Is my dream shattered?

Is my dream shattered?

Author
Discussion

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

190 months

Monday 16th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi all,

I have been wishing, praying, hoping, dreaming and saving (not in that particular order) for about 10 years to get myself a VX220. So the time comes to go and test drive the ideal one (jet black, low miles, guy needs to sell quickly etc etc) but I find that when I turn right, my hand won't fit down between the steering wheel and my leg, rendering the entire thing practically useless. Needless to say there was a LOT of swearing, screaming, punching walls and feeling physically sick (10 YEARS OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!), but after I'd sunk my 19th pint, I started to think about it a little clearer....

I'm 6'4" and I obviously understand that these are not the largest of cars and probably designed for your 'average' man, but surely there has got to be something that I can do to get around this? I've considered only going to tracks with left hand turns, but there's inevitably a right hander on the road to the track. I've considered constructive surgery on my legs to make myself into some kind of modern day oompah-loompah, but after I'd spent the money, I couldn't afford the car. I even considered ditching the idea of VX ownership altogether, but I'm not a complete c**t so that idea got ditched too.

I spoke to a mate who is a similar size to me and who has had an Elise or 2 in his time, and he has recommended steering wheel spacers to bring the wheel a bit closer to my body, therefore further from my knees, but I cannot find these damn things anywhere!! Does anyone know a) where to find them, b) do they work with the existing wheel or do I need a Momo (or similar) and c) will this ultimately solve my problem?

I am absolutely desperate for this. I have never felt so gutted in my entire life, this has been my dream since I was in my mid-teens and now it is within reach, PLEASE HELP!!!!

Cheers all
J

k15tox

1,680 posts

188 months

Monday 16th November 2009
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after market smaller steering wheel?

clarkson has no trouble and hes about your height?.....


Steve Maund

436 posts

238 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
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I am the same size as you and had exactly the same problem with the VXR, change the steering wheel, takes about an hour and one of the best things I have done to the car, it means I can turn right without scraping my knee.

Steve

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

190 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
Fanstastic!!! It's good to get info from people that have actually been there!

THE DREAM IS ALIVE!!!!!! smile

bazking69

8,620 posts

197 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
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I had a similar epiphany when I went to look at a Westfield and realised that I could only just get in it and getting out was even harder. I was starting to contemplate thoughts of having to be cut out of the thing at one point!

Snap off steering wheel would be a must!

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

190 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
I was thinking snap on too! I think a Westie would be completely out of the question for anyone over 5'8", as much as I would love one, I have flushed bigger things after a good night out.

drgoatboy

1,713 posts

214 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
sorry to revive a slightly old thread but I'm 6'5 and had a VX220 and it was a bit tight. With a little fettling you will get the standard set to go back one more notch which will leave your legs a bit straighter (you need to take off the stupid pad behind the drivers seat headrest and take out one of the restrictors on the seat rail).

I also considered but never got round to fitting a carbon fibre style seat and attaching it to fixed runners (these arae available for the elise so should fit). You can drop the seat lower and further back (the standard seat will always be a good inch from the panel behind it, and reducing the thickness of the seat you will earn yourself loads more room I reckon. (plus you'll sit lower in the ar so not get so wind buffeted)

I personally didn't want to add steering wheel spacers or change the wheel as that will obviously mean loosing the airbag...

Edited by drgoatboy on Tuesday 1st December 13:34

VXED

383 posts

190 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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Can't you just go back to your 'learning to drive days' and use the 'push pull' method. I've found that as there's no power steering, i've adjusted naturally to doing this and find that it gives more control and is much easier to do than the more common one handedrotate