During the years I have had two and 1/2 Lotus'.
LOTUS = Lots Of Trouble Ususally Serious
The first was a Super Seven with a Coventry Climax engine. This was a great handling but crude car, essentially designed for autocross or racing. It made the Cobra appear to be a luxury ride if you can imagine.
The second LOTUS was a used Elan. This was a very nice car. It leaked
oil, liked its valves adjusted every 5000 miles and carbs adjusted for summer and winter. It liked to RUST away.
The last 1/2 was a Jensen-Healey which had the Lotus engine in it. A nice high revving DOHC engine that like the Elan's was fond of valve adjustments via thin wafer shims.
With the Toyota MR2 engine and drive train in your Elise, you may have a somewhat dependable ride on your hands. The Lotus if like its earlier brethern, will let you know quickly if its **** aint right.
Good Luck... how is your paint? I hear they had a problem with the finish on the earlier Elise's. I hope that they got that down by now?