Hi. Picking up an Elise tomorrow. - LotusTalk

wdonovan · 05-28-2009, 10:31 AM

Hi to all. I'm swapping my 996 Carrera 4 cabriolet for an 07 Argent red Elise. Can't wait. I have one burning question raised during the test drive. I am not a tall guy (5'8") but had to lean forward to see traffic lights because the top of the windshield blocked them. Because of looking through the very top of the windshield, I looked for a vertical seat adjustment and couldn't find anything. It looks like the seat is almost sitting on the floor. Is there a way to lower and/or tilt the seat backwards on this car. I have a large, full machine shop at my disposal.

Walt Donovan

alil'britdifferent · 05-28-2009, 10:40 AM

Welcome and hope you enjoy your new ride.

Only drivers seat adjustment is forwards and backwards. You just have to get used to stopping in the right place

tesprit · 05-28-2009, 10:44 AM

If the Elise you are buying still has the sun visors installed remove them and you will be surprised at how much better you can see traffic lights.

serpent · 05-28-2009, 12:04 PM

bueno · 05-28-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tesprit

If the Elise you are buying still has the sun visors installed remove them and you will be surprised at how much better you can see traffic lights.

+1
The visors are useless and are easily removed.

RacyTracy · 05-28-2009, 01:24 PM

Congratulations.....and welcome. Lots of new owners this week!!

glb · 05-28-2009, 01:34 PM

40-50 yrs ago, when many cars had visors over the windshield, drivers would mount a prism* at the front of the dash. It would show the colors of the traffic lights.

*Not a Geo.

TimMullen · 05-28-2009, 03:24 PM

One solution to not seeing the traffic lights because of the windshield header is in fact a prism. Try a Light in Sight: LightInSight - Windshield Mounted Traffic Light Lens

I had one and it worked - until someone reached into my car when parked with the roof off and stole it (no, the motion detector did not set off the alarm - I probably have the only one that's not too sensitive).

Also, if you are going to pick up your car tomorrow, download the Owner's Manual and read it tonight. The car has lots of little quirks that are explained in the Manual: Elise Owner's Manaul .PDF

agirls · 05-28-2009, 03:46 PM

Light In Sight - I clicked "Fits These Cars" and Lotus was not listed. Will it fit?

TimMullen · 05-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

Light In Sight - I clicked "Fits These Cars" and Lotus was not listed. Will it fit?

Yes, it fits everything. It is just a vinyal film with a Fresnel lens molded into it. It simply sticks to the windshield via "static cling". You can move it from car to car.

goelise · 05-28-2009, 04:28 PM

Welcome aboard!! Nice to see more new owners!

agirls · 05-28-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Yes, it fits everything. It is just a vinyal film with a Fresnel lens molded into it. It simply sticks to the windshield via "static cling". You can move it from car to car.

Maybe you missed it. I was kidding. I thought it was funny that the site actually had a list of cars that it would fit.

TimMullen · 05-28-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

Maybe you missed it. I was kidding. I thought it was funny that the site actually had a list of cars that it would fit.

Yep, I missed it. You are right, the list is a bit silly...

swede · 05-28-2009, 05:02 PM

And swap the huge rear view (inside) mirror for something smaller. Check with Sector 111, they have a couple of options. I went with the micro mirror and it works great.

the1sen · 05-29-2009, 05:20 AM

Pics! Gotta see it! Good luck with your new car.

wdonovan · 05-30-2009, 03:18 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome. The lens thing is unbelievable. Is there another mfr that made a car that you can't see out of? I'm reluctant to put something more on a windshield that I already have issues with (except as a very last resort of course). I will remove the visors today after I get the roof off. I haven't had a car with a hard roof since 1985 so I feel a little imprisoned until I get that thing off. I do want to pursue the seat position. I can't get my finger under the seat tub so I guess it's pretty close to the floor. I will look if the front can be raised a bit in an effort to tilt the seat backwards.

BTW Picked up my little toy yesterday and after driving it home (a 3hr 15min ride) I felt like pouring Champagne over my head in true Emmo style. It was a fun drive. Not as refined as the 911 I left at the dealer but a lot more fun. I will post pics soon.

