A show of hands..uncomfortable or comfortable cars..
Discussion
Personally I can't understand why some people find these cars so uncomfortable.I keep reading it, but still don't understand what people truly mean.I have driven mine (now on firmer & harder shocks) for hours and only stopped to get more fuel and a drink before tearing off again and I find it no different in the comfort stakes than my old BMW or mondeo etc.
Yes, it's a totaly different sort of ride and you will experience different sensations and effects on your body, but I never get out and feel the need to stretch or have parts of me that ache etc.I wonder if it's simply down to the condition of the driver, as apposed to the car?
I'm no spring chicken, but I would go as far as to say I really like my Mk1's comfort.I like where I sit, the way I sit, where my arms rest etc etc.Sure, it doesn't 'waft' along, but I'm 6 foot and still love the driving position and feel of it.
So, who finds their car uncomfortable and why? Be interesting to read a few experiences..
Yes, it's a totaly different sort of ride and you will experience different sensations and effects on your body, but I never get out and feel the need to stretch or have parts of me that ache etc.I wonder if it's simply down to the condition of the driver, as apposed to the car?
I'm no spring chicken, but I would go as far as to say I really like my Mk1's comfort.I like where I sit, the way I sit, where my arms rest etc etc.Sure, it doesn't 'waft' along, but I'm 6 foot and still love the driving position and feel of it.
So, who finds their car uncomfortable and why? Be interesting to read a few experiences..
So many differences with suspension and seats that it is impossible to answer really. My Mk1 with standard suspension and full leather was fairly comfortable but the ride was fairly crashy. My Mk2 has firmer suspension and half leather/suede and isn't quite as comfortable but has a much better ride.
Both are uncomfortable when compared with my previous Volvo S60.
Both are uncomfortable when compared with my previous Volvo S60.
I've got a bad back - and I find that, ordinarily, both the Mk1 and Mk3 are fine.
I now have a bucket seat in the Mk1 which is fine providing I stop every couple of hours - I did 12 hours driving with only a 5minute break every couple of hours on Wednesday and it damned near killed me - my back was in agony. Other than that, the suspension is fine, the ride is fine - neither leak!!
I now have a bucket seat in the Mk1 which is fine providing I stop every couple of hours - I did 12 hours driving with only a 5minute break every couple of hours on Wednesday and it damned near killed me - my back was in agony. Other than that, the suspension is fine, the ride is fine - neither leak!!
Mr MXT said:
Depends what you are used to I guess.
This.Although I do indeed find it surprising that people have cars that are much more comfortable than a '5.
I find the suspension very supple (Mk2.5 Sport). Yes it is quite firm, but the spring rates and dampers are well tuned.
My father's Audi on the other hand is crashy and feels massively undersprung.
Mine, has been very comfortable, both on the origonal shocks, and on the new stiffer Performace 5 shocks. have put 70k on the car in 5 years - but within that for the last year it hasnt been driven much due to various problems with it, that i could afford to fix at the time. so the bulk was put on when doing 500-600miles a week for 2 years.
But i've just replaced the seats from the origonal ones (seperate headrests) to newer ones (all in one seatback and headrest. The passenger seat is alot more comforatble than the old (the old one had gone, and there was no support under the passengers left leg.
But the drivers seat isnt very comfortable, and i'm now finding the car uncomfortable to drive - two problems, the seat base seems to have lost its padding, so is very hard and lumpy. And it seems to be 1-2" higher, so now my head is brushing the roof, and the top half of my vision is cut off by the windscreen - so i'm scrunched down in the seat so i can see traffic lights, giving me back ache, and also means the steering wheel is no longer in a comfortable position for me.
I am going to get my old drivers seat back off the garage that fitted them so i can refit the old seat.
But i've just replaced the seats from the origonal ones (seperate headrests) to newer ones (all in one seatback and headrest. The passenger seat is alot more comforatble than the old (the old one had gone, and there was no support under the passengers left leg.
