Advice needed re height and fitting inside!

[Taaaaang]

Hi guys,

I have shortlisted the following for my daily driver (I just don't fundamentally understand buying a car and not using it all the time) till at least the depths of the winter.


Ferrari 360 Coupe

Ferrari 430 Coupe

McLaren 540C


Now, my big issue is that I'm 6'4" (34" inside leg) and 108kg. Wide shoulders, quite muscular.

I'm fairly confident the Ferraris are out (I can't quite stretch to a 458 sadly) but the McLaren is my top pick anyhow. Problem is, I am 200 miles away from the dealer which makes just popping along to try and squeeze in problematic.

And I want to drive it every day, through the city in heavy traffic to my office; a journey that will take 45 mins or so.

I don't really like the R8 much but a Cali could possibly be an alternative too.


Am I living in fantasy land here that I'm either going to fit or not need a chiropractor every week to fix me??


Thanks in advance!

[cgt2]

No problem in either of the Ferraris, I am the same height. An older Ferrari would be an issue, but the 360 had much more room for the driver and especially in the footwell (I am size 12).

[vxdave]

I'm 6ft and have an F430 spider with the optional carbon buckets. You might be ok with these. I hated the standard and daytona seats in the F430. Felt like I was sitting on them rather than in them. Not sure how anyone around my height or taller copes with them.

[dazmanultra]

540C I'd probably suggest is the better daily than the 360/430. With warranty and more creature comforts, I am sure the visibility is better as well with the carbon tub.

As a weekend car, it would be a more interesting conundrum with all of them having benefits/drawbacks.

[MrVert]

vxdave said:

I'm 6ft and have an F430 spider with the optional carbon buckets. You might be ok with these. I hated the standard and daytona seats in the F430. Felt like I was sitting on them rather than in them. Not sure how anyone around my height or taller copes with them.

I'm 6ft...In a 430 Spider with electric Daytona's, my eyes were level with the top of the windscreen. In a 430 Coupe with the same seats, it was ok, but as said above you do feel you're on them rather than in them.j

My 458 had carbon racing seats, way better.

I wouldn't get a 430 with Daytona's again, would definitely go for one with the racing seats. Makes a massive difference.

Edited by MrVert on Friday 8th June 13:59

[supersport]

I am the same height and similar weight, I would add what others have said, in a Spider you will be looking at the top of the windscreen unless the seats are carbon.

Didn't seem to be a problem in the coupe

[Ferruccio]

The only way to really tell is to sit in’em.

It just all depends on your actual body architecture.

I remember once pulling up at some lights on my Ducati Panigalle next to another one.
The bloke told me that it was crippling his back. It was clearly a high days and holidays bike.
I use mine to commute.
We both looked about 6ft and slim build. But our arms, legs and bodies might have been different enough to matter.

[andrew]

dazmanultra said:

...c***** t**....

please no !!!

[Pioneer]

andrew said:

dazmanultra said:

...c***** t**....

please no !!!

Hehe, it's catching

[Beni997]

I’m just under 6 foot 5 and the Ferrari 458 and 488 are a no go as are any lambo’s. I currently have a California T which is fine as is the F12

[Beni997]

I’m just under 6 foot 5 and the Ferrari 458 and 488 are a no go as are any lambo’s. I currently have a California T which is fine as is the F12

[Taaaaang]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Do any of you of similar height to me drive their cars daily for over 30 mins per sitting?

Any McLaren boys in the house??

[Trev450]

A long-standing friend who is around 6' 3" has a California and regularly drives it for a few hours at a time. Says its one of the most comfortable cars he's owned.

[andrew]

do i get banned from here if i point-out that a 991 feels like a people carrier compared to the italians ?

[garystoybox]

OP I think the varying responses to your question show that you must try-out yourself.

I’m same height as you and inside leg, but a bit ‘leaner’. Found fitted comfortabley in my previous 430 coupe with daytonna seats but wouldn’t want to use as a daily with F1 gearbox. Even the large carbon seats will super snug if ‘wide in the shoulders, etc’. Had two 458 Italia’s, one with carbon and one full electric and again stacks of leg/head room and feels incredibly roomy inside. Had a demo California T for 10 days last year and just couldn’t get comfortable as seat travel and recline wouldn’t go far enough back due to rear seats. Contrary to earlier comments, I found F12 tighter seat wise than 458/488 which just goes to show how different we even though sound similarly sized?

Tried 570 spider with electric seats last weekend. Wow this felt claustrophobic, no doubt down to the doors/tub. Seats very tight on room and after 20 min drive I was done in as again insufficient leg room to get properly comfortable. Best of luck with your search......

[matc]

I’m pretty much the same height as you and found my 360 Spider with standard seats absolutely fine - never had an issue with headroom or the top of the screen.

Did a fair few multi hour drives and never found it uncomfortable.

However as a ‘daily drive’ I would probably be looking at something a bit newer. 540/991 Turbo S would be my choice.

[andyvdg]

I drove an F430 daily for two years - I’m not quite as tall as you at 6 foot but quite broad at the shoulders and certainly not skinny fit jeans with the sport I play so I reckon if you go for standard seats which are very comfy for long distance touring eg all day drive to Le Mans from the UK you’ll be OK. Ditto with a 720S which I guess has similar standard seats to the 540C.

[Taaaaang]

Hey guys,

Put a deposit down on a Cali today after not fitting in any of the others comfortably.

Thanks for the advice!