Elise and Exige - Getting in & Out

[bigcalm]

Hi ya

This might be a silly question, but can anyone tell me if the door opening on an S2 Elise with a hardtop is the same as an Exige?

I'm looking at getting one of these, and haven't found an Elise out here in NZ with a hardtop to test how easy it is. I'm 6'3" and can get into the Exige, but it's a challenge.

Cheers

[bebee]

No difference but the Elise is a better choice for your height, it has a removable top.

A few different ways to get in/out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5nMPk2vJKg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R228AAAerjg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdAIF7C3Rfo (this guy is 6'6")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_L7Ig0TX7o (topless lady driver)

Which one will you view first?

[bigcalm]

Brilliant, thanks

I'm keen on a hardtop, so its good to see it can be done easily.

Thanks for the youtube clips. Which did i watch first...the first one has a guy that knows how to do it...but I preferred the fast driving girls for a whole lot of other reasons!

Now I've just got to decide on the car!

Cheers

[rico28]

More recent Exige's have removable tops too! But as Bebee said, there's really no difference. If you're tall it might not be the easiest car to get in but worth it when you're there :-)

no advertising links please

Edited by ehasler on Friday 1st February 12:36

[ad111s]

Im 6'2 had an elise before the exige, as has been said both are the same. Getting in and out with the hardtop on is not an issue, just a 'knack' to doing it. I get in as is shown in the first clip.

[BoostMonkey]

Do any of you 6ft 3"+ fit with a helment on? or have purchased rails that lower the seat?

I've found a set from an American firm but there £250 after tax's, which is mad for two stips of metal.

[drac]

Regarding getting in and out, its identical to the exige mk2 and very easy. Now getting into the passenger seat thats a different matter, its like the car has shrunk and is a funny shape.

In reality it just takes practice, it feels 2nd nature after a while but I have had an elise for over 10yrs. I bought my first in my twenties, not sure how you would get on if you bought your first in your 40's

BoostMonkey said:

Do any of you 6ft 3"+ fit with a helment on? or have purchased rails that lower the seat?

I've found a set from an American firm but there £250 after tax's, which is mad for two stips of metal.

I'm nearly 6'4" and I JUST fit with a helmet and hardtop. (A few millimetres between helmet and roof.)

I am more legs than torso and the car has multiple small mods to make it a better fit though.

Seat rails modded so seat is against the firewall with carpet removed.

Pedals as far as possible adjusted into the footwell.

Steering wheel raised up and slightly towards me.

The set of rails from sector just recline the seat more. What you gain in headroom you lose in leg room!

[Moospeed]

drac said:

Regarding getting in and out, its identical to the exige mk2 and very easy. Now getting into the passenger seat thats a different matter, its like the car has shrunk and is a funny shape.

Yes - this is really weird, first time I noticed was when a passenger was having a hard time so I decided to show her. I ended up a mangled mess and was forced to agree. Go round to the driver side and plonk myself in as easy as Cinderella's size 3 into a glass slipper.

Now, if you want really awkward, try getting a VX with the hardtop on in a single parking space. Laughably wide sills and I'm sure the door feels longer than my Elises.

[BoostMonkey]

drac said:

I'm nearly 6'4" and I JUST fit with a helmet and hardtop. (A few millimetres between helmet and roof.)

I am more legs than torso and the car has multiple small mods to make it a better fit though.

Seat rails modded so seat is against the firewall with carpet removed.

Pedals as far as possible adjusted into the footwell.

Steering wheel raised up and slightly towards me.

The set of rails from sector just recline the seat more. What you gain in headroom you lose in leg room!

Thanks Andy, looks like I just need to find try one out, interesting point on the rails.

[ad111s]

Moospeed said:

drac said:

Regarding getting in and out, its identical to the exige mk2 and very easy. Now getting into the passenger seat thats a different matter, its like the car has shrunk and is a funny shape.

Yes - this is really weird, first time I noticed was when a passenger was having a hard time so I decided to show her. I ended up a mangled mess and was forced to agree. Go round to the driver side and plonk myself in as easy as Cinderella's size 3 into a glass slipper.

Now, if you want really awkward, try getting a VX with the hardtop on in a single parking space. Laughably wide sills and I'm sure the door feels longer than my Elises.

Yeah getting in the drivers side is easy but when it comes to getting in the passenger side its like doing it for the first time, everything is the opposite way round

[Thorburn]

First time I got in one was no problem - it was when I went to get out and hooked my trailing leg on the steering wheel and fell flat on my face that it went a bit pear shaped.

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Thorburn said:

First time I got in one was no problem - it was when I went to get out and hooked my trailing leg on the steering wheel and fell flat on my face that it went a bit pear shaped.

yep done that too