Really want an Elise, but doubt I'll fit. What other choices are comparable?

2355 Views 25 Replies 20 Participants Last post by rnr, Jul 26, 2009

Punkbob

Discussion Starter · Jul 17, 2009

Well I have been new car shopping lately, and Lotus has caught my eye. I haven't driven one, or even seen one up close, but I have fallen in love. It seems to be the perfect match, a great car to drive, not bad to look at, and a reasonable sticker price for someone just making their way in the world.

The only problem is that I am 6'7" 260 Pounds and otherwise a large man. I haven't sat in a car, but that is mainly out of fear that I won't fit. I guess I will have to remedy that soon, but I don't really have time to get to Criswell to check out a car.

So while I would love an Elise, what else is out there that may fit someone of my size? I was recommended the S2000 and the RX-8 by a Coworker, but I want to see what Lotus owner's think would be a good car to help ease the pain of not fitting in a Lotus.

This is a purchase that is 6-12 months away, and I am looking not to spend more then $35,000. I need some time to build up the cash reserves, and to learn how to drive stick(I know it's a sin, but I was raised in a family with Automatics, and just haven't had access to a car to even learn.)

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Noisycow

· #2 · Jul 17, 2009

In 6-12 months from now there will be plenty of Porsche Cayman S cars for around $35k.

Aedo

· #3 · Jul 17, 2009

There are people your size who fit in the Elise - the bigger issue is getting in and out

Get to the dealer and try one on for size!

PS: learning stick is easy

mikester

· #4 · Jul 17, 2009

Nothing is comparable

But, there are some very nice alternatives, just depends on what you're looking for and what your budget is.

As said above, try one on for size, and definitely learn how to drive a manual transmission (it's easy).

snuggles1

· #5 · Jul 17, 2009

As said above, try one on for size, and definitely learn how to drive a manual transmission (it's easy). >> funny. two nights ago, on a gentle hill near my house, a new manual driver rolled his car backwards onto my front bumper. i was furious. he got out and said Sorry I'm learning stick shift. I said DONT LEARN ON MY CAR PLEASE!

Dirac

· #6 · Jul 17, 2009

Punkbob said:
The only problem is that I am 6'7" 260 Pounds and otherwise a large man. I haven't sat in a car, but that is mainly out of fear that I won't fit.

I think the problem here would be your height. I'm 6"2', and I just about fit. I have a friend who's 6"3', but he has a shorter torso, so he narrowly fits too. Unless you have an extremely short torso, I'd be surprised if you fit the height. You don't want to be driving a targa with your head sticking out in case of an accident.

But definitely give it a try at a dealer's.

(and for the record, I don't think the weight is a problem at all, it's surprisingly roomy once you're settled in

)

Randy Chase

· #7 · Jul 17, 2009

It is about proportions. Hip width can be an issue. As mentioned, it depends on the torso height.

And the last bit is your feet. Take some racing shoes with when you go to wear the car. Wider/bigger feet will have a problem in the pedal box.

milehitom

· #8 · Jul 17, 2009

My pal, Alec, is 6'7" (230 lbs) but very long in the legs...he could not fit in the driver's side. His very large feet didn't help, either, since the Elise pedal configuration is so close together. Different body shapes may find it easier to get the legs around our non-adjustable steering wheel.

Perhaps a Lotus owner in your area would let you try one on for size.

Tom

Whitey#1

· #9 · Jul 17, 2009

Punkbob said:
Well I have been new car shopping lately, and Lotus has caught my eye. I haven't driven one, or even seen one up close, but I have fallen in love. It seems to be the perfect match, a great car to drive, not bad to look at, and a reasonable sticker price for someone just making their way in the world.

The only problem is that I am 6'7" 260 Pounds and otherwise a large man. I haven't sat in a car, but that is mainly out of fear that I won't fit. I guess I will have to remedy that soon, but I don't really have time to get to Criswell to check out a car.

So while I would love an Elise, what else is out there that may fit someone of my size? I was recommended the S2000 and the RX-8 by a Coworker, but I want to see what Lotus owner's think would be a good car to help ease the pain of not fitting in a Lotus.

This is a purchase that is 6-12 months away, and I am looking not to spend more then $35,000. I need some time to build up the cash reserves, and to learn how to drive stick(I know it's a sin, but I was raised in a family with Automatics, and just haven't had access to a car to even learn.)

just a couple of points.

i am 6'2", 240, and once i am inside the Lotus Elise i seem to have enough room. getting in and out would be the issue for you. most say once you learn your technique its doable. i guess its just a question of how much you want the Lotus? do you want it bad enough to, perhaps, have some cockpit and ingress/egress issues?

and with regards to the Mazda RX-8. i almost bought one about a year ago, but settled on the Nissan 350Z simple because the RX-8 has that rotary engine. the rotary engine scared me off.

