Mk1 Mazda MX5 - Legroom/Headroom
Discussion
Been debating swapping the 320i touring for an MX5 (mk1) BUT I'm 6ft7 tall and broad shouldered, just wondering if anyone has experience of fitting into them at this sort of size?
Dont really fancy a 3hour drive down south to view one, and then discover they're "tiny" inside (there's none locally, only astra 3doors and the odd landrover)
Also, wondering whether the 1.6 or 1.8 are a better bet for cheap fun?
Any advice would be massively appreciated.
Dont really fancy a 3hour drive down south to view one, and then discover they're "tiny" inside (there's none locally, only astra 3doors and the odd landrover)
Also, wondering whether the 1.6 or 1.8 are a better bet for cheap fun?
Any advice would be massively appreciated.
i am 6'4" and pretty broad, i had to size down my steering wheel to fit my knees in (sized down to 28cm from 34cm). if it has roll bars on that'll cut out another inch or so out of your leg room due to the seat tilting back. head room never been a problem a good couple of inches of head room for me, plus with the roof down who needs head room?!?!
i think you'll find it a squeeze but, give it a try! its great fun if you can get one.
i think you'll find it a squeeze but, give it a try! its great fun if you can get one.
Thanks for the advice, luckily/unluckily head-room is never a massive concern as I seem to carry my height within my legs, so may have a more involved search to find one nearby at a dealer (dont mind messing them about "test seating" compared to a private seller)
Just wondered if the MK1 had a smaller dash/door set up due to no airbags and less bulk?
Wouldnt be the 1st car Ive had to adapt... xr2i and mg zr both had seat frames altered for more leg room smaller steering wheels, and rover 214 had electric window switches moved to avoid knee damage.
Just wondered if the MK1 had a smaller dash/door set up due to no airbags and less bulk?
Wouldnt be the 1st car Ive had to adapt... xr2i and mg zr both had seat frames altered for more leg room smaller steering wheels, and rover 214 had electric window switches moved to avoid knee damage.
mgmrw2003 said:
Just wondered if the MK1 had a smaller dash/door set up due to no airbags and less bulk?
short answer is yes, they are more roomy compared to the mk2.5 upwards. i didnt realise this but parked my mk1 next to the new model and its almost a foot longer. i have driven a mk3 and i struggled badly with leg room because of the thinkness of the doors etc.i have a 1.6 and love it to bits but it does lack a little power from the off, and revs high on the top speed 4000rpm at around 75mph.
the other thing to look for is the v spec or an s special as it comes with a limited slip dif where the standard one doesnt. also if you get a mk1 mx5 as aposed to a eunos it has 25bhp less. mx5 (90bhp) and eunos (115bhp). thats in the 1.6.
once again, thanks for a very informative response. It would appear in this case, I have cheap taste... seen a few such cars (in need of TLC) for around a grand. Since 1x best mate runs a bodyshop, and another 2 are mechanics (and Im fairly handy with spanners) a little project doesnt phase me.
shall have a look for the 1600 eunos. as for motorway cruising, I dont really care to be honest, as Ive got a SAAB 9-3 sport derv that soaks up miles with ease. The MX5 would be purely for the 20miles a day local commute, and some weekend thrashing as Lincolnshire has some amazing drivers roads.... not fast, but tonnes of S bends, and hairpins if you know where to look
shall have a look for the 1600 eunos. as for motorway cruising, I dont really care to be honest, as Ive got a SAAB 9-3 sport derv that soaks up miles with ease. The MX5 would be purely for the 20miles a day local commute, and some weekend thrashing as Lincolnshire has some amazing drivers roads.... not fast, but tonnes of S bends, and hairpins if you know where to look
I tried a Mark 2 about 12 months ago that belonged to my cousin (she's 5 ft 7 and weighs about 7 stone), and being 6 feet tall and weighing about 14 stone, I found it a bit snug! Don't know if I could have played about with the steering for rake/reach etc, but just sliding the seat back still left me feeling a bit uncomfortable.. 
Im only 6feet3, so im not particularly tall, but i do hover around the 18/19 stone mark. I really struggle to fit in mx5's. To the point i wont own one. I wouldnt reccomend anyone taller than me getting one, unless they have an eating disorder.
I want one really bad, but i'd be using it for motorsports more than anything, so a cage would be required, i've even thought about one of those american kirkey seats without the cushions, but i just dont think it would work, its a real shame. I'm yet to sit in one without the seat, maybe i could carve a nick shape out some kind of roam/rubber! Yeah, im desperate for an mx5!
I want one really bad, but i'd be using it for motorsports more than anything, so a cage would be required, i've even thought about one of those american kirkey seats without the cushions, but i just dont think it would work, its a real shame. I'm yet to sit in one without the seat, maybe i could carve a nick shape out some kind of roam/rubber! Yeah, im desperate for an mx5!
cheers, Ive been "modifying" since I was 16 anyways so a bittova seat swap is always doable, was basically trying to get a jist for the overall legroom and driving position.
As for you DK comment, you aint the first to observe such things, apparently I can make mk3 fiesta, 205gti and puntos look like im "wearing them"
As for you DK comment, you aint the first to observe such things, apparently I can make mk3 fiesta, 205gti and puntos look like im "wearing them"
garrykiller said:
mgmrw2003, how did you get on?
As yet, haven't found a local one for sale, or time to travel due to work. BUT there is a chap about 6houses down from me, with an S reg one, who washes it on Saturday mornings, so I'm debating beging cheeky and seeing if he'll let me try the drivers seat just for an idea.The 320i is off on eBay at weekend anyways, if it isn't the MX5 I may go back to my cheap Ford routes, though have been offered a MK1 Golf GTI cabrio, cheap cheap as a project
garrykiller said:
dont give up on the dream!
i doubt your nieghbour would mind, it wouldnt bother me.
At a wedding tomorrow, but sunday when I walk the dog past, I'm tempted to be cheeky... Either that or find a mk1 to "accidentally drive past" when out with the Mrs going elsewhere (shopping trip to Leeds for instance).i doubt your nieghbour would mind, it wouldnt bother me.
Though I was offered a mk1 Golf GTi at work today, cheap enough to be a project.
"so many cars, so little time"
I had a similar worry. Fortunately there is a knackered old MX5, well Eunos actually by the warehouse i use for work....got there early one morning and tried the door handle and it was unlocked, so had a sit in it and a good poke around.
I'm 6 foot and found it about spot on to sit in. Obviously it's a small car, especially as I'm coming from a V70 but nice and snug.
Think I'm off to look at some down south this weekend!
I'm 6 foot and found it about spot on to sit in. Obviously it's a small car, especially as I'm coming from a V70 but nice and snug.
Think I'm off to look at some down south this weekend!
mondayo said:
I had a similar worry. Fortunately there is a knackered old MX5, well Eunos actually by the warehouse i use for work....got there early one morning and tried the door handle and it was unlocked, so had a sit in it and a good poke around.
I'm 6 foot and found it about spot on to sit in. Obviously it's a small car, especially as I'm coming from a V70 but nice and snug.
Think I'm off to look at some down south this weekend!
Lucky you, my height isn't the main issue, mine is the 38inch leg length ..... I tried the S reg one down the road the other day (Mk2 is it?) and found it was very compact, not so much my upper 1/2, but the leg room... suspect anything more than an across town "nip" may result in pain for me I'm 6 foot and found it about spot on to sit in. Obviously it's a small car, especially as I'm coming from a V70 but nice and snug.
Think I'm off to look at some down south this weekend!
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