big guy in a first gen?
 

hello. im looking to buy my first rx7(have wanted one for a while) and i was wondering... will i even fit in one? im 6' 3" tall, and 280 pounds. i dont know the exact size of the car because i have never been close to one, but i know i can fit in a triumph tr7 pretty easily and im assuming the tr7 is alot smaller then the rx7. would i be able to fit comfortably, or will i need a can opener to get me out? haha. thanks guys.

My dad is 6.4 and he fits but ok. But he is of a very thin build.

Best bet is to find someone in your area and go check it out (alot of nice guys on the forum).

With a larger stature like yourself, you would be nearing the "official weight capacity" of the vehicle. (im not joking and im not making fun, the official max load is 300lbs)

LOL. so basicly i couldnt have a passenger thats over 20 pounds? haha. the reason i asked is because the car is a couple hundred miles away, and i REALLY dont feel like trying to get in, and finding out i dont fit and drive home empty handed. thanks alot. guess ill just go and check it out!

As mentioned, you're probably fine height-wise. I'm much shorter than you, but I have close to the same height-weight ratio, and I can say that the bolstering on the seats becomes more of an "extension" of the seat haha. Also, I opted to get a smaller steering wheel because my thighs got in the way of heel-toe shifting (I don't know if this would be different with longer legs). But otherwise, it's plenty comfortable.

I've always thought that was a goofy statistic. The forces exerted on all of the components that would be affected by a 300lb weight load would be way higher with a single "average" person (170 lbs for instance) taking the car on a road coarse than with two large people (lets say 460lbs total) in regular driving. Yet Mazda doesn't have something in the manual saying "Road Racing exceeds capacity of this vehicle" or "Don't take that exit too fast, your spring perch will snap off".

I'm probably overlooking something here, but either way, I've never really taken the 300lb limit too seriously.

Big and Tall
 

I'm 6'4" and 240lbs. Between school bus steering wheel and thick seats, I had some head room issues and the wheel wouldn't comfortably clear my thighs in my '85 SE.

Based on previous similar questions asked in threads, I followed some advice and installed 2nd gen. seats and a 350mm steering wheel. What an incredible difference! Go for it!

i am 6'3 and about 260. I had to change out the steering wheel cause my knees would rub on it no matter where the seat was at lol. I also had to push the clutch in to get in the car. Its all good now that i have a different steering wheel in there lol.

Is that weight limit structurally or mechanically?

I'm about the same height, just a bit lighter. I fit fine.

are the second gen seats that much shorter?

my friend is 6.5 i am like way shorter he is about 280. he omost fits in his camaro and when in the pass seat he has to move the back down alot more. its funny.

Chris, I didn't measure (probably should have) but I replaced original low back leather with cloth high back FC seats in my '85 SE. They feel much lower (head room), and I no longer have to lean the seat back to the maximum (back of seat used to "rest" on the bin) Really improved driving comfort.

PeeJay is a member and is 6'5" he not only fits but excells in dirt racing his 1st gen

I'm 6'5 and weigh 200 pounds. In driving between my '82 with a 320mm Momo wheel and my new '85 with the stock steering wheel, definately invest in a smaller wheel. it's easier to get in and out, and it's easier to drive with. I have about 1/2" of headroom, so some seats with less padding may be in order (I look out of the top ~1.5" of the windshield, and my eyes are right at the top of the door window).

The only advice that I can give is try it out and see. They're fun cars to drive, and personally, I think that they are very roomy inside.

Thanks for the info. I'm only 6'1" but I have a long torso so I either have to lean the seat back real far or have my head brushing the ceiling. I'd like to do autocross but getting a helmet on right now in hot going to happen.

http://www.atlantamx3.com/events/200...e/DSC03073.jpg

Looks pretty cool IMO.

HAHA, that's amazing. It really does look like he put his car on to drive it. Height/weight of driver?

He's on here, his id is Crit. PM him for details :-)

i knew that was crit, lol. he's a great guy! that pic makes me laugh though. there was a thread concerning this last year or so.... there are pics as well

That's Crit auto crossing the day before yesterday in his new SE.

Here's a couple photos for perspective:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...ewdec8pptx.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...green/25-1.jpg

You have a couple of inches on me, I'm 6'1", 250 lbs. I also went with a smaller wheel (Grant GT) and it made life alot easier. My biggest problem with heal/toe shifting is that I can't. I wear size 15 shoes, so when I have to downshift, I put the ball of my right foot on the brake pedal, and then roll my foot sideways to control the gas pedal. works out great. Actully this and the Vert are the only small car's I have been able to drive comfortably...

Later,
Bill

crit is a big dude

Thats dedication to the FB if I ever saw it haha.
for the original posters question I"m 6'-3" 220lbs and I fit just fine, although I do have a smaller dished steering wheel and steering wheel spacer to give me leg room.... Fitsl ike a glove!

I'm 6'1 and 260. I fit just fine. To be honest I feel as though I have more room in this car than my FCs.

I agree, I have more room in my FB than my FC, might have something to do with the FC's door panels, they are much bigger with the vent in them etc, it gives less side to side room....