Tall owners - Experience

Tall owners - Experience

Author
Discussion

oooOLLIooo

Original Poster:

64 posts

144 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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Hi all, I am looking into a buying a Caterham Seven, there is only so long one can go without scratching an itch wink
After many years of contemplating it I have decided that now is the time!

I am a lanky 6"3, so wondering what is the best option for me.

I know I can fit comfortably in an SV, having tried one, but as I would be buying second hand it seriously limits the options...

Do any of you use lowered floors and find they make a difference for taller people?
(I use a lowered seat rail on my S2000 and sitting only 20mm lower has changed the sitting position from very awkward to pretty acceptable for me)

Are there any tall owners out there, I would be interested in your experience.

Many thanks

sjmmarsh

551 posts

219 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I am 6'5" and drive an SV chassis. I tried getting in the S3 but it was too tight for me. That said, I am 110kg, and have a long back which doesn't help.

The best advice is to try and find an S3 with a lowered floor at one of the club meets and see how you fit in.

If you can't find a lowered floor take the seat squab out and sit on the bare floor which will give you an idea of how it will. Work for you.

Steve

BryanC

1,107 posts

237 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I'm 6'2" and did the best part of 400 miles in my S3 ( the slim one not SV ) last Friday coming back from Le Mans with a ferry break midway.

IMHO lowered floors would be essential as recommended by Caterham Midlands when I bought mine and tried a few at the showroom. It makes all the difference between looking through the screen instead of over it, and according to their price list options, they suggest gives more headroom when the hood is up.

I would agree that you would have to try a car for size as leg length might differ irrespective of height. For what its worth I'm a 32"

Incidentally that is with standard leather seats although you might obviously sit lower if you have a shell seat without the thickness of a seat squab.


BigCol

202 posts

282 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I'm 6'3" and 90+kg...

Prior to spec'ing and then building my car, I went to the Caterham showroom and sat in every combo I could and concluded my hips are too wide for an S3 (could sit in one but it was an interference fit!) and that the pedal area was too cramped.

I went for an SV with lowered floors and the no longer available GT leather seats which I adore.

Ironically whilst an S3 is far too tight for me, an SV feels feels far too spacious! As you describe yourself as lanky, an S3 might work for you.

oooOLLIooo

Original Poster:

64 posts

144 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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Thanks guys, this is very useful feedback

coppice

8,564 posts

143 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Leg length is critical- mine are 32" and any longer would be a struggle. I am only 5-11 but lowered floor absolutely essential ; and if you are long in body and normal in leg even more so. At 90plus kg it's a good fit but have done ten hour drives without a problem. SV feels vast - too much so as it loses some of the intimacy which is such a part of Seven ownership I think.

shirt

22,508 posts

200 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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i'm 6'2" with long legs. i have a locost with a lowered floor which is very roomy. however i just can't get comfortable in my mate's s3 [non lowered floor]. very little pedal room and little clearance between legs and dash.

Chrisp5782

630 posts

137 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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I'm 6'3" and 90 odd KG and I fit very well in my S3 with Tilletts and lowered floor.

Loads of pedal space and lots of knee / dash clearance so comfortable for long distances.

My cars for sale too! wink

fergus

6,430 posts

274 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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6'5 1/2", 100kg, (prev 120kg), long back, 35" inside leg, size 13.5 feet.

S3 with lowered floor, std tillets. "Caged" SLR cage. Aero screen. Pedals on middle setting (of 3).

However, the only (easy) way in for me is through the hoop in the top of the roll cage.

Jmracing66

784 posts

238 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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I think the only way for you to tell this is to try a number of different combinations out. I can't understand how a guy who is 6'5 with long legs can be comfy in an S3. I'm 6'4 35" inside leg and there was no way I could be comfortable in an S3, I could barely get my knees under the wheel and my hips in the tillets.

I went for a SV with lowered floors and find that perfect.

fergus

6,430 posts

274 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Jmracing66 said:
I think the only way for you to tell this is to try a number of different combinations out. I can't understand how a guy who is 6'5 with long legs can be comfy in an S3. I'm 6'4 35" inside leg and there was no way I could be comfortable in an S3, I could barely get my knees under the wheel and my hips in the tillets.
I do tend to "wear" the car hehe I had to modify one of the Tillets to enlarge the hip belt holes a bit to allow me to slide in and let my Pelvis sit flat! I also have a Momo mod 12c Wheel (the tiny flat bottomed one with a cut out section along the top). There's enough room to move my foot under the clutch pedal to rest it on longer trips.

