Too tall for an Elise?

[falstone]

Dear Forum,
I have tried to get in a series 1 Elise without success, the seat position is too near the wheel, I was too high and the footwell was impossible with my feet. Are any of the others different? I am 6'3" and would dearly love an Elise...are any of the later models different (or other Lotus models) or should I give up!?
Thanks for any recommendations.

[LD1Racing]

I'm 6'3", 14-15st and ran an S2 Exige for a while. Fine for me, though not great with a helmet. The Elise has a smidge more headroom than the Exige so would probably be better. Give one a test drive and see what you think.

ETA - didn't even have the seat the whole way back in the Exige IIRC.

Edited by LD1Racing on Thursday 28th October 21:50

[AlexS]

The guy I bought my Elise off was at least 6'3" (made my 6' look stumpy anyway) and he fitted without issues both hood up and down. He was built like a rake though which may have helped things.

[tertius]

I'm 6'3" maybe 4" and have an S2 111S.

I would say that you cannot judge on just one car, there are so many variations in particular with the seats that another, apparently similar, car may be quite different.

I have the carbon buckets and a removable steering wheel that both help a lot. Certainly the process of getting in and out will win no prizes for elegance but once in I'm very comfortable and can wear a helmet even with the roof on (though that is a real squash).

I suggest you try a few before you give up, and if you are anywhere near SW London you'd be welcome to try mine for size.

[Francelise]

Remember to wear race car style footwear, makes those peddle changes possible. Big Nike trainers are a no no!

I am 6' 4 and weigh 97 kgs. No problem.

[falstone]

Thanks all for the info, and glad that I am not alone in the oversize world, very encouraging!! I don't think getting in and out will ever be glamourous but that's not an issue, its the driving bit once you are in especially as I also wanted to use a helmet for track events. I am coming from a Griffith 500 which was huge by comparison...
I will not give up on my quest yet and interesting to note the seat and steering wheel variations make a difference - I had also heard that the "S2" was larger? Based where I am abroad there is not a million options to try these so a bit of travel is needed even before sitting in one.

[jondude]

I'm not the tallest at 5ft 10, but I would certainly say it is not your height but your weight which is all you have to worry about, especially in a S1 and those sills!!!

I noticed this as when I bought the car, getting in and out was a breeze (and there is tons of legroom). Then I went on an extended holiday and put on half a stone.

Sod me, it was tough getting out now!

Bottom line: Don't over do the Big Macs.

• Just noticed you said you had problems with the driving position in a S1? That's strange - was it modified inside? Big unoriginal seats and the like? I say this as I have an unmodified S1 and my brother at 6.1 adores the driving position. Mind you, he is crap at getting out......

Edited by jondude on Friday 29th October 09:53

[kambites]

If anything there's less space in an S2, because the seat padding tends to be thicker. They're easier to get in and out of, though.

6'3 shouldn't be a problem, in itself. There are plenty of significantly taller people who own Elises. If you have a particularly odd build (for example long legs and short arms or vice versa) then you might not fit. I have unusually long legs and short arms so, despite only being 6', I can't comfortable in a standard Elise - I have to put spacers behind the steering wheel.

Edited by kambites on Friday 29th October 10:36

[Pum]

I seem to recall in Clarkson's Top Gear review of the VX220, he commented that it seemed to have slightly more headroom.

[wantalotus]

6ft 4in 100kgs, no problems, except being overweight LOL. it is just a matter of getting used to the entry and exit, in the garage is another matter, must remember to open window before turning off ignition.

[Sumshi]

If you do not have the roof on then their should not be aproblem

[XTR2Turbo]

Try a car fitted with the Tillett B5 seats without runners. You will sit at least an inch lower and further back. My friend has just done this to his and I was surprised how much difference it made.

[chevronb37]

A pal of mine who's 6'5" managed to get vaguely comfortable in mine, although he looked a bit silly - like the chap off the Simpsons "It was the only car I could afford..."

[ad111s]

I am 6'2 and 15st and no problem for me in my S2 111S

[NylonAdmiral]

I'm a smidgen over 6 foot 4 and I easily fit in an Exige S2. It's not easy climbing in and out (although it becomes smoother with practice) but once in theres loads of headroom and with the seat right the way back it easily accomodates my legs.

Hope that helps!

[Sammyturbo]

Just got an S1 S160 I am 6 1" and have no problems although I have a removable steering wheel! which makes a massive difference.