Does 6'2" fit in an Elise?

[scottsman]

I'm looking to buy an elise but amn't sure how driveable the car would be after half an hour or so given my rather large 6'2" frame. Any comments welcome.

[timh]

I'm 6' 2" and a bit and in an S1 I don't have the seat all the way back so for me there's plenty of leg room (36" inside leg).
getting in and out will be fun for you with the roof on until you've mastered the 'art' but not difficult.

Regards

Tim.

[GKP]

I'm 6 2 too and 13 stone, but mostly leg rather than torso. No probs driving one for hours on end. Once you're in, there's a surprising amount of space for a small car.

Go and try one

[Gilbern]

I'm 6foot 2inches and have had my Elise since 2000, done about 35,000 miles. Great fun, my everyday car.

[scottsman]

Thanks to everyone. I'm off for a testdrive!

[900T-R]

Echo the above. 6'3", never a problem in either of the four Elises (Mk 1 111S, Mk2 120 x2, 111R) and three Opel Speedsters I've driven so far.

Apart from getting in/out, very comfortable too (but I'm a slimmish bloke so this might not apply).

[wantalotus]

6ft 3" in a 111r goes really well. Its just the knack of getting in and out, but that soon becomes second nature. Cannot get in the passenger side for the life of me though!!!!!!Not that I really want to, but mrs wantalotus has to drive it sometimes, (well once so far actually!). And that is with a hard top. (do have to lower window to get out when parking in garage though!!) More important is the seats, I have found some striking differences in the width of the seat at the base, the 111r appears a little wider, so my hips aren't constantly in a vice, and my bum does touch the seats, the 111s was particulaly bad for this.

[timh]

why is getting out of the passenger side soooooo hard?
I can gracefully (well, for a stocky 6' 2" bloke) exit the car from the drivers side but come over all arms, legs and ar*e when trying to get out the other side ??

[cosmoschick]

timh said:

I can gracefully (well, for a stocky 6' 2" bloke) exit the car from the drivers side

I've tried but failed (and I'm only 5'9"!). What's the secret?

[900T-R]

cosmoschick said:

timh said: I can gracefully (well, for a stocky 6' 2" bloke) exit the car from the drivers side I've tried but failed (and I'm only 5'9"!). What's the secret?

Ones definition of 'graceful'?

[rfoster]

My definition of graceful....
Not ripping your trousers (Bloke), or not showing your knickers (girly!)

[900T-R]

Now see, the first is easy, while under certain circumstances the second will always be, er, tricky...

[S Works]

timh said:

why is getting out of the passenger side soooooo hard? I can gracefully (well, for a stocky 6' 2" bloke) exit the car from the drivers side but come over all arms, legs and ar*e when trying to get out the other side ??

I find it's because you can't lever yourself out using the steering wheel... a right PITA if ever there was one.

The most effective way seems to be, hook one leg over the sill, twist hips, grab seat with one hand, A pillar with other, wrench body forwards and upwards in one fluid motion.

... er NOT

[rico]

I'm 6ft3ish and 16stone and had no problem getting into or out of a VX220 drivers seat. No problem driving it with the roof on either.

Same size car so

[andi_p]

I'm 6ft 5" and fit OK. I need a 1-inch spacer to move the steering wheel slightly closer so my legs fit, but no problem with comfort. Have done 8 hour journeys in it just fine.

[monkeytaylor]

I'm 6 ft 3ins and have never had a problem with the size of the cabin - plenty of head room and I don't even have the seat pushed all the way back.
However, I would just point out that tall Elise drivers can expereince a bit of discomfort with the left knee rubbing against either the gear stick and / or steering wheel (at least they do on the S2 - don't know about S1).
This didn't bother me until I started to use the car for longer daily journeys - then it started to p*ss me off a bit.
I solved the problem by:
1) - fitting a removable steering wheel kit from Eliseparts. The kit has a boss that brings the wheel about 15mm closer to the body, so your knee no longer touches it. Removing the wheel also makes it easier to get into and out of the car.
2) - buying a smaller diameter (280mm) wheel. Makes a huge difference.
Since fitting the removable kit and smaller wheel, the car's been great to drive and very comfortable.

[timh]

S Works said:

timh said: why is getting out of the passenger side soooooo hard? I can gracefully (well, for a stocky 6' 2" bloke) exit the car from the drivers side but come over all arms, legs and ar*e when trying to get out the other side ?? I find it's because you can't lever yourself out using the steering wheel... a right PITA if ever there was one. The most effective way seems to be, hook one leg over the sill, twist hips, grab seat with one hand, A pillar with other, wrench body forwards and upwards in one fluid motion. ... er NOT

Yes, that's the way I do it but it just never seems to go smoothly from the passenger side, just gives me an excuse to always be in the drivers seat !!

[Sim North East]

Surprisingly this is the first car I have had where I don't have the seat all the way back. But have great fun getting in and out

[xxplod]

I'm a short-arse at only 6'0" and naturally have no problems at all.
One of my colleagues at work sat in mine. At 6'9" and 20 stone he was definately too big for it! It makes for quite a sight when he emerges from a Ford Fiesta panda car at a pub fight. Fighting usually just stops, strangely enough.

[francelise]

I always said I was 6'2" to people when I was young. I own an elise and I am 6'4", and 90kg. I fit but it is the limit! I have done a 700 mile straight run in it with no ill effect. Keep you supple getting in and out.