Logic was for longer runs, especially commuting in winter, or for places where I wanted a bit extra security.
I used it a lot, and transferred it on and off the car quite frequently...takes very little longer than the soft top to fit but transforms the car into a slightly quieter tourer / cruiser IMHO. Also gives it a slightly different look...kind of 2 cars in one...which I like.
And when the car was stationed out in the cold during our house/garage redevelopment a year or two back, it certainly took the pressure off the canvas soft top. Though to be fair, even a wet soft top will dry off quite quickly outdoors so I think they are actually really resilient to the weather (maybe watch for sun bleaching though?).
I have a hardtop storage bag to keep the lid safe in the garage, after I reversed into it one time in my old garage and knocked it over, shiny side down, onto my rough concrete floor
Testimony to its strength, it hardly marked it 
I would get one again if buying another Elise, including S2.
Just my 2p though.
Campbell
However, think about buying a car with one as an investment - people used to scrabble around in November time and pay £600+ for one. If youbuy a car and negotiate the hardtop for 3-400, then its money in your back pocket 
