Prospective new owner help - Tall drivers!
 

This is my first post so first of all, hello!

So I am currently looking to buy a C5, however, I think it is important to mention now that I am based in the UK. I currently have a C class AMG mercedes and have decided I want something a little more exciting/interesting so have decided to go after a C5. Now that I've found one, I'm preparing for ownership.

The thing is that they're rare in the UK, so much so, that i have to travel huge distances when they come up for sale. This means I'm yet to actually sit in one which leaves me in a bit of a situation. I'm 6ft 8" and at first I wasn't too worried about whether or not I would fit, however, having done some searching, there are a lot of people asking about whether or not they will fit, most of whom are shorter than me. So the question is will I fit? Is there enough adjustment in the stndard seat and will my legs get between the centre console and the steering wheel?

To add a further complication, I also have very large feet (US19/20). The car I've found is an Auto which I hope will be ok but I'm also keen to hear feedback regarding pedals.

Any help is appreciated.

Welcome and good luck with your purchase! I'm 6-2 240lbs and find the C5 very comfortable. I've seen bigger guysdrive these cars with no apparent issues but not sure about 6-8. Too bad you have nothing around for you to test fit.

My C5 is hard to get into and out of no matter your size unless you are 13 yrs. I am 64 and it is hard to get in and out but once in it is surprisingly comfortable. But a guy or your size will be challanged. I am 5'10", good luck with your purchase.

Thanks for the replies so far. I've managed to get into an Elise and VX220 without removing the roof panels. it was undignified and rather rediculous, but I managed it. My hope is that a C5 is nowhere near that rediculous because if I turn up to work and have to flop onto the carpark like a seal, I may get a funny look or 3.

Son is 6'3" and he fits fine, 6'8" would be pushing it. Find one to sit in for sure.:smash:
And make sure you have room for adjustments also.
Best of luck. :cheers:

6'9" here. My Z06 has plenty of room, largely due to the seats having less stuffing than the sport seats. I removed the "dead pedal" to the left of the clutch pedal- made a lot more foot room that way. I wear a size 14.

I'd suppose that an Auto coupe with a transparent top would easily accommodate you. The relationship between your steering wheel/knee/console will be a bit tight, but won't make it difficult to drive. A tilt/tele column option would make a big difference.

I'm 6'5" and have no problem getting in and out, plenty of leg room once your in. As said before me if you remove dead pedal it gives you additional leg and foot room. Buy and enjoy-join the club. Remember too wave.:thumbs:

My, we have some big boys here. I am 6'1" and think someone 6'8" might be a little cramped. You have to test drive one, for sure.

That's great feedback, thanks for the info. The car I'm looking at is an auto '99 T-top coupe. I know I need to sit in it but since there are only 8 C5s for sale in the whole country and all of them are miles away, it's challenging. I'm hoping the UK owners club may be able to help me out so we'll see...

If you have a Corvette Club in your vicinity get in touch with the secretary and explain the situation. I'm sure they can organise a C5 for you to sit in. We have the same problem here in Australia, with so few for sale (12 at the moment) it's not like you can run down to the nearest second hand car lot and take one for a test drive. Good luck with your purchase. :cheers:

I am 6'3" and have no problems. I do prefer the clear roof over the color matched on my coupe, as it adds about 2" of headroom because it does not have insulation.

i am 6'4'' @ 185 lbs and I seem to fit just fine in my 2003 Z06, even with a race helmet

6'3, 165lbs here and no issues. However, I do have the seat literally against the back wall as far as it will go due to the fact that I personally like being really far from the pedals. I think 6'8 will be a stretch in all honesty. I'm young so getting out isn't too much of a problem for me, however, I am not sure in 40 years how I would be able to get out. Good luck buying, worst case scenario is you go out and test drive it and don't buy the car, all that will be wasted is time and the cost of commute.

I am 6'9 also weighing in at 270....callie is dead on. I have long legs and you will be pleasantly surprised at your leg space on the drivers side. The passenger side will be a little tight due to computer location on that side, but you will not want to spend much time there anyway....lol. Also if your larger around the hips, the seat may be tight. I don't have that problem so I can't help you there. Other than that.....go for it! I can stay in mine all day and love it!

I see a lot of members here, telling how tall they are, and how well they fit in their C-5s. That all good, but one thing really matters....where your height is centered.

Long torso, or long legs?

I'm 6'2" tall. 33" inseam on my slacks, unusually long arms. I fit in my C-5 nicely, to where I don't need to have the seat all the way back, to reach the pedals comfortably, but with my longer arms, I do tilt the seat back a little rearward. Headroom is good. The OP, at 6'8", if your proportions were similar to mine, you should be OK.

Yes, the car is a little awkward to get into and out of, but this wasn't the case 13 years ago, when I first bought it. I'm 62 now, but questionable flexibility or not, I have no plans to sell the car, as it's too much fun to drive.

FWIW, my wife had two C-3s over the years, a '76 and a '79, and I could NEVER get comfortable in either one. I had to slump WAY down in the seat, to look under the windshield frame, and in fact, wit the top off the car, I could almost sit upright and look OVER the windshield altogether!

Curupira,
How you're proportioned (torso/legs) is definitely an issue. Look for a transparent targa top; you'll pick up an inch or so of headroom over the solid top with its headliner. Good luck with your $9/ imperial gallon petrol !!

Good point. I'm pretty well balanced. Longer torso than most people my height.


LOL, I removed the visors on my C4 coupe- Got sick and tired of crouching down to see below them!

I'd like to suggest I'm in equal proportions - not particularly long legs or elongate torso, just like a normal person...but bigger.

My hope is that the scenario is similar to the Honda CRX (bear with me) in that it's very compact but with the right adjustments, anyone can fit. I had a Mk2 CRX and a Mk3 years ago and surprised many in the owners club when I fit without issue.

You really do need to sit in one and see just how YOU fit. There are a few forum members that live in the UK and perhaps you're close to one of them and they would be willing to let you sit in theirs and see how it feels.

You might think about including your specific location in your profile as it would help to determine if a C5 owner is close to you.

Those cars along with a (off the top of my head) VW Golf/GTI afforded incredible legroom for such small vehicles. The lack of legroom, the location and height of the console, the seat height, etc, make the C5 much tighter.
That being said, I still think you'll be just fine in a transparent top coupe. remove the dead pedal for a bit more foot room.