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How tall is too tall?!

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Old 07-19-07, 07:22 AM
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How tall is too tall?!

Hello, this may have been asked before but how tall do you need to be before its generally accepted that you wont be able to drive a 3rd gen RX7? im 6'5" and am desperate to get one but when i sat in a couple, it was definitely too small but maybe it would be ok when driving? any help?
Old 07-19-07, 07:28 AM
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The general problem is the big steering wheels... maybe get a smaller one? I'm about 5'8"... mines perfect for me
Old 07-19-07, 07:31 AM
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I am 6'3" and i use mine as a daily driver. The car does get uncomfortable, but i have done a 7 hour drive on numerous occasions.
Old 07-19-07, 07:31 AM
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I take it you've never driven one? Do you feel to close? Or...??
Old 07-19-07, 07:55 AM
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avoid the sun roof cars, slide the seat back all the way and tilt it back somewhat. It will be tight. Im 6-2 and there is about 2inches of space over my head.
Old 07-19-07, 08:09 AM
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I'm 6'5" as well and what I have to do is step around the steering wheel when I get in before/as I sit, or else I can't get my long *** leg under the wheel.
Getting out takes a little sports car acrobatics, no big deal though.
If you get in one you'll see.

my knees are a bit high, close to the steering wheel when I drive but I've gotten use to it.
I haven't had an issue with headroom either.
With a little practice you'll be a pro.

All for the love of a FD.....

Good luck
Old 07-19-07, 08:25 AM
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I wouldn't recommend the car to anyone over 6'2".

However, you can make it work. As already mentioned, don't get a car with a sunroof. Other things that will help will be using a quick release steering wheel hub with an aftermarket steering wheel. You will lose the airbag, but you'll be able to remove the steering wheel to get in and out of the car which will be a godsend. It will also move the steering wheel closer to your seated position which will free up some room for your knees.
Old 07-19-07, 08:39 AM
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My room mate is 6'4" (I'm 5'9") and its quite humorous when he drives my car. Seat all the way back/tilted and his head still touches the roof (touring with sunroof). Obviously this doesn't happen often since I'm psycho about my FD. Hell he could flip my explorer for all I freakin' care, but the FD oh no.
Old 07-19-07, 08:52 AM
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The main problem is not necesarrily the head room, but the fact that the steering wheel DOES NOT tilt or adjust whatsoever so your going to totally smash yourself between the seat and steering wheel.

My friend is 6'6", has an FC and says theres no F-in way he can comfotably fit in my car .. my car has a sunroof
Old 07-19-07, 09:10 AM
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'my knees are a bit high, close to the steering wheel when I drive but I've gotten use to it.'

- thats what i wanted to hear! Thanks very much for the advice guys. so:

-smaller wheel, possibly a removable to bring it back.
-dont get one with a sun roof
-possibly mod the seat rails back a couple of inches? is this a bad idea?
-practice!
Old 07-19-07, 09:25 AM
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You could always pull out the front seats, put in the JDM rear seats and just sit back there!
Old 07-19-07, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Mahjik
I wouldn't recommend the car to anyone over 6'2".

However, you can make it work. As already mentioned, don't get a car with a sunroof. Other things that will help will be using a quick release steering wheel hub with an aftermarket steering wheel. You will lose the airbag, but you'll be able to remove the steering wheel to get in and out of the car which will be a godsend. It will also move the steering wheel closer to your seated position which will free up some room for your knees.
+1 on the quick release steering wheel
Old 07-19-07, 11:13 AM
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6-4 here and have no problems. I've got a nockoff mazdaspeed bucketseat and an efini steering wheel and have no problems getting in our out. you should be fine. (mines without a sunroof).

I would think, however, that i'd have helmet clearance issues if i tried to wear one in the car.
Old 07-19-07, 11:25 AM
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I'm 6'1" and it's tough. I have sunroof - but this is no problem, I have enough space. Main problem is steering wheel. I like to sit further back (I'm at 1 click forward) but then I won't reach steering wheel. With the way I am right now I do touch wheel with my knees.

