[Pmth95]

I am looking to purchase a Lotus Elise (2006, Laser Blue is my favorite...). I seem to like smaller cars as I own a 1969 MGb and a 1983 Citroen 2CV.

Before I start seriously looking at Elises I would like to sit in one. I am looking for a kind Elise owner in Michigan to let me sit in an Elise. I am not even asking for a ride as I know I will enjoy that part. At 6"2 I would like to sit inside an Elise to make sure that I can get in and fit once inside.

I live near Detroit in the Bloomfield area.

Thanks

 

[afex]

regardless of which one you sit in, please note that there are multiple improvements that can be made for taller owners - one of the biggest is "tall rails", if you look around on the site you'll see more (if you haven't already)

As you've no doubt seen, we have many owners that are in excess of 6' without any issues - but I completely understand wanting to get in/out of one yourself.

good luck, i'm sure someone closer to your neck of the woods will be willing to help!

 

[komiko]

ingress / egress may take some practice . It did for me, and I'm 5'9", so i think no matter how tall you are, it might take a little technique.

 

[Kubera]

+1 for Laser Blue!

 

[Lowtush]

you'll fit fine. its the helmet that may be an issue

 

[strategery]

I'm a little over 6'1" and use the "tall rails". Without the tall rails, it was a tight fit. As Lowtush mentions, it was needed for me to make room for wearing a helmet. My avatar is without the tall rails, so you can see why it was needed.

I'm in the Ann Arbor area, but my car isn't going anywhere for a while with this weather we are having.

 

[cyow5]

Check out Auto Europe. They may have one in the showroom, and they are within walking distance of you


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[GR82DRV]

It's been discussed here often, but the "fit" issue is more about proportions than overall height. I'm nearly 6'2" with long legs and arms and the standard seat is not a problem. I know however that guys who are tall with long torsos and "shorter" legs tend to be more challenged. My only wish is that the steering wheel telescoped to get the reach fit just right.

As for ingress/egress, it takes practice, and still very few people make it look easy. A few years ago after a big high school track meet, the star hurdler wanted to sit in my car and ended up tying himself up like a pretzel getting in and out. That made this old man feel good!

 

[SwingLo]

Yep, you'll fit. I'm roughly 6'1" and fit fine without the TallRails.

GR82 and his son (Me!) are both tall dudes and fit fine.

Oh, and while it's the 'VW of France', the Deaux Chaveux is such a cool car. Anytime they turn up at a car show, they turn heads like no other! So, you have good practice for an Elise!

 

[sturgeongeneral]

I'm 5 foot 10 208 pounds with blown hips and knees. Fitting isn't the issue, getting in and out is. Once you're in there isn't a car that compares.

 

[Ironmatt]

I will second the Auto Europe suggestion... especially because in this weather, nobody has their cars out. I am reasonably sure Eric will let you try getting in and out of one and it will be warm and dry in the showroom...

I will also echo the comments about driver dimensions being a bigger issue that total height. My brother is 6'4" and he seems to fit quite comfortably in his. Seems its more about length of legs/torso. Good luck!

 

[Pmth95]

Walked past the "Auto Europe" place this morning on Woodward and it seems quite desolate with an Evora and an old three wheeler. There is still a "Morgan" sign on the building and a Lotus sign in the window but nothing much there. Half of the building is a Ducatti shop. Wonder if they moved?

 

[wfink]

You will be more likely to get access to a car if you go to their repair shop. Give them a call to see if there are any in for repair and ask if you can sit in one.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[lotocone]

Walked past the "Auto Europe" place this morning on Woodward and it seems quite desolate with an Evora and an old three wheeler. There is still a "Morgan" sign on the building and a Lotus sign in the window but nothing much there. Half of the building is a Ducatti shop. Wonder if they moved?

I don't think the sales dept moved, but they downsized a lot last year. Without new Elises to put on display. they probably just don't need the room.
It seems like Evoras don't sell in much volume, so not much room needed for them. I haven't seen an Elise for sale there for a few months, but they have good connections I think. I would check there if I wanted an Elise.

Their service place on Eton St. seems to be busy all of the time.

 

[Ironmatt]

Call them up, talk to Eric, tell him you want to buy a car if you'll fit in it... Pretty sure he will take care of you.

-M

 

[Hartz]

I'm in the Plymouth/Canton area. You're more than welcome to come sit in my car. It's stored for the winter, but we can take the covers off easily enough.

 

[Pmth95]

@Hartz,

Thank you for the offer. Not sure how to get in touch with you since I do not yet have my 10 posts that would allow me to PM you. If you can send me an email at: "My avatar name" followed by "at gmail dot com". I am in Bloomfield so a drive down to Canton is easy. Thank you, Patrick.

 

[andy7777]

You're also welcome to take a look at mine when it's out of storage in a couple of weeks. I'm near Covington School on Quarton and Cranbrook.

 

[Pmth95]

@Hartz: many thanks again for letting me see your great car and let me sit in it. I now know what my next car is going to be .

@andy7777: you are right by my place as i live at Quarton x Franklin. Hopefully me can meet up once I find my laser blue Elise.