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Ash squeezes into a Prius. (MICHAEL DWYER for the Boston Globe) |
At 6-foot-7, city manager seeks a better fit for car
Chelsea OK's an SUV over Toyota Prius
Jay Ash folds himself into the
That's what Ash, Chelsea's 6-foot-7-inch city manager, is doing as he takes stock of his position. His knees - splayed wide - hit the sides of the steering wheel.
And even with the seat shifted back and reclined, his light brown hair smashes into the ceiling.
"It's a problem for my hairstylist," Ash quips after cramming his towering frame into the city-owned, environmentally friendly car.
He definitely doesn't fit.
That's why Ash has requested that the city-provided, eight-year-old, gas-guzzling Ford Explorer he drives be replaced with another SUV. But at least one City Councilor, Roseann Bongiovanni, would prefer him in a car like the gas-electric Prius hybrid.
"I realize it [an SUV] is more comfortable for him," the 5-foot councilor says. "But I feel like, with the gas prices so high, it isn't the way we should have gone . . . especially since the city is looking for ways to go greener."
Ash is all for going green - he recycles constantly - but he says downsizing his carbon footprint with a smaller car will be about as easy as shrinking his size 15 foot.
Problems with the Prius are many for those whose height hampers their yen for a small car, according to an online message board for those debating buying the hybrid: Will their legs and torsos fit inside? How far back will the seat roll? How high does the steering wheel lift?
The tallest poster - a 6-foot 4-inch guy who goes by "Jimbo" - says he fits OK in his Prius but had to add a special cushion for thigh support because he couldn't adjust the seat enough.
Ash has 3 inches on Jimbo, and, when open, the top of the Prius driver-side door doesn't even reach the city manager's armpit.
Still, when Bongiovanni sees Ash next to the little white car - which the city's parking enforcement officers drive - she jokingly questions his claim.
"It doesn't look like you can't fit into that car," she calls. "He doesn't look that big against it. . . . I'm sure he can fit into it. Maybe not comfortably."
Peering at Ash through the open window, which obscures the top half of his head, Bongiovanni later razzes him: "You look better with your face half cut off."
Driving is the real test, though. Ash has learned to try everything on for size - cars (a test-fit showed that the 2008 Ford Explorer's center console gets in his way), desks (the one in his office is up on blocks to accommodate his height), and pants (you can't find a 36-inch inseam in any old store).
After nine minutes of driving the Prius, Ash's left leg starts to ache. His back spasms six minutes later.
"I could be in this for a little bit," Ash concedes as he crouches over the wheel. "The problem is, after a while the position starts to give you cramps, not to mention your head hitting the ceiling all the time. It's aggravating."
Good thing the City Council recently approved Ash's request for a Chevrolet Tahoe or its equivalent - for which they've budgeted $35,500.
Ash says the Tahoe, which comes in a hybrid version that has 2 more inches of headroom than the Prius, can handle his height.
Now, if only he could get a desk with longer legs.
Erin Ailworth can be reached at eailworth@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
