Its too big ! It just won't fit !
Discussion
My head that is..
Or, to be more specific, I am musing over why it is that so many cars are apparently built only for little people.
And the problem is getting worse. Over recent weeks I have travelled in a variety of different new (ish) cars and it struck me just how small so many of them are in the headroom stakes.
Mazda Rx8, Nissan 350, Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster, Lexus Rx300, Jaguar XK are all examples of cars with hopeless headroom and/ or poor legroom. Common problems are steering wheels which do not adjust high enough to get my knees beneath them.
This also causes endless amusement to friends and family. A friend still laughs about the time I drove his Esprit V8 GT and became actually stuck for 10 minutes because I could not get out of the fixed rake sports seats...
Why are car designers so small? Or am I simply a freak ( which, come to think of it, is the most reasonable explanation )
Maybe sports cars are getting smaller. Certainly, I find myself pessimistic if I will actually fit into the likes of Aston V8's if good fortune should fall and I find myself considering one...
I think its a Range Rover for me at this rate
Or, to be more specific, I am musing over why it is that so many cars are apparently built only for little people.
And the problem is getting worse. Over recent weeks I have travelled in a variety of different new (ish) cars and it struck me just how small so many of them are in the headroom stakes.
Mazda Rx8, Nissan 350, Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster, Lexus Rx300, Jaguar XK are all examples of cars with hopeless headroom and/ or poor legroom. Common problems are steering wheels which do not adjust high enough to get my knees beneath them.
This also causes endless amusement to friends and family. A friend still laughs about the time I drove his Esprit V8 GT and became actually stuck for 10 minutes because I could not get out of the fixed rake sports seats...
Why are car designers so small? Or am I simply a freak ( which, come to think of it, is the most reasonable explanation )
Maybe sports cars are getting smaller. Certainly, I find myself pessimistic if I will actually fit into the likes of Aston V8's if good fortune should fall and I find myself considering one...
I think its a Range Rover for me at this rate
If you've looked at Boxsters (on your list) consider a late 996 or 997. Even though I can't wear a helmet in my 996, it has more headroom than most sportscars.
Sportscars I can't drive due to headroom issues or steering wheel being to low.
Ferrari - 328/348/355/550 etc
Lamborghinis - All of them.
AM V8 Vantage, DB9 & Vanquish.
Ford GT
All TVRs (just ask Bob the planner
)
As an utter petrolhead it does pi$$ me off somewhat.
Still at least Porsche are putting more headroom in their cars than they did 20 years ago.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Thursday 29th December 23:23
Sportscars I can't drive due to headroom issues or steering wheel being to low.
Ferrari - 328/348/355/550 etc
Lamborghinis - All of them.
AM V8 Vantage, DB9 & Vanquish.
Ford GT
All TVRs (just ask Bob the planner
) As an utter petrolhead it does pi$$ me off somewhat.
Still at least Porsche are putting more headroom in their cars than they did 20 years ago.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Thursday 29th December 23:23
Gazboy said:
Tvr's are no problem. Wheeler is 6'2"ish.
I'm definitely not the 'brit' shape, as neither the Esprit nor the Tuscan was a good fit for me. Prorbably why I like jap cars so much, especialy the MRT and RX7, both fit like a glove.
Yeah but your a short arse like me Gaz?
BTW did you manage to get some petrol? Haven't seen any super around Wendover.
Well, Asian cars are generally "cut" for smaller people. You need to look at cars built for big gits like yourself - BMW 7 series comes to mind, the ones I like are getting up in years but look around and you will find a good 'en. I think most 5 series will accomodate you, although only a shorty can sit behind you.
Jag perhaps, the 4-door cruiser?
I would think Volvos would fit you since Swedes are generally not midgets. Mostly not petrolhead cars though.
How about a 'vette? They keep coming up as really a pretty damn good car. Simple, robust, fun, fast, not that expensive, hold their value OK. What's not to like? Driven conservatively the C4 and C5 are not bad on gas.
A lot of football/basketball players here in the states gravitate to big honking SUVs but let's not go there...
Jag perhaps, the 4-door cruiser?
I would think Volvos would fit you since Swedes are generally not midgets. Mostly not petrolhead cars though.
How about a 'vette? They keep coming up as really a pretty damn good car. Simple, robust, fun, fast, not that expensive, hold their value OK. What's not to like? Driven conservatively the C4 and C5 are not bad on gas.
