MX5 legroom vs 6ft guy

[Ext User(jj)]

hi, i am looking at getting a smaller car....a little manual...something
sexy and sporty..i was thinking an early model mazda mx5.....
but a friend tells me they are really really small and being just over 6ft
tall, i wouldnt fit at all :(
is it true?
are there any small cars that would do the job???

cheers
Jason

[Ext User(TJ)]

Why don't you go to a car yard today and try sit in all the cars you like
and see how small they really are.
You'd be surprised that most will accommodate you.

[Ext User(John_H)]

TJ wrote:

>Why don't you go to a car yard today and try sit in all the cars you like
>and see how small they really are.
>You'd be surprised that most will accommodate you.

I'm a mere 177cm (according to my licence) and always have trouble
finding cars with enough leg room -- left leg straight and comfortable
with the clutch pedal to the floor (as well as wrists touching the top
of the steering wheel with arms out straight). A lot of seats won't
even go back far enough to allow proper thigh support.

Judging by the seat position after almost anyone else has driven mine,
I reckon most of those who're over 5'6", and all who drive slushies,
must like to drive with their knees against the steering wheel (and
their elbows against their ribs)... to whom leg room probably isn't
ever a problem. :)

--
John H

[Ext User(kevcat)]

John_H wrote:
>
> TJ wrote:
>
> >Why don't you go to a car yard today and try sit in all the cars you like
> >and see how small they really are.
> >You'd be surprised that most will accommodate you.
>
> I'm a mere 177cm (according to my licence) and always have trouble
> finding cars with enough leg room -- left leg straight and comfortable
> with the clutch pedal to the floor (as well as wrists touching the top
> of the steering wheel with arms out straight). A lot of seats won't
> even go back far enough to allow proper thigh support.
>
> Judging by the seat position after almost anyone else has driven mine,
> I reckon most of those who're over 5'6", and all who drive slushies,
> must like to drive with their knees against the steering wheel (and
> their elbows against their ribs)... to whom leg room probably isn't
> ever a problem. :)


Try driving a Hilux single cab
only for shorties those

I'm just under 6 foot and find most normal cars have enough legroom with
the seat way back

it's trucks where I have the problem, so bad in some that using the
clutch means having my leg at an awkward angle or it hits the steering
wheel

Kev

[Ext User(Charlie)]

John_H wrote:

> I'm a mere 177cm (according to my licence) and always have trouble
> finding cars with enough leg room -- left leg straight and comfortable
> with the clutch pedal to the floor (as well as wrists touching the top
> of the steering wheel with arms out straight). A lot of seats won't
> even go back far enough to allow proper thigh support.

do you really need that much room? I drive much better in signifigantly
closer than that.

Charlie

[Ext User(John_H)]

kevcat wrote:
>
>John_H wrote:
>>
>> I'm a mere 177cm (according to my licence) and always have trouble
>> finding cars with enough leg room -- left leg straight and comfortable
>> with the clutch pedal to the floor (as well as wrists touching the top
>> of the steering wheel with arms out straight). A lot of seats won't
>> even go back far enough to allow proper thigh support.
>
>
>Try driving a Hilux single cab
>only for shorties those

Funny you should mention them. :)

I happen to own a Hilux (originally bought as part of an employee's
package which reverted to me when I sacked the bastard). It's by far
the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned (as well as the most
economical to run). Fortunately I never get to drive it far as others
use it more than me. The Cruiser ute, which is my daily driver, also
has the seat right back but I get by because of the higher seating
position.

>
>I'm just under 6 foot and find most normal cars have enough legroom with
>the seat way back

Spent three days in Adelaide a week ago and hired a Pulsar. The seat
had some sort of silly adjustment which lowered your arse instead of
raising the front, which still didn't give enough thigh support with
the seat right back. Also had to have the squab almost straight up to
get the right distance from the wheel. It would've been hell had I
needed to travel any distance -- otherwise it might've been a half
decent car. A 5'6" Orang-utan would've found it just right.

