Adjustable steering column?

[justmakenna]

These darn cars are tough to get in and out of, what with the steering column set the way it is. Could someone tell me which model year they might have added an adjustable one?

Also, any gals here who drive an esprit as a daily driver? I'm wondering about the difficulty of getting in and out with a skirt on?

Thanks...

Makenna

[MadMaxx]

No Esprit (TMK) has ever had adjustable columns. I wish it were so... as getting my 6'2 heavy frame into the car can be "interesting" sometimes

I drive my esprit nearly every day, whether permiting. I've found that the trick (for me anyway) is to sit in the seat at an angle butt-first, then swing my legs into the car. If I try to step in (like a Ferrari entrance) I get stuck. Skirts.. well... You will be very popular around the gents when driving


James

[kylie]

justmakenna said:

I'm wondering about the difficulty of getting in and out with a skirt on? Thanks... Makenna

Hi Makenna, I sometimes drive with a skirt. Its no problem at all even the tightest of skirts. As mentioned put your bum in first keep your legs together and swing them side ways and your in. Same when you get out, pretend your legs are taped together or something. Put your hand on the lower door frame to lift yourself out, never hang off the door itself. High heeled shoes are a bit of a pain to drive in so I just slip them off and put them beside me ready for when I get out.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Kylie
89 Esprit Turbo

[justmakenna]

Thanks Kylie and James.

I'll give it a go...

[andecorp]

Hi

I am andecorp's better half

I have no problem with wearing a skirt, getting in and out of the car. Problem I have is that I am so little, I couldn't reach the pedals. My S4s has an additional pump under the bottom part of the seat, that raises me up as much as I need, so I can see properly and reach the pedals.
My partner says that he never seen another Esprit with a pump like that - his doesn't have it, so I can't drive it.
I must have been lucky then. The previous owner must have been small too and he had that modified to the car.
Getting in and out of the car is the way that Kylie said. I move my seat all the way back first though, before I get out.
Regarding the pedals, I have a pair of Ottomix's that I wear for driving, and I take them off before I get out of the car and put the high heels on.

[maigret]

Makenna

Borrow a kilt and see how you get on. The advice given about keeping your legs together and swinging legs in or out is accurate. Not keeping them together may scare the natives. Easy with a little practice. Try without an audience first.

[justmakenna]

I think I'll do that (try without an audience):-)

I'm used to getting in and out of low cars (Audi TT), but its the low flying steering column that had me worried. I was under the impression that it was adjustable in later models, but I guess my info was wrong.

BTW, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only woman here...

Makenna

[kylie]

Nope your not, there is also another lady "janzott" or someone who posts here too. I think she has a SE.
Fire away any questions you have, even if you think its a silly one, as everyone here is most helpful and take their cars seriously.
See ya
Kylie

[ErnestM]

maigret said:

Not keeping them together may scare the natives.

Or then again, it may not

Sorry, just a little levity. Actually, us guys (especially us taller ones) have similar insert and egress problems. If you will notice in all the films and TV shows, nobody is ever shown actually entering or exiting the Esprit. The film always cuts to a point where someone is either out or in, but not entering or exiting. Why? You simply cannot do it with aplomb and coolness... all IMHO...

Moral of the story - everyone has issues with entering and exiting, so don't feel bad...

ErnestM

[justmakenna]

ErnestM said:

maigret said: Not keeping them together may scare the natives. Or then again, it may not Sorry, just a little levity. Actually, us guys (especially us taller ones) have similar insert and egress problems. If you will notice in all the films and TV shows, nobody is ever shown actually entering or exiting the Esprit. The film always cuts to a point where someone is either out or in, but not entering or exiting. Why? You simply cannot do it with aplomb and coolness... all IMHO... Moral of the story - everyone has issues with entering and exiting, so don't feel bad... ErnestM

Well, I don't feel "bad" about it Ernst. I just want to make sure I can do the daily drive in it without making a complete spectacle of myself in front of the market...

Or how about Valet parking...getting out while a Valet is standing there waiting...

Thanks for the note about tall guys though. I'm tall too..5"11"

[ErnestM]

justmakenna said:

Or how about Valet parking...getting out while a Valet is standing there waiting... Thanks for the note about tall guys though. I'm tall too..5"11"

The real fun with the valets is explaining how the parking brake works. For even more fun - buy '98 or later and just futz around in the car after you shut the engine off. The fuel cutoff will set automatically, and the car will still be parked up front when you get finished...

ErnestM

[justmakenna]

ErnestM said:

For even more fun - buy '98 or later and just futz around in the car after you shut the engine off. The fuel cutoff will set automatically, and the car will still be parked up front when you get finished... ErnestM

Now that IS funny Ernest...Have you been doing that? Bet it ticks off the car jockeys...

Makenna

[ErnestM]

Did it once by mistake in Atlanta when I first bought the car. Took it up for a business trip to test out the long distance capability...

valet: "I couldn't get it started, but it looked good in front of the hotel so the boss said just to leave it there..."

me: "Did you press the button"

valet: "There's a button?"


ErnestM