I had one for 3.5 years, never had any serious problems whatsoever.
Dont buy a nail or one that has been thrashed to death on track, go for one thats been owned as a third car by some old boy from new ! it makes more sense to initially lay out more for a decent example than to pay a fortune in repair bills to keep a nail on the road.
Most fun car i have ever owned and like Lee, will probably own the "new" Exige in the not too distant future. I have just temporarily lost the desire to blow such vast quantities of cash on one toy alone !
Pic of my Elise - sold about 3 years ago now