A lot of football/basketball players here in the states gravitate to big honking SUVs but let's not go there...
Gazboy said:
Tvr's are no problem. Wheeler is 6'2"ish.
I'm definitely not the 'brit' shape, as neither the Esprit nor the Tuscan was a good fit for me. Prorbably why I like jap cars so much, especialy the MRT and RX7, both fit like a glove.
Yeah but your a short arse like me Gaz?
BTW did you manage to get some petrol? Haven't seen any super around Wendover.
Yup I'm short (hey I'm J-spec!), and still Supra less, it's in Watford, and I'm here, 21 long miles away.
Daz- how did you find the headroom/general space of the Supra btw?
Gaz,
If you need a lift anywhere in the next few days let me know i'm not at work/uni at the moment so I can give you a hand if required.
The trick on the Esprit is to NOT automatically fling the driver's seat all the way to the back of the car. There is actually quite a bit of room in there. But since the steering wheel is not adjustable, you have to adjust the seat recline until it feels right. So keep the seat pulled a little forward and then recline her back.
(6'1" and no issues with the Esprit...)
ErnestM
(6'1" and no issues with the Esprit...)
ErnestM
toppstuff said:I'd be surprised if you have problems in the V8 Vantage: when I tried one there was a surprising amount of headroom and it was very comfortable, and I'm fairly tall.
Certainly, I find myself pessimistic if I will actually fit into the likes of Aston V8's if good fortune should fall and I find myself considering one...
Or maybe it is simply because I've become accustomed to the cramped quarters of the DB7 that is seemed so big. 
Dazren said:Was this headroom Daz, or a problem with insufficient steering wheel adjustment?
Sportscars I can't drive due to headroom issues or steering wheel being to low.
.
AM V8 Vantage
I just about fit in the MR2 and i'm 6'0. I just got a 1965 astrali 12" steering wheel of fleabay whick I plan to restore and adapt to my car to help with the wheel position, I have also modified the gearstick to better suit me. I might move that assembly back an inch or so. Apparently the T-bar version has more headroom but I have the sunroof one, shame really...
I am 6"6 so also have a list of cars that I can't really fit into. Sadly this includes all Fezzas up to the 360 as well as quite a lot of other exotica (actually that is not a real world problem for the moment as I am a few bob short). Recently found the Lambo Gallardo to be ok.
As for Porsches having more room these days I used to have a 944 and had loads of leg / headroom. BMW 7s have really low roofs so no good at all. Big Mercs are all ok. Also had a Mk II MR2 which was alright but had a fully adjustable wheel.
Ben
As for Porsches having more room these days I used to have a 944 and had loads of leg / headroom. BMW 7s have really low roofs so no good at all. Big Mercs are all ok. Also had a Mk II MR2 which was alright but had a fully adjustable wheel.
Ben
The list of cars I don't fit in is very frustrating, I'm 6'4" with long legs. There are very few cars that I felt truly fitted me properly and that was a new shape XJ8, M3 CSL and all recent TVRs. The only Jap car I've come close to fitting in is the 350Z.
When looking for a new car now I can easily cross ones off my list simply because of the seating position.
When looking for a new car now I can easily cross ones off my list simply because of the seating position.
toppstuff said:
My head that is..
Or, to be more specific, I am musing over why it is that so many cars are apparently built only for little people.
Most of the sports cars are designed by Italians and Japanese...
I'm 6'8" and have more headroom issues than most. My TVR Wedge is ok now I've fitted Chim seats. Still more fun with the top down, though I do at least fit under the targa panel ok. I've got a Range Rover too,(can you tell I like V8's?), which is great until you want to fold the rear seats fully forward. My G/F has a Hyundai coupe, which is hopeless unless I recline the seat so far back I'm in danger of going to sleep.
Gazboy said:
Daz- how did you find the headroom/general space of the Supra btw?
The Supra has great interior space.
JC. The V8 Vantage was a headroom issue, although I wouldn't have been looking to buy one anyway so I wasn't too concerned. However I was considering a used Vanquish as a follow on after the porsche, sadly the headroom was no good and the chap at Gaydon advised there was no scope for lowering the seat.
Muncher. Top photo. Doubt it'll be the last time I see it.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Friday 30th December 10:01
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