I was lucky enough to live in the UK for 9 years, from 98 to 06.  It just so happened that my house was close to a number of classic car dealerships which I would often frequent  (These being Aston Martin, Lotus, TVR, Ferrari and Porsche).  Half way though my stint I realised that it was realistic for me to actually buy one of these dream cars and ship back to Australia via the Personal Import route. 

My old man at the time was on his third Austin Healey and second Jag, and obviously the British manufacturing Marques had rubbed off on me 'slightly' over the years.  I was never an 'Old Car' person and was always quite disheartened when he kept buying these older classics.

Anyway, whilst on a business trip to the Middle East I was browsing thru the UK Classic and Sports Car Mag deciding on what to get.  The older Jags were not my style and the newer one's were too common on the roads.  Porsches were way to expensive and too reliable for my liking.  The TVR's were just too brutle and the F355 Ferrari was just out of reach. 

So in the end it came down to Lotus.  Driving the Lotus is like no other.  A lot of thought is required and there are no electronic gizmos to save you.  Driving this car is an 'event' which never grows old.  My particular car was manufactured in the mid 90's when General Motors owned the Lotus, and as such GM increased the reliability no end.  In fact in the 10+ years of ownership I've only had one breakdown and that was pulling out of the drive when the clutch slave cylinder failed.  Cost to repair $20.  Considering I drive the car every week I think the Lotus Marque is holding strong. 

Photo added for your viewing pleasure :-)