V8V /DB9 any tall divers?
Discussion
Hi there. I test drove a V8 Vantage over the weekend and the first thing the salesman said was that he was concerned I wouldn't fit. At 6ft5 I am not exactly short, so am used to not fitting comfortably in cars, particularly sports cars. However, I was ok once inside the Vantage, legs had sufficient space to be comfortable with the hair just touching the headlining. The DB9 seemed a bit more cramped, possibly due to the rear 'seats'.
My concern is whether this would prove uncomfortable over long journeys (4+ hrs).
So, do we have any other tall drivers? Do you find these cars comfortable?
My concern is whether this would prove uncomfortable over long journeys (4+ hrs).
So, do we have any other tall drivers? Do you find these cars comfortable?
From what I remember Jeremy Clarkson is 6ft 5" and on topgear they had a race across Europe in a DB9 and he mentioned during and at the end how comfortable and relaxed he felt when he arrived, here is the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahoiHknIeEU
V8V. 6ft4in
Very comfortable car. You do have to play a fair bit with the seats/steering wheel positions to get truly comfy though, and sometimes the adjustments are counter intuitive. e.g. move the seat forward a bit but change the angle of tilt instead.
I found 07 onward seats comfier than 06.
Edited to add that memory seats are VERY useful. My other half is 5ft3in. Switching between the two positions would be a pain without memory seats.
Very comfortable car. You do have to play a fair bit with the seats/steering wheel positions to get truly comfy though, and sometimes the adjustments are counter intuitive. e.g. move the seat forward a bit but change the angle of tilt instead.
I found 07 onward seats comfier than 06.
Edited to add that memory seats are VERY useful. My other half is 5ft3in. Switching between the two positions would be a pain without memory seats.
Edited by Murph7355 on Wednesday 3rd March 21:39
Long drives?
Did a 2500+ round trip from the UK to South of Spain last year. "Only" 6'1", but seat wasn't all the way back - head not touching the roof. Found it easiest to keep making small adjustments to aid comfort. Strangely found the passenger seat less comfortable - Aston Annie sharing the driving.
Really wished we had got memory seats - she's a stumpy 5'5"
Did a 2500+ round trip from the UK to South of Spain last year. "Only" 6'1", but seat wasn't all the way back - head not touching the roof. Found it easiest to keep making small adjustments to aid comfort. Strangely found the passenger seat less comfortable - Aston Annie sharing the driving.
Really wished we had got memory seats - she's a stumpy 5'5"
I am 6'6" and found by the V8 and DB9 uncomfortable on extended test drives. I was very keen on getting a DB9 but just could not adjust the seat to be comfortable. I have driven my friends Vantage V12 quite a bit and find that the same, although that does not stop me from driving it, it’s the sound.....
After testing lots of similar cars I settled on a 997 Turbo, mainly because of the space and adjustment if offers the driver.
I had the chance to seat in a Rapide and unsurprisingly that does give the driver more space and adjustment.
It depends where you carry your height legs or body as too what feels comfortable in these size of cars and that’s an individual thing.
Might be worth borrowing the car for a weekend to see how you get on?
After testing lots of similar cars I settled on a 997 Turbo, mainly because of the space and adjustment if offers the driver.
I had the chance to seat in a Rapide and unsurprisingly that does give the driver more space and adjustment.
It depends where you carry your height legs or body as too what feels comfortable in these size of cars and that’s an individual thing.
Might be worth borrowing the car for a weekend to see how you get on?
V12 Vantage - carbon backed seats - 6"4.
No problem with head clearance - even room for a helmet on the odd trackday. The seats offer limited cushioning so you do feel your back initially but that goes away.
Had a DB9 for 5 years and this is a much tighter fit than the V8/V12 especially from MY06 where the seats changed.
No problem with head clearance - even room for a helmet on the odd trackday. The seats offer limited cushioning so you do feel your back initially but that goes away.
Had a DB9 for 5 years and this is a much tighter fit than the V8/V12 especially from MY06 where the seats changed.
w5pwr said:
I am 6'6" and found by the V8 and DB9 uncomfortable on extended test drives. I was very keen on getting a DB9 but just could not adjust the seat to be comfortable. I have driven my friends Vantage V12 quite a bit and find that the same, although that does not stop me from driving it, it’s the sound.....
After testing lots of similar cars I settled on a 997 Turbo, mainly because of the space and adjustment if offers the driver.
