What if you are too tall for Just Miata/ MX5 is the answer?
What if you are too tall for Just Miata/ MX5 is the answer?
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Discussion

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Pretty much as the title suggests,

As much as I’d like an mx5, it just isn’t the answer for me. I’m 6ft7 and really struggle to find anything exciting sub £7k as a weekend toy, something a little different and interesting..

My car history involves series land rovers, mustang, Porsche 924-944s and the Porsche may be my forced next move but ideally I’m after something like an mx5, a 2 seater ‘sports’ car that can be blasted down the B roads and be a dream to drive.

Cars that I cannot fit in so far:
MX5 mk2
BMW z3
MGTF
Audi TT mk1
350z

Any other ideas?

I’ve always heard that TVRs are good but never tried and they seem to be out of budget

I’m not afraid of classics eg MGBGT and spitfire but struggled in the MGBGT with the handbrake jammed into my leg, same with an rx8

Strangely though I had no problem in a smart roadster?! Go figure

I’d love any suggestions from the tall folk (ideally over 6ft5) who can share my pain.

I’d like to tinker with the car, depending on age and price but the higher the price the less tinkering to be had...


Thanks in advance

daveco

4,345 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Suzuki Swift Sport

Have you tried the BMW Z4? Would you consider an E92 325/330/335?

Vitorio

4,296 posts

164 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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do you fit into an e36 coupe?

I'd imagine a 328 with some choice upgrades would be a lot of fun.

Shiv_P

2,988 posts

126 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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Any track work or just roads?

e30m3Mark

16,850 posts

194 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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Z4 3.0

Oldandslow

2,405 posts

227 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
If it's just for the weekend how about a Lotus seven type car. An older one perhaps widebody might fit your budget.

Nickp82

3,766 posts

114 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
RX-8? Not a 2-seater but a different and interesting (imo) sports cars that is a dream to drive.

You will only need to spend £2k on the car and another £500-£1000 on upgrade parts (ignition plus any other bits) to end up with a very nice example.

e30m3Mark

16,850 posts

194 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
e30m3Mark said:
Z4 3.0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0SI-COUPE-COUPE-STUNNING-CONDITION-Z4M-Mercedes-SLK-SL-no-reserve/192490198712?hash=item2cd14f56b8:g:wfIAAOSwmRFad7Kh

£1k under budget too!

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
daveco said:
Suzuki Swift Sport

Have you tried the BMW Z4? Would you consider an E92 325/330/335?
Haven’t tried the z4, is it larger than a z3.

Would an e92 fit into budget.... (clicks on eBay to look)

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Vitorio said:
do you fit into an e36 coupe?

I'd imagine a 328 with some choice upgrades would be a lot of fun.
Not tried but willing too! Any upgrades in particular?

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Shiv_P said:
Any track work or just roads?
99% would be roads, I love A/ B roads, holding 2nd in corners before opening it up... but if the car is good I’ll happily consider track days as brands isn’t far

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Oldandslow said:
If it's just for the weekend how about a Lotus seven type car. An older one perhaps widebody might fit your budget.
I’d love one but assumed it was a no from the start. I’ve been looking at kit cars recently, the only one that I may stand a chance in is the MeV Exocet

Wide bodied westy possibly but any in standard form I’ll doubt I’ll be able to get my hands past my knees?!

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Nickp82 said:
RX-8? Not a 2-seater but a different and interesting (imo) sports cars that is a dream to drive.

You will only need to spend £2k on the car and another £500-£1000 on upgrade parts (ignition plus any other bits) to end up with a very nice example.
Mentioned it in my first post.ll

I have really considered one and the oil consumption on low miles wouldn’t be an issue... even read ppl recommend buying a spare car, £2k on engine rebuild and you’re sorted..

However years ago when Mazda had their race stand at excel motorshow I really struggled due to the handbrake being on the driver side on the tunnel and it’s that god awful fighter jet kinda style too so isn’t small... so buried into my lanky legs / tihgh

reevo17

Original Poster:

54 posts

111 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
e30m3Mark said:
Mmmm.... now that’s nice! Perhaps I should ebay more! I assumed they were way out of budget!

Avoids the roadster roof potentials too!

Norse_mann

112 posts

225 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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Hi OP - what about a boxster?

I'm 6ft 3" and my head touched/rubbed the roof of a mk2/2.5 MX-5 but I have plenty of head room in the boxster.

kambites

70,350 posts

242 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
You might fit in an MX5 (or any of the others) with a different seat? Hard-mounting Elise seats is a popular modification for tall people - it buys you an extra few inches of both leg and head room.

thecremeegg

2,068 posts

224 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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I'm 6'6 and have a Z4 so give that a whirl!

brrapp

3,701 posts

183 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
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I'm only 6'4" so not really qualified as I fit in my mk1 MX5. Could initially only drive it with the roof down but chopped the seat base a bit for my 6'5' son to fit in and now find it more comfortable myself.
We've both found as a general rule that German and American cars tend to be better suited to biggies than Japanese and southern European ones(no idea why), so the Z4 sounds like a good choice. Something american might be fun too. I'm personally looking for an old Merc for my next toy.

GrandAndrew

899 posts

171 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Norse_mann said:
Hi OP - what about a boxster?

I'm 6ft 3" and my head touched/rubbed the roof of a mk2/2.5 MX-5 but I have plenty of head room in the boxster.
I'm 6ft and find my 986 a bit claustrophobic with the roof up. I have the drivers seat all the way back too.

Bumblebee7

1,533 posts

96 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Lotus Elise S1

This would definitely be slightly over budget, but to counterbalance it they are going up in value so at least you wouldn't need to contend with depreciation.

I'm 6'2" so not quite as tall, but even I don't fit in an MX5 without my head constantly touching the roof which is really annoying! I've driven Elise/Exige and because the seat is so low there's a surprising amount of head room. I drove one with a helmet on and still had a few inches space above my head. I'd imagine that above my actual head there must have been at least 4 inches or so. If you're 6'7" then I should think you'd fit as obviously half of that height will be in the legs and not in the upper body which is what counts when sitting down. Extra bonus is the steering wheel is small as standard so less likely to hit your knees etc.