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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Elise driver’s seat position.


Nick Bond

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Dear all,

I have recently found your website.  Last September I drove an Elise for about two hours.  At the end of the drive I felt fine but later experienced pain in my right side around my hip region.  Since then I have tried to find anyone who has the same problem and if they have been able to overcome it.  I loved the car and feel that I must explore every avenue to try and solve this problem before reluctantly concluding that the Elise is not for me.  I think that if the Elise had reclining seats I could find a comfortable position.  I put my problem to Lotus but they were not able to suggest anything.  I’m under 6 foot tall and medium build.  I feel that if I could have the seat further back it might help.  If anyone can make a suggestion that would resolve my problem I should be pleased to hear it.

Thanks in advance,

Nick.

 

 

 

 

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That's unusual Nick, i've not heard of people having that problem before, usually once in the car and driving most find it comfortable - i find it really comfortable because i don't have to bend my knees much (I'm 5'9, slim-ish). Are you sure you weren't holding your leg in a funny position or inadvertently twisting your hips or something?

I would try one again just to make sure

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How old was the Elise?  Comfort was greatly increased with the Probax seats.  I am a bit on the heavy side (particularly after Christmas) and 6’2”.  My right buttock aches after a long drive, but I would have to blame its size for that!.  We’re they carbon fibre seats?

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Dear both,
Thanks for coming back so soon.  The car was a nearly new Sport 220.  The point about not bending your knees is interesting because when I drove a Caterham (also recently) I found I could sit with my legs straight and that felt fine.  I will drive the Elise again and try the “straight legs” approach.  Perhaps I was sitting awkwardly and didn’t realise.   The discomfort is in my right side around the hip/buttock area (as you mentioned) and I think the car had Probax seats.  I’ve spoken to some Elise specialists and found out that it’s possible to add extra lumber padding but I’ve not found anyone who can suggest any cure for my buttock/hip issue!
I found the Elsie to be so exciting to drive that I must do everything I can to find a resolution.

thanks so much again,

Nick Bond

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Just a thought, I had this problem when I bought my S1 Elise, took me a few weeks to find out what was causing it. I keep my wallet in my right hip jeans pocket, there’s not a lot of padding in the seats, now when I’m in the Elise I remove my wallet- problem solved


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I suffer with lower back pain and until recently I had a 2007 Elise S2 with Probax seats for 7 years. I actually found them pretty comfy and I could go out and do an 'all-dayer' (eg Track day) and do 300-400miles in a day. I would know about it at the end of the day, but very do-able. I'm about 5'11 and an instructor on a track day suggested I shouldn't have the seat too far back with arms/legs at full stretch. I think this may have been from a safety point of view in case of impact with straight arms. I'm certain a new sport 220 has Probax seats. 

I agree with the comment above ie, try not to have wallets/phones/keys in pockets.

Good luck

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Interesting topic. In the 111R (since replaced by a Heritage Edition 220 Sport) I always found the seating position really comfortable even when the car was nearly 15 years old. The new car should therefore be an improvement - right? Well not exactly. It's OK for an hour or so, but then becomes less comfortable. Have Lotus shortened the base of the seat? The adjustment bar is now clearly visible (wasn't before) and there doesn't seem to be any support just before the knee? This suggests the seat base is actually shorter by maybe a couple of inches.

I need to find an older car to measure up against.

Or maybe just ask Central Lotus to return the 111R (because they don't seem to have listed it yet, let alone sold it!)?

Anyone able to throw some light on the seat issue?


 

 

 

 

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Most people are going to have a issue with a Elise or any car built on the same platform as they get older. I will be totally honest being a past owner of many cars on this platform for as long as dare to remember the last being a 250 Cup, with Carbon buckets that after a hour of driving would play hell with my left leg and problems with my back. Would that stop me buying a car on this platform? Absolutely no because the the enjoyment you get from the driver involvement of this platform is the best you are probably ever going to ever experience. Dont mention getting into the tub over the sills that’s where that’s where it gets hard when you are in your 60s lol.

