Getting in and out of an Elise/ VX220

[HBFS]

I've been considering one of these for a while. The insurance is reasonable and I'm almost in a postition where I'll be able to buy one without finance.

However... I currently have a Fabia vRS TSI. It only just about fits on the driveway (only parking avalible.) with not a lot of room to get out.
I've never actualy seen anyone get in our out of a VX220/ Elise. How much more room is required to get in and out over a standard car?
I'm very concerned that it won't be possbile for me

[kambites]

With the roof on, you need a good 18 inches of clearance; more if you're not very flexible. To do it comfortably, you need about two feet.

If you're willing to roll the roof back, you can get out without opening the door at all.

[jock mcsporran]

If you're still in Leeds, drop me an email and I might be able to swing round with the Exige for 10 mins when I'm next free. If you can get out of an Exige you can get out of an Elise.

[scatty72]

im 6ft 4 and manage my s2 exige everyday. its ok unless people park really close to you. other than that a bit of practice and its 2nd nature....

[HereBeMonsters]

jock mcsporran said:

If you're still in Leeds, drop me an email and I might be able to swing round with the Exige for 10 mins when I'm next free. If you can get out of an Exige you can get out of an Elise.

Haven't you got a structural roof to hold when exiting an Exige?

My mate grabbed for the roof getting out of my Elise last week, I instinctively screamed blue murder before he put his weight into it. I'd be surprised if it could hold the weight of a small cat.

[tail slide]

HereBeMonsters said:

Haven't you got a structural roof to hold when exiting an Exige?

My mate grabbed for the roof getting out of my Elise last week, I instinctively screamed blue murder before he put his weight into it. I'd be surprised if it could hold the weight of a small cat.

I find it highly amusing to watch people of all ages trying to get in/out of my VX. Wicked I know!

I'm 6'4", and no spring chicken but fairly light, and find it easy to get out as long as you swing your 'outer' leg out of the door onto the ground first, then put half your weight on your right hand on the back part of the sill panel by the seat, and lift your bum out and stand up. Getting in is same in reverse. Simple

[chieflief]

This speaks for itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=752md5gZPFI&fea...

[HereBeMonsters]

tail slide said:

I find it highly amusing to watch people of all ages trying to get in/out of my VX. Wicked I know!

I'm 6'4", and no spring chicken but fairly light, and find it easy to get out as long as you swing your 'outer' leg out of the door onto the ground first, then put half your weight on your right hand on the back part of the sill panel by the seat, and lift your bum out and stand up. Getting in is same in reverse. Simple

My driveway hasn't got enough space for that.

I have to put all my weight on the scoop by the rear of the sill (difficult if it's wet - no grip!) then rotate my body so I can get a leg out, then hop on that leg until I'm standing upright, then remove other leg from car.

Then crawl back in to retrieve sunglasses, laptop bag, sat nav and anything else I forgot to chuck out of the door before I extracted myself.



I went on a trackday with some PHers last year, and was lucky enough to get a ride in a supercharged Toyota S2. I could not for the life of me figure out how to get into it from the passenger side...

[chevronb37]

HereBeMonsters said:

I went on a trackday with some PHers last year, and was lucky enough to get a ride in a supercharged Toyota S2. I could not for the life of me figure out how to get into it from the passenger side...

Trying to access/egress an Elise/Exige from the passenger side is hideously difficult. I always end up falling inelegantly in and flapping around helplessly emerging again.

Truth be told, they're really pretty easy once you have the technique nailed, but it takes a few goes. And everyone has their own way of doing it as well.

[Captain Muppet]

HereBeMonsters said:

Haven't you got a structural roof to hold when exiting an Exige?

My mate grabbed for the roof getting out of my Elise last week, I instinctively screamed blue murder before he put his weight into it. I'd be surprised if it could hold the weight of a small cat.

I've definitely seen a small cat on the roof of my Elise, with no damage.

While I wouldn't want someone to pull on the unsupported windscreen to get out of my car I'm happy for them to pull on the roof when fitted (hard top or soft top there is still a big support above the door). With no roof fitted they can just stand on the seat and step out.

