>>>...you could always get this car ....
>>>http://wirewheel.com/2007-Lotus-Elise-Yellow-for-sale.html
>>>..these things have Toyota engines and transmissions so they are reliable and last a long time. Although if you're in the northeast these things are a bit tricky in the snow.
>>
>>From the look of it, it would be expensive to insure.
>
>Yes that is true. I'm paying $3800+ a year to insure mine with a clean driving record - and that was a good deal because everyone else wanted over $4400 a year and most won't even insure it.
>

I realize that a car not as common as a Rabbit might have more expensive insurance just because there is no template to compare to, but that is crazy. Over here you would have to contact several insurerances (the cheapest will not insure special cars), but you could find full coverage (including coverage for theft,fire+weather, up to 1/5 of total cost AND coverage for own repair cost of accidents you are responsible for, typically ~2/5 of total cost) between 2000 an 2500€ at 100% (no discount or hike because of driving history).

Your driving history can result in a factor between 22% (over 30 years without causing an accident) and 250% (causing several accidents shortly before) in our insurance system, but this factor is not calculated when calculating theft risk/cost.

There is 1 special insurer I know of who typically offers coverage for exotics at a discount if your other life characteristics are normal, reducing insurance cost by 25 - 35% of the numbers quoted above. But you clearly have to re-check for approx. half a day each year to be certain that you are not fleeced.

After modeling prices over here for our "blue book" I rewrote and maintained insurance programs for cars and home insurances for several years, so I know a bit from 2 sides of the problem... Seems you are gouged not only in medical insurance and/or cost of your judicial system blends through to a high degree.

condolences (for your cost) and thumbs up for having fun ;-)

thomas