Am I just kidding myself?
Discussion
I'm 55, 5' 10" and 21st but I think now might be the time to buy an Elise. It will be a weekend toy and become a replacement or stablemate for my MG Midget which I get on fine with as far access etc but could be a little more exciting to drive. An S2 111S otherwise standard car would fit the bill, I think, and I'm looking to spend 11 to 12K so would probably be after an 02 or 03MY car. I guess what I really want to know is are there any other PH readers on here who would be of a similar build and age to me who have an opinion on whether I'm really just kidding myself or would this be more impractical and hassle than it's worth?
You might find exiting the car difficult: I'm 5ft 9in and my ideal weight seems to be about 11st. A few years ago I let my weight balloon to just short of 14st and started to find it a PITA getting out of the car. Only way to find out is go try - just remember that its not a good idea to use the windscreen frame to pull yourself up on - can lead to a cracked windscreen.
I'm 66 and 84kg which I think is just over 13 stone. Its getting a bit difficult to get out of the Elise particularly if parked tight to another car. TBH I think you would struggle with the size your weight implies. You might even find it difficult to drive with a passenger - I did when an 18 stone pal of mine was in the passenger seat.
On the other hand what better incentive to shift a few stone?
But there is only one sure way to tell - go along to a dealer and have a trial run.
On the other hand what better incentive to shift a few stone?
But there is only one sure way to tell - go along to a dealer and have a trial run.
It is not so much your weight, it is also your fitness BUT related to how much you will need to get in and out on your drive.
I am 5:10 and 13.10 stone and have no problems at all but I do have to throw myself out of the car - get some forward push by twisting and pushing myself up and out....and that gets a bit challenging on my European trips where I do that about 10-20 times a day.
Having said that, you could perhaps raise the seat (cushion) to help clearance of the sills (biggest issue on a S1, but the S2 sills are lower, I think?).
Anyhow, I think you will be able to do it - especially if you have a bit of flexibility in your body and work on technique. Roof off helps tons, too. Getting in is easy and you just fall in....and wonder how you will get out.
You will be amazed what the love and enthusiasm for this car can make you accept with it -noise, rattles, endless hot sweats about the coolant guage, a petrol guage that laughs at you......but there is no car like it and so even if getting out of the car hurts you and causes all kinds of aches....you will still put the kettle on and have a huge grin when back from a drive.
Go try - hope it works for you.
I am 5:10 and 13.10 stone and have no problems at all but I do have to throw myself out of the car - get some forward push by twisting and pushing myself up and out....and that gets a bit challenging on my European trips where I do that about 10-20 times a day.
Having said that, you could perhaps raise the seat (cushion) to help clearance of the sills (biggest issue on a S1, but the S2 sills are lower, I think?).
Anyhow, I think you will be able to do it - especially if you have a bit of flexibility in your body and work on technique. Roof off helps tons, too. Getting in is easy and you just fall in....and wonder how you will get out.
You will be amazed what the love and enthusiasm for this car can make you accept with it -noise, rattles, endless hot sweats about the coolant guage, a petrol guage that laughs at you......but there is no car like it and so even if getting out of the car hurts you and causes all kinds of aches....you will still put the kettle on and have a huge grin when back from a drive.
Go try - hope it works for you.
Obviously it's easier said than done, but you'd also notice a gulf in performance if you could manage to lose some weight.
I'm always massively disappointed by the impact an average sized passenger - say 70kg or so - has on my Elise's acceleration. As a percentage of the car's weight, it's massive - it certainly takes the edge off things.
Certainly not meaning to be rude - as I could actually do with gaining weight - but my usual passenger and I both come in at under 21st.
Obviously it may not be possible - I don't know your circumstances and am not prying - but it's possibly worth bearing in mind. Obviously things like that have a bigger impact on the Elise than most cars, although it would naturally be a step up in performance terms from the MG.
Best of luck anyway - I hope you manage to get one. Possibly worth trying the Europa if you can't fit due to the high door sills? The width of the car is the same - so a no go if that's the issue - but the sills are cut lower / bigger doors - so it's a lot easier to get in and out. Good car too
I'm always massively disappointed by the impact an average sized passenger - say 70kg or so - has on my Elise's acceleration. As a percentage of the car's weight, it's massive - it certainly takes the edge off things.
