Miata Is Not The Answer!

So I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who has given their input giving suggestions towards my search for a daily commuter, that isn't afraid to tackle the back roads or an odd track day, all while helping me out at the gas pump.

But as the title suggests, the answer to all questions is not going to work this time. Being 6'-4" with a fairly tall torso, i knew it would be tight, but it is a no-go. I test drove two miatas this past weekend, one w/ and one w/o a race seat, and while the race seat got me lower, I was super uncomfortable, and a helmet would never work. I am quite bummed, always wanted one.

So now, using the criteria above what are the options for a tall guy like myself? My budget for the car purchase tops out at about $4k, giving me some room for improvements/maintenance.

E30 E28 ??

Ford had an answer for that.

Thats too funny, I was joking about that same thing earlier today. Don't Think that will clear track safety too easily not these days anyways

crx?

In reply to carczar_84:

Yea. Flip over and you will look like something from Heroes.

carczar_84 wrote: So I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who has given their input giving suggestions towards my search for a daily commuter, that isn't afraid to tackle the back roads or an odd track day, all while helping me out at the gas pump. But as the title suggests, the answer to all questions is not going to work this time. Being 6'-4" with a fairly tall torso, i knew it would be tight, but it is a no-go. I test drove two miatas this past weekend, one w/ and one w/o a race seat, and while the race seat got me lower, I was super uncomfortable, and a helmet would never work. I am quite bummed, always wanted one. So now, using the criteria above what are the options for a tall guy like myself? My budget for the car purchase tops out at about $4k, giving me some room for improvements/maintenance.

Oh, man! Hate to hear that! Seems like at that price level, you're gonna have to get into a sedan or coupe. The Miata seems to be the world's last affordable "traditional" style sports car..all the British/Italian/Japanese roadsters I was lucky enough to find at reasonable prices 25yrs ago are now either complete rust buckets, or partially restored examples going for $7K on up. Gotta admit, for $4K, you might have to go FWD as well. I know I that's what I've been doing. Perhaps Nissan S12 or S13 chassis, and you might be able to catch a 2nd gen RX-7 at that price if you're lucky.

I think a 2nd. gen. RX-7 would be a no-go as well. I'm 5'8" with a slightly tall torso and I fit alright in my sunroof-equipped RX-7, but with a helmet on I have to pop the sunroof open and rake the seat back a little in order to fit. My non-sunroof RX-7 has more headroom, but I've never worn my helmet in it since it is currently inop. Soft-top RX-7s obviously have infinite headroom when the top is down but I'd say they are about as cramped as a sunroof-equipped car when the top is up. Plus, they are about 200-400lb heavier than a coupe and only came with a dog-slow slushbox from the factory.

I'd also suggest trying on an FC RX7 or maybe a C4 Corvette, Mustang or e36 BMW 325/328.

For FWD, maybe a Ford Focus.

Sounds like a Mustang to me.

S13?

I'd say Mustang, I'm 6'1" and my helmet was touching the ceiling in my e36 M3. Some Recaro Pole Positions would have changed that but he said he doesn't like race seats much.

I dig the C4 Corvette idea. Get a cheaper early one and upgrade the engine for cheap. You may have to stick to a carb to save enough dough to be under budget, but the suspension is still pretty great for the early ones.

I think the e30 has more headroom than the E36 (I could be wrong) especially if you find a non-sunroof or can have the sunroof made non-op and the mecahnism removed.

I am 5'11" and short torsoed.. so I have PLENTY of room in an e36

2005 VW GTI or Jetta GLI 1.8T manual.

I am a broad and tall torsoed 6'2" and the Recaros adjust to fit me with helmet and the GLI is really a nice commuter.

Same position man same position.

I am as short as you at 76"

Had a Miata and my head physically stuck above the wind screen.

99% of sunroof cars are out.

Focus SVT you should fit, ZX3 definitely.

Avoid cars with a straight roof line. You want a slope up and then down. Good example are Fusions, straight roof line limits head room, Foci goes up and then down. A little slope goes along way.

Modifying seat mountings helps also.

300Z car is a possibility, non turbos around here seem to be in that ballpark

I (6'-1") had all sorts of head room in my '00 Audi A6 Quattro Biturbo 6 speed manual. It was tons of fun, but it is still a VAG product. So the check engine light was always on...and so on...

Transit Connect has tons of head room.

A Focus would have plenty of head room and sounds like a pretty good choice.

Second generation MR2s have amazing amounts of interior room and a non-turbo one should be in your budget easily.

E30 or E36 BMW could fit the bill too.

C4 Corvette may be a little cramped but is roomier than a Miata for sure.

MadScientistMatt wrote: A Focus would have plenty of head room and sounds like a pretty good choice.

See. I told you Ford head an answer for that. I just gave you the wrong one.

I sold my '91 MR2 to a guy that was around your height. He said it was the only sports car he found that he could comfortably fit in. It wasn't even for sale in fact. He came with a buddy to look at another car I had for sale, and they left with the MR2. They are easily within your budget and do well at the tasks you want.

fast_eddie_72 wrote: S13?

At 6'4" I don't think s13 would be a good move. The new focus is pretty sleek and should have head room.

Mustang. Our favorite grassroots racing publication did one as a project a while back... linky

Unfortunately a Mustang won't "help at the gas pump," unless you go for a 4 or 6 cylinder version, which, to me, defeats the purpose of having a Mustang in the first place.

MR2 is a good suggestion. I'd extend it to the AW11 (first gen) model as well. Similar dimensions and power to a Miata. But at 6'0", I put on a Miata like a glove. I can get into an MR2 like a regular car.

E30 is another good option. Plenty of room there. I'll throw in the B13 Sentra SE-R as well. Yeah, FWD, but one of the most neutral handling FWD cars I've driven, and one of the most fun. Lots of headroom, even with a sunroof. The only issue may be if you're somewhat "wide." The seats are very supportive, but a little on the narrow side if you're... um... not. I have a rusty 91 for sale...

924/944?

I know someone who is about your size that loves his 924 Turbo and 924S. He also raced a Miata several times (in ChumpCar endurance races no less), but was really squeezed into the car. Apparently later model cars are a bit roomier, but I don't know that it makes enough difference for people of your height.

The the 924/944 do make great track cars and maintenance is a bit more than a Miata, but it won't be that bad, provided you buy a good example of the breed with documentation.