I'll admit to not doing a lot of miles (maybe 4k) in it but running costs are quite reasonable. Some parts are about crazy, a clutch plate is a grand and the brakes are from a 550 Maranello, but the usual after market options like yellow stuff are available. Touch wood, it's been flawless, the v8 is known to be pretty understressed and happy to do way in excess of 100k miles, though values plummet.
Insurance for me is slightly cheaper than the Elise, fuel... Yeah... I think I once saw 20mpg, 15 isn't uncommon, but mine is only used for fun A roads and acceleration is addictive...
The newer GranTurismo is much of the same I believe, bigger and more towards a mile munching comfy GT than a sports GT.
Another thought, budget dependant, an Aston V8V would be a good investment. They look to have bottomed out and I think will only go up.