Kind of got used to, hate to loose airbag ..
Iz efini steering wheel smaller? Does it have airbag?

Last edited by katit; 07-19-07 at 11:27 AM. Reason: more
Old 07-19-07, 11:35 AM
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Im 6'5 and have a 93 touring. I also have an aftermarket steering wheel. See pic below
Attached Thumbnails How tall is too tall?!-steering.jpg  
Old 07-19-07, 11:44 AM
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I'm 6'3" and I've gotten in and out through the driver's window before. Obviously it was Dukes of Hazzard style getting in, and one time getting out feet first, and then I got out one time by folding myself in half. I have a video of getting out feet first and I'm gonna video the other ways too, haha. Anyhoo, it's tight for me too. The steering wheel is too big and the seat sits too high (only about an inch over my head, if that, but I have a moonroof too). I've never sat in a base or R1/R2 model so I couldn't tell you how much more headroom it has but I've always been told it's quite a bit more.
Old 07-19-07, 11:50 AM
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I am 6'5" - 6'6" depending on time of day. The FD is certainly a tight fit but I have driven it on many 10+ hour trips with no complaint. Now that I have other roomier cars I wonder how I ever managed that, but it wasnt bad at the time. Certainly you will not be comfortable in a sunroof equipped model, that cuts down at least an inch of headroom.
Old 07-19-07, 11:51 AM
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I'm 6'3, 94 touring with sun roof. My knees are a bit high, but I have not driven a small car where that is not the case, so I'm used to it. I have the seat reclined, but 2 clicks from all the way back so that way I am not having to hunch over to reach the wheel.
Old 07-19-07, 12:19 PM
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man all these people over 6' 2", the rx-7 has to look very tiny from that height next to the car. I am 5' 11" with a good pair of shoes I stand at 5'12" yes, I said it with chest out. Anyhow I always thought it was a smallish car (I like that) at my height, I just could not imagine it standing at 6'6" I have a friend that is an ex football player and he looked very funny sitting in my car. It looked as if he was going to take the seat with him when he stepped out of the car, because he was so large. he said he couldn't do it and would stick to big body cars.
Old 07-19-07, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by seven lust
...with a good pair of shoes I stand at 5'12"...
Wouldn't that be 6'?
Old 07-19-07, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by speedjunkie
Wouldn't that be 6'?
thats what i was thinking....

im 6'2"....with a sunroof car...i fit ..but i dont think i have head room if wear a helmet...

brad
Old 07-19-07, 05:29 PM
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I'm 6'1" and I find it hard to wind my legs around the stearing wheel. I smaller one would help, thats for sure. I have about 1" of clearance between my head and the roof If i sit up stright.
Old 07-19-07, 08:19 PM
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I'm 6'2" in a touring and just about hit the roof. I cannot slide my hande between my head and the roof. No way I can use a helmet.

For the record I'm 160lbs so there is no way I can increase headroom by readucing my seat through any sort of celebrity diet.

I don't seem to have any issues with the stearing wheel.
Old 07-19-07, 09:36 PM
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haha, stupidly, i hadnt even considered how the room might be in my FD when i bought it, but thankfully, 5' 10" seems to be a pretty damn near perfect height so xD

but i have a friend whose 6' 3" and when i let him drive the car, he had to put the seat all the way back, but he said although it wasnt spacious, he did have enough room and was fairly comfortable.

I havent had anyone taller than 6'3" in the car tho so i dunno, although i do have to comment on how much freaking leg room their is in the passenger side of the car xD Ridiculous.
Old 07-19-07, 10:05 PM
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I'm 6'4"

I have a momo steering wheel (smaller than stock) and I have no problems with the fit.

I have tracked the thing with a helmet on. A cheap helmet with a thinner shell was no prob. A full face racing helmet was touching the roof, but I coped with it just fine.

(BTW JDM spec '96 here - not sure if the seats in the front are any different)


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