[Tyrewrecker]

scatty72 said:

im 6ft 4 and manage my s2 exige everyday. its ok unless people park really close to you. other than that a bit of practice and its 2nd nature....

Yip, takes a little more work if you park with the drivers door next to the kerb...

[HereBeMonsters]

Captain Muppet said:

I've definitely seen a small cat on the roof of my Elise, with no damage.

While I wouldn't want someone to pull on the unsupported windscreen to get out of my car I'm happy for them to pull on the roof when fitted (hard top or soft top there is still a big support above the door). With no roof fitted they can just stand on the seat and step out.

The windscreen is part of the rollover protection structure. I'd hope it could take me/a passenger pulling on it to gain egress.

[Captain Muppet]

HereBeMonsters said:

Captain Muppet said:

I've definitely seen a small cat on the roof of my Elise, with no damage.

While I wouldn't want someone to pull on the unsupported windscreen to get out of my car I'm happy for them to pull on the roof when fitted (hard top or soft top there is still a big support above the door). With no roof fitted they can just stand on the seat and step out.

The windscreen is part of the rollover protection structure. I'd hope it could take me/a passenger pulling on it to gain egress.

I'd rather I didn't have 12 stone hanging off the end of a two foot long glass and plastic cantilever that I have to pay for if it gets broken. If your windscreen can take the abuse then I'm happy to admit to being rediculously cautious.

The roll over protection is the massive triangulated steel hoop just behind your head.

[jock mcsporran]

HereBeMonsters said:

jock mcsporran said:

If you're still in Leeds, drop me an email and I might be able to swing round with the Exige for 10 mins when I'm next free. If you can get out of an Exige you can get out of an Elise.

Haven't you got a structural roof to hold when exiting an Exige?

Never really thought about it. I don't use the roof to get out. I swing a leg over the sill, get my weight on that and push myself out. My son just stands on the sill and jumps out but he's 3 and has infinitely more energy and flexibility than I do.

[kambites]

HereBeMonsters said:

The windscreen is part of the rollover protection structure. I'd hope it could take me/a passenger pulling on it to gain egress.

Is it? I've seen a few rolled Elises and the windscreen seems to have provided absolutely no structural integrity in any of them.

I have, however, seen a car with a cracked 'screen from someone pulling themselves up on the surround.

[Boggy]

chieflief said:

This speaks for itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=752md5gZPFI&fea...

Oh dear, its as easy to get in and out of as any car Once your used to it

Boggy

[HereBeMonsters]

kambites said:

Is it? I've seen a few rolled Elises and the windscreen seems to have provided absolutely no structural integrity in any of them.

I have, however, seen a car with a cracked 'screen from someone pulling themselves up on the surround.

Ah. I know I read that somewhere. Must have been about my last convertible (MX-5), not the Elise!

[pthelazyjourno]

HereBeMonsters said:

The windscreen is part of the rollover protection structure. I'd hope it could take me/a passenger pulling on it to gain egress.

The windscreen surround isn't actually structural, and they do crack relatively easily with pressure from people trying to get out of the car.

[pthelazyjourno]

Boggy said:

Oh dear, its as easy to get in and out of as any car Once your used to it

Boggy

In fairness to her, it's a lot more difficult when the door spring is broken and you're on a hill.

I struggle to get out of mine if I have to hold the door open at the same time - in that situation I'd probably just wind the window down and stand up more, it doesn't quite matter so much if the door shuts on your leg then.

Otherwise, you can get in/out of an Elise in a fairly narrow gap if you're not too fat, it's not difficult.

[chieflief]

pthelazyjourno said:

Boggy said:

Oh dear, its as easy to get in and out of as any car Once your used to it

Boggy

In fairness to her, it's a lot more difficult when the door spring is broken and you're on a hill.

I struggle to get out of mine if I have to hold the door open at the same time - in that situation I'd probably just wind the window down and stand up more, it doesn't quite matter so much if the door shuts on your leg then.

Otherwise, you can get in/out of an Elise in a fairly narrow gap if you're not too fat, it's not difficult.

The car wasn't on a hill, but point taken. And yes, Boggy, she is much better at it now.