Tall people and MX5's?

[MElliottUK]

Sat in an MX5 the other day, nice feels like a sports car although i found it rather small. Eg door, steering wheel and my knee seemed to be very close. Not alot of head room either.

Is the wheel adjustable on the MK2's? if not what about the MK3's?

Any tall people own an mx5 is it ok to live with.

P.S im 6"2

Thanks

[slinky]

Wheel is definitely adjustable in the Mk 3, I'm 6ft and don't struggle in the mk1, although I do agree the steering wheel could do with being smaller..

[steve bowen]

a friend of mine is 6ft 2 an has a mk2 and doesn't have any issues, i'm only 5ft 10 so I have no issues in my mk1.

[TaylotS2K]

MX5's are designed for ladies.....

The new one also reminds me of the Gibbs Aquada.

[bga]

I'm 6'1 & the mk2.5 MX5 I had was too small for me. Headroom was fine but I couldn't extend my right leg far enough & got a fair bit of discomfort after a couple of hours of driving

[landy_girl]

well I am tall and been looking at mx5 are the new models better than the older shape

[cptsideways]

6ft 1" & I have no problem fitting in them

[landy_girl]

cptsideways said:

6ft 1" & I have no problem fitting in them

thanks might have to look at this www.merritts.co.uk/brands/lotus.asp?id=56&parent=56

[dave_s13]

Wife has one. They are brilliant.

I'm 6'4" and my right knee virtually touches the wheel which makes it difficult to drive properly. Damn shame they didn't make the wheel adjustable.

[grazer15]

The new MK3 has adjustment for height only.It is better designed for taller people because the seat is sunk lower into the car.I sell Mazda for a living and the only issue the MK3 has thrown up is the low slung seat can cause problems for the shorties seeing over the Dashboard

[Gruffy]

dave_s13 said:

I'm 6'4" and my right knee virtually touches the wheel which makes it difficult to drive properly. Damn shame they didn't make the wheel adjustable.

Likewise, I'm 6'4" and I was a bit compromised in my old Mk1 (Eunos). My head just touched the canvas roof (both of the times I had the roof up) and the wheel was far too big - I couldn't get my right hand past my leg. I lived with it for years though and I'd still recommend it. Wonderful car.

[GTS Turbo]

i'm 6" 2 and i've sat and driven a few Mk1 and Mk2 MX5's are they are a bit tight. it depends where you tallness lies. i'm long in the leg but found it ok. although i was more comfortable in my old MR2 Turbo and even my MK1 MR2 was fine with a smaller momo wheel fitted.

[gofasterrosssco]

Off topic I know, but a couple of weeks ago, guy turns up to have a look at my Cappuccino (if you dont know how small this is, Google it), which Im selling. Now its perfect fit for me (5'10", but this bloke is a 6'6" rugby player (ie. not too skinny either). Optimistic to say the least....

Needless to say no go, nice chap and we had a laugh about it, at least he now knows....

Edited by gofasterrosssco on Monday 22 January 12:57

[Munter]

I 6ft fit fine in A MK1. However my partner at 5ft nothing really struggles to get her legs to fit because her arms are so short..... Height it appears is not the only issue...

As for designed for Women...thats would seem to disprove that theory!

[mx-5 lazza]

With each new model the seats got a bit thicker so the Mk1's have the most head/legroom, The Mk2 slightly less, and the Mk2.5 (2001+ face-lifted Mk2) quite a lot less.
The Mk3 has been redesigned so has more space than the Mk1 did though that cup-holder in the door restricts knee space.

However I'm +6ft and fit in my Mk2.5 just fine, even though I have restricted seat travel caused by roll bars!

Another thing to be aware of is that models with power steering have smaller steering wheels so have more knee space.

Edited by mx-5 lazza on Monday 22 January 15:07

[slinky]

Munter said:

I 6ft fit fine in A MK1. However my partner at 5ft nothing really struggles to get her legs to fit because her arms are so short..... Height it appears is not the only issue...

As for designed for Women...thats would seem to disprove that theory!

Mrs S' has a nightmare trying to drive the car, can't get full press on the accelerator (although this isn't a major issue in my eyes )

[anonymous-user]

The most extreme way around this is to mount the seat directly to the floor, disposing of the runners. Not ideal... I've read good reports from people following this information on Miata.net: Adding Headroom by Removing Seat Foam

Strangely, I actually sit slightly higher with the RS Ltd Recaros in mine than I did on the original seats ('91 Eunos VSpec).

[MElliottUK]

mx-5 lazza said:

With each new model the seats got a bit thicker so the Mk1's have the most head/legroom, The Mk2 slightly less, and the Mk2.5 (2001+ face-lifted Mk2) quite a lot less.
The Mk3 has been redesigned so has more space than the Mk1 did though that cup-holder in the door restricts knee space.

However I'm +6ft and fit in my Mk2.5 just fine, even though I have restricted seat travel caused by roll bars!

Another thing to be aware of is that models with power steering have smaller steering wheels so have more knee space.

Edited by mx-5 lazza on Monday 22 January 15:07

Interesting i think it was a mk2.5 i sat in. it was a 51 plate. Thanks for all the good info.

[mx-5 lazza]

MElliottUK said:

Interesting i think it was a mk2.5 i sat in. it was a 51 plate. Thanks for all the good info.

That'll be a Mk2.5 then. If it had the heated seats it'll be even worse as these seats have more foam in the base and back.

[wedgepilot]

I test drove a Mk 1 recently and didn't have any problems - I'm 6'3".