The trunk space is siimilar to that of my '93 Miata, however just layed out a little differently. The Exige (fast back/winged model) has the same trunk volume, however, the opening to it is about half the size and a lot more awkward. I can't put my tripod in the Exige where the Elise has no problem.
Scarily enough, the dad got rid of his '95 NSX-T a few years back for his first Lincoln Town Car. He had taken the car to a pair of vinyards and the mother in-law decided that she just couldn't fit enough bottles in with the rest of their stuff. At 6 months it must have been the shortest mid-life crises I have ever seen!
I think for his 2nd midlife crises he is actually looking at the Miata PRHT as it would fit his needs pretty well.