Fitting into an MX5
Discussion
mattikake said:
I have (had) exactly the same problem. I really really wanted a mk2 for cheap and reliable rwd handling fun. Even liked the interior... but I couldn't get a driving position that didn't involve sitting spread-eagle like I was being given head. I also had to sit a bolt upright as I could get the seat and it was like driving a bus a foot off the floor. Not only that but the upright position didn't even make it feel like a low sportscar. I'm only 5'11 too. What a shite design flaw!
It's only an issue from 2001 cars onwards when they (for some bizarre reason) changed the seat design. The 1998-2000 Mk2s had seats just like the Mk1s.The Mk3 MR2 is not without it's equally crap design flaws - horses for courses, really.
Edited by kevham on Friday 1st February 13:02
Can be gutting when this happens. Had exactly the same problem trying to drive a friend's S2000; hardly the end of the world, as I wasn't considering buying one. But a friend of a friend had a childhood dream shattered when he went to a Lotus dealer to start looking for an Esprit and discovered there was just no way he'd ever fit in one comfortably.
Get a Mk 1. I had the same concerns before test driving but fit in fine, and I'm a 6'2 18 stone rugby player. You can also easily replace the stock steering wheel for a smaller Momo style one and can even remove bulky door furniture and replace with a less obtrusive leather strap.
My Mk 1 is our 3rd car, in my mind I wanted something newer for piece of mind but there are still some good ones about and they've more or less done their depreciating now.
Good luck!
My Mk 1 is our 3rd car, in my mind I wanted something newer for piece of mind but there are still some good ones about and they've more or less done their depreciating now.
Good luck!
Hitch78 said:
Get a Mk 1. I had the same concerns before test driving but fit in fine, and I'm a 6'2 18 stone rugby player. You can also easily replace the stock steering wheel for a smaller Momo style one and can even remove bulky door furniture and replace with a less obtrusive leather strap.
My Mk 1 is our 3rd car, in my mind I wanted something newer for piece of mind but there are still some good ones about and they've more or less done their depreciating now.
Good luck!
If I see a MK 1 at a local dealer I might go and have a look though I would be after a FI one I think.My Mk 1 is our 3rd car, in my mind I wanted something newer for piece of mind but there are still some good ones about and they've more or less done their depreciating now.
Good luck!
I had a Caterham SV for the weekend recently and had no problem fitting in it - providing the hood was down
I have since sat in S1/S2 Elises and a VX220 and fit OK though the VX rear view mirror is too low and in the way. Then there is the Caterham 21, they are supposed to be pretty snug though.
Still not ruling a 5 out though as they are likely more reliable than an Elise and far more practical as well as much cheaper than a Caterham so I could buy one and run it as a second car.
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=12077
Edited: DOH! Too late - already sold!
But there is this turbo Mk1 http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=59341
and this very very nice SC Mk2 Sport http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=59032 (this is the one I'd go for)
Edited: DOH! Too late - already sold!
But there is this turbo Mk1 http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=59341
and this very very nice SC Mk2 Sport http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=59032 (this is the one I'd go for)
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Thursday 21st February 09:18
MX-5 Lazza said:
and this very very nice SC Mk2 Sport http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=59032 (this is the one I'd go for)
Looks almost exactly the same as one I saw for sale (mentioned in my Jan 28th post), 70K red 1998 1.8 sport with SC, it was a grand less though Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Thursday 21st February 09:18
I am going to have a look at a MK1 1.6 turbo roadster tomorrow. Looks pretty tidy (I am not going to post the link in case someone beats me to it
), though unless it was imported as a new car it can hardly be one owner as claimed. It will be interesting to see if I fit and how it drives with a turbo, there is a bucket seat to come with it as part of the deal.Toltec said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1 & Mk2 are pretty much the same with regards to interior space. It was only from the 2001 face-lift (commonly called Mk2.5) that they fitted BIG seats that robbed all the interior space.
So what you are saying is 'buy an Elise'? 
No, what I'm saying is that you should be able to fit in any Mk1/mk2. I think the centre console is slightly narrower and the door cards flatter in a Mk1 so this gives more knee space if you drive with your legs wide open but otherwise the space is pretty much the same.
I've seen some (being kind here) pretty large people in MX-5s........
MX-5 Lazza said:
I've seen some (being kind here) pretty large people in MX-5s........
I fit fine in my Mk 2.5 and I've fairly average at 6' and 15 stone. My mate, at 6'3" and 22 stone can get in just but he wouldn't fancy doing any serious distance in it. Unless you're massively tall or massively wide there isn't really a problem with fitting in to any of them, unless you're being overly fussy.MX-5 Lazza said:
Toltec said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1 & Mk2 are pretty much the same with regards to interior space. It was only from the 2001 face-lift (commonly called Mk2.5) that they fitted BIG seats that robbed all the interior space.
So what you are saying is 'buy an Elise'? No, what I'm saying is that you should be able to fit in any Mk1/mk2. I think the centre console is slightly narrower and the door cards flatter in a Mk1 so this gives more knee space if you drive with your legs wide open but otherwise the space is pretty much the same.
I've seen some (being kind here) pretty large people in MX-5s........
I have no problem fitting in a 5, it is just driving it the way I would want to. If I like the one I am going to see this pm then it comes with a spare bucket seat - and 220bhp allegedly
kevham said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
I've seen some (being kind here) pretty large people in MX-5s........
Hope that wasn't aimed at me!I'm getting some chaffing from the elise seat now.
I know I'm going to regret asking this but... where are you getting the chaffing?
Hijack away, or drift away as you wish.
I had a look at the MX5 turbo yesterday, on the whole it looked a good car and though the dealer was reluctant to let me drive it felt pretty good when he took me out in it. There was a little more room behind the wheel (older car so compressed seat padding possibly) and with a smaller wheel or lowered seat I am sure it would be fine.
He had documentation covering servicing and repairs etc. but nothing on the actual turbo conversion itself. It appears that the previous owner bought it as an already turboed import, there was also no RR data to back up the 220bhp claim. The original advert for the car was with the paperwork at a price of £5995 in 2001 so I think the £4995 is a bit steep seven years later for a car with undocumented mods personally.
Told me he was going to put it up on PH if I did not go for it - bit pushy but hey he is a salesman and he has to make a living. If anyone is interested I will pm the dealers website link.
I had a look at the MX5 turbo yesterday, on the whole it looked a good car and though the dealer was reluctant to let me drive it felt pretty good when he took me out in it. There was a little more room behind the wheel (older car so compressed seat padding possibly) and with a smaller wheel or lowered seat I am sure it would be fine.
He had documentation covering servicing and repairs etc. but nothing on the actual turbo conversion itself. It appears that the previous owner bought it as an already turboed import, there was also no RR data to back up the 220bhp claim. The original advert for the car was with the paperwork at a price of £5995 in 2001 so I think the £4995 is a bit steep seven years later for a car with undocumented mods personally.
Told me he was going to put it up on PH if I did not go for it - bit pushy but hey he is a salesman and he has to make a living. If anyone is interested I will pm the dealers website link.
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