>
>it's trucks where I have the problem, so bad in some that using the
>clutch means having my leg at an awkward angle or it hits the steering
>wheel

Only ever found one truck I enjoyed driving (apart from the sloppy
gearbox)... Volvo.... I'd like a Volvo with a Roadranger. :)

--
John H

[Ext User(John_H)]

Charlie wrote:

>John_H wrote:
>
>> I'm a mere 177cm (according to my licence) and always have trouble
>> finding cars with enough leg room -- left leg straight and comfortable
>> with the clutch pedal to the floor (as well as wrists touching the top
>> of the steering wheel with arms out straight). A lot of seats won't
>> even go back far enough to allow proper thigh support.
>
>do you really need that much room? I drive much better in signifigantly
>closer than that.

No doubt we all drive best in the position that's most comfortable. I
generally have trouble with thigh support (long shanks perhaps). :)

Modern clutches also tend to be over light which negates the need for
maximum leverage (leg straight). I learnt to drive with mechanical
clutches and still much prefer a relatively heavy pedal (if they don't
come that way I usually modify mine)

Correct distance from the steering wheel is determined by whether you
use hand over hand or quarter to three -- most people probably use
hand over hand (or more commonly, simply fumble with the wheel). For
quarter to three the generally accepted correct distance is when your
wrists can just touch the top of the wheel.

A lot of vehicles, eg trucks or cars with high steering ratios, aren't
suited to quarter to three but it generally gives more precise control
and better feel in a well set up car (or at least I find it that way).

--
John H

[Ext User(ant)]

John_H wrote:

> Modern clutches also tend to be over light which negates the need for
> maximum leverage (leg straight). I learnt to drive with mechanical
> clutches and still much prefer a relatively heavy pedal (if they don't
> come that way I usually modify mine)

I find the clutch in the suzuki rather annoying, as it seems to have a
longish travel, and you have to point your toe a lot to get the last bit. I
have to sit quite close forward to ensure that I'm not having to twist to
press the clutch the whole way. Dunno why they did that. Mind you, I'm not
very tall.

--
ant

[Ext User(kevcat)]

John_H wrote:
>

> >I'm just under 6 foot and find most normal cars have enough legroom with
> >the seat way back
>
> Spent three days in Adelaide a week ago and hired a Pulsar. The seat
> had some sort of silly adjustment which lowered your arse instead of
> raising the front, which still didn't give enough thigh support with
> the seat right back. Also had to have the squab almost straight up to
> get the right distance from the wheel. It would've been hell had I
> needed to travel any distance -- otherwise it might've been a half
> decent car. A 5'6" Orang-utan would've found it just right.

Maybe they are just trying to please the "sit low, Gansta Style, Pimpin"
types
usually see them
two in the car
seats layed way back with just the scull caps visible above the door
cruisin with the Hip Hop pumpin
lookin like complete fuckwits....Errr....lookin like yo wassup


> >
> >it's trucks where I have the problem, so bad in some that using the
> >clutch means having my leg at an awkward angle or it hits the steering
> >wheel
>
> Only ever found one truck I enjoyed driving (apart from the sloppy
> gearbox)... Volvo.... I'd like a Volvo with a Roadranger. :)

Yeah Ya cant beat European Trucks, But a Roadranger?????, Nahh give me
an auto shift 14 speeder anyday

Kev

[Ext User(kevcat)]

> Modern clutches also tend to be over light which negates the need for
> maximum leverage (leg straight). I learnt to drive with mechanical
> clutches and still much prefer a relatively heavy pedal (if they don't
> come that way I usually modify mine)

With stuffed knees(who said sport was good for ya) the old heavy
clutches become a chore
I have at times had to push my leg with my hand to get the clutch to
disengage
and I can't hold the clutch at the lights for more than 20 seconds if it
is a heavy one

is it any wonder I like the autos and auto shifters

Kev

[Ext User(John_H)]

kevcat wrote:
>
>John_H wrote:
>>
>> Only ever found one truck I enjoyed driving (apart from the sloppy
>> gearbox)... Volvo.... I'd like a Volvo with a Roadranger. :)
>
>Yeah Ya cant beat European Trucks, But a Roadranger?????, Nahh give me
>an auto shift 14 speeder anyday

Auto shift... farkk!!! I can't even tolerate syncho mesh.

