mx5cartalk.com

Hi all,
For many years I have been keeping an eye on getting a mx5 and a few years ago I had an opportunity to potentially trade cars with a mx5 nc owner but found the fit too tight with my knees hitting the underside of the dash hence making it hard to depress the clutch.

I'm really wanting to get into a mx5 again as after selling my mini jcw I have missed having no no exciting/fun car to drive.

Can anyone recommend any mx5 that may be a better fit for a 'robust' 6ft2 guy?.
I have been looking at seat lowering options, new seat and bracket options but don't want to buy a car and these parts only to find out it won't work. Has anyone done this locally or Sydney that I can have a test fit in?
Do the nc's with recaros fit better ?

Not looking at the ND as this will be a weekend car and don't want to spend too much.

Thanks all!


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The NC is the largest cockpit on the MX5's

im 6'4 and i fit in my NC quite nicely, you must be longer in the legs.

The Recaro's will give you less room

Hi regie, thanks for that.. Maybe I'm just fat... I may give the car a go again.


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Spend some time doing searches here and on http://www.miata.net/ using search strings like "tall driver" or "big guy" to see what others have done/suggested.
I'm guessing that the solution will probably be an aftermarket seat, you just need to find out which one.

I am 6'3" and fit in a MX5 NB8A.

I changed the foot rest for a low profile one that allows my left leg to sit a little lower. Not ideal to brace yourself against during spirited driving but I solved that with a Sparco Sprint V seat that allows my legs to be a little straighter, head a little lower and plenty of grip to stop side ways movement.

Love it as a weekend Car.

I know a couple fellas that are over 6'2" and are also "robust" (think Rugby-esque bodies) and they seem to squeeze into NA's without much issues so hopefully it's a matter of the way you were sitting.
Others I know are considerably taller, but thinner, but would still have similar leg issues, but they don't.

Have you dríven an NC or just sat in one?

I'm assuming that you were less "robust" when you had your last MX-5?

Recent post by another 6'2" person wondering if they'll fit in an MX5:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=70703

I'm 6'5" and fit comfortably into the NA, although an extra inch in leg and headroom would be nice.
This does not include a foam reduction in the seats. I have tried the foamectamy but found the resulting seat uncomfortable for longer trips, so converted back to standard foam.
The controlling factor in fitting is the size of ones backside, the smaller the better, particularly for height.
Removal of the foot rest helps alot.

I'm 189cm and have had an NA6 and now an NBSE. I'm probably on the longer leg/shorter torso side of things but not massively so.

I found the NA6 to be roomier for me, but until I did a 'foamectomy' on the seat (and later replaced it with a Sparco Sprint) I wasn't happy with the clearance between the steering wheel and my legs. Still very drivable but not ideal.

The NBSE cramps me up a little bit more which I think is because of the interior door trim which seems bigger than the NA6. This pushes my leg over into the steering wheel even more than the NA6.

I also find the NBSE seats to have more padding and sit me a bit higher, which means my head kind of just touches the soft top with it up.

All of those are solveable problems for someone of my height with aftermarket seats/rails. I wouldn't want to be any taller though.

It's partly a mental thing. Whether it's an NA/NB/NC/ND, they are all small cars inside and your mind has to adjust to it.

ie: Yes, you are crammed in. Yes, your leg is up against the door/handle. This is normal for many people in these cars.

Even my MINI Cooper S felt roomy compared to my NA and NC, which are the models you will have the most room in.

When you were in the NC, did you raise the steering wheel? Footwear also plays a part. The less bulky the shoe, the better.

Second the shoes issue, my nb is a daily driver, i wear steel capped boots during the week. When i wear casual shoes the seat slides forward one or two clicks. My runners seem to "touch" the underside of the dash so i tend not to wear them.

I suppose these guys can get a pint and half in a one pint bottle. Its nonsense the cars have defined room and relationship between the space available and "your" bulk. Mazda admitted it was not a car for bigger people. Its a fair point that clod hoppers are not right anyway i.e. crammed in the footwell.