Mike

SteveLevin

· #10 · Jul 17, 2009

The final generation MR2 will fit you, and while it has less power than the Elise, I actually think it's the closest non-Lotus Lotus out there for the direct connect feel.

Steve

Randy Chase

· #11 · Jul 17, 2009

Or a Noble, but it would be out the price range.

Punkbob

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 17, 2009

******#1 said:
just a couple of points.

i am 6'2", 240, and once i am inside the Lotus Elise i seem to have enough room. getting in and out would be the issue for you. most say once you learn your technique its doable. i guess its just a question of how much you want the Lotus? do you want it bad enough to, perhaps, have some cockpit and ingress/egress issues?

and with regards to the Mazda RX-8. i almost bought one about a year ago, but settled on the Nissan 350Z simple because the RX-8 has that rotary engine. the rotary engine scared me off.

Mike

As far as getting in and out, I would have no problem with Ingress/Egress issue's as long as I could drive the car. I'm only 20, so I am still physically able to squirm in and out of the car.

As far as legs are concerned I am only a 34" inseam, but have a much longer torso then most. And I started to look at the noble, but it's way out of my price range. I would already be stretching as it is.

I have kind of excepted the fact that the Elise is not really an option, but I still want it really bad.

With the Porsche Cayman, why will the price be so low in the near future? Is that because leases will be running out? Or is that some sort of prediction regarding the economy.

Thanks.

CrazyDiamond

· #13 · Jul 17, 2009

Randy Chase said:
Or a Noble, but it would be out the price range.

That's what I was going to say

RoadDad

· #14 · Jul 17, 2009

PM Baysailor, or maybe he'll see this thread. He's somewhere about your size and seems to get along quite nicely with the car.

EDIT: Here's a picture of him next to his car

. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/member.php?u=3320

Punkbob

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 17, 2009 (Edited)

RoadDad said:
PM Baysailor, or maybe he'll see this thread. He's somewhere about your size and seems to get along quite nicely with the car.

EDIT: Here's a picture of him next to his car . http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/member.php?u=3320

I saw him in the other posts regarding height, and the fact that he fit gave me hope. I didn't see anywhere, but did he ever specify how much head room he had?

And does anyone have experience with TALLrails? I saw them on the Sector111 site, and looked intriguing. TALLrails are Seat Rails for the Lotus Elise and Exige - Sector111

EDIT: NVM, saw the threads on seat adjustment, and the downlow kit mentioned by Baysalior is the same as the Tallrails.

I guess I will just have to go sit in a car.

Baysailor

· #16 · Jul 18, 2009 (Edited)

Punkbob said:
I guess I will just have to go sit in a car.

This is the only way to know for sure, even then you won't really know for sure until you spend some time with one. At first I was worried that I was making myself fit because I wanted one so bad, but over time I might regret my puchase (I had first started following the S1 Elise back in 1995 when I heard about it's impending release in Europe). I was very fortunate in that my dealer really went out of their way to help me in being sure. They let me take a demo Elise for a couple of different weekends to make sure that I really was comfortable in it. I was able to get about 200 miles of seat time in before I ever even bought one! Three and a half years of ownership with almost daily driving and I have had no regrets!

I am a little shorter than you (6' 6"), but same weight (260 lbs). I find my height actually helps with getting in and out as I have no problems with either. I fit well in the car, but there is not any additional room. With the hard top, I have less than 1/4" of headroom. With the soft top, I have a little more. With no top I have a lot more!

I have tried the downlow seat rails and while I liked the slight more reclined position and increased headroom, I lost too much legroom. The '06 and later pedal box works better for larger feet.

For you, it will really come down to your body proportions. I hope you fit, as it is a real joy. Keep us informed!

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RoadDad

· #17 · Jul 18, 2009

Thanks Brian. Shouldn't you be sleeping? -poke-

shokwaves

· #18 · Jul 18, 2009

Miata. Light, alum body, nimble, cheap, reliable.

Baysailor

· #19 · Jul 18, 2009

RoadDad said:
Thanks Brian. Shouldn't you be sleeping? -poke-

No, no... I was just getting up early... like you! (yeah... that's it... up early)

newguy

· #20 · Jul 18, 2009

sorry but if you are 6'7 260 the elise is def not for you, trying getting in and out it will be a task for you. you should look into the new nissan 370z. best advice is to test drive one and see if its for you

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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