I've discovered why I hate Miatas

"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
10/26/2016 at 08:32 • Filed to: None

It’s not really the car’s fault, but for whatever reason, I compulsively stand on the dead pedal. I think I’m too short for a car that doesn’t have seats with adjustable height (...too short... for a Miata...), so I instinctively use the dead pedal to push myself higher so I can see over the hood.

It’s a fun car to drive, but Jesus, it’s the most physically exhausting car I’ve ever been in.

DISCUSSION (29)

Wacko > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 08:37

that means you’re shorter than a ballaban?

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 08:38

I have the exact opposite problem. My eye line is over the top of the windshield, and my knees are stuck against the dash. It’s just too small for a 6-5" 200 lb gorilla.

JohnH3ASP > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 08:43

I am 6'3" and I can’t fit in basically any gen Miata. I can’t even get in the 3rd gen Miata, my head bangs against the roof when I try to climb in, and the seat doesn’t go far back enough.

JohnH3ASP > The Lurktastic Opponaught
10/26/2016 at 08:43

Same for me, but I am 6'3"

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 08:45

Admittedly, I’ve only tried to sit in the ND. I kinda fit.

for Michigan > JohnH3ASP
10/26/2016 at 08:54

Even at 6' 1" the seat just doesn’t go far enough back for me to fit comfortably and I can’t see traffic signals when I’m stopped at an intersection.

shop-teacher > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 09:07

I tried to sit in an ND on the showroom floor a few months ago. I cannot get my leg under the steering wheel.

nermal > The Lurktastic Opponaught
10/26/2016 at 09:15

Same. It’s like the designers have never seen a full size adult.

Milky > for Michigan
10/26/2016 at 09:34

You dont, like ... lean forward? I have to do that to see traffic lights in my Crossfire and I’ve never thought of it as a problem.

bhtooefr > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 09:35

You could remove the dead pedal, and/or use a seat pad to lift yourself...

I’m actually considering getting a NA dead pedal for my NB, to give myself a bit more legroom (it’s a bit smaller).

for Michigan > Milky
10/26/2016 at 09:41

I do. It’s obnoxious and uncomfortable to have to sit hunched over at every light just so I can tell when it turns green. No other car I’ve driven has that problem, not even the other low slung sports cars.

Milky > nermal
10/26/2016 at 09:44

They have and they’ve been given a 95th% male in CAD to work around. A 6'1" tall person might not be comfortable but I wager they do fit.

Nothing > The Lurktastic Opponaught
10/26/2016 at 09:46

That’s why I took out the dead pedal, cut out the humps for the seat and bolted a Corbeau to the floor. Heck, take the cushion off the seat and I was downright low! 6'4". I never did get pictures, but I was below the rollbar, even with a helmet on.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Nothing
10/26/2016 at 09:48

I’ve heard from a number of people that the level of modification you describe is what’s necessary to shoehorn someone like me into a Miata.

Milky > for Michigan
10/26/2016 at 09:51

*looks at crosswalk timer for a countdown*

Eh, it doesnt bother me.

for Michigan > Milky
10/26/2016 at 09:58

I’m familiar with this method, it isn’t reliable.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 10:00

I don’t have that problem at 6' (seeing traffic lights through the top of the windshield is a bit of an issue), but that picture shows the biggest problem I have with my Miata: pedal spacing. I have huge feet and can heel-toe just about anything in any footwear because of that, but heel-toeing in a Miata is a huge struggle for me. Just don’t get how that happened in a car otherwise so dedicated to the driving experience.

Textured Soy Protein > The Lurktastic Opponaught
10/26/2016 at 10:17

That’s one lanky gorilla at only 200 lbs and 6'5"...

Textured Soy Protein > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 10:18

I’m 5'11" with a long-ish torso and short-ish legs. I DD’d an NB Miata for 4 years. I fit in it surprisingly well, although I had the seat pretty much as far back as it would go. Maybe each adjustment was one notch from the back. I fit inside it better than both a Honda S2000 and a Viper.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Textured Soy Protein
10/26/2016 at 10:21

Grace of movement has never been my strong suit :-)

I can however reach tall shelves and change light bulbs in a single bound. It’s not a great superpower, but I’ve got to work with what I was given.

Nothing > The Lurktastic Opponaught
10/26/2016 at 10:27

Best I can describe it is that in stock form, I felt like I was on the car. Modified, I was in it. That said, getting in was nothing more than a coordinated fall.

JohnH3ASP > for Michigan
10/26/2016 at 10:29

IKR, Miata is the worst car in the world for tall people. Buy a Jeep.

for Michigan > JohnH3ASP
10/26/2016 at 10:38

If I were into off roading, I’d love a TJ. I don’t leave pavement much, though.

The Toyobarus are more my speed and have plenty of room for me.

Honeybunchesofgoats > bhtooefr
10/26/2016 at 10:55

Unfortunately, it’s not mine. I’m just borrowing it while my car is at the mechanic.

Honeybunchesofgoats > JohnH3ASP
10/26/2016 at 10:58

This is an NC and I have to bring the seat almost completely forward. :/

Honeybunchesofgoats > Wacko
10/26/2016 at 10:59

Possibly. I’m 5'8" (according to my drivers license, which is a legal document and therefore true).

Wacko > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/26/2016 at 11:34