Miata rant

"Alex87f" (alex87f) 02/12/2014 at 05:35 • Filed to: None

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I'm really getting tired of reading everyday about how great the Miata is and why this Opponaut is considering buying this particular Miata..

Not that I don't like the Miata's, they're great cars, I'd want one, it's just that I can't own one.

Why you may ask?

Is it Europe's 8$/gallon fuel? nope
Some crazy European CO2 tax? nope
Because I don't want a convertible? nope
Because I need four seats? nope, not even that.
Because I don't want a low RWD driver's car? certainly not !
Is this because my MTB doesn't fit in? nope , screw it, I'd find a way.

So why? Because I'm 6'2"!!!

I tested an FL NC Miata (supposedly the roomiest ones) a year ago, only to realize that with the roof up, the ragtop's reinforcement bar is 1/4" from my skull. That even though the seat was in its lowest position and already too leaned back for my tastes. So the first bump would translate in a massive headache.

So enjoy your Miata's, jalops, because not everyone can.

KnifeKnut > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 05:46

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Have you considered lowering the seat frame?

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 06:02

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I have a lot of respect for the MX-5, but most people on this site talk about it like it's the best thing to have come after chocolate and masturbation. I'm pretty sick of that too. That and the station wagon thing, but I find that at least understandable because they don't know what a station wagon is since the 1980s.

zmf2112 > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 06:06

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I'm 6'5", and while I haven't actually sat in one, the internet has assured me that it's not a problem. There's the "foamectomy" - carving chunks of the 4"+ of foam out of the seat cushions. I'd have a hard time doing that, but apparently it's common and the seat cover doesn't look too bad if you do it right. There's also the mounting of the rear seat mounts to the floor rather than the sliding apparatus - which I hear helps a good deal as well. But then you lose simple adjustability, and my 4'11" wife would not be pleased that she couldn't drive it.

So I still don't have one. But I'm pretty sure I will one day. And then my only concern will be passing the broomstick rule - an inch of clearance between the top of my helmet and a broomstick laid across from the windshield to the rollbar. I think I'd have to swap to a race seat for that.....

Alex87f > KnifeKnut 02/12/2014 at 06:45

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I have, but to be comfortable in the car I'd need to lower the seat by a solid 2". And I'm not sure what that would do in the -unfortunate- event of a crash. I'm not sure the airbag has been designed to catch people sitting 2" lower than the lowest seat point. Same for the belts.

Also, I want to keep the car easy to re-sell, and I don't want a car I'd be too uncomfortable in.

Alex87f > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 02/12/2014 at 06:48

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Well I guess all communities have this kind of worship for specific "things". Also, you forgot the diesel thing.

Alex87f > zmf2112 02/12/2014 at 06:52

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I thought about this but good luck explaining that to the person you'll re-sell the car to. And I'm not sure what this would do in terms of comfort. And I'm not sure that'd work for my 5'4" S/O.

This is a workaround, but I'm not sure it's a better solution than getting another car altogether.

Money Hustard > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:02

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Yeah, I'm 6'7" 350 lbs and all the Miata talk just makes me sad. The Miata and pretty much all other fun cars are too small for me to DD.

Falkiner111 > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:06

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This is why I went for the Toyota MR2 Spyder. I'm nearly 6'3'' and yet I fit inside it just fine. Handles really well too. Like a poor man's Lotus Elise. A proper left-field Miata alternative...

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:08

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Indeed I have but it's a lot like the station wagon thing. They're not used to diesels other than huge V8s and V10s fitted into Silverados and F-250s.

Alwood > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:16

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So don't get the FL?

Get an NA or NC1.

Don't know where you've read the FL is roomier, but a soft top NC1 is definitely the roomiest. Because it lacks height adjustable seats, that saves space and the body underneath the seats is just shaped a little different. This not only gives more space standard, it also gives you about an inch of room when you want to create more space!

Seriously. If you want to, NA's with bucket seats and NC's with adjusted frames can handle your 6'2". My dad is taller, probably bigger and was OK with the NC for normal driving distances. With mods he could've driven all round Europe in it.

