Forget The Passenger Seat,,don't Raise The Roof

[raybonz]

I'd rather have a driver seat with plenty of storage behind, Also I question the saftey of a rear passenger..It would be a bitch for somone to get out after a front or rear collision..I would not be a passenger.Think about it, one door, the front seat must be moved forward to get in or out of the back seat, the rear hatch would not open if you got creamed in the ass, the back windows do not roll down and somwhere under that narrow frame is 8 gallons of fuel.

Very good points 3.. Becoming trapped in the rear seat is certainly a possibility..
I have wondered why car makers don't use fuel cells like race cars have to prevent fuel disasters.. I am sure cost has everything to do with this.. Off track here but I have also wondered why school buses do not have seat belts when everything around you is steel tubing.. Once again it's all about cost..

Ray

 

[Zipper]

I'm 5'-10" tall and weigh 165 pounds. For me, the P4 headroom was a bit close. Maybe an inch between the top of my head and the headliner. As it is, it will be OK for short runs, but not so much for longer duration. Another inch or two of headroom won't be a bad thing. Rear seat legroom was OK even with the front seat near its rearward travel limit. Head room, legroom and elbow room in the front seat was awesome. FWIW, the P4 is about 6" shorter than my 2000 Jetta, overall.

 

[KN16]

I think they meant that the 1.5"-2" we're being added to the rear only. Maybe it will augment that cam-back aero advantage I've been seeing talked about.

You'd need more than 2" for that. Remember the Vega Station wagon? It was designed specifically to take advantage of that.
(BTW it's K no C)

 

[raybonz]

You'd need more than 2" for that. Remember the Vega Station wagon? It was designed specifically to take advantage of that.
(BTW it's K no C)
View attachment 592

Always liked the look of the Vega! Motorheads would replace the piece of crap motor with a 350 and off to the races they'd go lol.. And I do mean go!

Ray

 

[KN16]

I'm 5'-10" tall and weigh 165 pounds. For me, the P4 headroom was a bit close. Maybe an inch between the top of my head and the headliner. As it is, it will be OK for short runs, but not so much for longer duration. Another inch or two of headroom won't be a bad thing. Rear seat legroom was OK even with the front seat near its rearward travel limit. Head room, legroom and elbow room in the front seat was awesome. FWIW, the P4 is about 6" shorter than my 2000 Jetta, overall.

Don't forget you were in a prototype with off the shelf seats. An inch or two could easily have come from the seat design without mucking up the profile.

 

[Craig]

Always liked the look of the Vega! Motorheads would replace the piece of crap motor with a 350 and off to the races they'd go lol.. And I do mean go!

Ray

383ci/497 hp 1973 Chevrolet Vega

I drove a 74

 

[3 Card]

I strongly suspect that you will be able to remove that back seat if you really set your mind to it. If you are ambidextrous enough for 3 card, you shouldn't have any trouble at all loosening and removing 4 or so bolts and lifting the back seat out.

I'm 5'-10" tall and weigh 165 pounds. For me, the P4 headroom was a bit close. Maybe an inch between the top of my head and the headliner. As it is, it will be OK for short runs, but not so much for longer duration. Another inch or two of headroom won't be a bad thing. Rear seat legroom was OK even with the front seat near its rearward travel limit. Head room, legroom and elbow room in the front seat was awesome. FWIW, the P4 is about 6" shorter than my 2000 Jetta, overall.

So even if they gave you an inch or two heigth.The driver will have to get out of the vehicle, move the seat forward to enable a passenger to get in or out..The width of vehicle in the rear seat area is much more narrow than the front seat area, rear passsenger can not roll a window down, also the passenger can not even open the one door while someone is in the driver seat.. I keep reading comparrisons to a passenger on a motorcycle.. On the back of a bike is not safe and ditto for the operator..however, Being the thought of being trapped in the rear seat of an Elio scares me more..If in a bad accident where there is a fire you are toast. Even a serious wreck with no fire it would require longer rescue time to get a critical injured person out.. My opinion, My choice not to ride in rear or let anyone else.. I say this now but once I get it I'm sure I'll invite someone to ride along to get an opinion / reaction.. Hopefully I'll have enough sense to remove the seat soon after owning... People who own, ride motorcycles know the risk , if you ask us to be honest we will admit riding risk is part of the thrill owning..We are a lot more aware of what automobiles are doing when riding than we are when casually driving our cars.. FINAL POINT...THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS DO NOT RIDE ON THE BACK OF A MOTORCYCLE , HAVE NO DESIRE TO OWN OR ARE AFRAID OF BIKES.. SO COMPARING RISK MOTORCYCLE vs ELIO IS NOT VALID...BIKERS ARE SOMEWHAT DARE DEVILS /THRILL SEEKERS

 

[3 Card]

383ci/497 hp 1973 Chevrolet Vega

I drove a 74

REMINDS ME OF THE 70'S AND EARLY TO MID 80'S .. NEVER OWNED ONE BUT SAW MANY AT THE 1/4 MILE STRIP TURN 7 SECOND TIME.. GREAT PICTURE

 

[KN16]

Ralph Nader is writing a new book.

 

[Jim H]

So even if they gave you an inch or two heigth.The driver will have to get out of the vehicle, move the seat forward to enable a passenger to get in or out..The width of vehicle in the rear seat area is much more narrow than the front seat area, rear passsenger can not roll a window down, also the passenger can not even open the one door while someone is in the driver seat.. I keep reading comparrisons to a passenger on a motorcycle.. On the back of a bike is not safe and ditto for the operator..however, Being the thought of being trapped in the rear seat of an Elio scares me more..If in a bad accident where there is a fire you are toast. Even a serious wreck with no fire it would require longer rescue time to get a critical injured person out.. My opinion, My choice not to ride in rear or let anyone else.. I say this now but once I get it I'm sure I'll invite someone to ride along to get an opinion / reaction.. Hopefully I'll have enough sense to remove the seat soon after owning... People who own, ride motorcycles know the risk , if you ask us to be honest we will admit riding risk is part of the thrill owning..We are a lot more aware of what automobiles are doing when riding than we are when casually driving our cars.. FINAL POINT...THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS DO NOT RIDE ON THE BACK OF A MOTORCYCLE , HAVE NO DESIRE TO OWN OR ARE AFRAID OF BIKES.. SO COMPARING RISK MOTORCYCLE vs ELIO IS NOT VALID...BIKERS ARE SOMEWHAT DARE DEVILS /THRILL SEEKERS

I will probably be the only one in my Elio because it will be my run around town car and for those solo trips I have to make. I know that my wife did not enjoy riding on the back of my motorcycle so I don't see much difference. I am a little claustrophobic so I can also understand the concerns about being in the back seat. It will be something we have to get used to.