Short drivers

[fasterpussycat]

Hello - quite keen a buying a 7 but was put off when I sat in a Caterham at the Autosport show and couldn't reach the pedals! This is the first car that has ever been too long in the leg area. I'm 5'5. Has anyone else experienced similar problems?

[casbar]

You can move the pedals in the pedal box. When they are furthest forward they are too close for me, and I'm 5ft 8. I also have the seat all the way back.

So with the pedals moved forward and the seat, you should be ok.

[Noger]

It often needs some spannering, but should be fairly adjustable either in the pedal box or the seat - am assuming the one you sat in didn't have an adjustable seat ?

[Shaun_E]

I'm 5'5" and, with the seat all the way forward and pedals in the closest position to the driver, I am fine. My wife is 5'0" and we have moulded a seat insert for her that brings her far enough forward to drive comfortably.

[fasterpussycat]

Noger said:

It often needs some spannering, but should be fairly adjustable either in the pedal box or the seat - am assuming the one you sat in didn't have an adjustable seat ?

It had an adjustable seat which I have all the way forwards :-(

[fasterpussycat]

Shaun_E said:

I'm 5'5" and, with the seat all the way forward and pedals in the closest position to the driver, I am fine. My wife is 5'0" and we have moulded a seat insert for her that brings her far enough forward to drive comfortably.

OK thanks, that's good to know. Do you have to reach a bit to fully depress the clutch?

[Noger]

fasterpussycat said:

Noger said:

It often needs some spannering, but should be fairly adjustable either in the pedal box or the seat - am assuming the one you sat in didn't have an adjustable seat ?

It had an adjustable seat which I have all the way forwards :-(

OK, then you would to adjust the pedal box. You should be fine. But note that the adjustable pedal box is a more recent addition, so don't go buying an old Classic without checking !

[Finchy172]

If you have the pedals on the nearest hole and the seat all the way forward on the runners you will be too close i can guarantee you that.

There is ladies 5ft3 in the slalom days and they fit in the cars no problem with the pedals on the middle hole.

Its generally people over 6ft 3 that have a struggle, but if the pedals are moved away and the seat right back i think a caterham could accomodate upto 6ft6 region!

[sjmmarsh]

Finchy172 said:

Its generally people over 6ft 3 that have a struggle, but if the pedals are moved away and the seat right back i think a caterham could accomodate upto 6ft6 region!

I am 6'4" and had the pedals in the far setting in my SV. My friend who is 6'6" complained that the pedals were too far away and had to slide the seat forwards!

Steve

[Finchy172]

sjmmarsh said:

Finchy172 said:

Its generally people over 6ft 3 that have a struggle, but if the pedals are moved away and the seat right back i think a caterham could accomodate upto 6ft6 region!

I am 6'4" and had the pedals in the far setting in my SV. My friend who is 6'6" complained that the pedals were too far away and had to slide the seat forwards!

Steve

There you go then a Caterham offers 5ft3 - 6ft6 drivers a seat!

[Shaun_E]

I don't need to reach to depress the clutch as it doesn't need to pressed down very far.

[snapper seven]

fasterpussycat said:

Shaun_E said:

I'm 5'5" and, with the seat all the way forward and pedals in the closest position to the driver, I am fine. My wife is 5'0" and we have moulded a seat insert for her that brings her far enough forward to drive comfortably.

OK thanks, that's good to know. Do you have to reach a bit to fully depress the clutch?

I am 5ft 6 (and a bit ) and I drove my car for two years with the pedals on the middle settings with my seat in the most forward position. It was ok but a little uncomfortable in stop start traffic as my left foot wouild be out straight with the clutch depressed. I then decided to move the pedals to the nearest position which made a big difference though my leg was still fully straight. The major change came by fitting a pedal stop which is a plate that limits the travel of the pedal, I set it to just past the bite point and now it is absolutely perfect.
You will fit fine

SS

[snapper seven]

Just to add as well...What model did you sit in? If you sat in an SV or the new CSR then those do have longer (and slightly wider!) cockpits so you may have experienced added issues with those.
If you stick to the narrow (standard) chassis then you will no probs as I say.

Cheers

SS