Certainly not meaning to be rude - as I could actually do with gaining weight - but my usual passenger and I both come in at under 21st.
Obviously it may not be possible - I don't know your circumstances and am not prying - but it's possibly worth bearing in mind. Obviously things like that have a bigger impact on the Elise than most cars, although it would naturally be a step up in performance terms from the MG.
Best of luck anyway - I hope you manage to get one. Possibly worth trying the Europa if you can't fit due to the high door sills? The width of the car is the same - so a no go if that's the issue - but the sills are cut lower / bigger doors - so it's a lot easier to get in and out. Good car too
flyer0 said:
I'm 55, 5' 10" and 21st but I think now might be the time to buy an Elise. It will be a weekend toy and become a replacement or stablemate for my MG Midget which I get on fine with as far access etc but could be a little more exciting to drive. An S2 111S otherwise standard car would fit the bill, I think, and I'm looking to spend 11 to 12K so would probably be after an 02 or 03MY car. I guess what I really want to know is are there any other PH readers on here who would be of a similar build and age to me who have an opinion on whether I'm really just kidding myself or would this be more impractical and hassle than it's worth?
if you can put up with a midget, then the Elise will be easy in comparision!I'm your height (well, in shoes!) and 15 stone. I'm still losing weight as I feel like a fattie in my Elise.
I don't have a wide arse, but I fit very snugly in there. I doubt you'd be able to contort yourself into the shapes required to get in and out of the thing, certainly with the roof on. Sorry, chap.
I don't have a wide arse, but I fit very snugly in there. I doubt you'd be able to contort yourself into the shapes required to get in and out of the thing, certainly with the roof on. Sorry, chap.
I'm 6"4 and 15 stone and I can at least drive the thing (not mine) - not great with a hard top though. Height wise you'll be fine. Weight wise I'm not so sure. A trick a friend of mine who is a similar height me tried was fitting a smaller Momo steering wheel, which helped somewhat but it's not just the ergonomics once you're in the cabin - it's getting in and out - which isn't civilised even for a light weight - and definitely not for a tall 'un like me - I suggest you try one out and see how it goes - and try with roof on and off - roof off is loads more straight forward.
Good luck and I hope you find it works!
Good luck and I hope you find it works!
A mate who is 6'3" and 22 stone got into the passenger seat of my Exige. After which I couldn't get in, 6' and 13st. It took me plus another to get him out after taking the roof off :LOL
Try it and see, weight and height mean little if your body shape fits. I met a guy on a TD who was probably not far off 20+ stone and he was one of the quickest on the track in his Exige S
Try it and see, weight and height mean little if your body shape fits. I met a guy on a TD who was probably not far off 20+ stone and he was one of the quickest on the track in his Exige S
I wouldn't let it put you off my friend. Chappie I know has just got rid of his after 4 years, similar dimensions, and age in fact, to yourself, and never had any problems with getting in or out. S2 by the way.
Getting in, without the roof was no hassle, just, right buttock on sill, and drop in, out was the reverse, hand on handbrake, push body up, right buttock on sill, leg out. As said, not elegant, but who the hell cares.
Don't even bother to try it with the roof in place, he used to just unclip the roof, unroll back to the first stay, then drop in exactly as if the roof was off, again just reverse to get out. Must admit, I adopt the same routine in mine rather than struggle in and out, hasn't had any effect on the roof tension at all, can't understand why more people who find the ingress/egress a problem dont just "unclip", far easier, and takes about 10 secs.
Don't fret, go for it, the push up bit though, is a bit easier if you shed a few pounds, and you might rub shoulders with your passenger, but easily solved........don't carry one.
Getting in, without the roof was no hassle, just, right buttock on sill, and drop in, out was the reverse, hand on handbrake, push body up, right buttock on sill, leg out. As said, not elegant, but who the hell cares.
Don't even bother to try it with the roof in place, he used to just unclip the roof, unroll back to the first stay, then drop in exactly as if the roof was off, again just reverse to get out. Must admit, I adopt the same routine in mine rather than struggle in and out, hasn't had any effect on the roof tension at all, can't understand why more people who find the ingress/egress a problem dont just "unclip", far easier, and takes about 10 secs.
Don't fret, go for it, the push up bit though, is a bit easier if you shed a few pounds, and you might rub shoulders with your passenger, but easily solved........don't carry one.
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