Thanks for the responses all...you've all confirmed what I expected about the differences. Had a good read through the buying guide too, thanks for the link.
My main gripe is the fact that to enjoy the Teg you need to be going absolutely balls-out, off the limiter, sideways on to really get the most out of it. And when you do, it really is brilliant. I've never driven a FWD that revels in going sideways so much. But for me, living in the city I very rarely get a chance to exploit it unless I head out towards Wales or get it on track - so I'm after a car thats enjoyable at 5/10s rather than the 9/10ths. I was hoping the Corrado might provide that!
As for the Elise...I'm not sure you should get me started ;) Absolutely loved and adored my Elise, and if my financial (and practicality) situation allowed, I'd be down the dealers right now purchasing another.
Owned my S160 for 2 years and despite using it daily in all conditions, I never ever got tired of driving it. Every drive was an experience, everyday you learnt a little bit more about it. Summer days with the roof down, the exhaust blaring a beautiful note and that awesome chassis and steering meant you felt like the only time you wanted to stop driving was when the tank was empty.
My S160 was a fairly rare and track orientated derivative - crap around town due to being setup to have all its power at the top end, so it idle's at about 1200rpm when warm and it "hunted" - made it sound fantastic though, a sort of wap-wap-wap noise that other owners paid money to emulate! But despite the power setup, it was still enjoyable at sane speeds - which is my main gripe I have with the Teg....
Honestly - when you get the chance - buy one...you wont regret it one single bit. You'll be grinning like a crazy man everytime you fire it up. I'm after a an S2 135R next time around - I'd prefer an S1 Exige, but they're even more compromised and I'm not sure I'd like thought of not being able to remove the roof.
Piccies here:
http://www.evoposters.net/carsa/album120/Elise6
http://www.evoposters.net/carsa/album120/Elise3