--
John H

[Ext User(Robert Irvine)]

Been there, done that. (6' 3")

I could 'just' manage to drive an early MX5 (1992), but ended up
getting a Honda CRX (Targa-roof, VTEC model) which had plenty
of leg room (and a big boot compared to the MX5).

Very comfy, although my head is still quite close to the roof (when the
roof is on).

I've been in the passenger seat of a friends MX5s (he updates every 3 years)
and my knees have always been hard up against the dash with the seat as far
back as possible.

Rob.


"jj" <jjj@jj.jj> wrote in message
news:42f4090b$0$16498$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> hi, i am looking at getting a smaller car....a little manual...something
> sexy and sporty..i was thinking an early model mazda mx5.....
> but a friend tells me they are really really small and being just over 6ft
> tall, i wouldnt fit at all :(
> is it true?
> are there any small cars that would do the job???
>
> cheers
> Jason
>
>

[Ext User(jj)]

cheers rob


"Robert Irvine" <Robert.Irvine@ILikeSpambigpond.com> wrote in message
news:UZzJe.74946$oJ.67006@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Been there, done that. (6' 3")
>
> I could 'just' manage to drive an early MX5 (1992), but ended up
> getting a Honda CRX (Targa-roof, VTEC model) which had plenty
> of leg room (and a big boot compared to the MX5).
>
> Very comfy, although my head is still quite close to the roof (when the
> roof is on).
>
> I've been in the passenger seat of a friends MX5s (he updates every 3
years)
> and my knees have always been hard up against the dash with the seat as
far
> back as possible.
>
> Rob.
>
>
> "jj" <jjj@jj.jj> wrote in message
> news:42f4090b$0$16498$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> > hi, i am looking at getting a smaller car....a little manual...something
> > sexy and sporty..i was thinking an early model mazda mx5.....
> > but a friend tells me they are really really small and being just over
6ft
> > tall, i wouldnt fit at all :(
> > is it true?
> > are there any small cars that would do the job???
> >
> > cheers
> > Jason
> >
> >
>
>

[Ext User(kevcat)]

John_H wrote:
>
> kevcat wrote:
> >
> >John_H wrote:
> >>
> >> Only ever found one truck I enjoyed driving (apart from the sloppy
> >> gearbox)... Volvo.... I'd like a Volvo with a Roadranger. :)
> >
> >Yeah Ya cant beat European Trucks, But a Roadranger?????, Nahh give me
> >an auto shift 14 speeder anyday
>
> Auto shift... farkk!!! I can't even tolerate syncho mesh.


Ya just not lazy enough then


the Actros would be the best for fat lazy bastards like me if it had a
full auto shiter in it
just hold the steering wheel, the cruise control and engine brake work
of the same column stalk
once you get past 40kph use the cruise lever(pull it up) untill the
desired speed is reached, but alas you still have to use the clutch with
every gear

Kev

[Ext User(D Walford)]

kevcat wrote:
>
> John_H wrote:
> >
> > kevcat wrote:
> > >
> > >John_H wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Only ever found one truck I enjoyed driving (apart from the sloppy
> > >> gearbox)... Volvo.... I'd like a Volvo with a Roadranger. :)
> > >
> > >Yeah Ya cant beat European Trucks, But a Roadranger?????, Nahh give me
> > >an auto shift 14 speeder anyday
> >
> > Auto shift... farkk!!! I can't even tolerate syncho mesh.
>
> Ya just not lazy enough then
>
> the Actros would be the best for fat lazy bastards like me if it had a
> full auto shiter in it
> just hold the steering wheel, the cruise control and engine brake work
> of the same column stalk
> once you get past 40kph use the cruise lever(pull it up) untill the
> desired speed is reached, but alas you still have to use the clutch with
> every gear

Agreed, I barely tolerate a 16spd ZF syncro box, if I had to drive
something with roadranger all day around the city I'd look for another
job:-)
I have enough to worry about (eg avoiding idiots who are determined to
squeeze past whilst I'm reversing into a tight driveway) to also have to
put up with a very heavy clutch and crunching gears.



Daryl


Daryl