What kit for an overweight driver?
Discussion
Dear all,
I have just sold my Clio 172 and want to go back to owning something fun for the sunny weekends (i had a TVR Chim 450 a couple of years ago)as i dont need to use a car during the week and can borrow the mrs car when needed.
I am new to this forum but have done a bit of reading regarding what are the best kits for me.
Im 6ft tall, 36inch waste and weigh about 16st.
I really like the look of the 7 style kits especially the Dax, but am unsure if ill fit in due to varying reports on several threads. Im pritty much open to any kit as they all look fairly light and fun to drive. Fisher Fury also look good to me.
Just wondering what you guys thought.
All the best.
I have just sold my Clio 172 and want to go back to owning something fun for the sunny weekends (i had a TVR Chim 450 a couple of years ago)as i dont need to use a car during the week and can borrow the mrs car when needed.
I am new to this forum but have done a bit of reading regarding what are the best kits for me.
Im 6ft tall, 36inch waste and weigh about 16st.
I really like the look of the 7 style kits especially the Dax, but am unsure if ill fit in due to varying reports on several threads. Im pritty much open to any kit as they all look fairly light and fun to drive. Fisher Fury also look good to me.
Just wondering what you guys thought.
All the best.
Sounds like you need to try some on for size. If I were you I would decide which kit I fancied going by other parameters, then either visit the factory, or get on the owners' club for that make and see if there is someone local to you who would be amenable to a visit, and check that you fit alright. If not, move on to the next make that takes your fancy.
OP - very similar to me. You really do need to try these things on for size.
I 've tried many 7s and sevenalikes, and found them all wanting for reasons of shoulder width more than anything else. Dax are the largest of the 7s (to the point of deformity of appearance IMO, but each to his own). I sized-up a gorgeous, well-prepared narrow-bodied Westie that I'd have bought on the spot - if it hadn't left me hurting with scapulas bruised for a week.
The Fury I bought is perfectly-sized for me. As it happens I preferred the appearance of closed wheel cars too
I 've tried many 7s and sevenalikes, and found them all wanting for reasons of shoulder width more than anything else. Dax are the largest of the 7s (to the point of deformity of appearance IMO, but each to his own). I sized-up a gorgeous, well-prepared narrow-bodied Westie that I'd have bought on the spot - if it hadn't left me hurting with scapulas bruised for a week.
The Fury I bought is perfectly-sized for me. As it happens I preferred the appearance of closed wheel cars too
You're not far off my height I'm 6'1" +
The Deronda has acres of room in the footwell theres about 10 more inches beyond the pedals that can be used for even taller drivers than me and the width is good with a pair of additional side rails to protect from side impact should anything nasty happen
Come and give it a try. We'll be at Exeter or if you're quick visit us at Silverstone next weekend in the Supercar Paddock at Trax 2010
The Deronda has acres of room in the footwell theres about 10 more inches beyond the pedals that can be used for even taller drivers than me and the width is good with a pair of additional side rails to protect from side impact should anything nasty happen
Come and give it a try. We'll be at Exeter or if you're quick visit us at Silverstone next weekend in the Supercar Paddock at Trax 2010
Edited by qdos on Saturday 28th August 09:50
Thanks Chaps,
Im based in the East of England, ill try a few when im closer to purchase. I do like the look of a Fisher Fury, also have done some reading on BEC. Do you think they are the way to go?
There dont seem to be that many in the classified's at the moment, will there/are there usualy more for sale over the winter months?
Thanks for your help/advice.
Im based in the East of England, ill try a few when im closer to purchase. I do like the look of a Fisher Fury, also have done some reading on BEC. Do you think they are the way to go?
There dont seem to be that many in the classified's at the moment, will there/are there usualy more for sale over the winter months?
Thanks for your help/advice.
Haha, no. After watching classifieds for 2yrs or so, seems to me the number of BECs on sale is as great as ever there was.
A choice this personal will take time, and travel, and maybe a few abortive views to get right. It's not a license to waste other's time - more a matter of working out what does / does not matter in a build,/ due research etc. Don't worry, this helps clarify exactly what you do and don't want / are willing to accept.
BTW, you're welcome to try mine for size if you are ever over Bath way.
A choice this personal will take time, and travel, and maybe a few abortive views to get right. It's not a license to waste other's time - more a matter of working out what does / does not matter in a build,/ due research etc. Don't worry, this helps clarify exactly what you do and don't want / are willing to accept.
BTW, you're welcome to try mine for size if you are ever over Bath way.
ACB I reckon you'll fit in almost all of them fine at that size, might need a bit longer pedal box but if you're building your own, that'll be easy to incorporate.