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Dear all,

thanks for all your interest in my problem. Hartleyj has given me an idea.  I’m currently running a Morgan 4/4 which has reclining seats but a rather short seat cushion which I found uncomfortable.  My solution was to keep a small rucksack under my knees which lengthened, as it were, the seat cushion and sInce then I been fine and can travel many miles comfortably.  I think this is worth a try in the Elise.

I also take the point from Lotus 111 about the Elise being the best car one can experience.  I completely agree as my 2 hours at the wheel was one of the most exciting drives I’ve ever had.

thanks to all who have responded. Any further comments/deals will be gratefully received.

best regards,

Nick

 

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Where are you based Nick ? I know current circumstances don’t allow but if you haven’t purchased by the time lockdown is released you should come along to a local meet where all types , ages and configurations are present . I am sure the owners would be happy to let you try out the different seats . Your height and size aren’t prohibitive. I am 6 1 and around 12 1/2 stone and sit 2 clicks from the back in my car so I don’t think reclining or moving the seat further back will solve the issue ..... 

richard

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On 12/01/2021 at 23:47, lotus111 said:

Most people are going to have a issue with a Elise or any car built on the same platform as they get older. I will be totally honest being a past owner of many cars on this platform for as long as dare to remember the last being a 250 Cup, with Carbon buckets that after a hour of driving would play hell with my left leg and problems with my back. Would that stop me buying a car on this platform? Absolutely no because the the enjoyment you get from the driver involvement of this platform is the best you are probably ever going to ever experience. Dont mention getting into the tub over the sills that’s where that’s where it gets hard when you are in your 60s lol.

I still maintain that if I can get into the car then it will all be worthwhile. When I can't get into an Elise I may have to look at an Evora....

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On 15/01/2021 at 15:49, hartleyj said:

I still maintain that if I can get into the car then it will all be worthwhile. When I can't get into an Elise I may have to look at an Evora....

Quite right Hartley!

Perhaps now is the time to take up yoga (if you haven't already) to maintain flexibility for longer. I'm told yoga with Adrienne on youtube is rather good, a workout for the entire body including the eyes 😁

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 12/01/2021 at 18:26, hartleyj said:

Interesting topic. In the 111R (since replaced by a Heritage Edition 220 Sport) I always found the seating position really comfortable even when the car was nearly 15 years old. The new car should therefore be an improvement - right? Well not exactly. It's OK for an hour or so, but then becomes less comfortable. Have Lotus shortened the base of the seat? The adjustment bar is now clearly visible (wasn't before) and there doesn't seem to be any support just before the knee? This suggests the seat base is actually shorter by maybe a couple of inches.

I need to find an older car to measure up against.

Or maybe just ask Central Lotus to return the 111R (because they don't seem to have listed it yet, let alone sold it!)?

Anyone able to throw some light on the seat issue?


 

 

 

 

Hi HartleyJ,

                    With regards to Central Lotus, I have a feeling that they may not have listed it, because I purchased it last year but was unable to pick it up until this month. I’m making an educated guess and  assume it’s the same 111R. (It’s ardent red). 

Many thanks,

Luke

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 10/01/2021 at 15:48, Nick Bond said:

Dear all,

I have recently found your website.  Last September I drove an Elise for about two hours.  At the end of the drive I felt fine but later experienced pain in my right side around my hip region.  Since then I have tried to find anyone who has the same problem and if they have been able to overcome it.  I loved the car and feel that I must explore every avenue to try and solve this problem before reluctantly concluding that the Elise is not for me.  I think that if the Elise had reclining seats I could find a comfortable position.  I put my problem to Lotus but they were not able to suggest anything.  I’m under 6 foot tall and medium build.  I feel that if I could have the seat further back it might help.  If anyone can make a suggestion that would resolve my problem I should be pleased to hear it.

Thanks in advance,

Nick.

 

 

 

 

My B6 is more reclined than the standard seats, mainly in the lower back. It spreads the load better.

 

 

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