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Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

4340 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2009 at 9:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda, Toyota MR2 Spyder, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Convertible

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#2 of 4340 Just wondering by bordsource Feb 19, 2000 (5:28 am)
Hey, I've been meaning to ask this for a long time. Are there any tall drivers (6' +) out there who own Miatas? Given how small the car is, and that it lacks a tilt wheel, I've always assumed that it would be too cramped for anyone over 6' to drive. Is that a true assumtion, or just one that depends on personal preference?
#3 of 4340 by C13 Feb 19, 2000 (3:57 pm)
I'm a 5'11" shrimp, but I used to sell Miazdas. Some tall guys say it fits just fine, others not. It depends a lot on whether your length is above or below the hip joint. If a lot of your height is in your legs, you can usually get comfortable in a Miata, especially the 2nd gen. Quite decent leg room. If a lot of your height is in your torso, neck and head, your scalp might be out in the airstream, or if the top's up, you might contact the fabric sometimes. If you're that tall though, I guess a bigger problem would be the top member of the windhisld frame blocking a big portion of your field of view.
#4 of 4340 bordsource.... by vjdmx5 Feb 19, 2000 (4:28 pm)
I'm 6'1" 215 lbs. and owned a Miata for 8 years. No problems what so ever. Replies to this message: dilger (Sep 11, 2007 6:27 pm) ateixeira (Sep 12, 2007 6:58 am)
#5 of 4340 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Feb 19, 2000 (9:15 pm)
I'm 6-2, 193 lbs, BIG PROBLEM for me in a Miata. Major reason why I don't own one--I love 'em but oddly enough, my current two seater has way more room for me.
#6 of 4340 Okay, let's try specifics by bordsource Feb 20, 2000 (4:24 am)
Thanks for the answers. So, let me be more specific. I'm about 6'. But I have legs that demand a 36" inseam to avoid the dreaded "high-water" look. LoL. Anyway, I'm pretty evenly split. I noticed that Mr. Shiftright had a problem with it at 6'2". But vj didn't at 6'1". Based on what C13 said, would it be safe to say that Mr. Shiftright obviously doesn't have the long legs that Vj has?
#7 of 4340 Height problem... by karl1973 Feb 20, 2000 (1:56 pm)
Best thing to do, is get a hold of a Miata and drive it around a little. Test drive may not be enough, as you would not be able to spend enough time behind the wheels to really tell. A friend leased a 99 one time and he turned the lease in after only 2 months. He is about 6'1" but he said it was very uncomfortable for him. So, see if you can find a rental place with a Miata you can rent. Or see if the dealer is nice enough to loan you one *smile* www.miata.net also have an article detailing how you remove some padding in the seat to gain some headroom for taller folks. People have also observed, that cloth seat gives you a little more headroom than leather seat.
#8 of 4340 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Feb 20, 2000 (9:10 pm)
36" inseam? You're doomed, forget it.
#9 of 4340 Daddylonglegs by jwilson1 Feb 20, 2000 (10:03 pm)
Yeah, bordsource, Ihave to agree as per usual w/Mr. Shiftright. I'm 6'2" & 200# and pretty comfortable (for a couple of hours), but that's with a bit less than a 32 inseam. Is this the car for everybody? I guess not, sadly. Try on a new Toyota when they come out in a couple of months and let us know about the fit! Take care. Joe W.
#10 of 4340 36 inseam....... by vjdmx5 Feb 21, 2000 (7:12 pm)
Yeah, you may have a problem.....I have a 34 inseam. Granted I think "fits well" may mean different things to different people. I have been amazed at people that are considerably smaller in all dimensions to me say that cars like Maximas, Camrys, and Accords were too small for them, yet I have never owned a car bigger than a '93 RX-7. If you're used to bigger convertibles like Saabs, Sebrings, CLK's etc., you probably would think the Miata is too small. If you have driven smallish convertibles in the past, you will love the Miata, IMO, it has more interior room than any other vehicle with the same exterior measuements. Just think......the Miata is almost a foot LONGER and 6 inches WIDER than an A-H Sprite. Now that's small!!!!
#11 of 4340 size matters ... by jwilson1 Feb 22, 2000 (4:56 pm)
Actually the question was, I think, regarding the precise number of inches available for leg room. That poster would have trouble with a number of full-size cars, too, because of leg length -- the Olds Aurora and Jag S-Type should come to mind, probably. "Perceived" size, and its value, is a whole other can o' worms, as you say. When I was a kid, for my father and uncles, the bigger the car, the more prestige and status was attached. In the 'eighties, lots of folk decided that, because larger mass held up better in a head-on crash, a bigger vehicle would be the same as "safer." Not necessarily true, of course. Now comes the SUV: allegations of "prestige," the perception of "safety;" and, new in the 'nineties, the image of offroad "freedom." So: last week following our latest snowstorm a SUV where I could have parked my Miata in the back seat decided he had plenty of traction to pass. (You can see where this is going, right?) He did just fine, but then couldn't stop the damn tank at the stop sign, slid through the intersection, got hit by two vehicles (their right of way), went off the road on the other side, and tipped over. Prestige, safety, and offroad freedom no where to be seen. No one seemed too sympathetic. He wasn't hurt, but everyone was all too glad to stand around while the cop arrived and wrote him up. Waiting on spring? Take care. Joe W.

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