Green Ghost · 05-30-2009, 05:20 AM

What I did to tilt my seat (not that I’m advising you to do this, OK that was my disclaimer) was to get longer bolts for the front and put large washer under the seat rails. I think I went up about 3/8 of an inch. I did nothing to the back of the seat. This tilted the seat a bit and made the seat vary comfy. In the stock position my butt bones (I’m skinny) would get a bit sore after awhile. Tilting it got more seat under my legs, now I can drive for hours and I’m just fine. The best seat I’ve had in any car. Also I don’t feel like I’m leaning forward anymore and the reach to the wheel and peddles is perfect for me now. A few other Lotus people that have sat in my car to try it out have really liked it.

Congratulation and Good luck with the new car, and of course welcome to Lotus ownership and LT.

jbs · 05-30-2009, 05:55 AM

Welcome

Looking forward to see some photos!

6_speed · 05-30-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdonovan

...
BTW Picked up my little toy yesterday and after driving it home (a 3hr 15min ride) I felt like pouring Champagne over my head in true Emmo style. It was a fun drive. Not as refined as the 911 I left at the dealer but a lot more fun. I will post pics soon.

Welcome and Congrats!

I'm 5' 9". I too had issues looking out at traffic lights but got used to it after a couple of times. The visors is still on my Elise and is helpful when driving against long summer sunset. The seat, as-is, works for me. Again, you'll get used to it too.

wdonovan · 06-02-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Ghost

What I did to tilt my seat (not that I’m advising you to do this, OK that was my disclaimer) was to get longer bolts for the front and put large washer under the seat rails. I think I went up about 3/8 of an inch. I did nothing to the back of the seat. This tilted the seat a bit and made the seat vary comfy. In the stock position my butt bones (I’m skinny) would get a bit sore after awhile. Tilting it got more seat under my legs, now I can drive for hours and I’m just fine. The best seat I’ve had in any car. Also I don’t feel like I’m leaning forward anymore and the reach to the wheel and peddles is perfect for me now. A few other Lotus people that have sat in my car to try it out have really liked it.

Congratulation and Good luck with the new car, and of course welcome to Lotus ownership and LT.

Under the rails? Not between the seat and the rails? Did you have to remove the belly pan?

05-28-2009, 10:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 92	Hi. Picking up an Elise tomorrow. Hi to all. I'm swapping my 996 Carrera 4 cabriolet for an 07 Argent red Elise. Can't wait. I have one burning question raised during the test drive. I am not a tall guy (5'8") but had to lean forward to see traffic lights because the top of the windshield blocked them. Because of looking through the very top of the windshield, I looked for a vertical seat adjustment and couldn't find anything. It looks like the seat is almost sitting on the floor. Is there a way to lower and/or tilt the seat backwards on this car. I have a large, full machine shop at my disposal. Walt Donovan

05-28-2009, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
alil'britdifferent English Exile Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Mill, SC Posts: 1,098	Welcome and hope you enjoy your new ride. Only drivers seat adjustment is forwards and backwards. You just have to get used to stopping in the right place __________________ 2005 Elise: Starlight Black - Touring & Sport Pack Faster, Lighter, Safer: Nitron Sport Pro - Lotus Sport ECU - RTD Brace - Braille Battery - K40 anti-Radar/Laser - 4Tress Bar - Schroth 5P Harness' - Fire Ext'r - SS brake lines Audio: Alpine - JBL Speakers - Arqray Double Tip Exhaust w/ Sport Cat - Desnorkel/Green Visual: Hard top - Challenger Rear Grill - Carbon Fiber; Diffuser, Front Splitter & Side Scoops - Stealth Bulbs - Folding Tow Hook, Bootie, Mircomirror & Buttons

05-28-2009, 12:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
serpent Driver!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,726	__________________ Studies show 100% of people die. Might as well have some fun. "Comfort is for kids. I would want to make my passengers weep in fear" - Agent One

05-28-2009, 01:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
RacyTracy Adminatrix Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,956 Images: 2	Congratulations.....and welcome. Lots of new owners this week!! __________________ . . Tracy 2009 Lotus Exige S260 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

05-28-2009, 01:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 4,680	40-50 yrs ago, when many cars had visors over the windshield, drivers would mount a prism* at the front of the dash. It would show the colors of the traffic lights. *Not a Geo. __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, shift tower mods, Multivex; HID low beams); 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell. "Incontinence Emergency Hotline- Can you please hold?"