Madriles

15 posts

115 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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I'm 6,3" (1.90 mts) and 76kg, driving an S3 with lowered floor and Tillets B6. For me it is perfect.

I only touch the steering wheel with my thigh when moving the foot in or out the back of the clutch pedal on long trips.

Even although I have the option of doing it, I have no need to release the steering wheel when geting in and out of the car.

Good headroom as well with the hood on.

If you can fit in an S3, go for it without doubt, or so I was recommended by the dealer.

MartinB7

123 posts

204 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Among the CC supplied seats Tillets will sit you lowest in the car but can be too upright as standard, this can place your head too close to the top of the roll bar.
I'm 6"3" and 90ish kg and fit snugly in a S3, I've had an SV in the past and found it comfy too however, you really need to get along to a local club meet and sit in a few cars.

Martin

oooOLLIooo

Original Poster:

64 posts

144 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Thanks guys, I think there is no way around it I will have to try an S3 with lowered floor. Too many variables with leg length, overall height, and personal preferences....
When I tried the SV it almost felt too roomy for me so I am hopeful the S3 might work for me

350Ash

3 posts

206 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
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I'm also 6'3 and I had a similar issue to you when I was looking to buy towards the end of last year. I wanted an S3 as I think they look better and they were a fair chunk cheaper than an SV as well. I went along to Caterham Midlands to have a look at their cars, they had a couple of S3s in my price range that looked good. I ended up trying pretty much every combination of chassis size, floor height and seats and found out that for me to fit comfortably, and be able to turn the steering wheel, I needed an SV with lowered floors. Steering wheel size is another factor to consider - I've got a small wheel with a flat bottom, possibly not the nicest to drive with according to others but it does mean that there's lots of space underneath it for my legs.
If you do end up with an SV get one with a stripe down the nose - it hides the width of the car nicely!

pheasant

143 posts

105 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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After hiring a seven for a long weekend I'm about to make the plunge and buy one. Although I'm only 5'9" I feel much more comfy in the lowered floor version. I have seen on the forum some older posts of suppliers of the retro fit floors. I have a pit in the garage so would also consider diy. Could anyone supply me with current suppliers apart from Caterham.
Ta everso

wi11iam

66 posts

258 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Arch do them - FWIW IMO unless you are really handy and have the right tools this is one of those 'pay the professionals' moments. My lowered floor had split and they replaced it in a few hours - rivets in or out at 1 per 3 seconds when in a row. And there's lots of rivets. The flat bed driver (floor was that badly split) didn't think it was possible in a day - and he bid about the same money for the job. If I supplied the floor.

And you get to wander around looking at their work in progress wondering what it is. (Atom off roader thing was there I swear long before we'd heard of it)

Toaster

2,938 posts

192 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Chrisp5782 said:
I'm 6'3" and 90 odd KG and I fit very well in my S3 with Tilletts and lowered floor.

Loads of pedal space and lots of knee / dash clearance so comfortable for long distances.

My cars for sale too! wink
Same experience for me I'm 6'2"with lower floors Tillets etc however mine is not for sale.......not now.......not ever wink

Helluvaname

363 posts

206 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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The only way to find out what fits you is to try a variety.
There are lots of options in either S3 or SV chassis, with lowered floors, pedal adjustments, seat types, and even steering wheel size making a difference.

Whereabouts are you located?

(6'2", long legs, SV, lowered floor, leather seats - couldn't get my knees under the steering wheel comfortably and still have room to turn it in an s3 with standard floors (lowered floors weren't available when I bought mine)).

SevenS3

11 posts

108 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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oooOLLIooo said:
Thanks guys, I think there is no way around it I will have to try an S3 with lowered floor. Too many variables with leg length, overall height, and personal preferences....
When I tried the SV it almost felt too roomy for me so I am hopeful the S3 might work for me
I have a S3 with lowered floor you are welcome to try it for size
My location Staines Upon Thames.