Will I have a height issue?

[123bhp]

Hi guys,
Some of you may have read my post in general gassing recently about the fact that I will soon be looking to buy an MX-5 or an MR2 roadster.
I have been seriously put of by the precat problems suffered by the MR2 and the fact that a nice low milage example may be slightly outside of my budget, the MX-5 therefore is now looking like the most likely option.
Following on from a previous thread I am just wondering how they are to live with for someone who is 6,2". It would be my only car so would be used everyday not just on weekends meaning comfort is a bit more of an issue.
Any experience from the taller of the MX-5 community gratefully recieved.

[Gizmo!]

Most people don't have a problem.

You should be aware that on Mk1s there are two seat designs however - the later one is "less padded" and a bit lower.

And of course headroom isn't an issue.

[123bhp]

That is true I do intend to keep the top down as much as possible!

[OnlyMX5ives]

A few guys are 6'5" and they tend to fit smaller steering wheels.

The Mk1 tends to feel slightly larger due to its flat door cards etc.

The seat heights vary widely.

I have fitted Exige seats which have dropped me at least 2" too.

[MX-5 Lazza]

OnlyMX5ives said:

I have fitted Exige seats which have dropped me at least 2" too.

Out of interest (and only slightly OT), how have you fitted your seats? Pictures would be nice
I'm happy enough with the way I've fitted mine but it's always interesting to see how others have done it

[JRM Rossi]

HI im 6ft 1" & fit in nice bit tight with a crash helmet so that would be 6ft 3"??(with helmet on)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'm 6'2" and was fine in a 98 Mk1 with leather seats. I did have a few problems with my current car - Mk2.5 with heated leather seats but they are a lot higher & deeper than previous seats (and Mk3 from what I've seen) so I fitted Elise S2 seats which have more than solved the problem.

[iguana]

Im 6'4 & have had 2 mk1 mx5s & fit fine with standard seats, just need a smaller steering wheel for no knee contact.

[123bhp]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have a friend who has recently brought an mx-5 not sure what age though hopefully I will be seeing him soon so I will be able to have a sit and check it out.
Cheers for the quick and helpful replies.

[OnlyMX5ives]

MX-5 Lazza said:

OnlyMX5ives said:

I have fitted Exige seats which have dropped me at least 2" too.

Out of interest (and only slightly OT), how have you fitted your seats? Pictures would be nice
I'm happy enough with the way I've fitted mine but it's always interesting to see how others have done it

Hi,

I wote a big thread with pics on Nutz about it as I think I was the first to fit them.

Basically I bolted the Lotus runners through the floor in order to have some movement but be as low as possible.

I ended up raising the rear 1/2" off the floor as I couldn't really see much when parking.

[Evangelion]

I'm 6 ft 3 and drive a Mk 1 RS with the original Recaro seats. Fitted a smaller steering wheel but that's about it.

[OnlyMX5ives]

Evangelion said:

I'm 6 ft 3 and drive a Mk 1 RS with the original Recaro seats. Fitted a smaller steering wheel but that's about it.

Now that surprises me as I think you sit higher with the RS seats - although as they are thinner perhaps you are sitting futher back.

[mazdajason]

Agree with everyone else, I'm 6'5 and have a smaller wheel fitted but my knees stil rub on the wheel.

[(steven)]

I'm 6ft 2in and I fit but only just. It’s fine for a fun drive but a bit painful for a long drive as your constantly arching your back, also it's hard to take full control of the steering wheel because your knees get in the way. A lot of people will tell you to drop some lotus seats in but to do it properly it’s easier said than done (I’ve had two fabricators attempt the job and they’ve both failed/given up)

To be honest the height thing is more of a safety issue if you’re tracking the car than an on the road driving problem. My current track car build is having problems as I can't see away of getting my head inside a safety cell with ease. See here

Easiest way is take one for a extended test drive.

Edited by (steven) on Wednesday 21st April 21:30

[123bhp]

Thanks steven, I don't have any plans to track the car at the moment would just be using it as a daily driver. It is very rare that I do a journey of more than 3 hours in my car currently so I'm hoping that I should be ok.

[MX-5 Lazza]

steven said:

A lot of people will tell you to drop some lotus seats in but to do it properly it’s easier said than done (I’ve had two fabricators attempt the job and they’ve both failed/given up)

Those fabricators sound a bit crap then as I fitted mine on the stock runners myself and Mark has fitted using the Lotus runners! I used the B&Q table leg method first and have since improved on that design for the drivers seat. I'm sure if I can find a way to do it a fabricator should have no problem!

I've also fitted Elise seats using B&Q table legs to 2 other peoples cars so it really isn't difficult!

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 21st April 22:53

[OnlyMX5ives]

^^^ Agreed.

I'm no fabricator but I've fitted Recaro SPG, Imprezza and various aftermarket seats in MX5's over the years using basic tools and a few bits of steel.

Sometimes it takes longer than you'd think but its hardly rocket science.

[(steven)]

MX-5 Lazza said:

steven said:

A lot of people will tell you to drop some lotus seats in but to do it properly it’s easier said than done (I’ve had two fabricators attempt the job and they’ve both failed/given up)

Those fabricators sound a bit crap then as I fitted mine on the stock runners myself and Mark has fitted using the Lotus runners! I used the B&Q table leg method first and have since improved on that design for the drivers seat. I'm sure if I can find a way to do it a fabricator should have no problem!

I've also fitted Elise seats using B&Q table legs to 2 other peoples cars so it really isn't difficult!

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 21st April 22:53

Sorry guys, I should probably be a bit more specific about fitting lotus seats.

The base of the S2 seats (I don't know about S1 seats) are designed to sit between the seats runners in the Elise however the width of the seat is wider than the width of the stock Mx5 runners. It is fairly easy to fit the seats to the runners but due to the width issue they have to sit 'on' the runner rather than between which means you don't gain very much head room.

There are several threads on the net on fitting Elise seats but I have yet to see one that provides me with the height benefit I need and meets my personal safety requirements (I'm using it for the track so I'm going belt and braces).

As mentioned, using the stock Elise runners is a good idea (one I would try if they hadn't already been cuts to pieces fitting them to the mx5 runners) although you might end up having to make some modifications to the floor given it's not flat and in my case I need to be able to fit the old seats when required.

That said I am going to fit some but its not been the quick job I was hoping for.

[MX-5 Lazza]

The way my S2 seats are fitted I reckon I've gained at least 2" over Mk1 seats (so probably 3-4" on Mk2.5 seats - and that sitting pretty much on top of the stock runners

[Odie]

Im 5'11 and have to put the seat forward to reach the pedals (I suspect I have stubby legs tho), just try a few and see what you think.