How tall, or short are you..??

[Stump]

Relevant..?? Probably not.....to most people.....
Ok, I'm a shorta##e, at a mere 5 foot 4 inches in the old language....
Having been this way most of my life, I have adapted quite well.....but I keep asking myself,
WHY did I buy such a high car......???
Ok, so they aren't that high.....but I'm at full stretch reaching half way across the roof when I wash it.

Hence my reasoning for looking at lowered suspension...sounds good in my books.
If it gets lowered even 35-40mm, as with most kits, I figure that makes it about 80mm easier to reach across the top.

Inside, I fit great, despite my size..(yep, short AND fat.....)
I have the seat, steering wheel/column adjusted perfectly for me. No problem.

Anyone else have issues with the washing side of things.....??

[Corey_R]

Why don't you just buy a stable bench chair and stand on it?
Alternatively you can get a "washing arm" which has attachments for the end, such as lambwool wash mits and chamois clothes, which people use with 4WD's etc.

Lowering your car 3 to 4cm will considerably harm the ride quality of your car. Seems like a drastic thing to do just so you can reach the middle of the roof easier? Especially considering you can spend <$100 on an alternative.

[Mr_Bob]

my forester was alot easier to wash when it was lowered.
i didn't really measure the drop when i installed the coilovers, but i'm confident it's more than 75mm lower than standard

[ratedr]

Buy some stilts

[Cossor]

I think there is a product opportunity here!
Sorry folks, Rush to market Sell "Short"
Whadyou mean!
The Forester has come clean
Does not really need coilovers
You mean ?
YES
SELL SEL SELL

[xrayshaggy]

I wouldn't complain to much about not being able to reach the centre off the roof to wash it. Think of people like me who are over 2m and have to fold ourselves into cars. I once bought a Porsche I think basically just to prove to the dealer I would fit. I had a discussion with Jeremy Clarkson (& yes I am taller than him) about this very topic a few years ago. Basically came to the conclusion that if you like a car enough you will fit into it!

[Ryan_R]

Pay a tall person to wash it for you perhaps?

[simonm]

I was thinking he should start dating a tall, leggy girl and get her to wash the car.

In a bikini.

... I'll be back in a while.

[Converted]

5'10", my problem wasn't getting over the top of the car, suprisingly it was getting my 'right/preferred' driving position.
One would have thought that this was easily achieved with the tilting steering and adjustable standard seat (back and forth, up and down).
Took me a week to find the best position yet I don't think I'm still 100% happy (maybe I'm just being anal).
My problem was finding the right balance between the top of the steering not blocking the signal indicators and getting sufficient clearance between my knee and the steering. Didn't like the idea of having the steering half way up or down so I had it all the way down (yes, definately me being anal).
All this while trying to mantain the right reach and bend in my arm.

[Corey_R]

Don't worry about the signal indicators being blocked... when you look to the left/right mirrors, you can see whether you have the indicator on or off anyway! Makes the indicator lights on the dashboard rather redundant

[GTI4fun]

I'm 6'6 and love washing my car lol.
I find it a tad cramped when i try to reach something from side doors, for example sunny case, its a bitch for me to get the arm through my knee to reach it in coz there's only so much space lol
The steering wheel is quiet literally between my legs i dont mind it though i like it being low, i find it more comfortable to take corners.
Overall i like the car and reasonably happy with space, any hatch or coupe is cramped for a guy my height and built, prob the only thing would make difference is if i went for Escalade or a Navigator lol.

[Converted]

The steering wheel is quiet literally between my legs i dont mind it though i like it being low, i find it more comfortable to take corners.

What about getting in/out of the car? I found that if my thighs and knees were too close to the bottom of the steering (in your case knees both sides of the wheel), manouvering in and out is a real hassle in tight spaces/car bays while having to avoid my heels (some leather shoes have hard soles) scratching the door sill and plastic seat corner/edge (and bum on the seat side support). I think mine being a 3-door also contributed to this, but didn't have this problem with my Integra.

[GTI4fun]

hahaha i know right, after a lil while its a skill i developed, mine is 2 door as well, i just turn myself first drop my legs out and then stand up, easiest way so far

[triode12]

I'm 6'6 and love washing my car lol.
I find it a tad cramped when i try to reach something from side doors, for example sunny case, its a bitch for me to get the arm through my knee to reach it in coz there's only so much space lol
The steering wheel is quiet literally between my legs i dont mind it though i like it being low, i find it more comfortable to take corners.
Overall i like the car and reasonably happy with space, any hatch or coupe is cramped for a guy my height and built, prob the only thing would make difference is if i went for Escalade or a Navigator lol.

I don't think that the position of your steering wheel is ideal from a safety point of view and I recommend readjusting your driving position for your own safety.

Your hands should be in line with your shoulders and elbows slightly bent when you are holding the wheel at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. The wheel should not be too low as your head will not be protected should the airbag deploy in the event of an accident. Worse still, the airbag will deploy to your chest and abdominal region. Not a good thing.

[runningmanz]

I wouldn't complain to much about not being able to reach the centre off the roof to wash it. Think of people like me who are over 2m and have to fold ourselves into cars. I once bought a Porsche I think basically just to prove to the dealer I would fit. I had a discussion with Jeremy Clarkson (& yes I am taller than him) about this very topic a few years ago. Basically came to the conclusion that if you like a car enough you will fit into it!

Lol lucky I am under 2m tall, but still 192cm so tallish lol. Good to see another United Grey Golf R buyer Can't wait for the pics! Mine doesn't have a build date yet.. hopefully soon!