You say there's not many kit cars for sale, where are you looking? Are you buying the three mags each month and looking in there? Bought my Sabre from an ad in one of them so they definiteley work. Another good source is kit car shows. The next one is Stafford mid Sept then Exeter late Oct, and I'm sure like Stoneleigh and Newark, they'll have a "For Sale" area where you might be able to pick something up ready built. Alternatively if you know exactly what you want, try pinning loads of flyers around the show on trees and posts and places where people will see it with an ad asking for what you want. Sort of "anyone got a Fishwestcat 7 esque for sale? I've got £xK available to buy today. I'm here at the show so call me NOW on 07xxx xxx xx xx". Betcha you'd find somehting there.
And of course if you go to Stafford or Exeter, if notheing else you can have a sit in the various manufacturers demonstrators to see how comfie you find it. Or ask anyone on the owners stands. As long as you're respectful none of us mind you sitting in our cars. Of course if it's pouring with rain and you've got mud covered wellies on, we might say "err do you mind slipping your boots off" but I'm sure you get the idea.
You say there's not many kit cars for sale, where are you looking? Are you buying the three mags each month and looking in there? Bought my Sabre from an ad in one of them so they definiteley work. Another good source is kit car shows. The next one is Stafford mid Sept then Exeter late Oct, and I'm sure like Stoneleigh and Newark, they'll have a "For Sale" area where you might be able to pick something up ready built. Alternatively if you know exactly what you want, try pinning loads of flyers around the show on trees and posts and places where people will see it with an ad asking for what you want. Sort of "anyone got a Fishwestcat 7 esque for sale? I've got £xK available to buy today. I'm here at the show so call me NOW on 07xxx xxx xx xx". Betcha you'd find somehting there.
And of course if you go to Stafford or Exeter, if notheing else you can have a sit in the various manufacturers demonstrators to see how comfie you find it. Or ask anyone on the owners stands. As long as you're respectful none of us mind you sitting in our cars. Of course if it's pouring with rain and you've got mud covered wellies on, we might say "err do you mind slipping your boots off" but I'm sure you get the idea.
My weight peaked at 16st8lb about 12 months ago and I still fitted in my Fury R1 (although a bit snugly). Lost 2.5 stone in last twelve months and it is a lot easier to get in and out of now :-)
36" waist shouldn't be an issue. Width of my hip bones has always made me a very tight fit in my brother's Striker. You need to try the cars for size.
36" waist shouldn't be an issue. Width of my hip bones has always made me a very tight fit in my brother's Striker. You need to try the cars for size.
Where in east of england. East midlands here 6'4 and the wrong side of 16 st with 38-40 waist and I fit comfortably in mine. If you want to try one for size let me know.
The best thing I can suggest is get along to Stafford where there should be a few different owners cars who will probably let you try them for size
The best thing I can suggest is get along to Stafford where there should be a few different owners cars who will probably let you try them for size
As I commented in a very similar thread about "oversize" people and Dax Rushes, all Rush are wide body, there is also an extended wheelbase and lowered floorpan version released by Dax sevreal years ago for really tall / leggy people.
A standard rush can easily accomodate a 6ft 2" tall , 40" waise , 20 stone driver and/or passenger - whilst I am only 11-12st and 6ft tall, I have given passengers rides in it who are that big, and for one lucky individual a short "test drive" in my car.
I repeat the biggest issue with Rushes (especially V8 engined ones due to the bigger gearbox bellhousing) is foot size not waist size. Thise with over size 11 or 12 feet, and especially thise with wide feet, can find the tight pedal box hard to get used to (if they can cope with it at all).
My advice : sign up on the forum : http://forum.daxsportingclub.com , find a rush owner who lives near you, meet up, and try yourself in their car to find out if it fits like a glove.
Good luck, hope you enjoy whatever becomes your kitcar of choice.
A standard rush can easily accomodate a 6ft 2" tall , 40" waise , 20 stone driver and/or passenger - whilst I am only 11-12st and 6ft tall, I have given passengers rides in it who are that big, and for one lucky individual a short "test drive" in my car.
I repeat the biggest issue with Rushes (especially V8 engined ones due to the bigger gearbox bellhousing) is foot size not waist size. Thise with over size 11 or 12 feet, and especially thise with wide feet, can find the tight pedal box hard to get used to (if they can cope with it at all).
My advice : sign up on the forum : http://forum.daxsportingclub.com , find a rush owner who lives near you, meet up, and try yourself in their car to find out if it fits like a glove.
Good luck, hope you enjoy whatever becomes your kitcar of choice.
RushV8 said:
I repeat the biggest issue with Rushes (especially V8 engined ones due to the bigger gearbox bellhousing) is foot size not waist size.
This can be a general problem with 'Seven' type cars, not just the Rush.I'm pretty much identical dimensions to the OP and whilst I've yet to come across a 'Seven' I didn't fit into (including the Sylva and narrow body Westfields, which are among the smaller ones), I've encountered several that I couldn't even attempt to drive because of pedal layout. My feet have been size ten since I was a teenager, 11 stone wet through, so weight and height would never have been the critical factor.
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