Getting in the Lotus Elise

[raymondrayban]

MIKE you make that look so easy! and your a tall guy! any chance of doing a vid of your wife in a short skirt with high heels trying to get in +out!,

[HighColorado]

gotomike, I just bought an ardent red 06 with 3.5K miles..... I was glad I had watched your video! I am 6 foot, and your entry method works well for me! Scott

[tubeyounoow]

Thanks Milton, now we know what you bought with the money you got from Office Space

---My way is the best way, by the way... Oh wow.

[srok62]

Once you get in one, you're not gonna want to get out

[p4horror]

I wonder how easy it would be to get out if you park in a public parking lot where you really don't have the luxury to swing open the door all the way without knicking someone else's car.

[gotomike]

That is why "F......" like you have to buy the cheaper ones!

[ferrarirobin]

Omg that's the most beautiful lotus elise i've seen. I love the interior and the front grille.

My dream is to get one of these some time.

[gotomike]

The best is go to Auto Trader.com and look at the prices. I'm curious as to why you've asked me?

[killyouno5]

How much does one of these things go for?

[makirompe]

one of the few advantages of bein' 5'3 is, i can get in lotus, seven type and other lightweight sportscar very easily. With lotuses, I'm used to get in and out sitting on the sill covers. Very easy for me.

[LudwigNyman]

Wish i would be less fat then i could justify buying this car. Working on it like a boss...

[akash1229]

They should get a way to open the front roof.

[XDarkR3aperX]

here's an easier way ... don't get a toy car !!!!

[mattj4554]

how tall are you

[gotomike]

I'm 5'10

[mattj4554]

@gotomike im 6'1, think i can fit?

[skyphab]

@mattj4554 I'm 6'2 and i fit in and can drive, but I'll have to keep my head down which hurts after a 30 minute drive. But you'll have to test it yourself. Not a car for tall people

[gotomike]

@mattj4554 Yes I don't see why not. I've seen taller guys get in them. Go to a dealer and practice getting in and out!

[mattj4554]

@gotomike Thanks!

[Jikel032]

@mattj4554 Yes, 6.1 works very well. It is the best driving position that I have every experienced in my life, and one of the few cars that does not hurt my back after extended rides - who would've thought !

[gotomike]

Good the hear that. Over time you'll develop your own ways for getting in and getting out! In the meantime, enjoy your Lotus!

[gaminandsoccer108]

Hi great vid....

Have just got one and I'm 6'1" and like my seat fairly forward and upright (moded rake). Tried your method over and over about 10-20 times. It definitely makes it easier to get your feet over the sill and you don't have to put the seat back. I use your out for in. I reach into the car and grab the handbrake then wheel, duck my head in, bend leg over sill,shift hand to sill, other leg in, then lower myself down.

nice

[tttsang777]

he forgot his keys

[gotomike]

It depends on how daring you are. I had mine up to 137 mph. Lotus gives it a top speed of 150 mph and a zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds - That part is true...

[supertommygun41]

what is the top speed of that car?

[acj071584]

haha like driving my miata with a bucket seat and hard top, out ass first lol

[ivanlaz]

stupid way to go in and out...seems like you are going out from your ass

[ilovetofingermyself1]

how much did your elise cost? someone is selling me a used 2005 for $29,000 and im wondering if im getting ripped off?

[omn1mous]

what a difficult thing to get out of lotus

[gotomike]

Sure, come on over, I'm in Los Angeles!

[caseman86]

would you borrow me that beauty for training your method ? ;)

[yoshigamer141]

you forgot your keys bro

[gotomike]

@yoshigamer141, My keys were last put on my passenger seat - remember? That's were I pick them up to start the car. Look again.... How else would I start the engine?

[sciontcdude]

@gotomike actually at 0:26 u put the keys on the front of the sill..and closed the door on them later at 0:47 at no point did the keys move from 26 to 47

[gotomike]

My keys were last put on my passenger seat - remember? That's were I pick them up to start the car. Look again.... How else would I start the engine?

[yoshigamer141]

@gotomike yeah I made that comment right at the very beggining when you first get out

[DocUnsane]

@gotomike I think he ment when you got out you left them in the car.

[Flamethrower360]

he left his keys!