I had the chance to seat in a Rapide and unsurprisingly that does give the driver more space and adjustment.
It depends where you carry your height legs or body as too what feels comfortable in these size of cars and that’s an individual thing.
Might be worth borrowing the car for a weekend to see how you get on?
I found the same, that is, the Astons were on the small side. Oddly, front engined Ferrari's are pretty spacious, as are 911's. Shame not to be able to buy exactly what one wants all the time, but having the toss up between a Porsche, Ferrari and an Aston isn't the worst dilemma to have!After testing lots of similar cars I settled on a 997 Turbo, mainly because of the space and adjustment if offers the driver.
I had the chance to seat in a Rapide and unsurprisingly that does give the driver more space and adjustment.
It depends where you carry your height legs or body as too what feels comfortable in these size of cars and that’s an individual thing.
Might be worth borrowing the car for a weekend to see how you get on?
AKA8 said:
I found the same, that is, the Astons were on the small side. Oddly, front engined Ferrari's are pretty spacious, as are 911's. Shame not to be able to buy exactly what one wants all the time, but having the toss up between a Porsche, Ferrari and an Aston isn't the worst dilemma to have!
Well, sort of, when you've been wanting a car for ages and then you find out you can't have it because of some mundane technicality its rather frustrating! Thanks for all your replies everyone. I may see if I can get an extended test drive or rent one for a whole day and see what the verdict is.
I know exactly what you mean, I too am 6'6" and well built, well at least I'd like to think so lol, anyway I've wanted an Aston since being a kid and hopefully sometime very soon I should be the very very happy owner of one, however I have the same problem of fitting in, I'm looking at late DB7 Vantage, early V8 Vantage, early DB9, obviously dependant on funds at the time, I've sat in all 3 at some point and can manage to get comfy after a bit of fiddling, however not had chance to drive, I'm saving that for when the cash is in my hand, but please let's know of your findings. I have a TVR Chimeara and fit in great with good headroom too and an 89 Jag XJS which is roughly the same as early DB7s and have plenty of room too, both have comfy driving positions which are great for us larger chaps, so I'll be really gutted if my size is going to inhibit my dream of owning an Aston.Best of luck.
Thanks for all your replies everyone. I may see if I can get an extended test drive or rent one for a whole day and see what the verdict is.
RiccardoG said:
AKA8 said:
I found the same, that is, the Astons were on the small side. Oddly, front engined Ferrari's are pretty spacious, as are 911's. Shame not to be able to buy exactly what one wants all the time, but having the toss up between a Porsche, Ferrari and an Aston isn't the worst dilemma to have!
Well, sort of, when you've been wanting a car for ages and then you find out you can't have it because of some mundane technicality its rather frustrating! Thanks for all your replies everyone. I may see if I can get an extended test drive or rent one for a whole day and see what the verdict is.
6'4" here and spent a lot of time in the V8 Vantage recentlywithout any problems.
It was a little cramped, but still comfortable. The only disappointment was that with the roof down I felt there was too much wind rushing around the back of my neck - which I'm sure shorter drivers are much better protected from.
Probably wouldn't have mentioned it, but I'd just driven an XKR cab and was surprised how much snugger that felt on the motorway at speed with the roof down - although obviously the Jag isn't quite as exotic a proposition.
When we took a DB9 to Le Mans last year, the rest of the team could hardly prise me out of it - again, it was a tight fit, but certainly comfortable over long distances.
It was a little cramped, but still comfortable. The only disappointment was that with the roof down I felt there was too much wind rushing around the back of my neck - which I'm sure shorter drivers are much better protected from.
Probably wouldn't have mentioned it, but I'd just driven an XKR cab and was surprised how much snugger that felt on the motorway at speed with the roof down - although obviously the Jag isn't quite as exotic a proposition.
When we took a DB9 to Le Mans last year, the rest of the team could hardly prise me out of it - again, it was a tight fit, but certainly comfortable over long distances.
Edited by Chris-R on Monday 8th March 09:25
I am 6'5 and have had my vantage for about 8 months. I have done short and long journeys and never had any probs at all. I do have the seat back on its furthest setting. The only niggle I would have is (and it is a very small one) is that the back of the seat rubs the bulkhead behing a makes a very slight sqeek. Hardly a huge issue, just rev higher aand the engine drowns it out!
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