Is height an issue?
Discussion
MX-5 Lazza said:
If the car is upside down then 2" isn't going to matter a lot. It might make a difference if you were 12" shorter but even then the seatbelts aren't going to keep your head away from the ground.
2" matters in many facets of human life but I'm particularly attached to the top 2" of my brain especially as it's second favourite organ. On a more serious note I often wondered if the windscreen pillars and seat back had enough structural strength to make a roll over a less hazardous happening. I know the toy bolt on roll over bars have no structural strength.Windscreen surround does not stay in place. It folds flat. Seats... well they are for sitting on, not for holding a car up.
Either way, unless you have roll bars, bucket seats and harnesses, regardless of your height (unless you are really short), in standard seats and with standard seat belts, if the car goes upside down your head and the ground will meet. Even if you are really short you are putting a lot of faith in the lap-belt part of the seatbelt.
I think there are much more important things to worry about. I only know of a couple of people who have died driving MX5s and neither was the result of a roll over. The only roll over I've seen pictures of, the chrome twin-hoop style bars actually stayed in place and didn't fold, unlike the windscreen surround, and it saved him from more serious injury!
IMO the most important thing when deciding if you fit in the car is if you can get your foot from the clutch/foot rest to the brake quickly and easily in an emergency, and if you can turn the steering wheel without having to let go.
Either way, unless you have roll bars, bucket seats and harnesses, regardless of your height (unless you are really short), in standard seats and with standard seat belts, if the car goes upside down your head and the ground will meet. Even if you are really short you are putting a lot of faith in the lap-belt part of the seatbelt.
I think there are much more important things to worry about. I only know of a couple of people who have died driving MX5s and neither was the result of a roll over. The only roll over I've seen pictures of, the chrome twin-hoop style bars actually stayed in place and didn't fold, unlike the windscreen surround, and it saved him from more serious injury!
IMO the most important thing when deciding if you fit in the car is if you can get your foot from the clutch/foot rest to the brake quickly and easily in an emergency, and if you can turn the steering wheel without having to let go.
Sobering thoughts. Anyone would think you guys are trying to put me off... 
Seriously, I take the last points on board, absolutely. All part of the "right" driving position. Any compromise and clearly it wouldn't be a good proposition. I like "fast" and "fun" but I do also appreciate "safe". Thanks.
Seriously, I take the last points on board, absolutely. All part of the "right" driving position. Any compromise and clearly it wouldn't be a good proposition. I like "fast" and "fun" but I do also appreciate "safe". Thanks.
Far from trying to put you off. IMO you are safer in an MX5 than a lot of cars people consider to be safe such as a lot of 4x4s which might have a stronger structure but are far more likely to end up sliding/spinning/rolling than an MX5. The inherant stbility of having 50/50(ish) weight distribution and low centre of gravity means that MX5s are pretty safe in most conditions as long as you have decent tyres, keep it well serviced and aren't driving like a tit
MX-5 Lazza said:
Far from trying to put you off. IMO you are safer in an MX5 than a lot of cars people consider to be safe such as a lot of 4x4s which might have a stronger structure but are far more likely to end up sliding/spinning/rolling than an MX5. The inherant stbility of having 50/50(ish) weight distribution and low centre of gravity means that MX5s are pretty safe in most conditions as long as you have decent tyres, keep it well serviced and aren't driving like a tit
Love it. Fair points well made I think I might be developing a stoop from peering under the top of the widscreen clutter. I'm 6' and long in the body. And with the hardtop on and a crash helmet it wasn't comfortable at all. One day I might try to do something with the seat. I changed the steering wheel to take it away from my legs a bit.
PATTERNPART said:
I think I might be developing a stoop from peering under the top of the widscreen clutter. I'm 6' and long in the body. And with the hardtop on and a crash helmet it wasn't comfortable at all. One day I might try to do something with the seat. I changed the steering wheel to take it away from my legs a bit.
I can imagine it must be cramped with a helmet. To be honest I think I'd struggle in my daily driver Accord if I had to wear a crash helmet! Not in my plans to go and do track days; just a general fun regular driver. Or did you mean without the hemet you have to peer under as well?MX-5 Lazza said:
I've never driven on track with the top up. Even in really horrible weather at Knockhill, I just dropped the top as I headed out onto the track and pulled it back up as I came back to the paddock.
yeah, even at a mere 5'8" I couldn't envisage driving the MX5 with a helmet on and the roof up!Johnnytheboy said:
I'm 6'5" and 16 stone and have driven my OH's mk1 for three hours on the go.
It's _ok_ but I'm glad it's not my only car.
Can't wind the window easily while driving as my knee's in the way.
I'm a fair bit smaller thanks to illness - lost 2.5 stone in the last couple of years and 6 ft 2 and skinny now. So now or never, possibly! It's _ok_ but I'm glad it's not my only car.
Can't wind the window easily while driving as my knee's in the way.
I find for a short leg, long body,6ft tall fat bugger, getting in is not pretty,however when in, i am very comfortable, plenty of room mk2 sport so all electric,so everything to hand, getting out is easier,i try not to park next to pavements, drivers side, as you lose 4'' of lift.
They benefit from having long doors.
They benefit from having long doors.
PitmanJack said:
I'm 6ft 2 and I fit in my mk1 with plenty of room. Didnt feel squashed in at all really. seat as far back as it went and a deep dish steering wheel and the driving position was perfect. The mk2's seem smaller inside for some reason. I've sat in a few and didnt really fit properly.
Ta!
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