[keith6wt]

nice lecture!

but I have not a Lotus Elise

[spyderhex]

@keith6wt same principle for all small cars.. i have a 92 miata and a 94 FD RX7 and its basically the same method..

[personalfunfest]

LOL! what a douche-bag of a video!

[barybary69]

I'm dying to get this car; but I'm 6'5''

will I be able to fit? I'm also thinking of the hardtop version

[gotomike]

@barybary69 I hope you get one. Go to a Lotus dealer and try one.

it's the best way to see if you fit...

Good luck!

[barybary69]

@gotomike trouble is i live in Poland and the closest Lotus dealership is in Germany :(

[WillKrash1]

@barybary69 Haha!! My dad has a Lotus Elise 111R! His best friend has an Exige s which is hard top he is 6'3" and has the seat 2 stops forward from the back! The secret of getting in and out is to put the seat to the furthest back position! We were at the Lotus Factory last year at Hethel and the Test drivers always put the seat all the way back to get out or in (even on the Evora)!! You will fit!

[fhuisma]

@barybary69 I'm 6'4" and I fit just fine in my Elise.

[stupidplants]

@barybary69 considering the seat is sitting on the floor, yeah.

[fndaniels]

Very cool video. Thanks for the tips. I am saving up for my Elise, though I only expect to buy in in 5 years time :)

[gotomike]

Hope you get it soon. In 5 years you will see that there will be a lot of new Lotus(es). You can already see the prototypes on the official Lotus site. Good luck!

[fndaniels]

@gotomike Yep I saw that. Though I *really* like the current models. They look spectacular to say the least.

[gotomike]

If 'he' in that case 'me or I' forgot the keys in the car, how was I able to start it and leave?? I'm not sure I understand your comment!

[italiaeconme]

he forgot the keys in the car hahaha

[gotomike]

Thanks so much for your kind and educated comment!

[thatman64]

That car has an awesome interior! Can't say i prefer the new models to the 2003 ish era, but from the side they do still look good. More of a yellow kind of guy too myself, but if this is your car then i applaud your taste :D

[gotomike]

Yes it IS small. And that's why it's difficult to get in and out of!!!

[yuyusuck]

lol elise and hummer at 0:05 look how small it is

[masonkim7]

Amazing looking car though.

By the way, how tall are you?

[gotomike]

@masonkim7 I'm 5'10", there is an earlier post with that. Sorry...

[masonkim7]

haha

He seems like a guy in a wheelchair hoisting himself from the wheelchair to the bed.

[gotomike]

@masonkim7 The only difference being that my wheelchair goes 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds !!

[ProZackBoy]

THE ARISTOCRATS!

[carig121]

without the hardtop, it would be way easier

[whybother929]

How tall are you? im just wondering because i am 6'4"

how do you think i would do in the car?

[gotomike]

I'm 5'10". I'm not sure if you would fit. You may. Once you're in it'd be hard to get back out without twisting your back!! let me know how you do it. Go to a dealer and give it a try or twenty!

[whybother929]

@gotomike there is a guy on the lotus elise forum that is apparently 6'6" and 260 lbs so if he can fit i can fit!

[quickmantan]

LOL amazing video..  they should give you instructions when you buy the car how to get in and out... and me being fat arse it isnt fair cause i want one..

[gotomike]

Have you gone to a dealer to try to get in and out yet?

[quickmantan]

@gotomike no. im not that sad, ill go if i had the money to buy one.

[ttime4four]

Great instruction and video! Kudos.

[gotomike]

Thanks!!! It was fun to make and edit....

[gotomike]

I appreciate your comment Jeff. I just wonder how you get your legs/feet in between the sill and the steering wheel once you're down in the seat. I've tried that and it makes me contortion my ankles in very funny ways! They also end up scuffing my sill which is light-colored. I read many times over not to rely on the windshield frame as a grab point, as is it not part of the integral frame of the car.

[jeffgooloolie]

Everyone has their own animation to get in, but I think my way is easier. I grab the base of the a-piliar (windshield frame) with both hands, put my right foot in, and then lower myself into the seat, then let go of windshield, and bring my left leg in.

[gotomike]

Everyone says not to pull on the A Pillar because it's not structural. It's why I do it this way... But I doubt that your windshield would stay in your hands in the long run!