Why all this angst over getting in and out of Elise?

[goelise]

It really is not bad once you do it a few times. It's part of the Lotus Experience and, for me at least, screams 'Pure Sportscar'!

[RegGuy]

I have little trouble getting in and out. But I'm 5'9" and I think just a few inches taller makes it quite different.

I use the "breach exit" method. By that I mean I put my leg out and then lift myself out butt, torso, head, then finally right leg. I find I can get out twice as fast and easy that way. Plus I don't care what anyone thinks.

[catapult]

I bet it gets a bit more difficult the taller or older you are. The guy in the video (I don't know if that's you Goelise) doesn't appear that tall. Also, I think its easier to get out of the driver's side 'cause you can use the steering wheel to push off of than the passenger side (though I've never sat in the passenger side). And for a woman wearing a short skirt and high heels it could be more difficult as well. So if you are an 80 year old, 6' 1" woman wearing stilletos and a micro mini and trying to get in and out of the passenger seat you might have more difficulty. Can you find a video of that?

[Spudboy]

One thing I do now is put my left foot under the front edge of the door and use my leg as a lever to help lift me out. It works really well.

With the top on, I feel like a circus midget getting into one of those tiny cars. (No offense to midgets or circus people.)

[FlyLo]

I imagine a skirt would compromise one's dignity.

[RegGuy]

Here is a post showing our very own Modern Wedgie getting out of an Elise's passenger side while wearing a skirt.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...6&postcount=21

[Wasabi]

It really is quite easy unless you're greatly overweight, in which case don't even try please, I won't be able to undo the handbreak if you're too fat anyways

Ok that was a little mean... anyways I dive in head first, use my right hand to steady myself (usually holding onto the passenger seat, or the far side of the drivers seat) and swing my legs in after, takes 2 seconds... to get out I swing both legs out, use my right hand to push up, and sort of hop out of the car, takes me longer to open the door than to get my body out

The only difficulty I could imagine is for women in skirts... and that's something I'd sure like to see

[milehitom]

The video entry method works great if (like the demonstrator) you're 5'8"and 150. Add 4" and 45 pounds and it makes a bit of a difference. I sit on the sill, facing out, then lean forward and drop backwards into the seat and swing both legs over and in. That way, I don't whack my head or twist my spine. It's very easy but who knows how I'll feel as the years add up and the body stiffens up.

I just had the owner of the Aston Martin dealership in town in my studio to cut some spots and he said he's had quite a few Elises come in to his dealership in trade. All the owners loved the car but couldn't handle getting in and out. I suppose an Aston Martin softens the blow of getting rid of your Lotus. I'll keep mine (plus, no way could I afford an Aston Martin).

Tom

[CarNut]

Originally Posted by catapult

I bet it gets a bit more difficult the taller or older you are. The guy in the video (I don't know if that's you Goelise) doesn't appear that tall. Also, I think its easier to get out of the driver's side 'cause you can use the steering wheel to push off of than the passenger side (though I've never sat in the passenger side). And for a woman wearing a short skirt and high heels it could be more difficult as well. So if you are an 80 year old, 6' 1" woman wearing stilletos and a micro mini and trying to get in and out of the passenger seat you might have more difficulty. Can you find a video of that?

Don't pick on the old, tall people. I'm 60 and 6'3", so if I can get in and out the rest of you should have no problem. OK, it's not always graceful, especially with the top on, but its not a problem. I did get it all wrong getting the passenger side of an Exige recently. First time on the passenger side and I had trouble translating what I do on the driver side. Maybe I needed to use a mirror.

[cpforyou]

I dunno about that method. Some of us will have trouble doing the little mini-hop before we put our first foot in. LoL

[HexAngel]

I'm a middle-aged bloke, 6'1" and 150 lb. I get in without using hands at all; getting out I only use my left hand or elbow on the sill to get my butt out of the seat then stand right up. This is with the roof on. Roof off is even easier of course. A certain amount of flexibility helps but I'm no yoga master, that's for sure.

The funny thing is it's kind of automatic, I don't consciously know how it's done. When a passenger asks I never know what to tell them. Since I rarely use the passenger side that's very awkward for me and I usually end up banging my head and twisting a knee or two.

Using a "normal" car is a strange experience after only having the Elise for a year.

[Stroker Ace]

Originally Posted by MyElise

Others of greater height and mass have greater difficulty:

[smoseley]

From the vid: "I'm about 5'8, 150 pounds" <--- says it all. Put on 6 inches and 60 pounds and you'll see where the angst comes from.

[smoseley]

Originally Posted by LARRY

The door sill on the Saleen S7 is 3 times as wide as ours. Can you imagine the fun?

That's the purpose of vertical doors. Notice the shape of the doors allows for easier entry.

[LARRY]

The door sill on the new Saleen S7 is 3 times as wide as ours. Can you imagine the fun?

[SimonMExS]

Originally Posted by transio

From the vid: "I'm about 5'8, 150 pounds" <--- says it all. Put on 6 inches and 60 pounds and you'll see where the angst comes from.

transio,
You're such a 'party pooper'!

[Tintin]

5'11" and 140lbs here. I have no problem getting in and out
I use the same technique as the demonstrator in the video. But I don't quite have the same artistic acting talent, I'll have to practice the hop

[JnC]

I think the video would have been much better if it was filmed from the side. As it is, the door is in the way and you don't really learn anything from watching it, other than goelise can get in and out of his Elise. Showoff.

[goelise]

Another video from a better angle will come.

[catapult]

Originally Posted by CarNut

Don't pick on the old, tall people. I'm 60 and 6'3", so if I can get in and out the rest of you should have no problem. OK, it's not always graceful, especially with the top on, but its not a problem. I did get it all wrong getting the passenger side of an Exige recently. First time on the passenger side and I had trouble translating what I do on the driver side. Maybe I needed to use a mirror.

CarNut - You'll notice that I gave the example of an 80 yr old. You're still pretty young in my books. 80 yr olds tend to have lost a bit of flexibility (generalization).