elise S before I bought the Z. The biggest problem was finding them, and they always seemed to be on the opposite side of the country.

It corners like a go-kart, it really is a 2000lb work of automotive art. The only complaint you will hear from owners is the lack of straight-line power, 190hp even with the skimpy 2000lb curb weight just isn't enough to excite. There is a SC kit that I've seen, but I haven't driven a car equipped.

I never test drove one, but I definitely considered it. No LSD, oil starvation issues, and the fact that they are overpriced for a 10-year old chassis turned me away.

LSD can be added (it is now a factory option) and the oil issues can be cured for a price. But yes, it is a very expensive car considering what little there is to it technology wise (just a nice chassis).

That is a car begging to have Mazda's Rotary engine dropped into it.

The old rotary is actually too heavy to really be ideal - cast iron block and all. The 16X on the other hand - I'll be hoping they follow through on that.

Either way though, the Elise is designed to have a laterally mounted engine - basically a FWD engine and transaxle combo. Since all rotaries have been designed for longitudinal mounting (correct me if I'm wrong), it would be a long, strange road to get one in...