You are here: Forums Coupes & Convertibles Mazda Miata Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

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

You are in the Mazda Miata Forum. Your Host is claires

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

Messages Page 351 of 434 1 ... 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 ... 434 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#3500 of 4340 thel by lngtonge18 Apr 07, 2004 (5:53 am)
It was just my curiousity. I wasn't trying to badger your thought process. But I totally understand about the comfort issue in the Matrix. When I was considering tall wagons over a year ago, the main reason I chose the Suzuki Aerio SX over the Matrix was because of the horribly uncomfortable driving position in the Matrix. I'm only 5'6" and I couldn't get comfortable. The seats themselves felt comfortable but the driving position either cramped your legs or arms. Push the seat back to get your legs comfortable and you couldn't reach the steering wheel or shifter. Push it forward, and my legs were all bunched up against the dash and it was hard to operate the clutch. I really wanted the Matrix, but that issue alone sent me down to the Suzuki store. Now the Aerio had an extremely comfortable seat and a good driving position but the long stroke and stiff clutch pedal was giving me a sore ankle in heavy traffic. I got rid of the car after only 8 months and took a royal loss. Buying that car was my biggest mistake ever, although I kind of doubt I would have been able to stomach the Matrix's seating position for that long either. In short, it isn't the upright high seating position in the Matrix that causes the problem, its how they designed the shallow footwell and the relationship between the seat, pedals, and steering wheel. This is one car that is in desperate need of a telescopic steering wheel!
#3501 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 07, 2004 (7:34 am)
thel: it *is* hard to get used to sitting up high. I find is just plain awkward in some SUVs. It just feels tippy and unsupportive to me.   My Forester's seat is low; the CR-V I test drove was sky high, I could not get used to it.   Any chance it would help if you raised the front of the seat, for more thigh support? I actually did that in my Miata, using spacers. Got it about 3/8" higher that way.   Another option - go to an upholstery shop and have them modify the seats. Or buy aftermarket seats for it. Maybe even consider pedal extenders?   To me, I'm a car enthusiast, this is my hobby, that's how I can justify spending a little extra on cars. If you aren't happy, and want to trade it in, look at it that way. Cars just lose value anyway. What about a used Miata with low miles?   -juice
#3502 of 4340 Good posts by thel Apr 07, 2004 (8:14 am)
Johnathan: I noticed pretty much what you have about the Matrix. Unfortunately, I was driving my F150 at the time of purchase, so it didn't feel that high at the time. The leg fatigue issue only manifested itself after a few long trips.   Juice: As Johnathan alluded to, I think the only good fix is a telescoping wheel. If I could extedn the seat back all the way and then bring the wheel back with me, I might be able to get my legs out straight enough to make it tolerable, but that isn't going to happen.   I've looked for cheaper ones, but here in the middle of nowhere (relatively speaking) I've found one NA for sale. It's a 92 with 83,000 miles, red, B-package and the owner wants, get this, $6300! LOL You see what I'm up against here....
#3503 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 07, 2004 (8:25 am)
Sheesh, fly out to DC and buy one for half that.   Then drive it home!   -juice
#3504 of 4340 Juice by thel Apr 07, 2004 (10:52 am)
LOL! I asked the seller if the newspaper had made a typo and switched the 3 and the 6 or something. He said it was what he ws really asking, so I wished him luck. As for going to DC, I don't even want to drive to St Louis to get an NA, not that I've found any up there either. Maybe if is was a Sunburst Yellow or something...   I'd go to Arkansas to get an evo ornage though. I've got family in Rogers, AR so I could get the car and stop by for a visit.
#3505 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 07, 2004 (10:56 am)
The Miata is my 2nd car, I tell ya, it's great. Complements my Subaru perfectly, think about it - rain/snow it's Subie all the way, sun shine means the top is down.   -juice
#3506 of 4340 by stickguy Apr 07, 2004 (12:07 pm)
hit 60 today in NJ, so actually had some warmth with the top down (does get a little chilly when it's 45 and cloudy though).   I should get a nice tan this year at least.   Biggest problem with the car is finding a road where I can use it the way it was intended. Need to move out into the country or something.   Actually, someone needs to make an affordable Miata alternative with a back seat. I have to keep it in the garage whenever more than one kid is in tow (or the wife also), which is quite a drag.   mazda, take that as a hint to make a 3 convertible. S/B easy enough, since Volvo is coming out with one on this platform.
#3507 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 07, 2004 (12:11 pm)
None of the smaller convertibles have enough rear leg room, even some mid-sizers are tight. Sebring is big enough but not sporty. I doubt the Solara is much better. PT Cruiser has the room but that's FWD and it had one of the cheapest interior I've ever seen.   I find the Mazda3's rear seat tight already, in a convertible it would be a parcel shelf.   Maybe a Mazda6 convertible would fit the 4 of you...   -juice
#3508 of 4340 Convertible w/ a back seat by thel Apr 07, 2004 (2:44 pm)
No convertible w/ a back seat will match the Miata. A 6 convertible would be $30k or more. If I REALLY wanted to tote around more than 2 people at a time, I'd look at a Mustang or a Wrangler.
#3509 of 4340 4 seat convertibles by lngtonge18 Apr 08, 2004 (4:48 am)
It's really sad how the market is so slim for a reasonably roomy yet sporty convertible below $25k. It's like they think if you want room in a convertible, you either have $40k or more to spend or want a flaccid behemoth cruiser like the Sebring. I'd love to buy a $25k roomy convertible that doesn't exceed 184" in length. The Mustang is too archaic to even consider. The Eclipse has a back seat that is flat out painful to sit in and the dinky rear window leads to huge blind spots. The Solara is too big and the new styling is a bit odd on the outside (the interior looks great though). The Sebring is too big and too rental car in its image and performance, not to mention Chrysler's soso quality.   It seems the only recent 4 seat convertible that got it mostly right was the VW Cabrio. It was short yet extremely roomy and comfortable for 4 average sized adults. The chunky styling was sorta cute and offered a nice sized boxy trunk, as well as a fold down rear seat. The structure was pretty solid and the handling was above average. All it needed was a better engine, the 1.8t. VW messed it all up with the Beetle convertible. It's less roomy then the Cabrio thanks to its cutesy feminine styling, and it lost the fold down seat. Why can't anyone else design a convertible along the lines of the Cabrio? The PT comes very close, but I just don't know if I like its style and I have a hard time trusting a Chrysler.   A Mazda RX8 convertible might not be such a bad idea if they can keep the back seat almost as big. I think there's a big enough market for a roomy, practical, and sporty 4 seat convertible. Someone just needs to take the initiative and design one!

Messages Page 351 of 434 1 ... 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 ... 434 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Coupes & Convertibles Mazda Miata Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)