PS. as long as you don't get a 29'er, the mountainbike fits fine on the passenger seat. I've got a 20" frame, just need to take off the saddle and out with the wheels.

Alwood > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:24

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There ya go

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.…

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.…

all's still adjustable. So small people will fit too.

Saf1 > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:31

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Frankly I'm getting tired of all the MX-Love everywhere too, my 5'9" would fit in one fine, but it's just I swear 80% of discussions including any article's discussions bring up an MX-5! Of course the MX-5 is a fantastic car and truly one of history's greats but WE ALL KNOW!! :D

iDriveCode3 > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 02/12/2014 at 07:33

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Sick.. of chocolate AND masturbation?! What else in life do you live for!!

AthomSfere > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:39

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What about something like Recaro seats and a 5 point harness to replace those unsafe standard belts...

http://www.motorsportseats.com/recaro/index.h…

Less seat height from cushion could work out well.

duurtlang > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 07:44

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I (188 cm, more torso than legs) share your pain, even though my length is considered only slightly above average in the Netherlands. I have very little headroom in my Peugeot 406 coupe already and wouldn't fit comfortably with a helmet. That's with the seat in its lowest position. So I really doubt I could fit comfortably in a stock MX5/Miata.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 08:07

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Here here! People act like it's the original affordable reliable sports car......

Just sayin' - the Mk1 MR2 beat it by 5 years and is WAY more engaging to drive.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 08:07

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I'm 6'3"

There is another easier solution: buy a BMW Z4 (E85)

I did that, and am much happier.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 02/12/2014 at 08:08

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A vast amount of cars that came before it could also claim that throne. Especially since reliability sometimes isn't much if you can't easily fix back your car.

Alex87f > Alwood 02/12/2014 at 08:19

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That's pretty awesome!

Alex87f > Saf1 02/12/2014 at 08:19

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Haha it's sort of the godwin point of Oppo discussions!

awe46m3zcp > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 08:41

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Hey guys I bet he doesn't even have a miata tattoo. Should we ban him?

MIATAAAA > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 08:43

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I'm 6'-2"!

It's a tight fit for sure. And driving more than an hour or so gives my right leg some serious cramps.

Worth it.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:01

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Cough cough... S2k

Stupidru > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 02/12/2014 at 09:06

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I agree- one of my friends bought 2 Miatas last year and raves about them. I drove it. I liked it. But I wasn't "zomg this is better than secks" as everybody else was.

Oh, and I also don't get the whole brown, rwd, manual, diesel, wagon thing. I love all of those things, except rwd (I would simply prefer awd) and brown.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Stupidru 02/12/2014 at 09:08

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I thought that it was brown, manual, turbodiesel and AWD wagons that stirred this site up.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:08

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HEY

I AM 6'2", 31" of that is inseam, so it isn't about long-legs/short-torso.

I am not what anybody would call thin, I'll just put it that way.

I fit in an NB 1999 Miata.

If I can fit in an NB Miata, you can fit in a Miata.

I commute in a Miata, in the winter, most days that it isn't actively snowing (I drive carpool when it snows), because my Subaru SVX is down, and I can't afford to sink money into it right now.

NA Miatas have the same size interior, but thinner door panels, so it arguably has slightly more room for your knees.

The NC Miatas are actually larger, and reportedly fit better, but I have not tested one, but I know they aren't more cramped, they are likely less cramped.

And there is always the S2000 alternative, which shares most of Miata's benefits, it just isn't as prevalent, it was introduced later, and cancelled, so there are fewer of them around.

IF I CAN FIT, YOU CAN FIT.

Stef Schrader > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:08

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944 > Miata.

(Unless you have to work on it, but let's not think about that right now.)

crowmolly > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:15

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I bet there are a lot of us out there.

I was offered a great deal on a Ferrari 308 QV and had to turn it down because I didn't fit. Was in very good shape but needed "tuning".