But the drivers seat isnt very comfortable, and i'm now finding the car uncomfortable to drive - two problems, the seat base seems to have lost its padding, so is very hard and lumpy. And it seems to be 1-2" higher, so now my head is brushing the roof, and the top half of my vision is cut off by the windscreen - so i'm scrunched down in the seat so i can see traffic lights, giving me back ache, and also means the steering wheel is no longer in a comfortable position for me.
I am going to get my old drivers seat back off the garage that fitted them so i can refit the old seat.
Find mine comfortable.. Can be slightly uncomfortable with the roof down on the motorways for prolonged periods but thats more due to the wind than the car.
I've found shoes make a big difference because in normal cars you're higher than the pedals so your heel sits on the floor and you use your toes. In these the back of your heel sits flat on the floor and you push your feet away rather than down, or I've found that.. So my Pumas with rubber on the heel bit are more comfortable than others.
I've not done any VERY long journeys, Manchester.. Wales.. But this year will do a trip to the 'Ring and maybe a Euro Tour so will find out.
I've found shoes make a big difference because in normal cars you're higher than the pedals so your heel sits on the floor and you use your toes. In these the back of your heel sits flat on the floor and you push your feet away rather than down, or I've found that.. So my Pumas with rubber on the heel bit are more comfortable than others.
I've not done any VERY long journeys, Manchester.. Wales.. But this year will do a trip to the 'Ring and maybe a Euro Tour so will find out.
95 Mk1 standard shocks with leather seats: Yes the ride is a bit crashy, probably mostly down to old shocks, but the seats & driving position are amongst of the best I have experienced. I quite often do 3-4 hr runs without any back ache/stiffness type issues. I can't say that of other more modern cars I have experienced recently...1 1/2 hrs driving & I'm stiff as a board in the focus! I would happily take a 5 on touring hol 
Digby said:
Personally I can't understand why some people find these cars so uncomfortable.I keep reading it, but still don't understand what people truly mean.I have driven mine (now on firmer & harder shocks) for hours and only stopped to get more fuel and a drink before tearing off again and I find it no different in the comfort stakes than my old BMW or mondeo etc.
Yes, it's a totaly different sort of ride and you will experience different sensations and effects on your body, but I never get out and feel the need to stretch or have parts of me that ache etc.I wonder if it's simply down to the condition of the driver, as apposed to the car?
I'm no spring chicken, but I would go as far as to say I really like my Mk1's comfort.I like where I sit, the way I sit, where my arms rest etc etc.Sure, it doesn't 'waft' along, but I'm 6 foot and still love the driving position and feel of it.
So, who finds their car uncomfortable and why? Be interesting to read a few experiences..
I'm not sure sports cars are ever more uncomfortable than 99% of small/medium hatchbacks if I'm honest.Yes, it's a totaly different sort of ride and you will experience different sensations and effects on your body, but I never get out and feel the need to stretch or have parts of me that ache etc.I wonder if it's simply down to the condition of the driver, as apposed to the car?
I'm no spring chicken, but I would go as far as to say I really like my Mk1's comfort.I like where I sit, the way I sit, where my arms rest etc etc.Sure, it doesn't 'waft' along, but I'm 6 foot and still love the driving position and feel of it.
So, who finds their car uncomfortable and why? Be interesting to read a few experiences..
If you could drive a Fiesta long distance then a MX or similar will be no hardship at all.
JonnyFive said:
Mr MXT said:
JonnyFive said:
But this year will do a trip to the 'Ring.
Tell me more about this trip to the 'Ring?
Like on Grease?
Um.. Well there is nothing planned yet
Might go for my birthday which is end of April?
) so we had to cancel it. I want to go. Can i come?
PlanetMX5 are planning another trip to The Ring in May...
http://www.planetmx5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656...
http://www.planetmx5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656...
MX-5 Lazza said:
PlanetMX5 are planning another trip to The Ring in May...
http://www.planetmx5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656...
How are you sorting insurance?? http://www.planetmx5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656...
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