Maximum driver size Mk1 MX5?
Discussion
As the thread title suggests... I fancy an MX5 and I also fancy a MK1 as it's got a lot more character than the later cars (plus it'll be a weekend toy and it would be nice to buy something which with proper care, probably won't devalue and may even go up in value.
BUT - will I fit? I used to drive a TVR Chimeara and had no issues with that but suspect the cabin was bigger on that. I'm 6 foot 2, and about 18 stone, so not sure if the car will be too small for me - and I don't know anyone who has one that I could try it on. For comparison, I sat in a friend's series 2 Elise at the weekend and I definitely don't have the arse for those seats, nor did I for his previous Westfield.
I don't mind changing the steering wheel if that's all it takes but would rather not mess about with new seats and subframes - suspect mods like that would devalue the car, plus aftermarket seats that suit wide arses and don't look terrible tend to be expensive. Or is that a mod people often do to these cars?
BUT - will I fit? I used to drive a TVR Chimeara and had no issues with that but suspect the cabin was bigger on that. I'm 6 foot 2, and about 18 stone, so not sure if the car will be too small for me - and I don't know anyone who has one that I could try it on. For comparison, I sat in a friend's series 2 Elise at the weekend and I definitely don't have the arse for those seats, nor did I for his previous Westfield.
I don't mind changing the steering wheel if that's all it takes but would rather not mess about with new seats and subframes - suspect mods like that would devalue the car, plus aftermarket seats that suit wide arses and don't look terrible tend to be expensive. Or is that a mod people often do to these cars?
I'm 6'5" and currently just under 17 stone, i was closer to 18 when i bought my 5 though.
The only mods i've had to do to be comfortable are to fit a 300mm steering wheel, remove some foam from the seat back (a 5min job for more space and better comfort), and remove the massive interior door handles (but then i was making customer door cards anyway).
So yeah, you should fit but it depends what you intend to use the car for. I'm planning on quite a few track days, so a proper roll bar is on the cards. That means i'll need to change the seats so that i sit low enough for the bar to be worthwhile.
I don't think you need to worry about devaluing the car - there's not a lot of value in them to begin with! Plus the sorts of changes you might need to do to make it a comfortable and fun weekend car can all be undone.
I wouldn't expect anything short of a pristine low mileage car to improve in value either, they're no-where near rare enough yet
The only mods i've had to do to be comfortable are to fit a 300mm steering wheel, remove some foam from the seat back (a 5min job for more space and better comfort), and remove the massive interior door handles (but then i was making customer door cards anyway).
So yeah, you should fit but it depends what you intend to use the car for. I'm planning on quite a few track days, so a proper roll bar is on the cards. That means i'll need to change the seats so that i sit low enough for the bar to be worthwhile.
I don't think you need to worry about devaluing the car - there's not a lot of value in them to begin with! Plus the sorts of changes you might need to do to make it a comfortable and fun weekend car can all be undone.
I wouldn't expect anything short of a pristine low mileage car to improve in value either, they're no-where near rare enough yet
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