2003 hard to get in and out of?

[nvsteve]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

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[lauracolerowe]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

Hi Steve - If you want to come down to the Bay Area (halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco) you're welcome to try mine out. I can tell you my husband is 5'11" and 69 years old and he has difficulty somewhat. I'm 5'2" so I don't have a problem.

 

[Daily Driver]

You need to be able to curve your back, and bend your head under the top

 

[TNtbird]

I'm 5'9" and have to dip a little to get in with the top up.

 

[MoonFrog]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

nvsteve... I'm 77 and have a 2003 with the hard top on (I like the look, and taking it off for a few weeks of top-down weather isn't worth it). No problem getting in or out, mainly due to the steering wheel fully retracts when the key isn't in the ignition. My knees are shot, and I have MG, so I doubt you'll have a problem. Oh, I live in PA, so I'm definitely not nearby.

 

[Ronaldo]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

Same here. With the top on I enter head first.

 

[RDT04mich]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

I'm 85 and 5'10

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

I'm 85, 5"10 and have a 2004. My best entry goes back to my Austin Healey days. I back in with my butt, them pull in my head and feet. Best to avoid bulky shoes. Better yet, always have the top down!

 

[JoseG]

61 so still a little flexible 6"2 , I back in and lower my head once inside is comfortable.

 

[Dennis T]

I have an 02. 5’8”, fused back and neck issues. I have to make sure the sest is all the way back and down. It’s still a major ordeal. Kind of makes going for a cruise questionable. Topdown, no problem.

 

[marvinlee]

I'm shopping for a 03 to 05. None nearby.(Carson City Nv). Need to try one for size to determine the difficulty of entry/exit with top raised. I'm 78 years old and not very flexible anymore. 5 foot 9" . Just checking to see if there might be an owner nearby who might allow me to try one on? Opinions also welcome.
TIA
Steve
Minden NV

I am not near, but at 87 I still get in and out of my 2004 TBird. Easy? Not really, but very doable. In fact, today is a lovely day to go for a ride when my helper gets here.

 

[DrDISK]

I am not near, but at 87 I still get in and out of my 2004 TBird. Easy? Not really, but very doable. In fact, today is a lovely day to go for a ride when my helper gets here.

I have an '03, 76Yo, 5.8, I bought a handle to ease in/out off of Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/KOUNATSURI-Elderly-Support-Multifunction-Handicapped/dp/B0B81CFWYC/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[jneuenburg]

If you find a car for sale in for example the Sacramento or foothill area, you might as well try this exercise on that car rather than driving two hours to try it on one of our cars. But if you want to go all the way to San Rafael, I have an '03 that usually has the hard top on. BTW you'll also get to experience what it's like to get in and out of a low car if you haven't owned one.

Another question to the members here is does one of the tops have more entry clearance than the other? I have never had my soft top up. You'll want to consider that when you try one out, assuming you'll have a hard top and want to drive with both.

I am 6'1" age 72, Sit pretty tall (leg inseam 32), and pretty flexible. I back in, sit, and bend my back and neck to get my head in. Seat all the way down and back. Pretty easy. My 5'5" wife has a harder time because she is less flexible.