Are all Gallardo owners short arses??

[Streetrod]

Ok I apologise for the offensive comment but it is relevant. I got to drive a Gallardo over the weekend having not driven one for a couple of years and was reminded about how uncomfortable it was for someone of my 6ft 2in height. With the seat all the way back my legs were stretched out but the steering wheel was stuck firmly in my lap making it very difficult to steer cleanly. Also the peddle offset angled my feet in a very awkward way and made it impossible to heel and toe on this six speed manual car.

After a very short time I started to get a cramp and had to get out before I had an accident.

I know Clarkson used to own a Spider and he is taller than me. Has anyone else had a similar problem or is just me?

[70proof]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

all answered....

Edited by 70proof on Monday 31st October 18:15

[Streetrod]

Not just me then, thanks for the info

[wineman02]

Being a short arse is better than being a tall git at times. For example when flying or as I have no discovered driving a Gallardo

[iandc]

on a less offensive note it is not how tall you are but the ratio of "trunk" height to leg height. I am 6'3" and have no problem. I did 3000 miles in 2 weeks around Europe in the 560-4 coupe and was perfectly comfortable. I have done same in a manual Spyder and again had no issues. My 360 Spider was more cramped. I did find the Superleggera fixed back racing seats very uncomfortable though.

[andrew]

6' 2" in an sl, no probs

[Mclelland77]

6'5" and ok for an hour or so with roof up on spyder. No desire to be shorter though except for on a plane! Lol. Returned from singapore yesterday and even though I managed a whole row of seats knees still a little achey today.

[Streetrod]

iandc said:

on a less offensive note it is not how tall you are but the ratio of "trunk" height to leg height. I am 6'3" and have no problem. I did 3000 miles in 2 weeks around Europe in the 560-4 coupe and was perfectly comfortable. I have done same in a manual Spyder and again had no issues. My 360 Spider was more cramped. I did find the Superleggera fixed back racing seats very uncomfortable though.

I have a 34/35 inch inside leg so not out of the ordinary. Head room was just about OK but as a baldly my head still brushed the headlining. It’s the legs that were the issue. If I could have raised the steering wheel by about an inch then things would have been a lot better, but as it was if I had needed to make an emergency manoeuvre I would have been in trouble

[iandc]

Streetrod said:

I have a 34/35 inch inside leg so not out of the ordinary. Head room was just about OK but as a baldly my head still brushed the headlining. It’s the legs that were the issue. If I could have raised the steering wheel by about an inch then things would have been a lot better, but as it was if I had needed to make an emergency manoeuvre I would have been in trouble

I have 34" inside leg and have no problem with legs hitting the bottom of the wheel. Daft question but did you adjust it to its top position using the lever under the column? I have mine as high as it will go and legs are fine.

[Mclelland77]

I too have a 35/36" inside leg and have no issues at all with steering wheel (flat bottom helps when turning) It does take a little time to get seat at right height and angle and I do have e-gear so guessing that helps a lot as a clutch pedal would probably be out the question. Lastly when driving I place my left foot underneath the foot rest on the carpet which also helps a lot.

[andrew]

Mclelland77 said:

...Lastly when driving I place my left foot underneath the foot rest on the carpet which also helps a lot.

can the foot rest be adjusted ?

[Streetrod]

iandc said:

I have 34" inside leg and have no problem with legs hitting the bottom of the wheel. Daft question but did you adjust it to its top position using the lever under the column? I have mine as high as it will go and legs are fine.

Well yes I did, I spent a bunch of time mucking around trying to find a comfortable position and yes the wheel was at its highest point, but the wheel was still in my lap. This left my legs splayed meaning that my right leg was angled badly onto the very offset peddles which after a while induced very bad cramp.

Now as well as being 6ft 2in I also weigh 16.5 stone with rather large thighs, maybe that was the problem

[Mclelland77]

andrew said:

can the foot rest be adjusted ?

No I don't believe so but there's plenty of space below it for your foot presuming your not Peter Jones!

[Mclelland77]

This left my legs splayed meaning that my right leg was angled badly onto the very offset peddles which after a while induced very bad cramp.

Now as well as being 6ft 2in I also weigh 16.5 stone with rather large thighs, maybe that was the problem

I think e-gear would be the only way to go with your build, obviously no skill on the down shift heel and toe but it is right everytime and does the same job even if not as rewarding the sound is very pleasurable.

[/quote]

[iandc]

andrew said:

can the foot rest be adjusted ?

It can be removed altogether. Only 2 bolts hold it in place and it serves no purpose other than the name suggests. 5 minute job and you can then rest your foot on the floor.

[iandc]

Streetrod said:

Well yes I did, I spent a bunch of time mucking around trying to find a comfortable position and yes the wheel was at its highest point, but the wheel was still in my lap. This left my legs splayed meaning that my right leg was angled badly onto the very offset peddles which after a while induced very bad cramp.

Now as well as being 6ft 2in I also weigh 16.5 stone with rather large thighs, maybe that was the problem

I guess that is the issue as I still need to eat more pies to get to 16.5 stone. The e-gear has a lot less pedal offset as there are only 2. Much better than the manual. I managed OK with the manual Spyder and did long trips with no problems but the e gear is more comfortable. I have never noticed the offset in driving and much better than the Noble I owned. I guess the Gallardo is sadly not for you.

[franki68]

it is a weird seating arrangement ,especially the manual cars as there is nowhere to rest your left foot excpet on or under the clutch.I.m 6 foot but 12 stone and I can just about get comfortable.The audi v10 r8 could be the car you need if you're not a badge snob.

anyway an amusing anecdote...when i was about 18 one of my friends lived next door to giant haystacks if anyone remembers him from itvs wrestling,he was 6 foot 11 and 35 stone ,he used to drive a mini I think it was...saw him get into it one day and it was a sight ,literally I dont know how he got in and once in there was not a smidgen of room for anyone else.

[Streetrod]

You are right about the R8, it does have more room and I know I am going to upset some on here but I prefer the R8 V10 over the Gallardo. I just find its the better car in more situations.

[70proof]

franki68 said:

anyway an amusing anecdote...when i was about 18 one of my friends lived next door to giant haystacks if anyone remembers him from itvs wrestling,he was 6 foot 11 and 35 stone ,he used to drive a mini I think it was...saw him get into it one day and it was a sight ,literally I dont know how he got in and once in there was not smidgen of room for anyone else.

i remember him, and big daddy.... my gramps watched it religiously...must have been a sight.. feel for the suspension!

getting a good seating position is a mare.... and can be in any car, so many factors contribute....
just drove 800 miles in a ford crown victoria with bench like seats and shed loads of room, fully electrically adjustable.... but no support, the worst i have sat in a long time, worse than the g easily... terrible back ache after a couple of hours..... yuk!

[franki68]

Streetrod said:

You are right about the R8, it does have more room and I know I am going to upset some on here but I prefer the R8 V10 over the Gallardo. I just find its the better car in more situations.

Probably because truthfully it is better,but it does not look anywhere near as good...nor has that unquantifiable 'feel good' factor....which the gallardos have in spades.