Thinking of buying the Elan M100

[Nigel Taylor]

Hello,

I'm new to the Forum as I'm thinking of buying an M100.

I would like to try one for size, to check that it suits my height, before travelling long distances - which they all appear to be (from Cardiff).

Would there be any M100 owners in the Cardiff / South Wales area who would be prepared to let me try their car for size?

I wouldn't expect to drive it, just sit in it!!

Thanks.

Nigel

[muley]

Hello,

I'm new to the Forum as I'm thinking of buying an M100.

I would like to try one for size, to check that it suits my height, before travelling long distances - which they all appear to be (from Cardiff).

Would there be any M100 owners in the Cardiff / South Wales area who would be prepared to let me try their car for size?

I wouldn't expect to drive it, just sit in it!!

Thanks.

Nigel

Hi Nigel

Hope someone can help you. A few cars have been put away for the winter.. Some taller owners have modified the seat spacers to suit so you might be OK

[dapinky]

Hi Nigel,

I'm 6'01" and 110kg and find it okay (with modified seat position and removal of sun visor).

On a map I'm not that far away, but it is still 2 hours from here to Cardiff...... always happy to have visitors if no-one closer can help you out.

[Dave Eds]

He hasn't said he is tall, maybe the seat will need to be raised and matching cushions ordered

[MPx]

Although in completely the other direction to Dave, I'm also about 2 hours (well just under) from Cardiff in South Somerset - but very welcome to try ours if you're coming down this way at all.

[Saltire]

Well, the good news is that I’m about 75 minutes from Cardiff, I’m retired, and I don’t mind a trip out on a fine day.

The bad news is that I’ve taken my S2 off the road for the winter, until at least end February (depending on weather).

Final thought is that if you do end up buying an M100, and you want a good one, you’ll almost certainly need to be prepared to travel to get it, often a considerable distance. Mine came from 300 miles away.

[gov]

being tall and questioning whether you will fit in a M100 Elan has been the subject of discussion in the past

I don't think anyone have found it impossible - I'm 6'7" and weigh around 15 stone and fit easily in the cabin even with the roof up

Probably look a bit comical but who cares it's a Lotus

Good luck - I'm sure someone will help and be more than pleased to show off their pride and joy

[dapinky]

If you bear in mind that when the car was designed, it was done so under the instruction of MJK.....

..... part of the 'brief' was to make it an acceptable fit for him (and comfortable for other "short" people!).

Now, Mike is something like 6'4" (I'm sure that someone else will tell you his exact height, but he is a few inches taller than I am).

I suppose it all comes down to what level of compromise you will accept. The hood height clearance isn't an issue at all for me as it is generous enough to not touch my head when (rarely) up.

I dropped the seat at the rear by removal of spacers (some have done front as well), but the biggest issue was the sun visor in my line of sight - so it was unscrewed, and problem solved. It never got used anyway as it is only any use when the hood is up anyway, otherwise the sun still gets in! (a hat and pair of sunglasses are far better).

The other consideration is if your leg length is such that the steering wheel is too close to your thighs, I fitted an Elise steering wheel many years ago and solved that problem.

[Nigel Taylor]

Thanks all for your kind responses. As it happens, I am only 6' tall !! However, I have owned a few 2 seater classics in the past and found that the windscreen top rail seems to be right in the line of sight. Maybe the M100 has a slightly better set up? Dave (Pembroke Dock) would you have a Contact number? Thanks again, Nigel

[MPx]

You're right Nigel, the top rail of the windscreen is a bit in the sight line - the reason several of us have removed the visors. With the hood up its like looking out of a pillar box - if you're at the front of the traffic light queue it can be a problem to see high enough for the lights. Having said that - its still a great car to drive, particularly with the hood down...

[Neil.G]

Thanks all for your kind responses. As it happens, I am only 6' tall !! However, I have owned a few 2 seater classics in the past and found that the windscreen top rail seems to be right in the line of sight. Maybe the M100 has a slightly better set up? Dave (Pembroke Dock) would you have a Contact number? Thanks again, Nigel

Hello Nigel,
I might be able to help out, I'm based at St. Athan during the week and currently use my car as a daily. It's a busy time at present but I'm sure we can work something out over the next week or so. Be warned though, I've removed a load of interior trim from mine to give it a winter spruce up so it's looking a bit, well, sorry for itself. It's also got a lot of Cotswold mud on it thanks to living on a farm. If you PM me your number I'll contact you. Staying at a hotel in Cowbridge if that helps any or gives you an idea of where i am.
Thanks,
Neil.