Lowered floor recommended?
Discussion
I'm 172 cm tall, so in theory I don't really need the lowered floor. However, my concern is the driving position. I daily drive a Peugeot 207 and, although the back of the seat is not very reclined (not safe - see submarine effect), the seat is set low as possible. I find it more comfortable that way and overall better for my driving. I have never been sitting on a Caterham, so I don't know how high or low the driving position is. The lowered floor is an expensive extra, so I don't want to make a mistake. I've head some users have complained that one downside of the lowered floor is that the position of your arm for changing gears is not so comfortable. Is that true? Also, does the reduced ground clearance create any problems with speed bumps?
I’m a touch taller and just placed an order for an S3 kit build. I’ve sat in both S3 and SV with combinations of standard and lowered floors. Standard chassis vs SV aside, I personally preferred the standard floor. I spent quite a bit of time jumping between the two to compare. Whilst overall height does play a significant part, so does body proportion. I also found the x3 seat types played quite a part too.
I absolutely recommend you try before you make the call. Do you have a dealer fairly locally? They are normally very accommodating.
On a side note, it is possible to retrofit lowered floors later but I think it would be quite a job.
I absolutely recommend you try before you make the call. Do you have a dealer fairly locally? They are normally very accommodating.
On a side note, it is possible to retrofit lowered floors later but I think it would be quite a job.
I'm exactly the same height as you, I have lowered floors with the standard leather seats and for me it's the perfect height.
I suspect if I had tillets I'd be sat too low, and my wife who's 160cm needs a cushion to sit on in order to see above the wheel.
If you had lowered floors you could always raise the position up with some spacers.
I suspect if I had tillets I'd be sat too low, and my wife who's 160cm needs a cushion to sit on in order to see above the wheel.
If you had lowered floors you could always raise the position up with some spacers.
I’m 174cm tall and on my second Caterham which has lowered floors. My first Caterham didn’t. Both fitted with Tillet seats.
FWIW, I much prefer lowered floors as sitting lower in the car adds to the driving experience and makes me feel more connected the car. Visibility is almost identical, with the lowered floors you have slightly less view of the opposite side headlight, but it’s something I got used to very quickly and I don’t have any issues whatsoever placing the car on the road. In addition, on track there’s more clearance between the top of the roll bar and the helmet so it’s much safer.
I don’t have any issue with speed bumps grounding the car out and I also find it very comfortable for changing gear. If you can’t get to a dealer easily, I would suggest to spec the car with lowered floors then use spacers or some metal bars if required. I also think lowered floors might help resale value if you wanted to sell the car in the future, although that’s just a guess.
FWIW, I much prefer lowered floors as sitting lower in the car adds to the driving experience and makes me feel more connected the car. Visibility is almost identical, with the lowered floors you have slightly less view of the opposite side headlight, but it’s something I got used to very quickly and I don’t have any issues whatsoever placing the car on the road. In addition, on track there’s more clearance between the top of the roll bar and the helmet so it’s much safer.
I don’t have any issue with speed bumps grounding the car out and I also find it very comfortable for changing gear. If you can’t get to a dealer easily, I would suggest to spec the car with lowered floors then use spacers or some metal bars if required. I also think lowered floors might help resale value if you wanted to sell the car in the future, although that’s just a guess.
Just a slightly different view from me. I have found something slightly different. I much prefer to have bucket seats in a Caterham (Tillets etc). This is more important to me than the lowered floor. It does of course enable you to sit lower, but the feeling of attachment to the car is more driven by the seat locating you than the height. They are a personal choice of course and some don't get on with them. I am 174cm and if I had a choice of standard seats plus lowered floor or standard floor with Tillets, I'd spend my budget on the Tillets every time.
If I were you and speccing up the desired new Caterham, I'd find a way of trying out the options. It's a lot of money to spend as you rightly say. Worth a visit to your dealer or even a visit to the UK if your local dealer can't show you many options - everyone likes a caterham speccing holidy in the UK!!
If I were you and speccing up the desired new Caterham, I'd find a way of trying out the options. It's a lot of money to spend as you rightly say. Worth a visit to your dealer or even a visit to the UK if your local dealer can't show you many options - everyone likes a caterham speccing holidy in the UK!!
BertBert said:
Just a slightly different view from me. I have found something slightly different. I much prefer to have bucket seats in a Caterham (Tillets etc). This is more important to me than the lowered floor. It does of course enable you to sit lower, but the feeling of attachment to the car is more driven by the seat locating you than the height. They are a personal choice of course and some don't get on with them. I am 174cm and if I had a choice of standard seats plus lowered floor or standard floor with Tillets, I'd spend my budget on the Tillets every time.
If I were you and speccing up the desired new Caterham, I'd find a way of trying out the options. It's a lot of money to spend as you rightly say. Worth a visit to your dealer or even a visit to the UK if your local dealer can't show you many options - everyone likes a caterham speccing holidy in the UK!!
I understand. I already have a Sparco bucket seat in my driving simulator and I love it. It's however a bit different to those tillets because it's padded and surrounds your body so you don't move at all. However, the composite race seats look without any padding must be really uncomfortable (especially for somebody like me, not very slim). They also do not match my view of a car for the road. Another problem is the 4-point harnesses, which I think are not legal in my country. If I were you and speccing up the desired new Caterham, I'd find a way of trying out the options. It's a lot of money to spend as you rightly say. Worth a visit to your dealer or even a visit to the UK if your local dealer can't show you many options - everyone likes a caterham speccing holidy in the UK!!
Yes they definitely have to fit properly otherwise it's very uncomfortable!. I don't know that bucket seats preclude normal belts. Certainly I've have Pole position buckets in a 911 with normal seat belts.
However if it's not the direction you want to go then there's no point in considering them.
I'd still not be that worried about lowered floors though from what your say your requirements are.
However if it's not the direction you want to go then there's no point in considering them.
I'd still not be that worried about lowered floors though from what your say your requirements are.
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