"Dreadnaught" (intrepiddreadnaught)
09/05/2014 at 01:07 • Filed to: None
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"Dreadnaught" (intrepiddreadnaught)
09/05/2014 at 01:07 • Filed to: None | 1
| 19 |
Although my proclivities typically incline to vehicles of German make, I have to admit that the recent hubbub concerning Miatas of all ilks as a result of the forthcoming generation's reveal has caused me to reassess this little sportster. Perhaps it's the product of your MANY laudatory remarks (whether germane to the topic at hand or not!) over the past years, or merely a sudden revelation, but I often catch myself perusing eBay and the local classifieds for NA specimens lately that, being inexpensive, are surprisingly easy to rationalize. I'm quite besotted with the idea of having a summer runabout to slot next to the Bavarian, but one pressing question remains: being 6' 7", with disproportionately long limbs (38" inseam), have I any hope at all of finding a comfortable seating position in one of these cars without drastically reconfiguring the cockpit?
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 01:21 |
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I think you can trim the padding in the seat and remove the door armrest for a bit of extra room.
Zibodiz
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 01:24 |
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Long legs is fine, it's a long torso that's difficult in a Miata. I have a 34" inseam, and I kept my seat about halfway back. I'm sure that if you needed a little more legroom, it wouldn't be much. The hard part is the headroom; I'm only 5'7", but if I wear a hat, it'll hit the ceiling.
Squid
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 02:26 |
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you'll probably need a foamectomy (that's what they call it. . .), maybe the "tall guy throttle pedal mod" would help you out and give you an extra inch or so of leg room. Really if you want to find out if you'll fit talk to a miata owner and see if they'd let you sit in their car to see if you'll fit. Granted you'll have issues with trying to get a helmet under a roll bar for autox or track days but that kind of requires a race seat with minimal padding being bolted to the floor.
Most of the mods for tall people are pretty easy, you'll just need to find a fab shop to help modify the throttle pedal for you unless you are good about cutting and welding metal. You can find spare throttle pedals for around $25 so you don't have to cut your OE pedal up if you don't want to.
Alex87f
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 03:10 |
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I guess it won't make things easy.
The NC's are said to be a bit better, but even for me (6"2 with average legs), it's just OK. Any taller than that would start being a problem in terms of headroom. And the ones with adjustable seat height lose about 1" in headroom.
wkiernan
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 07:53 |
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6'-7"? No. Sorry, but it just ain't gonna happen. I'm 5'-11" and I fit in an NA/NB Miata, but with no room left over.
Manuél Ferrari
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 17:47 |
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the only good sports car for you is the 911
It is THE sports car for very tall people
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Dreadnaught
> wkiernan
09/05/2014 at 22:03 |
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Thanks for the data point—admittedly, I'm not surprised (albeit marginally disappointed...)
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Dreadnaught
> Alex87f
09/05/2014 at 22:04 |
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That appears to be the consensus. I appreciate your weighing in!
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Dreadnaught
> Zibodiz
09/05/2014 at 22:08 |
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I'm a little envious of your stature—it opens up all manner of revered classics (Stratos, British roadsters, practically any vintage Lamborghini/Ferrari) that a man of my proportions couldn't even entertain.
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Dreadnaught
> Manuél Ferrari
09/05/2014 at 22:12 |
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You're uncannily perceptive, sir—It's astonishing how capacious those cars are internally. I've lusted after the 930 for years. Unfortunately, my current fiscal position isn't particularly conducive to indulging that yearning...
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Dreadnaught
> Squid
09/05/2014 at 22:15 |
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Although it might cast me as a pariah—considering this is oppo, after all!—I actually haven't any friends with Miatas. I'll definitely give it a try if the opportunity presents, however!
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Squid
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 22:20 |
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Generally Miata owners are enthusiasts and if they aren't in a rush are willing to oblige a request to see how you fit in one. Just be nice and offer to get them a beer or something. But look up the tall guy mods on miata.net and you'll see that there are a bunch of big and tall people that own them. I'm 6'1'' and around 240 and my NB is like a nice comfy suit I put on. Really a Miata is a car you put on rather than get into. . .
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Manuél Ferrari
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 22:30 |
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The upright front window creates massive headroom! And while everyone talks trash about how useless the back seats are they forget the huge benefit of them being there - you can slide the front seats back farther than you can the seats of a two seater. You can turn those 3 inches of rear leg room into 3 more inches of front leg room.
If you like the 930 but can't afford it right now then why not get a 911 SC. Much cheaper and while not as fast it's still a great car. They are reliable and cheaper to maintain than a 930. And it's a great investment as prices are going up. You can still get a very nice one for under $30K. If you keep it in good shape it will probably be worth $50K before you know it.
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Zibodiz
> Dreadnaught
09/05/2014 at 23:16 |
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Eh, there are pros & cons. I mean, sure, you can drive a few more cars, and you can ride more horses. But have you ever noticed how girls almost never date a guy who's shorter than them? It seriously reduces your chances with the ladies if you're shorter than the average female. At least, that's my experience.
On the other hand, driving a Miata got me some serious attention from the girls back in the day. So yeah... I guess evened it out.
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Dreadnaught
> Manuél Ferrari
09/08/2014 at 23:31 |
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I'll certainly look into it further; have to admit that the 930's historically so besotted me that I really haven't contemplated its brethren. If that pricing's correct, it'd represent a more attainable immediate acquisition. Albeit oft derided (squashed Beetle, etc), I find that vintage Porsche shape nigh-irresistible, as it's so "right".
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Dreadnaught
> Squid
09/08/2014 at 23:33 |
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The commonly-accepted conversation opener is "hey, isn't that a chick car?", right?
(j/k)
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Manuél Ferrari
> Dreadnaught
09/09/2014 at 01:57 |
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I definitely think you should get an SC!
Have you had a chance to drive both? I have not driven the 930 but my dad has an SC that I've driven a lot. I honestly wouldn't want more power. Those old 911s are so narrow and prehistoric. No ABS, traction or stability control. You have to be a really good driver just to keep the relatively under powered SC on the road. Having more power would make it even tougher to avoid spinning. I've nearly wrecked in the SC without even driving fast. If those rear tires lose traction stuff gets crazy.
Go N/A and save money and your ass!
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Dreadnaught
> Manuél Ferrari
09/09/2014 at 02:18 |
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I've solely driven the 930 amidst the air-cooled Porsches (and briefly—albeit lustfully—at that). It was a friend's car (with the worried owner seated shotgun!) so I couldn't exercise the car's ability much at all, but it seemed as though it'd be a joyous handful to drive in anger. The tactility, poise, and sound of the car all impressed very firmly upon me that, at some point, I need to come into possession of one. I realize it sounds hopelessly cliche, but they genuinely drive like no other car.
You've definitely planted the seed, now—the SC appears to faithfully distill most of the endearing traits of the 930 (sans power) into a package that I can actually afford. Time to begin stalking the listings for a peach! Who knows—perhaps I'll be found having oversteered into a tree in the near future...
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Manuél Ferrari
> Dreadnaught
09/09/2014 at 12:53 |
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How cool you got to drive it! I love the sound of the air cooled turbos. The modern turbos are so muffled that you can't hear the engine at all. The old turbos were about performance, not efficiency. The new ones kill the sound.
Glad I've planted the seed! Just be careful about oversteering into that tree!
What's really fun about these old cars is that you don't have to go way beyond the speed limit on public roads to have fun. You can really wind them up and be involved in the driving at somewhat legal speeds. I have a 2010 911 and you can't really tap into the car's performance without risking jail time.