How tall are you Elise drivers?
Discussion
Just wondering as I sat in the U.S Elise at the NY motor show. Went there with Chris_w and met the NY Lotus owners who had a stand outside the show. They had an Exige and a 340R on show which suprised me. Very friendly bunch.
The seating position was good the seats were so comfortable but my legs were just too long. Too long to the point where my thighs were touching the wheel at 7 & 5 o'clock. There is no way I could drive that thing on anything other than very straight roads.
I must say it felt very sweet in the drivers seat and I'm sure it would be a blast chucking the thing around on track. Thankfully Chris_w didn't bring his cheque book as he looked like he was having serious withdrawl symptoms when he was trying the car for size
Is it just the U.S version or are they all short on legroom?
MARA
P.S I am 6ft 3.3inches or 190m with a 35 inside leg (which doesn't help in the motoring world).
The seating position was good the seats were so comfortable but my legs were just too long. Too long to the point where my thighs were touching the wheel at 7 & 5 o'clock. There is no way I could drive that thing on anything other than very straight roads.
I must say it felt very sweet in the drivers seat and I'm sure it would be a blast chucking the thing around on track. Thankfully Chris_w didn't bring his cheque book as he looked like he was having serious withdrawl symptoms when he was trying the car for size
Is it just the U.S version or are they all short on legroom?
MARA
P.S I am 6ft 3.3inches or 190m with a 35 inside leg (which doesn't help in the motoring world).
Ah, gotcha and cheers.
I just need a bit more clearance between my knees and the wheel and it would be manageable. Again, I must say that the car seemed very well put together. Apart from the dodgey plastic they used where the glove compartment would be it was done really well. I did check to see if the wheel could be adjusted but alas no.
Still can't believe how comfy the seats were as they don't look that comfy at all. It was actually tighter than our Mini Cooper sport (the real Mini by the way). With the Mini it feels as though I am almost on top of the wheel like a go cart. The U.S Elise feels like I am in a really nice, raw sports car with not enough space.
We didn't get to hear the federal Elise start up but the owners who were dealers let us know we'd be more than welcome at the Lotus meets/track days. They all struck me as real enthusiasts and have been doing there bit to represent Lotus all these years.
Just for their loyalty and all around coolness I will post their website for everyone to have a browse.
www.HuntingridgeMotorsports.com
MARA
I just need a bit more clearance between my knees and the wheel and it would be manageable. Again, I must say that the car seemed very well put together. Apart from the dodgey plastic they used where the glove compartment would be it was done really well. I did check to see if the wheel could be adjusted but alas no.
Still can't believe how comfy the seats were as they don't look that comfy at all. It was actually tighter than our Mini Cooper sport (the real Mini by the way). With the Mini it feels as though I am almost on top of the wheel like a go cart. The U.S Elise feels like I am in a really nice, raw sports car with not enough space.
We didn't get to hear the federal Elise start up but the owners who were dealers let us know we'd be more than welcome at the Lotus meets/track days. They all struck me as real enthusiasts and have been doing there bit to represent Lotus all these years.
Just for their loyalty and all around coolness I will post their website for everyone to have a browse.
www.HuntingridgeMotorsports.com
MARA
maranellouk said:
There is no way I could drive that thing on anything other than very straight roads.
Tall people usually fit a removable steering wheel (smaller and slightly closer) and cut a few inches off the gearstick.
That usually fixes most size problems.
Now.. For the fed-elise you have the problem that it has an airbag steering wheel. (which is already bigger than the non-airbag euro wheel)
Even though it's technically possible to remove it (and put a dummy load in it's place, to keep the SRS computer happy) it may not be legal or give problems with your insurance...
But I'm not versed well enough on USA regulations in that respect to really give an answer..
Bye, Arno.
Nice garage Maranello and a good point raised.
I'm 5'11ish and I've been fiddling around with seat position on my UK S1 for a few weeks now.
I've been surprised by the fact that I've moved progressively closer to the wheel to get really comfy, which means my legs are bent and a bit less comfortable than I'd ideally like...
...so maybe you're right Dan!
I'm 5'11ish and I've been fiddling around with seat position on my UK S1 for a few weeks now.
I've been surprised by the fact that I've moved progressively closer to the wheel to get really comfy, which means my legs are bent and a bit less comfortable than I'd ideally like...
DanH said:
Think whoever setup the wheel distance was a short squat midlander with ape like arms!
...so maybe you're right Dan!
S Works said:
I've been surprised by the fact that I've moved progressively closer to the wheel to get really comfy, which means my legs are bent and a bit less comfortable than I'd ideally like...
Known problem in the Elise...
The steering wheel is just a tad too far away and when you're comfortable you sit a little too close with your legs.
Fitting a removable wheel brings it about 1" closer, which is just enough for most people to compensate this.
Bye, Arno.
im a weee lad about 5ft 8!...getting in is still a pain!..girlfriends just smaller than i am and shes terrrible getting in and out!.....
when i bought the car the guy i bought it from was the same height as me...i had to move the seat forward about 12 inches!!!!!!! before i could depress clutch....my friend at work gets in easy and hes a 6ft 3 guy!...
its a really deceiving car when inside its quite spacious and yes comfortable after about a week of ownership...
when i bought the car the guy i bought it from was the same height as me...i had to move the seat forward about 12 inches!!!!!!! before i could depress clutch....my friend at work gets in easy and hes a 6ft 3 guy!...
its a really deceiving car when inside its quite spacious and yes comfortable after about a week of ownership...
Hi all, can vouch for all that Mara said about the NY area Lotus Enthusiasts, a top bunch.
Been thinking about this and I think it's a combination of two things, firstly the new engine which seems to have encroached on cabin space as there isn't as much storage space behind the seats as before - I wonder if this has led to less adjustability on the seat rails. And secondly, the larger steering wheel (though not by much) as mentioned above. Mara, reckon we should try and blag a test drive at some point (with cheque book, credit cards etc left safely at home). I think you'd be surprised at how you adjust to the position once on the move. The girlfriend never had trouble with her 36" legs in ours.
Overall I was very impressed by how well the cabin was screwed together (certainly compared to my now sadly departed S1) and there are some nice touches like the 'wings' at the top of the windscreen seal to catch any leaking water(!). Only disappointment was the pedal spacing. I think they've moved the throttle pedal away from the brake, not by much, but felt like heel and toeing would require more of an 'angle' from your foot.
One guy there expressed concern over how well the car would do in the long term. He'd already been offered a place in the waiting list by a friend who'd put his deposit down before trying the car. Once the dealer had the demonstrator in he decided to pass on it as he just couldn't get in or out...
Been thinking about this and I think it's a combination of two things, firstly the new engine which seems to have encroached on cabin space as there isn't as much storage space behind the seats as before - I wonder if this has led to less adjustability on the seat rails. And secondly, the larger steering wheel (though not by much) as mentioned above. Mara, reckon we should try and blag a test drive at some point (with cheque book, credit cards etc left safely at home). I think you'd be surprised at how you adjust to the position once on the move. The girlfriend never had trouble with her 36" legs in ours.
Overall I was very impressed by how well the cabin was screwed together (certainly compared to my now sadly departed S1) and there are some nice touches like the 'wings' at the top of the windscreen seal to catch any leaking water(!). Only disappointment was the pedal spacing. I think they've moved the throttle pedal away from the brake, not by much, but felt like heel and toeing would require more of an 'angle' from your foot.
One guy there expressed concern over how well the car would do in the long term. He'd already been offered a place in the waiting list by a friend who'd put his deposit down before trying the car. Once the dealer had the demonstrator in he decided to pass on it as he just couldn't get in or out...
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff