Short-lopnik

"RazoE" (razoe) 08/28/2015 at 09:44 • Filed to: None

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Hey guys. I want to get my daugther a manual car (yes, she wants one, too). The problem is she’s 4’ 11.” She’s driven my IS300, but I had to start it for her, as you have to clutch-in to the floor to start it. She has to move the seat verrrrry close to the steering wheel to reach the pedals, and that’s a concern as the airbag is right in her face and other areas.

My question for those of short stature, what do you suggest? Platform-driving-shoes aren’t really an option. I do want her to have an airbag as well, so no “disable it” suggestions, please.

My awesome shifter for your time:

jkm7680 > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:46

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Get her a mini cooper or something, hah

RazoE > jkm7680 08/28/2015 at 09:48

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She hates them.

EL_ULY > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:49

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Honda Fit is the only thing that comes to mind

E30 is cool but not really safe (because old)

A Mini is too hungry for your wallet

Ford Focus hatchback might be cool or a Mazda 3

Heck, Volvo C30 or MK4 GTI in good shape. MK5 are too big

Patrick Nichols > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:50

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Look into what cars have pedals that adjust not just the seat. I may not know what I’m talking about though as I’m 6’3”...

Edit: To add on, look for cars that allow the steering wheel to go in and out not just up and down.

TheHondaBro > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:51

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Import a Honda Beat.

itschrome > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:51

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what about a IS250? i think those can be had in manual. or a A3 or a Golf/Jetta. the smaller the car it seems the higher the avalibility of manuals. as tall guy over 6’ 2 i can’t ever find cars I fit in with manuals but all my short friends have no problems finding small cars with them.

Azrek > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:52

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I’d have said a Mini-Cooper as well, but I see it was already rejected. So I’ll recommend a WRX or a Subrau in general.

Height shouldn’t be an issue, she should be able to fit, but it may look funny to others.

smobgirl > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:53

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I run with two pretty short women (5’1”ish) who both drive manuals. One has a Civic and one has a Legacy.

camaroboy68ss > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:53

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my grandmother is 4’10” and growing up there hasn’t been really any car my grandparents have owned that should work a clutch pedal with out getting really close to the wheel. my only suggestion is either get a older car without a neutral safety switch, but then she would just have to get into the habit of making sure to always put the trans in neutral before starting it. Im like that in my 68 Camaro and in our 56 Chevy

bob and john > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:53

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you might a little screrwed for choice here...

maybe 200-2003 volvo S/V40

Bullitt Ride > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:54

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Pringles cans...

RazoE > EL_ULY 08/28/2015 at 09:55

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She loves my Mazdaspeed 3 and actually wants a “regular” Mazda 3 just like daddy, but the close-ness to the wheel is an issue.

BJ > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:55

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Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, something of that sort?

You’re gonna have to test drive a lot of cars to see what works.

nermal > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:55

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What’s the budget range? My GTI offers a suprising amount of adjustability - you can go from pancaked into the steering wheel to Shaq. Especially when you factor in an adjustable steering wheel and the ability to move the seat up and down.

$kaycog > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:56

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Pedal extensions?

RazoE > TheHondaBro 08/28/2015 at 09:58

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She’s a Toyota/Mazda gal.

RazoE > nermal 08/28/2015 at 09:58

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Around 6k, give or take. She’s not really into luxury, as long as it’s, and I quote, “not girly”

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 09:59

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just how bad is it? do you have a photo with a sideview of her and the closeness to the wheel?.

Also, is she done growing and relegated to being a homunculus?

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > EL_ULY 08/28/2015 at 10:00

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Wow, your first two suggestions are exactly what I would have suggested. Having driven both of them and being 6’1 i realize how small they are

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:00

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I don’t know if it was up until this point, but have you tried the first gen Matrix, because Toyota’s seem to have used to be made for short people. I am 6’ and I am too tall for my 4Runner, but I’ve gotten used to it.

LongbowMkII > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:02

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My mom drove a 5-speed 3rd gen camaro when I was a little kid. she’s only 5’

Ash78, voting early and often > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:02

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Just about anything with a telescoping wheel and decent seat adjustments should work. VW has almost always offered manual trannies, height-adjusting seats, and telescoping wheels in their cars, even the cheapest ones. I’d start there, maybe a Golf or Jetta?

RazoE > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 08/28/2015 at 10:02

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1st gen Matrix is definitely on the board, but I’ve never been in one.

RazoE > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/28/2015 at 10:03

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I’m not posting pics of my daughter. But yeah, she’s 19, so that’s as tall as she’s going to get.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:03

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If she’s a Mazda girl, what about a Mazda 2? Or maybe a Scion xD?

Pixel > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:03

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Take a look at a first-get Scion xB(2004-2006), my ex g/f is 4’11” and not only did she drive mine fairly comfortably, she bought one for herself. Of course it is all going to depend on if she is proportionally short, or if more of her shortness in the legs or torso.

EL_ULY > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 08/28/2015 at 10:04

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I noticed how small they are from my size horizontally instead of vertical lol

RazoE > Pixel 08/28/2015 at 10:05

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I already have an automatic 2005 xB =P

AutoSavant > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:05

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My daughter is 5’0”. Her favorite car was her (recently deceased) Focus ZX3. She could reach the pedals easily and could be adjusted for a comfortable driving position. Best of all it had the Mazda 2.3 (aka Duratec) and didn’t rust like a Mazda. Great car.

leicester > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:06

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My wife it 4’11” and currently drives an older CRV, manual. She uses a seat bolster behind her back for support to get to the pedals, no other mods.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > EL_ULY 08/28/2015 at 10:06

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Well yes, that too. Lol

I had to get rid of my E30 because it was unsafe to me. I would hit all three pedals simultaneously with my size 14 work boots.

RazoE > itschrome 08/28/2015 at 10:06

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Too many issues. Dash melts, engine gets caked in carbon, the roof caves in when you hit a bump (seriously, look it up).

Pixel > Pixel 08/28/2015 at 10:06

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Related, look into vehicles with a more upright seating position(seats further off the floor), as the distance from seat to pedals is less connected than in cars where you drive with your feet more straight out in front of you(low seat cars).

RazoE > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 08/28/2015 at 10:07

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She didn’t like the look of the 2, but I told her its cousin, the Fiesta comes in a turbo and she seemed to like it, but it’s still a bit too pricey.

Funktheduck > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:08

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My mom isn't much taller and has the same issues. She hasn't owned a manual in years and when she can gets cars with moveable pedals

EL_ULY > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 08/28/2015 at 10:09

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lol yup, work boots in bimmers are pretty much useless

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:11

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One thing would be to get a car with really shallow floorboards, but other than 4WD stuff, nothing immediately comes to mind. A friend of my sister is about 5’ even, and I think has something of a Hyundai nature now, having once had an Escort. Point being, there are a reasonable number of short people friendly cars out there -a good percentage are actually Toyotas, too (based on my experience with ‘90s ‘Yotes, anyway). I’m just not sure there’s a list.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:11

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Dang. I’ve got the opposite problem. When I learn to drive, I want to learn on manual, but I’m 6’7” (and possibly growing) and don't fit in many manual cars.

RazoE > leicester 08/28/2015 at 10:11

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Any pics of the bolster?

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:13

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First off, you have coolest shift knob!

Second, if she’s a Toyota/Mazda girl, what about an FRS or a Miata? Or possibly a Mazda 2 or a Toyota Yaris?

Outside of those two brands, I would say the the Honda Fit, VW Bug, VW Golf/GTi, Ford Fiesta (possibly ST?), Nissan Sentra, or Chevy Cruze could all be good options.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:13

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the lexus may be new enough to have a seat position sensor, so the airbag in that case would be double stage, and therefore not as big of a concern as you may think.

She’s just going to have with cars and airbags designed for the majority of body types (even the smaller cars)

RazoE > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/28/2015 at 10:13

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Get a MKIII Supra. With the seat all the way back, I had a good foot and a half until I hit the pedals and I’m 5’ 6”

RazoE > BJ 08/28/2015 at 10:15

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I’m afraid so. “Dealer-hopping”, oh man how I dread it already.

RazoE > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 08/28/2015 at 10:18

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Thank you! She doesn’t like the FR-S. She’s really really into Miatas, and honestly, I got her into them. But after seeing how small they really are and how stupid people are, I don’t feel comfortable with her having something that small.

She wants a 3 like mine, but the pedals are an issue.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:21

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Fiat 500? You sit fairly high so pedal distance is less of an issue.

RazoE > AutoSavant 08/28/2015 at 10:21

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Her boyfriend had a ZX3 (ZX5?) wagon, until it got hit in a hit-and-run (they’re both fine, luckily). But she doesn’t like one for herself.

smobgirl > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/28/2015 at 10:28

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I’m not sure it would work - I’m 5’7” and I sit a comfortable distance from the wheel/airbags, but if my legs were any shorter the steering wheel would be in my face. Can’t hurt to test one though...except he said she doesn’t like “girly.”

itschrome > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:29

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for what?

leicester > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:31

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Here ya go. It’s a lumbar support bolster for chairs/seats. She also uses a folded towel to raise her up slightly.

RazoE > itschrome 08/28/2015 at 10:34

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The IS250, sorry. There was a thread on club Lexus where giant dents appeared on the roof when hitting a big enough bump.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:34

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Kei car?

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > EL_ULY 08/28/2015 at 10:36

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E120 Corolla also. Not a nice car but cheap, manual, and good for the small fries. I have trouble fitting sometimes at 5’9”. It was my Grandmothers car and she is 5 foot even.

RazoE > leicester 08/28/2015 at 10:37

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That’s not bad. I just don’t want something that would embarrass her, you know teenagers. Hell, until 10th grade, I was 4’10” but graduated at 5’6”, so I lucked out, and I know the struggle.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:38

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Well, just make sure she has some good tires and brakes and a roll bar, a nice loud exhaust, and maybe paint it a really bright color, and then everyone will know it’s there, lol!

But if she really wants a 3, then the best suggestion would be pedal extenders, just like many others have suggested. Or maybe get her some shoes with really thick soles?

Textured Soy Protein > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:40

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I think it’s going to be a process of trial and error. But a telescoping steering wheel would be a big help. You could fully un-telescope the wheel so it’s as close to the dash as possible. That way she’s closer to the pedals but doesn’t have the wheel all up in her face.

EL_ULY > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed 08/28/2015 at 10:40

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Those are good cars. Super solid drivetrains. If repair s needed, it’s pretty much going to be a 10mm bolt or nut lol :]

RazoE > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 08/28/2015 at 10:41

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If I could get one here legally in California (Los Angeles, no less), I’d already be rocking an AZ-1.

Captain of the Enterprise > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:47

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Any chance she is still growing?

Sam > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:51

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Sheepskin seat covers.

(These are ridiculous, but normal ones would work.)

itschrome > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:53

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that’s crazy!!!

itschrome > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 10:55

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it’s not always leg room. Like with me I’m only above 6’2 maybe 6’3 but the biggest issue i run into is lack of feet room. with height come big feet too. I have size 13’s and often the gap between clutch and break is too small and I can’t really work one with out hitting the other. toyota’s real bad about this in the manuals I have drive for them.

RazoE > Captain of the Enterprise 08/28/2015 at 10:58

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No, she's 19.

RazoE > Sam 08/28/2015 at 10:59

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Looks like they slaughtered some albino wookies for those.

Justin Hughes > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:01

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The answer is Miata!!!

Actually, I’m serious. At 6’ tall myself, I find the cockpit cramped. But at 4’11” she should fit quite comfortably, and have a ton of space behind the driver’s seat for purses and stuff. Also, the shifter is RIGHT THERE, not far from the steering wheel at all, instead of having to reach far away in many other cars. That argument would also apply to an FR-S/BRZ.

RazoE > Justin Hughes 08/28/2015 at 11:02

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She loves the NA, but as a concerned parent, and after she was involved in a hit-and-run with a giant F-150, I want her in something bigger and safer.

leicester > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:04

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It’s pretty low-profile, so I’d suppose not too mortifying to be seen using. But yeah, got a teen girl too, you never know what will be the pinnacle of embarrassment.

RazoE > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 08/28/2015 at 11:04

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She’s a Chucks girl, and rarely wears heals/platforms. I’ll definitely look into pedal extenders.

PairOfE46s > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:13

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Just get her a pedal kit. There are plenty of aftermarket options for most major manufacturers that either allow you to adjust pedal reach, or extend the pedal pad.

