tallest driver in a mx5

[mikea4tdi]

Looking for a cheap fun car after trading my TVR in to pay of some debt.
With the little I have left I could get an mx to have some fun in.
Problem is I'm 6'3" with fairly long legs, remember driving my sisters mx5 years back thinking its nice looking over the windscreen.
Has anyone managed to mod the seats etc to accomodate the bigger driver.... or am i destined for a mr2 or e36 bimmer?

Cheers

[BCA]

I am an awkward 6'2" and just fit perfectly in a mk2 (not a mk2.5) - I will admit it took me a few hours(!) to find the right driving position/ seat position, but I am now happy. In a mk1 there will be a touch more room, especially with a dished/spaced out steering wheel. A mk2.5 is unfortunately fitted with silly seats that force you upwards too far, I disappointingly do not fit in them as a result.

You'll love the mx5 - ours is part of a family fleet that contains a TVR Cerbera - it is a worthy companion to it.

[MG Mark]

At that height, fit elise seats and life is good....

MG Mark

[neil_bolton]

I'm 6 foot 4 - but have 33" legs and just about fit into mine - motorway journeys can be a bit uncomfortable after a while.

However, wierdly, my missus's identical car has an extra 2 inches legroom and I can get my leg straight when I press the clutch down...

I drive in quite a close position (rally driver style) so prefer being 'tighter' as it were.

ETA: Headroom isn't a problem nor is the view out of the windscreen (mind you, I'm usually using the side windows )

Edited by neil_bolton on Thursday 26th November 09:16

[OnlyMX5ives]

It been discussed many times but Elise and similar seats can drop you 2"+ lower or remove some foam from the seat.

Some also fit smaller steering wheels to get knee room.

[snotrag]

neil_bolton said:

However, wierdly, my missus's identical car has an extra 2 inches legroom and I can get my leg straight when I press the clutch down...

It may well have had a 'foamectomy'.

You should browse miata.net if you want to learn all these Roadster keywords!

It does depend on how you liek to drive. Im average height but I like to be quite close, base of seat close up so I have a good prod on the clutch (nowhere near a straight leg) but perhaps the seat back tilted backwards an extra notch to most.

Theres a good 3 inches of room for maps and junk behind my drivers seat.


I think the sticking point for most tall people is room for thier left leg under between the steering wheel and the tunnel.

Hearoom is not a problem. If it is, your doing it wrong.

[MX-5 Lazza]

On the road I drive almost "Italian style" i.e. seat back and arms quite straight. On the track I move the seat at least one, usually 2 or more clicks forward as I find I have more control that way.
I've also found that as I've got older I've moved the seat forward more. Whether that really is an age related thing or whether it's my track experience rubbing off on my road driving I'm not sure.

[madtriumphman]

I'm 6'6" with 35" inside leg & I manage to drive my Eunos relatively comfortably. I've had it coming up 4 years now. Of interest I had a Mark 3 Triumph Spitfire before that for 11 years. So yes, us gangly buggers can drive MX-5's quite comfortably.

I'm of medium build though, think if you are a well built broad type bloke you may struggle.

[MX-5 Lazza]

At Dunsfold Wheels & Wings last year I had a 6'7" guy try sitting in my car. His main problem is that he had a relatively long body i.e. he could adjust my seat back far enough to get to the pedals ok but his eyeline was actually above the windscreen surround!
Myself, I'm 6'2" with 32" legs and I don't have a problem in Mk1/2 and can just about get away with a Mk2.5. I replaced the seats in my Mk2.5 with Elise S2 seats partly for the improved lateral support but also to get me sitting lower with better leg-room so my head is now below the level of my roll-bars (well actually it isn't because I have the HD Deuce which isn't that tall but I ignore that small fact).