2008 Lotus Elise SC

There's not much that's practical about the 2008 Lotus Elise SC. It's nearly impossible to get in and out of gracefully, the interior lacks many of the bells and whistles we've come to expect of modern road cars, and its diminutive proportions prevent it from carrying much more than a purse and a bottle of water. But here's the thing: with the right mindset, it doesn't really matter.

The "SC" trim is new for 2008. An acronym for "supercharged," it's a step up from the Elise's normally aspirated base engine. Between its feather-light curb weight and the supercharger's 29 extra horses, the Elise SC makes a perfect track, weekend or midlife crisis car. And it doesn't look bad either.

At a base price of $55,425, the midengine Elise SC is a relative bargain. A similar-performing Porsche 911 would cost thousands of dollars more. But the Elise's bang-for-the-buck performance is mitigated by a lack of everyday functionality, which could scare away some prospective buyers who might consider the Elise too cramped and spartan for their daily driving needs.

Still, the cachet that comes with driving an Elise is priceless. Fellow Elise drivers wave at one another as they pass, as if part of a small, exclusive club. Even on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, land of Ferraris and Lamborghinis, valets leave the Elise out front. Just mind the way you climb in — everyone's watching.