Justin Hughes > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:15

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Fair enough. Toyobaru? I got rear ended by an X5 weighing twice as much as my car, yet it was the X5 that came out of it far worse than I did. It takes a hit well.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:18

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Lol, was definitely NOT suggestion heels/platforms for a manual, lol. I was thinking something along the lines of those orthopedic tennis shoes with the really thick rubber soles, hahaha.

finn's arm > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:21

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Great engine and can be dialed in suspension wise to be a track monster. Great all around car.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:21

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Also, they make these, lol.

AutoSavant > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:22

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She drove my 6 speed GTO ok. Get he one of those. lol

RockThrillz89 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/28/2015 at 11:22

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Civics. I’m 6’5, and my height is biased towards my legs. No problems what so ever. I’ve had two. First one was an ‘09 base model. Current one is a ‘15 Si. Only problem I have with the Si is that it has a moonroof, which drops the ceiling down slightly. All I have to do is sit slightly more reclined than I did in my older Civic. Plenty of room and don’t have problems fitting my feet on the peddles, even wearing clunky dress shoes.

jkm7680 > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:25

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spoooo

DrJohannVegas > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:30

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Well, then, you’ll just have to get an Autozam AZ-1.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > RockThrillz89 08/28/2015 at 11:39

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Sat in a new Civic coupe recently, and it was pretty good. Only problems were the location of the B-pillar and the shifter.

RazoE > jkm7680 08/28/2015 at 11:41

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Her biological dad has one, and she can’t stand being in it.

RazoE > AutoSavant 08/28/2015 at 11:41

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haha, my best friend has a 6-speed GTO. Not sure he’d let her drive it, though.

RazoE > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 08/28/2015 at 11:42

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yikes! burn it!!!

jkm7680 > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 11:42

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A Honda Fit would probably be the best choice for her then.

RockThrillz89 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/28/2015 at 11:47

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Never sat in a coupe. Only have ever had the sedan. Might work better for you. I know when I got my first Civic, I also sat in Accords to make my dad happy. The Civic was more comfortable for me. I think it helps that Civics has relatively low seating positions and small dashes/center stacks. Ever so slightly more sportier interior than an Accord, as weird as it sounds to relate Civic and sporty helps I think.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > RockThrillz89 08/28/2015 at 12:05

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I'm generally better in coupes (long doors and no back seat = more legroom).

RazoE > jkm7680 08/28/2015 at 12:18

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Guess you can say it’s a.....perfect......FIT...YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH.

CaptDale - is secretly British > RazoE 08/28/2015 at 12:58

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I need this, where did you get it?

RazoE > CaptDale - is secretly British 08/28/2015 at 13:11

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http://twistedshifterz.com/

http://twistedshifterz.com/poshkn.html

I opted not to get the pattern etched on top, and went with a JDM Toyota 6-speed shift plaque instead (as seen in the pic)

DasWauto > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/28/2015 at 16:16

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VW Golf, I’m 6’5” and my seat is far from all the way bay. My brother is 6’9” and can drive it easily.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > DasWauto 08/28/2015 at 16:17

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I’ve only tried new ones, and they seem pretty good.

DasWauto > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/28/2015 at 16:31

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Yep, mine’s a ‘15 so that rings true. I had a 1990 Jetta that I fit in perfectly well too though so I think most VWs/European cars are generally pretty accommodating to tall people.

not for canada - australian in disguise > RazoE 08/30/2015 at 01:14

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Kia Soul?

RazoE > not for canada - australian in disguise 08/30/2015 at 01:19

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She doesn’t like them. We were driving behind a new Forte Coupe earlier today and it was NICE. She liked it a lot.

Shoop > RazoE 08/30/2015 at 02:10

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damn, hahaha

E39FTW > RazoE 09/08/2015 at 17:01

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That kind of surprises me. My wife is only 5’0” tall and she can drive my son’s regular 3. She has to adjust the steering wheel quite a bit but everything else seems to work out for her.

Even with it’s fancy million-way adjustable seats my wife cannot drive my BMW E39. Whodathunkit?

RazoE > E39FTW 09/08/2015 at 18:18

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Well, my wife and daughter have rather large chests, and that’s the main issue with the airbag.