Short Girlfriend

[n209385]

Hi all - have an S2 and a short girlfriend (5 foot 2) who can't reach the pedals - any suggestions on seat bolsters or such like. Lotus did recommend unbolting the seat runners and moving it forward - but I'm 6 foot three and therefore need all the legroom I can get.

n209385

[Sheds]

Normal thing to do is put padding behind her back in the seat, e.g. a good pillow or something. My girlfriend always likes a pillow behind her anyway...!

No, joking aside, she's 5'5" and she can reach the pedals with a good thick bit of stuffing behind her.

Sorry, just cant help it this afternoon, must be the sun...
cheers
Sheds

[CJN]

The easiest solution is probably the best. Tell her there is nothing you can do about the seat so it is unsafe for her to drive.

They usually look better in the passenger seat anyway & it is the best way to keep your baby in one piece.

Sexist mode off:

[smeagol]

One suggestion although I'm not sure it will work. You can get runner extensions for the mini I drive to move the seat futher back. From what I can gether all they are is another set of runners with the "stopper moved". I'm thinking that the runners for the Elise are quite simple and I'm sure you could get another set and effectivly extend it forward, using a similar method.

[ahagerty]

Hi

I dont think its possible to extend the runners etc or move the seat closer as its obstructed by the gear shaft box thingy ( technical term that! ).

My girlfriend is 5 3' and she reaches the peddles okay with the aid of a wee cushion! :-)

Andy

[markqelise]

For gods sake you have the perfect excuse for not letting a girlie drive your little baby and you try and work round the problem - Christ it MUST be LOVE.

[markqelise]

Sheds - This is a motoring forum - Please keep your bedroom antics to yourself

[hungryjim]

Buy her a car of her own and youll have peace of mind that your baby is safe.
Not only would it be uncomfortable for her to use a cusion she could be a danger to other road users and i dont even think its legal.

[adrianr]

quote:
I believe that you can turn the runners around so the seat moves further to the front.

I've done it on mine; it's not so much turning them round as moving the front mountings to the back and vice versa. It's fairly obvious what to do if you have a close look at them and you only need some hex keys - pref. ball end ones that go on a long extension bar for ease of access.

OTOH, although this allowed my wife to reach the pedals, she still can't see much over the bonnet, so perhaps finding some smart booster cushions* would have been a better idea?

AdrianR
* saw an Elise parked on the North Norfolk coast with matching his & hers brown/white striped cushions with tassels...that'll be part of the Lotus touring accessory range then

[n209385]

thanks guys - will have a look at the runners to see if I can do a DIY job. What I was thinking of was some kind of fitted seat bolster - a bit more than a pillow.

As for not letting her drive the car - she will be going to hethel soon for a track day! But am also currently looking at an original fiat 500 for her - rear-engined air-cooled motoring on the cheap.

n209385

[nequeo]

I have the same problem, my wife is 5ft and as the Elise will be our only car we needed to find a way for her to reach the peddles AND see over the dash. Preferably at the same time ;-)

There is an official Lotus Bolster Seat that may do the trick... Costs about £100 in colour-matched Leather ;-)

www.grouplotus.com/car/car_aftsales_trimlist.php?pageID=2

I'll let you know if it works without the seat rail adjustment when the car arrives.

[greysquirrel]

ROFL....

CJN said:

The easiest solution is probably the best. Tell her there is nothing you can do about the seat so it is unsafe for her to drive. They usually look better in the passenger seat anyway & it is the best way to keep your baby in one piece. Sexist mode off:

[wendyg]

I'm 5'2" and I don't have a problem reaching the pedals and seeing out at the same time. I also didn't notice any difference between the S1 and the S2.

I do find I have use the tips of my toes rather that the whole ball of my (size 4) foot, but you get used to that. Maybe just a little practice and confidence is all she needs.

[S Works]

You can get a Lotus seat bolster which moves her up and closer to the pedals, straps onto existing seat.

Find NickB or Lorraine on SELOC and ask them - Lorraine has one and it's ace

Alternatively buy her a Mini Metro.

[andy 111]

nequeo said:

I have the same problem, my wife is 5ft and as the Elise will be our only car we needed to find a way for her to reach the peddles AND see over the dash. Preferably at the same time ;-) There is an official Lotus Bolster Seat that may do the trick... Costs about £100 in colour-matched Leather ;-) www.grouplotus.com/car/car_aftsales_trimlist.php?pageID=2 I'll let you know if it works without the seat rail adjustment when the car arrives.

Yep, mines 5 ft (the girlfriend that is ) and she uses the lotus booster pad. Seems to work OK for her but it hasn't improved the driving so if anyone wants it...
Andy

[S Works]

Don't forget though that none of the above will factor in the cost of a new clutch, or for a dustpan & brush to cater for those 'little parking incidents' which are to be expected once she starts using it.

[mbphillips]

My wife is 5' 2" but she can only drive an automatic(top move eh)!!
She has the same problem in the passenger seat (can't touch the foot rest) - we take a pillow with us when we go out as 'platforms' aren't allowed

[elisebabe]

I'm suprised they need cushions etc as I'm only 5ft 3 (and a bit, okay round it to 5ft 4 ) and can reach the pedals of my b/f's 111R ok.