Defining heartache

[Jonboy_t]

I'm a broken man. I have been saving for years to get myself a VX220, it has been my dream car since I was about 18, and I have finally saved up enough to my my lardy ass in a top notch N/A or lower end Turbo. I've known for a while that I can't drive them as standard due to my 6'4" inch frame, but had done some research into those that have lower padded seats and smaller steering wheels and found that I could probably get into one and drive it 'comfortably' (I am quite happy to forsake what most see as 'comfort' for a VX).

Turns out I can't.

Went to someones house last night who I know has got a smaller Momo wheel and new, lower seats in his VX, tried it and failed miserably. my right leg won't go between the sill and the wheel and my left leg won't let the short throw gearstick into 5th gear.

There were very nearly some tears on the way home, I don't mind admitting that, and I need to replace a pane of glass in my back door as it got closed 'enthusiastically', but still, the damage to me is done. I shall never love again.

But, ever the optimist, I now have some disposable to spend on making myself feel better. I've been thinking about all sorts - Elise (same problem as VX), S2000 (it's not a VX), Boxter (I can't cut hair), TVR Tuscan (only a stter for the money I have) etc etc. I think I have narrowed it down to a couple of options now and need some PH guidance;

Cerbera/Chimeara (<sp?) - Am I going to be dissapointed for ~£9k?
Build a kit car (westie etc) - Top option at the moment. Build it and modify as I go so I know I will fit in (is that possible?). Slam an R1 or Fireblade engine in it and I should have the performance and handling that I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any better ideas than this? Or, as a kit car is looking preferable, any advice on how/if I could do this to make sure I can get in the damned thing?

[T84]

What about a a modified seat rail and mount the seat further back?

[LuS1fer]

Try a Corvette C4 - for £9k you'll get a minter. Not the most capable car in the world but a real hoot to drive. Think of it as a better built TVR-esque car. OK, you may not like it but at least you'll have tried it. I mention it as afriend of mine had anew VX220 Turbo (not the most reliable car) and now has the C4.

[sebhaque]

That's interesting - a friend of mine is about your height and not a small chap! Yet he managed to get into my VX without breaking the car (or himself). If you're set on a VX (rightly so ) then you should pop a message on the vx220.org.uk forums as the chaps there are pretty knowledgeable and should be able to point you in the right direction wrt extended seat rails etc.

HTH

[Exige77]

Have you actually tried a Lotus Elise ? Internal dimensions might be slightly different ?

I know a few tall chaps in Elises. Pop doen to your local Lotus dealer and just try.

Ex77

[The Wookie]

Are you sure? I'm 6'5' and quite broad and I can wedge myself into an Elise in acceptable comfort. I've also driven a coupe of VX's on a Bedford day in a fat phase and not had any problems.

My head's agains the fabric roof with a lid on, and my knees aren't far from the bottom of the wheel, but I can still drive the car around a track with no issues.

I would suggest trying thin soled driving/racing shoes, they give you useful extra room. If you got in wearing your day to day clumpers I'm not surprised

Edited by The Wookie on Thursday 30th September 13:08

[pinchmeimdreamin]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1858326.htm (no its not mine)

[mat205125]

Don't dismiss the Boxster S on account of the perceived employment of a handful of stereotypical owners.

[Plotloss]

Freak, I'm 6'4" and fat and I fitted in mine fine.

[Jonboy_t]

Thanks for your replies guys, I have tried absolutely everything though. The one I tried last night had seats mounted further back that normal and with thinner/zero padding on the seat.

I found it was wierd that I couldn't fit in too, I have mates who are roughly my size, but can fit in and drive (and own) VX's, but I guess it's just my shape. I used to swim competitavely and played rugby for years so I have thick legs which may have bearing on it.

Good shout about the 'vette though, not thought of it but I will be looking!

[VladD]

What about removing the seat completely and just putting some padding on the floor and bulk head. If it's only you driving it then you don't need an adjustable seat.

Edited by VladD on Thursday 30th September 13:26

[Jonboy_t]

VladD said:

What about removing the seat completely and just putting some padding on the floor and bulk head. If it's only you driving it then you don't need an adjustable seat.

Edited by VladD on Thursday 30th September 13:26

Don't know as that would get through an MOT would it?

[CampDavid]

I have rather long legs (35") and I don't even have the seat all the way back in an S2 Elise. Try it, you'll almost certainly fit.

[Doniger]

Could just be your proportions are 'odd'? I'm 5'10" and a mate is 6'3" and apparently I've got freakishly long legs and a short torso...or he's the opposite. Either way when we're sat in the same car the height difference between our eye levels is truly ridiculous - not to mention the fact that I always have my driving seat several notches further back than he does. As an example, he can't drive my MX5 comfortably and has pretty much the issues you said you have in the VX...but then if I put the seat where he does neither can I. I have it right back, but where he puts it I can't get my foot off the clutch.
You might find a solution, but I suspect it's going to be just one of those things

[AndyDRZ]

From the way you've described yourself, a car engine will work better than a bike engine.

R1 is used to pushing 280kg (Including fuel, rider etc)

Bet your kit car would be closer to 700kg with you in it.

I've owned an R1, they are ballistic but as the car will weigh 2.5 times as much, I think this will take the edge off and make it eat clutches...

[Jonboy_t]

Doniger said:

You might find a solution, but I suspect it's going to be just one of those things

I think, unfortunately, you might be right bud.

I can honestly say I have never been so heartbroken in my life! This has been my dream for 8 or 9 years and I've passed up so many opportunities like decent holidays etc just to save up for it, and now it's vanished!

Anyone any good with a band saw and stitching feet back on to knees?

[Jonboy_t]

AndyDRZ said:

From the way you've described yourself, a car engine will work better than a bike engine.

R1 is used to pushing 280kg (Including fuel, rider etc)

Bet your kit car would be closer to 700kg with you in it.

I've owned an R1, they are ballistic but as the car will weigh 2.5 times as much, I think this will take the edge off and make it eat clutches...

GOod advice mate, I'll take a look into power-weight etc before the job starts (if...). Another option is to dump a Type R lump into it, or a V6 if I can find a crowbar big enough.....

[Jonty355]

Jonboy_t said:

VladD said:

What about removing the seat completely and just putting some padding on the floor and bulk head. If it's only you driving it then you don't need an adjustable seat.

Edited by VladD on Thursday 30th September 13:26

Don't know as that would get through an MOT would it?

That was effectively what my super 7 had as a seat. Its more sturdy than a seat. As long as you can be comfortable and be strapped in, It should be fine for MOT etc.

[Doniger]

Jonboy_t said:

Doniger said:

You might find a solution, but I suspect it's going to be just one of those things

I think, unfortunately, you might be right bud.

I can honestly say I have never been so heartbroken in my life! This has been my dream for 8 or 9 years and I've passed up so many opportunities like decent holidays etc just to save up for it, and now it's vanished!

Anyone any good with a band saw and stitching feet back on to knees?

Dude the secret is to just find another car to fall in love with. They do say you should never get your dream car because the reality probably won't live up to the dream.

[Jonboy_t]

Doniger said:

Jonboy_t said:

Doniger said:

You might find a solution, but I suspect it's going to be just one of those things

I think, unfortunately, you might be right bud.

I can honestly say I have never been so heartbroken in my life! This has been my dream for 8 or 9 years and I've passed up so many opportunities like decent holidays etc just to save up for it, and now it's vanished!

Anyone any good with a band saw and stitching feet back on to knees?

Dude the secret is to just find another car to fall in love with. They do say you should never get your dream car because the reality probably won't live up to the dream.

Easier said that done though!