RealMiniDriver
RealMiniDriver UltraDork
9/28/14 10:27 p.m.

I recently drove an NA, for the first time. I'm 6'4", with 36" inseam. My left knee was between the wheel and the door and right knee was between the wheel and the dash. My coconut was just about to brush the roof bracing. The example I drove had leather seats, if that matters. My drive was very brief, and subdued, due to not having room to effectively steer in a sporting fashion, but I could tell it would be a hoot to scoot. Is there a way/seat/method for giants to enjoy The Answer?

yamaha
yamaha UltimaDork
9/28/14 10:53 p.m.

E36 M3 or e46m3......

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
9/28/14 11:02 p.m.

Foamectomy the seats, lose the sliders and bolt em to the floor.

Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
9/29/14 12:58 a.m.

had a 92 and I am 6'5" with a 34" inseam. Foamectomy and loose the arm rest on the door that is pinning your knee when you shift.

SnowMongoose
SnowMongoose Dork
9/29/14 1:35 a.m.

6'3'' with a 32'' inseam.
Currently running a corbeau FX1 on low sliders, plus removed the rear seat mount humps, bolted the back of the sliders directly to the floor.
(My hair brushes the roof)
Next step is to ditch the sliders and bolt directly to the floor.
Not convinced that I'll even pass the broomstick test then.
So, yeah, not a great choice for we tall folk.

Mr_Clutch42
Mr_Clutch42 Dork
9/29/14 6:12 a.m.

One of my local autocross buddies has a NA and he's 6'4". He said that he cut the floor and lowered it an inch or two.

kazoospec
kazoospec Dork
9/29/14 9:55 a.m.

I suspect you're going to have to go to pretty extreme measures to be comfortable. I'm 6'2" and a flat 200lbs. I got by with a pretty routine "foamectomy". (Just did the seat bottom, not the seat back) This nets me probably another inch/inch and a half of head room. I could have done the foam in the upright portion of the seat and probably netted another inch/half-inch of leg room, but with the seat all the way back, I'm relatively comfortable. I may still ditch/modify the "dead pedal" to be able to stretch out my left leg a bit more. That said: 1. There isn't much room between my midsection and the wheel. 2. Bolting the floor is ok, provided you're the ONLY one driving the car (won't work for my b/c my wife drives it). 3. Its always going to feel fairly confined around the shoulders and hips. Personally, I don't mind it, but I've alway driven relatively small cars. 4. Its always going to be a bear to get in/out of. Depending on your age/physical fitness, this may or may not be an issue. 5. People will laugh at you. Be prepared for "clown car" jokes, etc. Just a feature of the big guy/small car dynamic.

With your parameters, I'd guess at a minimum you will need: Top and bottom half foamectomy, maybe even a race seat. If you go race seat, be prepared. Many race seats that are comfortable for big guys don't fit in Miatas. Do lots of research/try different seats before you buy. You will probably need to direct bolt to the floor. You may need an aftermarket/smaller wheel to get clearance between the seat and wheel. There are numerous other mods you can do (gas pedal, dead pedal, door card replacement, pull loops to replace the arm rests, etc) but each will only make minor improvements.

My suggestion would be to watch the Miata.net classified and try to buy (or at least test drive) an already modded "Tall guy Miata" or maybe find a local club and see if you can at least sit in a modified example.

All that said, I thoroughly enjoy my NA. Good luck with your search. BTW - if you're anywhere north of the frost line, this is the time to buy them.

RealMiniDriver
RealMiniDriver UltraDork
9/29/14 10:23 a.m.
kazoospec said: People will laugh at you. Be prepared for "clown car" jokes, etc. Just a feature of the big guy/small car dynamic.

Do you see my user name and avatar?

At this point, I'm just curious. I may or may not get serious about a Miata. I had an '80 RX7, that I modified the seat tracks, to gain 2" of rear movement, so modifying something isn't a fear.

1988RedT2
1988RedT2 PowerDork
9/29/14 10:46 a.m.

I'm 6'-0" with a 32" inseam. I have test driven a couple of Miatas over the years, always with the top down. The top of the windshield was precisely in my line of sight, but it was easier to look over it than crouch down and look under it. Not sure how any but dwarves could properly drive the car with the top up. Basically a nifty little go-kart, but not suitable for use as a car.

This is not me, and the car is not a Miata, but the feeling is roughly the same:

failboat
failboat UltraDork
9/29/14 11:43 a.m.

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Im 6' and also a 32" inseam, at least thats what the tags on my pants say. I drove an NA for years and never really had any issues with fitting in it, even with the stock seat. Maybe we just prefer a different seating position or something... I later did the foamectomy, only removing the center back cushion completely. (which i highly recommend for a free mod)

kazoospec
kazoospec Dork
9/29/14 1:00 p.m.

As another suggestion, join M.net, go to the regional section nearest you and ask if anyone near you has a "tall guy modded" Miata to try out. I'll be very surprised if someone doesn't help you out. Miata coolaid drinkers love to share endless hours of "knowledge" about why the answer is always the answer, so plan a whole evening.

RossD
RossD PowerDork
9/29/14 1:20 p.m.

I'm 6'1 and 200lb. I think my drivers seat already had a foamectomy because the passenger seat sits noticeably higher. I removed the sun visors so I could see the traffic lights better. I had the top flop down while driving down the highway and was super excited to learn that it won't hit me in the head while doing so.

bigev007
bigev007 New Reader
9/29/14 1:40 p.m.
yamaha wrote: E36 M3 or e46m3......

Dunno, I'm 6'-3" and the only reason I fit in my E36 is because of the aftermarket sunroof. With my helmet on, anyway. Without is ok.

yamaha
yamaha UltimaDork
9/29/14 2:07 p.m.

In reply to bigev007:

There is also a LOT of space between the floor and seat(even with it set to full low)....race seats, race seat mounts, and getting a car without a sunroof will allow you do be about 7' tall in one.

Desmond
Desmond Reader
9/29/14 6:41 p.m.

In reply to bigev007:

If you put an aftermarket seat in the car, you can fit a giant in there. You will absolutely not achieve near the same results in a miata.

NordicSaab
NordicSaab New Reader
9/30/14 8:46 a.m.

I'm 6'4" 230lbs and have driven several Miatas comfortible once race seats are installed. My go to seat, like others have said, is the Corbeau FX1 (Not the FX1 Pro). If you side mount them you should pick up some space.

I have also modified floor boards in cars to make them a better fit for me. This is not hard, but can be time consuming. I know many miata owners have done this and I would not be surprised if there is a weld in kit somewhere.

maj75
maj75 Reader
9/30/14 6:29 p.m.

Big guy (6'3" and 240) and I've had 4 Miatas. I recommend the foamectomy, bottom and back. Easy and free. I went with a smaller aftermarket Momo steering wheel. I removed the arm rest and made a nice pull strap out of an old black leather belt. Looked like it was meant to be there. I also removed the dead pedal and sectioned it.

I daily drove them and had no complaints.

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