[hawk 427]

can anyone tell me if ill fit in a caterham comforably im 5ft 11 and 9 and a half shoe,i drove a i.6 roadsport on a trackday last year it was fine, even had to pull the seat forward but i think it was an sv. problem is im saving hard for my first caterham and the slightly larger sv is on average about £1500 more, would really appreciate some advice

[h_____]

well, I'm about 6' and an 11 shoe. fit fine with a set of pixie boots. On road I was fine with a tillet, on track with helmet, I have an aftermarket seat.

[canam]

Hawk,
I'm the same height and shoe size as you (and 14 stone) and fit in no problem. A mate of mine is a few stone heavier and goes on quite long touring holidays with his wife. So unless you are a bit heavier you should be OK. If there are no showrooms round your way why not go along to your local Lotus7 Club meeting, where the members are always willing to encourage new owners.
You can always hire one from Caterhams for the day or a weekend to see if you can really live with one - it could be money well spent.

[don777]

I'm 6'3" with size 12's. I've got a standard width Caterham and I fit fine but I couldn't be 1 inch wider (another few inches taller would be ok). My car had Tilets when I bought it but I couldn't get into them so now it's got standard leather seats. I have to use race boots too but that's fine. I had the floor lowered so my knees don't hit the instrument panel and now it's actually quite comfortable, and doesn't make my dodgy back play up. I've done 3 hour stints in it with no aches/pains, and plenty of track days and heel and toe isn't a problem.
Don't bother with an SV unless you REALLY need the space.
Don.

[canam]

Which reminds me: a couple of weeks ago we went on a trip to France and my wife (who had only been in the car once because she hates it!) pulled her back the week before. Her osteopath told her a trip in a sports car would be the worst thing she could do. Blatting down the Autoroute with the roof off - she fell asleep! When we got back the osteopath told her it was 100% better!
I have never felt so comfortable at the end of a 400 mile drive; I've done long trips in various tintops but always end up feeling a few aches along the way; the stretched-out driving position really suits me.
Go for it, you'll have no problems.
If you want to try a car have a look on the Lotus7Club website (www.lotussevenclub.com) and click on "what's on" "Area Meetings" and you'll find your nearest monthly meet. Members are always happy to see new faces and show off their cars.
Alan

Edited by canam on Saturday 5th May 09:11

[RobM77]

No problem at all (I'm 5'10" and a size 9 shoe and am smaller than most of my Caterham owning friends). Wear racing boots or driving shoes though and remember that the pedals and the wheel are fully adjustable for reach.

[Insomniac]

Don't go for the SV, I'm 6' and 15 stone and the standard model is perfect with both Tillets and Leather. Sat in a SV at CC Midland while my R300 was being serviced and it felt like a pea in a Drum.

Racing Boots, Pixie Shoes or Thin Trainers are a must though.

Insomniac

[Peter T]

I am 6ft 2" with size 12 feet and i feel ver comfortable in a standard chassis.
The SV seems ver big for my liking and does not handle like the standard versions. The added space is only useful on a car you use for touring with.

[hawk 427]

thanks everyone really didnt really want to go down the sv road unless i really had to