Removing inside door handle for extra knee room?

proeliator2001 · February 7, 2005, 20:24

Now, this probably seems likea really stupid question so apologies in advance s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

I tried to test drive an MR2 about 18 months ago but couldn't even get the door shut as my knee was bang in between the steering wheel and the chunky door handle s:roll: :roll: s:roll: I am only 6 foot 4 and read on here other people up to 6 foot 6 seem to have no problems so I assume that I am longer in the leg (and most certainly carry extra padding around the rear s:cry: :cry: s:cry: )

Anyway, I wondered if it is possible to easily remove the door handle and if anyone knew of one where it had been replaced with a leather strap or something similar to still be able to pull the door shut?

I can't seem to shake off the desire to buy one and with warm weather on the (distant!) horizon thoughts turn once again to open top motoring.

markiii · February 7, 2005, 20:28

not so stupid a question, I beleive it someone else asked exactkly teh same a while back.

The short answer is yes it can be done easily,

for teh long answer a quick search should yeild teh info you need.

oh, and welcome s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Slacey · February 7, 2005, 20:33

I know of one user in the US who has done this:

proeliator2001 · February 7, 2005, 20:36

It looks like it frees up a good 2 inches which might me enough for my HUGE knee!

Is there any guides on how to remove it? Hoping you don't need to remove the door card to get one off or I'll never convince a dealer for a test drive!

dieamond · February 7, 2005, 20:37

Quote from: "proeliator2001"Hoping you don't need to remove the door card to get one off

You do.

proeliator2001 · February 7, 2005, 20:40

Quote from: "dieamond"
Quote from: "proeliator2001"Hoping you don't need to remove the door card to get one off

You do.

Bugger s:(

s:(

cheers for the reply though.

dieamond · February 7, 2005, 20:43

The guide :
http://www.spydermagazine.com/2000/Sept/doorpanel/doorpanels.htm

Slacey · February 7, 2005, 20:53

If you are anywhere near Telford I could do this for you, I'm a dab hand at getting those awkward door cards off now s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Darth Paul · February 7, 2005, 23:20

Piece of pi$$ removing the handle. If you are anywhere near Shropshire I'd suggest that you take Slacey's offer. If you're in the Yorkshire area then I'll do it for you. BTW, the guy on Spyderchat who has done it is Niclipse. That is his piccy.

SimonC_Here · February 8, 2005, 07:57

Quote from: "proeliator2001"It looks like it frees up a good 2 inches which might me enough for my HUGE knee!

Is there any guides on how to remove it? Hoping you don't need to remove the door card to get one off or I'll never convince a dealer for a test drive!

Guys, I don't think he has a car yet.

The seat does adjust quite a lot so maybe you could fiddle with that before a test drive?

And welcome. s:)

s:)

Simon

aaronjb · February 8, 2005, 12:37

And don't forget that the seat does go up and down as well as forward & backwards s;)

s;) Putting the back of the seat a little more upright can enable you to slide it further back too, otherwise the headrest gets stuck on the top of the rear bins before the seat is all the way back..

Anonymous · February 8, 2005, 17:33

Also i am sure you tried it but don't forget the steering wheel does move up!!

proeliator2001 · February 8, 2005, 19:27

Cheers for the replies.

I'm a reasonable dab hand at mechanics so aren't worried about taking it off myself but without owning the car I couldn't check to see how easy it was to do. Big problem now is convincing a dealer they want to bother removing the handle for me lol.

I seem to remember having a right old fiddle with steering wheel/seat positioning without joy. It wasn't helped by my wife going "well I fit just fine so you buy me this and get yourself something else" s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

May pay a visit to the local dealer tomorrow as i know they have one in stock. I'll keep my fingers (knees?) crossed that I can fit.

Out of interest, does the 03 models have any changes to their seats/steering wheel adjustment?

Slacey · February 8, 2005, 19:31

Quote from: "proeliator2001"Out of interest, does the 03 models have any changes to their seats/steering wheel adjustment?

The seat shape is slightly different, but the range of adjustment is not.
As someone above mentioned, don't forget that the steering wheel can be adjusted up and down - I'm another of the 6' 4" bunch that fit fine!

proeliator2001 · February 8, 2005, 19:40

Quote from: "Slacey"
Quote from: "proeliator2001"Out of interest, does the 03 models have any changes to their seats/steering wheel adjustment?
The seat shape is slightly different, but the range of adjustment is not.
As someone above mentioned, don't forget that the steering wheel can be adjusted up and down - I'm another of the 6' 4" bunch that fit fine!

Yep, I always push the wheel right up in any car I drive s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

I cannot fit into MX5's, S2000, Elise/VX220 and am tight in a Boxster, pls my head touches the roof in an only style SLK (which, being a hard top, meant I'd knock myself out on a bumpy road!) so I am sure i am somehow bigger than the tape measure suggests! s:? :? s:?

Will report back how I get on tomorrow.

dieamond · February 8, 2005, 20:48

have you try a TT ?

proeliator2001 · February 8, 2005, 21:22

Had one on order in 2003 (test drove one after I tried to get in the MR2) but due to dealer probs I cancelled it and got my current car. Fit in them fine s:)

s:)

dieamond · February 8, 2005, 21:33

ok s;-) ;-) s;-)

proeliator2001 · February 9, 2005, 13:48

test drove one twice today, with hard top on, soft top up and down.

Actually quite uncomfortable with the handle on but I could drive it! Going to have to take the handle off for day to day use but surprised overall how much space there really is - loads of head room both soft and hard top. Quiet too, even with the rag top on, thought it would be much louder.

Car feels a bit odd to me, little wallowy but I'll get used to it quick enough.

Anyway, despite it being more than I wanted to pay, bought the one I test drove - see here - http://www.mr2roc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6292

Cheers for the replies anyway, glad I went to test drive one again now s:D

s:D ]

Slacey · February 9, 2005, 14:37

Congrats! I knew it would come good in the end s:)

s:)

Removing inside door handle for extra knee room?

Darth Paul