I am currently on the look our for an Elise and wondering if a hard top is essential? It will be parked on a driveway but don't fancy sitting in a pool of water after a down pour.
So no, it is not essential. I regard hard tops as a hinderance to open top motoring (you can't just whip it off if the weather for your next journey looks OK). But that may be because I'm too tight to buy one for myself.
Mine has had to live outside (garage occupied by an even sillier car) and I've not had any problems. The odd drip of water on the passenger sill from a minor leak where the cant rail located onto the window header rail is all.
Well hello there matey! 