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:21

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this is the reason I'm tired of hearing hot great Miatas are. Also I've heard they're a little more tall person friendly

Jimmeney > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 09:21

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I'm 6'3'' and had one. Occasionally I used to hit my head on the roof when going over bumps, but I fitted.

Decided to replace with an SLK as it has more head room, rear wheel drive, more refinement and more power.

I want the Mazda back.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Money Hustard 02/12/2014 at 09:24

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That is sad. I'm 6'1" which puts me right on the edge of too big of "X" awesome car. The only car I've ever actually felt too tall for though is a MK4 Jetta/Golf.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stef Schrader 02/12/2014 at 09:25

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but convertible../

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AthomSfere 02/12/2014 at 09:27

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Do you really want a daily with a five point harness?

Frank Grimes > Saf1 02/12/2014 at 09:38

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It's Frank not Frankly.

Money Hustard > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/12/2014 at 09:39

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Huh? I drove a 2001 Wolfburg Jetta when I was playing college football. I was the same height and weight then, albeit a drastically different shape. It was sort of like being in a bathtub, but I definitely fit. Drove it for 18 months, and really like it.

AthomSfere > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/12/2014 at 09:52

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Yes, I love them. They keep you in place better and they are safer... I love 5 point harnesses. Call me weird, but I do.

Nothing > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 10:39

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I wouldn't want to use my Miata as a year round daily driver. Spring/Summer/Fall, it's a fair weather daily driver. I fit under the soft top even before I swapped my seat out for a Corbeau and bolted it to the floor. I'm 6'4", 230. I've never sat in a NC, so I can't speak for fitment. I'm more comfortable in the Miata than I was my RX8, though, where I had to lean my head sideways to fit.

I got mine because I found a really cheap project vehicle on the exact day my wife said, "If you want a project car, you should just get one." Knowing that her mind would change within the next minute or so, I found my '92 and went and bought it immediately. Would I buy another? Sure. It's a fun car, but not the be-all, end-all of all sports cars. It is worlds better than my MGB was.

Alex87f > MIATAAAA 02/12/2014 at 10:50

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See, that's the thing. The Nürburgring is two hours away.

Casper > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 02/12/2014 at 10:50

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Most people just haven't driven better cars. It's all a matter of perspective. For instance if you drove a god awful Dodge Avenger (like the rental car I just got) every day, then drove a Miata, you would think it was a god on wheels. Now, if you drive an S2000 every day like I did for a while, then get into a Miata, you are very much let down. If you drove my 240Z every day, then got in a Miata, you may very well kill yourself out of depression.

Perspective.

Alex87f > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 02/12/2014 at 10:55

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Nice, but that gets me awfully close to GT86-money.

Alex87f > Stef Schrader 02/12/2014 at 10:57

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*cough cough*

What the timing belt replacement interval again?

*cough cough again*

How much is a clutch job?

In addition, used NC money = 986 2.7 money.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/12/2014 at 10:57

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They made a few Cabrio's

Stef Schrader > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 10:58

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Shh, stop making sense.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Stef Schrader 02/12/2014 at 10:59

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Working on a 944 isn't that bad, the only real bad things are a clutch change and timing, and changing out the rear speakers, you have to pop out the back windows which is a pain.

Still a fun car no matter how much I have to work on it.

Stef Schrader > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/12/2014 at 11:06

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Roofs are awesome.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 11:30

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I'll definitely fit in one, but after just sitting in one at the auto show, I can easily rule one out. The interior does nothing for me.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Alex87f 02/12/2014 at 15:02

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When I bought mine, the Toyobarus didn't exist. :)

Übel > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/13/2014 at 15:17

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Err what? I'm 6'5" and my MkIV GTI is one of the best tall person cars I've ever driven.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Übel 02/13/2014 at 16:44

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my brother in law and mother in law both have MK4 and I always feel to big for them. maybe it'd different fro the driver's seat.

Übel > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/13/2014 at 21:13

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That's crazy, I've got like 2" of extra headroom in mine, and it's one of the few cars where having the seat all the way back is actually too far for me.