will i fit into an elise ?

will i fit into an elise ?

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Discussion

scoobykev15

Original Poster:

406 posts

214 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
quotequote all
Ive got a nice little legacy coming at the end of the month and am going to blow a good lump of it on a new toy. The shortlist up to now is a 70,s corvette, a v8 dax rush or an elise.The big question is whether 6 ft 3 16 stone blokes fit lotus elises without doing their 54 yr old back an injury?

Xilent

20 posts

163 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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personally id say its not going to be easy, i was a passenger in one at a track day, im 5ft9, 20yr old and i struggled a bit. Which may have been due to the helmet.

Are you good at situps? smile

bimsb6

8,164 posts

228 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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no problem !

kazste

5,784 posts

205 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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Height might be an issue but girth should be fine.
I have heard that you can turn the seat runners round to create extra leg room, but not sure if true.
Roof can be rolled over in order to ease ingress and egress and hardly takes any time at all on s2 short tail roof.

Best option as always though is to sit in one, if your nottingham way your welcome to try mine for size if it helps.

wacattack

576 posts

232 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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My brother is 6'2 and 17 stone and really struggles to get in my Elise. I wouldn't say height is the main issue (my brother I law is 6'7 and gets in no problem), it's the suppleness of a bigger person that causes the difficulties

simpo555

560 posts

171 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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Id be inclined to advise against it although depends on your 'flexibility'. Sitting in and driving the car no problem. But getting in and out, Im not so sure. As the Lotus proverb states, try it and buy it, but dont buy it and try it.

fatwomble

1,389 posts

221 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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I have very little flexibility, I'm probably about 15 Stone and 6'1" and I manage it ok. Give one a test drive.

dgr

289 posts

241 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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6'3" here, had an Elise since 2004 and fit perfectly. Plenty of big guys with them, you may want to consider a detachable steering wheel. Best advice is to get down to dealer and try one for size.

tertius

6,914 posts

237 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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Definitely give one or more than one a go. I'm 6'4" and 90kgs and fit no problem. However, I did find when looking that different cars (with different seats, etc.) varied a lot. Some were fine and some were not.

As said flexibility may be the real issue.

you don't say if you are looking for new or used but if you are W London way I'd be happy to let you try mine.

kambites

68,419 posts

228 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
It depends on how you're built (ratio of leg to back and arm lengths) and how flexible you are. You need to try, really.

Lefty

16,642 posts

209 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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You should be fine as driveer, perhaps not as a passenger!

I had a VX for a couple of years, which is generally easier to get in and out of than a series 1 Liz. I've driven plenty of Elises and, once in, am fine. I'm 6'4"

Elegant access and egress take a little practice, after a week or so you'll be grand.

icepop

1,177 posts

214 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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I'm 5' 11", and about 16st, short of leg, and I struggle with the roof in place.

But it matters not, (as long as you don't have a hard top fitted), because when you drive without the roof, it's dead easy,(might not be elegant), to get in and out, and if the soft top's fitted, then as said, just unclip and roll back the side of the roof, to the first support, and pop in. Best not to bother what it looks like, who cares.

scoobykev15

Original Poster:

406 posts

214 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
thanks guys, i think i,d better get (or try to!) my arse into one before i take the plunge

fatwomble

1,389 posts

221 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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If you do find that you're too high in the car and your head touches the roof you can always fit these http://www.seriouslylotus.com/index.php/sector111-...

I have a long back and whilst I was ok for normal driving, I couldn't fit in the Europa with a lid on. It's much better now.

Sumshi

277 posts

179 months

Saturday 9th April 2011
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on he plus side the seat comfort for me removed any of me previous back problems created by Mondeo/vectra seats. 400 miles is not a back issue single journey , except for fueling.

jondude

2,388 posts

224 months

Sunday 10th April 2011
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As others have said, it really does come down a lot to technique.....I thought I was quite brilliant at getting in (zero problems) and out (can get messy if I miss the swing movement up).

But then I was a passenger in my own car and it was BAD. Again, getting in never is so bad, but as for getting out......

I'd think a chap your height will find it easier to roll back the seat as far as possible every time before you exit, if that isn't already necessary to get the best seating position.

Also add I feel it is indeed down to your own fitness and weight. When I got lazy one summer and put on 7 kilos, all around the gut, it was much, much harder to get out of the car.

PLamborghini

3,888 posts

172 months

Sunday 10th April 2011
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you should do, I'm 6'2 and I got in alright(ish) wink

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

255 months

Sunday 10th April 2011
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Yes you will fit, will be a funny sight watching you get in and out with the roof on though.

ad111s

978 posts

209 months

Sunday 10th April 2011
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Im 6'2 and 25 st and get in no problems, you need to be a bit flexible but there is a 'nack' to getting in and out once you master it you should be fine

chevronb37

6,471 posts

193 months

Monday 11th April 2011
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There is nothing like that vague panic that you are stuck in a car. I thought learning easy access/egress with an Elise would mean I was an automotive contortionist. Until I sat in this. Emerged on my hands and knees feeling highly undignified. Back on topic, try it and once you're in you'll love it!