Tall guy track cars for under $5k?

I've always known I'm a bit taller than the average Joe (6'3"), but boy it sure is making it difficult to find the right HPDE car. With a helmet on, I have to kink my neck to fit in my E46 coupe w/sunroof; in trying to find a replacement I am not having a whole lot of luck finding anything more accomdating. For example I've had a few sunroof first gen RX-7s that I could get in and out of just fine, but I doubt I'd clear the ceiling with a helmet. A Miata would require major seat mount surgery and therefore a solid mounted seat. A non-sunroof E36 might do the trick, but they're not terrible common. Same goes for the 2ZZ Celica.

I know that there are many different body shapes and sizes so that "lots of headroom" is relative, but I am trying to get together a list of cars that may suit my needs. So far all I can really think of is the SN95 Mustang, F-bodies (ugh), C4 Vette (not sure how the early ones are), Mk3 Supra, and that's about it. I have heard rumors that an E30 or SW20 MR2 may fit my needs but I'm not sure if that's with or without sunroof, t-bar, etc.

Any suggestions? Worst case I will probably pick up an SN95, MS it and try to make it handle but I feel like there has to be a better option.

I think I'd go with a 3rd or 4th gen F-Body before the Mustang, getting them to handle better seems a lot easier, and you're into a better family of powerplants (LS beats 4.6 unless there's a blower from the factory involved). They're floppy and the doors are crazy long and other stuff like that but a lot of issues can be fixed easier / cheaper on the F-cars. I think.

Signed, a not that impressed SN95 owner.

Hmm second gen rx-7? I think the F-body could work as well. Especially if its mostly a track toy and you can put it on a diet.

Get a convertible and a tall bar.

I'm 6'2" and drive a Spitfire.

The seat has been lowered since this picture and I actually pass the broomstick test.

Jaynen wrote: Hmm second gen rx-7? I think the F-body could work as well. Especially if its mostly a track toy and you can put it on a diet.

What he said. Hardtop FC RX-7 followed by a hardtop 4th gen F-Body. The F-Body has an SLA front and a torque-arm rear and can swallow 305's on all 4 corners, stock. Hardtop 944/924S might work, too.

Toyman01 wrote: Get a convertible and a tall bar. I'm 6'2" and drive a Spitfire.

A Spitfire won't cut it at Road America where 996TT's regularly zip past at nearly twice your speed

Javelin wrote:

Jaynen wrote: Hmm second gen rx-7? I think the F-body could work as well. Especially if its mostly a track toy and you can put it on a diet.

What he said. Hardtop FC RX-7 followed by a hardtop 4th gen F-Body. The F-Body has an SLA front and a torque-arm rear and can swallow 305's on all 4 corners, stock. Hardtop 944/924S might work, too.

Do hardtop FC's really have that much room?

Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I might even consider a VAG product if it fits the bill - Mk4 GTI, Corrado, A4, something...

In reply to SlickDizzy:

Yup. Especially with manual seats. Go try one.

Hard top MKII MR2 if you can find one. I had plenty of room with a helmet on in mine and I'm 6'4". Lots more room in there than you would expect. I don't think the sunroof cars would work though, and not sure about the t-bar cars.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

Damn I didn't know they would run 250.

The one pictured isn't exactly stock.

If this car is primarily for racing i actually dont hate the 4th gen F-body for that. Most of the things that suck about them are aesthetic and either dont matter or will be ripped out anyway on a track car.

But, do you fit in them? The only one i've owned was a 95 firebird with T-tops but i generally dont notice headroom unless there isn't enough of it, and that's a rare issue for me at 6'0.

I have noticed my 1800lb insight has tons of headroom but it would be really hard to make it a good track car.

I'm 6'2", and early C4 Corvette was the first thing that came to mind. You're likely to find one that's a bit rough around the edges, but should have enough money left over for repairs. Plenty of headroom even with the targa panel on.

Is the car going to be a daily as well, or just a track rat?

There is plenty of space in an e36 once you remove the headliner and sunroof cartridge. No need to cut anything either, the sunroof cartridge unbolts from the roof and you can put it back on if you so desire.

Not, repeat, NOT, a 1st gen Rx7 with a sunroof.

aussiesmg wrote: Not, repeat, NOT, a 1st gen Rx7 with a sunroof.

I am 6'6" (36" inseem) and have had many 1st Gen RX7s, most of which I autocrossed when they were in CS. On the 84-85s, I had to remove the grab-handle from the drivers door (for knee), but otherwise I fit fine--even with the sunroof...my favorite RX7 was an 84 GSL-SE...and you could not get those without a sunroof. Great car.

You could stand 4 wheels/tires across the hatch and have room for tools, small cooler etc. all under the rear glass.

Also, I did a season (1998) in a SN95 '94 Cobra--The RX7 was far more comfortable leg-room-wise.

I have 2 now and have owned 13 in total, at 5'11" my helmet is against the roof, not sure how you fit in yours.

My favorite I have had for almost 10 years

My 86 Fox has more legroom by far

Just saying

It'd take nothing short of a GSL-SE to get me into another first gen - I'm done with 12A stuff - but it's a damn shame they all came with a sunroof. Might have to check one out with my helmet in tow to see what it feels like.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

I had an '85 RX7 and with a helmet on I was touching the ceiling. If that's not the case for you, just swap a 13b and rear end from an GSL-SE into a GS body! Though, if you are going to go to that much trouble maybe the other options are better...

Im 6'2" and fit in my MR2 spyder with a helmet. It also happens to be for sale still....

aussiesmg wrote: I have 2 now and have owned 13 in total, at 5'11" my helmet is against the roof, not sure how you fit in yours. My favorite I have had for almost 10 years My 86 Fox has more legroom by far Just saying

I have really long arms too (38" sleeves), so I can recline the seat enough in the RX7 for helmet clearance; as for the Mustangs, the Fox cars, for me, have better comfort than the SN95...I think that they have the seats mounted a bit further rearward in the chassis.

FSP_ZX2 wrote:

aussiesmg wrote: I have 2 now and have owned 13 in total, at 5'11" my helmet is against the roof, not sure how you fit in yours. My favorite I have had for almost 10 years My 86 Fox has more legroom by far Just saying

I have really long arms too (38" sleeves), so I can recline the seat enough in the RX7 for helmet clearance; as for the Mustangs, the Fox cars, for me, have better comfort than the SN95...I think that they have the seats mounted a bit further rearward in the chassis.

Ahhh, yes I do sit very upright, I like to see the corners of the car and have my arms just short of straight.

I have no problems with an e30 or e36. And neither does my friend who's 6'4.

I'm 6'5" and would vote for the E36. I can fit in a sedan just fine with the stock seats but I'd have problems in a coupe with stock seats and a sunroof. Since you'll ditch the seats and sunroof assembly it should be fine either way.

I was at the track this weekend and saw a guy running the last generation of the MX6 GS (V6 anyway). An oddball car that can be found cheap. I'd fit in that with a race seat on a slider.

i am 6"2 and my T top thirdgen Trans Am has a ton of headroom, even with a helmet. A hard top would have even more. for 5000 you could get a really nice TPI 5spd Thirdgen...

FSP_ZX2 wrote: I have really long arms too (38" sleeves), so I can recline the seat enough in the RX7 for helmet clearance; as for the Mustangs, the Fox cars, for me, have better comfort than the SN95...I think that they have the seats mounted a bit further rearward in the chassis.

You know you would have made a fantastic boxer with those Stretch Armstrongs