Driving position?
Discussion
Was just wondering how much of a difference does the driving position of a car affect your opinion of it? I bought my self an E30 318is the other day and compared to my previous two cars and the various vans and jeeps i drive at work the driving position is lovely. The little sports seats sit you down at a great angle and height. Was just thinking that its not something that i had been too concerned about until now.
I have never really liked the driving position of modern Renaults,in particular Clio 172/182. I think the worst car i have ever driven for driving position was either a Nova back in the 80s with offset pedals or an Astra GTE. The steering adjusted to either flat horizontal straight or sitting a foot above the dash. Vile!
I used to drive the Scirocco in a very laid-back, "rollin' with my homies" stylee, until I got the more upright (but lower, more supportive and more comfortable) Corrado seats fitted.
The Caterham, especially with the aeroscreens fitted, is best driven in a "relaxing in the bath" position.
The Caterham, especially with the aeroscreens fitted, is best driven in a "relaxing in the bath" position.
Can anyone explain to me why a mid engined MGF has the pedals ofset to the right and no room for your left foot next to the clutch? It's not like there's anything in the way FFS.
As for the E36 with a lid, I've got a coupe for track use and don't have a problem, maybe I'm just a stumpy b
d!!
As for the E36 with a lid, I've got a coupe for track use and don't have a problem, maybe I'm just a stumpy b
d!!Baked_bean said:
Was just wondering how much of a difference does the driving position of a car affect your opinion of it? I bought my self an E30 318is the other day and compared to my previous two cars and the various vans and jeeps i drive at work the driving position is lovely. The little sports seats sit you down at a great angle and height. Was just thinking that its not something that i had been too concerned about until now.
You are either comfy in a BMW or you are terribly uncomfy. It's just one of those things. Clarkson for example isn't, hence the "drving position is all wrong" comments.I went to a Fiat dealership aiming to purchase a Fiat Grande Punto Sporting. I was very disappointed to find that the pedals were offset so far to the right and the steering wheel to the left that the clutch was directly under the steering wheel and there was no way I could drive it!
Rich_W said:
Baked_bean said:
Was just wondering how much of a difference does the driving position of a car affect your opinion of it? I bought my self an E30 318is the other day and compared to my previous two cars and the various vans and jeeps i drive at work the driving position is lovely. The little sports seats sit you down at a great angle and height. Was just thinking that its not something that i had been too concerned about until now.
You are either comfy in a BMW or you are terribly uncomfy. It's just one of those things. Clarkson for example isn't, hence the "drving position is all wrong" comments.Driving position is extremely important to me, firstly for comfort, and secondly because I have back problems and a good car can actually relieve my pain, whereas a bad car can make it worse.
The best road can I've tried for driving position is the current Mercedes SLK, closely followed by the latest VW Golf. My Dad's E90 3 series is pretty good too. The Z4 Coupé isn't bad either.
I have in the past not bought cars specifically because of a poor driving position. These include the Porsche 911 models 996 and 997, as well as the Boxster S and Cayman S; also any Renault Clio (V6 or 172, 180 etc).
What I'm looking for is a slight bend in my left leg when fully down on the clutch, or alternatively not the feeling that my legs are cramped up. The steering wheel must be within comfortable reach - my favourite test is being able to rest the top of the steering wheel in the small of my wrist, which means that my arms will always be slightly bent. I also like to be able to sit low, so my legs are in front of me, not underneath me tugging on my lower back, and preferably be able to angle the seat base upwards so that it's not just my cocyx in contact with the seat, rathermore my whole bum and some of my thighs too. The vast majority of road cars don't make this possible - the seats don't go anywhere near low enough, the steering wheel doesn't come out far enough and the seat base doesn't tilt back. Shame.
The best road can I've tried for driving position is the current Mercedes SLK, closely followed by the latest VW Golf. My Dad's E90 3 series is pretty good too. The Z4 Coupé isn't bad either.
I have in the past not bought cars specifically because of a poor driving position. These include the Porsche 911 models 996 and 997, as well as the Boxster S and Cayman S; also any Renault Clio (V6 or 172, 180 etc).
What I'm looking for is a slight bend in my left leg when fully down on the clutch, or alternatively not the feeling that my legs are cramped up. The steering wheel must be within comfortable reach - my favourite test is being able to rest the top of the steering wheel in the small of my wrist, which means that my arms will always be slightly bent. I also like to be able to sit low, so my legs are in front of me, not underneath me tugging on my lower back, and preferably be able to angle the seat base upwards so that it's not just my cocyx in contact with the seat, rathermore my whole bum and some of my thighs too. The vast majority of road cars don't make this possible - the seats don't go anywhere near low enough, the steering wheel doesn't come out far enough and the seat base doesn't tilt back. Shame.
Gotto agree the driving postion in my E36 328 coupe was great, but the E46 M3 was fantastic. The sort of car you drive 300 miles and get out like you have driven 30, and with a smile.
I love the old CRX and Preludes but I got incredable back ache with the seat being so low to the floor and legs stretched.
I dont like Fords and Volvos without that left foot rest, really cant get used to it. You would think they would at least make it an option for what they cost.
I love the old CRX and Preludes but I got incredable back ache with the seat being so low to the floor and legs stretched.
I dont like Fords and Volvos without that left foot rest, really cant get used to it. You would think they would at least make it an option for what they cost.
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