05-28-2009, 10:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
tesprit Moderator Extraordinaire! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI/Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 2,132	If the Elise you are buying still has the sun visors installed remove them and you will be surprised at how much better you can see traffic lights.

05-28-2009, 03:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 11,750 Images: 19	One solution to not seeing the traffic lights because of the windshield header is in fact a prism. Try a Light in Sight: LightInSight - Windshield Mounted Traffic Light Lens I had one and it worked - until someone reached into my car when parked with the roof off and stole it (no, the motion detector did not set off the alarm - I probably have the only one that's not too sensitive). Also, if you are going to pick up your car tomorrow, download the Owner's Manual and read it tonight. The car has lots of little quirks that are explained in the Manual: Elise Owner's Manaul .PDF __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

05-28-2009, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 872 Images: 73	Light In Sight - I clicked "Fits These Cars" and Lotus was not listed. Will it fit? __________________ Toys- 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange 05 Ducati S4R 02 Suzuki SV650 09 Kawasaki KLX250

05-28-2009, 04:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
goelise AR #1275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 2,607 Images: 1	Welcome aboard!! Nice to see more new owners! __________________ '06 Ardent Red Elise - black interior with LSS, Touring, HT, Starshield, Lotus Sport Clutch, Moroso Oil Pan, 2ZZ(#2), Ekological HIDs, Lotus Driving Lights, Stebel Horn, Bootie, Razo '06 Pedal mod,Snorkel Delete,Odyssey 680 with s111 bracket. Future Mods:LETSLA (in possession but not yet installed), Rear toe link brace Thank you FVMC! WOO-HOO!

05-28-2009, 05:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
swede Stick a fork in it Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gone byebye Posts: 831	And swap the huge rear view (inside) mirror for something smaller. Check with Sector 111, they have a couple of options. I went with the micro mirror and it works great. __________________ R44

05-29-2009, 05:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
the1sen The Azteks are coming! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In The Ghetto... Ghetto of Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,566	Pics! Gotta see it! Good luck with your new car. __________________ The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. F The System - ChuforiaGraffix.com SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

05-30-2009, 03:18 AM	#16 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 92	Thanks for the warm welcome. The lens thing is unbelievable. Is there another mfr that made a car that you can't see out of? I'm reluctant to put something more on a windshield that I already have issues with (except as a very last resort of course). I will remove the visors today after I get the roof off. I haven't had a car with a hard roof since 1985 so I feel a little imprisoned until I get that thing off. I do want to pursue the seat position. I can't get my finger under the seat tub so I guess it's pretty close to the floor. I will look if the front can be raised a bit in an effort to tilt the seat backwards. BTW Picked up my little toy yesterday and after driving it home (a 3hr 15min ride) I felt like pouring Champagne over my head in true Emmo style. It was a fun drive. Not as refined as the 911 I left at the dealer but a lot more fun. I will post pics soon.

05-30-2009, 05:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
Green Ghost Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 1,188 Images: 26	What I did to tilt my seat (not that I’m advising you to do this, OK that was my disclaimer) was to get longer bolts for the front and put large washer under the seat rails. I think I went up about 3/8 of an inch. I did nothing to the back of the seat. This tilted the seat a bit and made the seat vary comfy. In the stock position my butt bones (I’m skinny) would get a bit sore after awhile. Tilting it got more seat under my legs, now I can drive for hours and I’m just fine. The best seat I’ve had in any car. Also I don’t feel like I’m leaning forward anymore and the reach to the wheel and peddles is perfect for me now. A few other Lotus people that have sat in my car to try it out have really liked it. Congratulation and Good luck with the new car, and of course welcome to Lotus ownership and LT. __________________ Track Pack, LSD, & Touring Pack

05-30-2009, 05:55 AM	#18 (permalink)
jbs Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 166	Welcome Looking forward to see some photos! __________________ Light is Right, My Lotus Elise R, 1785 lbs

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