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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Is the Miata Right for me?

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July 8, 2008 10:13 a.m. EricM Reader

OK,

Looking for a sporty car again for Daily Driver. I have nearly given up on the '88 Fiero GT. I was going to build a Locost, but you need a Miata or the like just to do that, so just cut out all the owrk and get a Miata I guess....

I am 6'1" and 235 lbs. My inseam is 34 inches. Am I too big for the Miata? Is the Miata Right for me?

Does anyone have one in central Illinois that I can Test fit?

Is the 1.8 that much stronger than the 1.6 motor? Would I notice the difference? Is teh price going up on them 'cuz every one is making a spec miata bumper car?

I have offically been converted, that is, IF the Miat ais right for me.
July 8, 2008 10:22 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

It's like asking foxes if chickens taste good.
July 8, 2008 10:27 a.m. aircooled Dork

Well, come on now, you should know the answer to this already: The Miata is right for everybody, that is why it is always the answer.

Size wise, you should not have much of a problem. I am about 6'1'' (just not quite as generously proportioned) and I fit pretty good in a 2nd gen. The only minor complaint would be that my right leg would generally be off to the side of the wheel (rather than under it). Be wary of cars with manual crank windows, I have never sat in one, but I suspect the crank would have been in my knee while driving.
July 8, 2008 10:29 a.m. John Brown UltimaDork

JTP is about 6'1 and fits with a modified seat bottom VERY WELL. He is probably 20lbs lighter than you. I am 6'3" 285lb 34" inseam and wear a 56L jacket... I do not fit very well. If your legs are thick you will not like the room left to fit your hands on the wheel (when 9-3 driving) I would hit my legs all the time. Most small wheels really disturb the chassis and do not have air bags so they are technically illegal.

I liked the 1.6L cars a lot. The gearing and the revs match the sporting feel of the car. The 1.8L has more torque but is not so revvy but they are equal fun. I akin it to making the choice of having a supermodel with ugly fingers or a supermodel with ugly toes... either decision will still net you a hot ride that looks great without a top.
July 8, 2008 10:52 a.m. jrw1621 New Reader

John Brown wrote: I akin it to making the choice of having a supermodel with ugly fingers or a supermodel with ugly toes... either decision will still net you a hot ride that looks great without a top.

Yes, that should be in print!

Well Done

Personally, I am 6'1'' at 230lbs with a 32 inseam and wear a 44L jacket and I have had my '90 Miata for 16 yrs. I have not modified the seat or made any other changes. The interior is stock.

The 34" may cause you some issue. There must be some Miatas on used car lots in your area. Even if they are over priced, head out to sit in them and take one for a drive.
July 8, 2008 11:28 a.m. DILYSI Dave PowerDork

If you try on a first gen and find it cramped, give the 2nd gen a shot. I am way cramped in a 1G, but a 99+ fits quite nicely.
July 8, 2008 11:29 a.m. racerdave600 New Reader

Try one with a modified seat bottom. Everyone that ever drove mine walked away amazed at how different the car was. I'm only 5'9", and I'd never have a Miata with a stock seat. Yeah, it makes that much difference!
July 8, 2008 11:49 a.m. P90Puma Reader

If you really considered a Locost as a DD, how happy do you think you are going to be with a Miata?

IMHO, The closer a car is to a racecar on the street, the better it is.
July 8, 2008 12:33 p.m. Xceler8x Reader
Does tape stick to itself when you're trying to use it?*

Of course.
- a corollary to this rule is that the tape is more likely to stick to itself if the tape itself is more sticky AND unsalvageable after it is self-stuck.
July 8, 2008 12:46 p.m. mistanfo Dork

Well, I'm 5'11", if my back feels ok that day. ~29" inseam. 250ish lbs. 52 jacket. I cannot drive with the seat all the way back. Having larger legs, I prefer my large diameter Sparco wheel on a Sparco quick release. Since I have fairly short arms, it both brings it closer, and away from the legs. Technically, I don't care if it's illegal
July 8, 2008 12:48 p.m. Volksroddin New Reader

Tim Baxter wrote: It's like asking foxes if chickens taste good.

Top Sirlion is pretty good too!
July 8, 2008 3:15 p.m. EricM Reader

OK a Miata.....

Or this!

http://chambana.craigslist.org/car/746986921.html

I wonder if my marige is strong enough to survive me just showing up tin the driveway with it.
July 8, 2008 3:41 p.m. mistanfo Dork

posytrac... is that for when you play ring around the rosy?
July 8, 2008 4:20 p.m. neon4891 HalfDork

+1,000,000 on the futura
July 8, 2008 6:12 p.m. billy3esq Dork

You should fit. I'm 6'3/4" with a 34 inch inseam, and I fit. If you were much longer in the torso, you'd have trouble, but a foamectomy would solve that.

I can't comment on the width issue. I'm about 80lb lighter than you are. The only way you'll know for sure is to try one on.

The manual window crank may hit your knee, but I find this to be more of a minor nuisance than a deal breaker. Mine only hits it when the window is up. Because, most of my driving is top and windows down, it's not an issue.
July 8, 2008 9:42 p.m. Keith UltraDork

You can pop that winder off and index it differently so it's always out of the way of your knee - if it bugs you.
July 8, 2008 10:23 p.m. nocones New Reader

Wait, you still have the Fiero? Is it for sale?

Daniel
July 8, 2008 11:02 p.m. EricM Reader

No Dan I sold the Fiero, I was looking for another one.

That was the only car I have ever regreed letting go....
July 9, 2008 1:17 p.m. billy3esq Dork

Keith wrote: You can pop that winder off and index it differently so it's always out of the way of your knee - if it bugs you.

Yeah, I know, but I'm lazy and I'd rather complain.

Besides, I really only notice it when autocrossing in a downpour sufficient that they let us roll-up the windows. Since I never autocross any more (especially in bad weather), it isn't that big a deal.
July 9, 2008 4:45 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Yes, you want a Miata.
July 9, 2008 6:02 p.m. neilsberry None

OK,

I owned a Miata. I am 6'1" with a 33" inseam. It felt fine at first. Headroom got to be a real nuisance, even with the hardtop to gain a little headroom. Kinda annoying to feel something against the hair all the time. Next annoyance, right leg. On a long trip you find that trany tunnel and steering wheel gives just at one inch of wiggle room for that leg. Makes that leg quite sore after a long road trip. All problems that are worth it for a track day car, but not worth it for vacations.

I now own a Mustang.
July 9, 2008 7:19 p.m. MrJoshua Dork

Smaller steering wheel, maybe even a flat bottom will fix some of that. Foamectomy will put you lower in the car to fix the rest.
July 9, 2008 7:21 p.m. petegossett Dork

Eric, you're always welcome to trek over here & drive mine!
July 9, 2008 11:12 p.m. EricM Reader

Pete, I knew you were looking for one, but I didn't know you got one.

I'll come up sometime
July 9, 2008 11:22 p.m. nocones New Reader

I'm my experiences with Miata's.. (I've owned a 1st gen, a second gen, driven a Mazdaspeed a fair amount, and owned a 3rd gen) The third gen has the most head, shoulder, and knee room, however this has alot to do with the tilt wheel (however the door cupholder may hit you in the knee). The 1st gen has the next largest available space, with the cloth seat 2nd gen, close behind. I didn't really fit to well in the MS. The 3rd gen has more head clearance for me, and over all was a much much more comfortable car that I could almost see driving everyday (it was the wifes DD). I currently own 0 miata's, so take that for what it's worth. BTW I'm about 6'0, 240lbs with a 33" inseam.

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