I hear different kinds of noise in my Elise at different instances. Sometimes I would hear squeals, rumbles, or rattling sounds. I bought this car just a few weeks ago. Should I be concerned? Am I being too paranoid?

The Lotus Elise has little soundproofing, so there are a lot of normal sounds you may hear that you won't in cars with better soundproofing. While you should not be worried so much, it is better to be safe than sorry. Noises can be a sign of abnormality in a car. Have your car checked regularly to make sure that nothing is really wrong with it.

I am fascinated by Elise's design. I am almost tempted to buy it. But I want to make sure first that it is safe to drive. How safe is it?

British automaker Lotus Cars put a lot of thought into integrating safety in the Elise's overall design, part from the standard safety equipment such as twin airbags. The Elise features a LED supplementary lighting that makes it easy for other motorists and pedestrians to see your vehicle in dim areas. It also comes equipped with an advanced braking system that works in tandem with the driver to prevent any accident. Safety zones also protect the car's lightweight chassis.

However, you must also note that any car, Elise included, is only as safe as the driving skills of the person behind the wheel and the kind of maintenance that the owner does for his ride.

How does the Lotus Elise perform on the road? Is it a good sports car?

This Lotus Car model may not be as fancy in terms of performance compared to other sports cars, but it definitely does not disappoint. You can expect a decent driving experience with its 1.6-liter engine that generates 134 horsepower or its 1.8-liter engine that churns out 217 horsepower. Its fuel economy is good at 45 mpg (for 1.6-liter engines) and 37.5 mpg (for 1.8-liter engines). Overall, the Elise is worth considering.

I learned recently that blown head gaskets are a common problem in Elise. How can I prevent damage to my car's head gasket?

Elises are prone to such a situation because of a thermal cycling issue with the rear engine, front radiator design that restricts the amount of engine coolant flowing throughout the system, leading to repeated thermal cycling that's bad for cooling system components such as the head gasket. It is advised that you refrain from using more than 4500 RPMs or full throttle until the temperature on the gauge registers at 80 degrees.

It is also wise to check your Elise regularly for signs of a blown head gasket. The first thing you must check is the coolant level. Has it dropped significantly? Can you see oil floating on top of the coolant? If so, then the head gasket is blown already. While the engine is running, inspect all the hoses for any leaks.

Once you confirm that the head gasket is worn out, replace it soon. If you don't, it will result in coolant loss and eventually, engine overheating.

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