Lotus got an exemption on some things because they're such a small volume importer. However, I remember hearing that their free pass is about to run out, so they're going to have to add a bunch of crap into their cars soon.

A friend of mine is a big Lotus (Lotii?) collector. He let me take his Elise and Exige S for a drive a couple of times. It's about the closest thing to a street legal go-kart I've ever driven.

With that said, I think I've also driven motorcycles that were more practical. With my size 14 feet, I couldn't wear my normal shoes to drive 'em (the pedals and foot-well are too small); and at 6'3" I couldn't find a way to get in or out of the car that didn't make me look like a total dufus.

They've got a new one out called the Evora that's supposed to be a bit more practical, but at $65,000+ it's not exactly at the top of my purchase list.