Seats in the Spirit R
 

I read that Recaro specially made them for the Spirit R and that they are carbon fiber buckets.

I assume that I cannot buy the seats anywhere unless I find a wrecked spirit r or an idiot selling the seats out of their spirit r. I also assume that either of those options would require me to bend over without any lube.

Is there a seat that will fit into the rx7 that is similar to the look and quality of these seats besides the red Recaros that people pull out of integras?

you mean these :)?

PM FDNewbie, I believe he can get ahold of these suckers.

I have looked around, and Recaro makes the Profil SPG which looks similar in style but only comes in black (about $900 each). They also make the pole position, which is available in a red velour (at $650 each) but they don't look as good as the Profil SPG in my opinion, not as streamlined. The prices listed above are just for the seats, figure $100 more for brackets, and then you have to use stock FD seat rails for sliders.

a few more pics.

LOL at the lube comment. And I believe you are exactly right. I cannot remember exactly, but I do believe you can get MazdaSpeed seats for the FD which are similar in "fancyness" to the Spirit R....and they are some crazy thing like $2000+ a pair.

Bob, I have ridden in genuine mazdaspeed seats and in my opinion they are not nearly as nice as the spirit Rs. of course, the spirit Rs will run you almost $4k for a used set.......

My ass hurts just thinking about that.

But thanks...now I have a Recaro seats idea for my interior after seeing those and the pricing. Just wondering what a wedge job and/or PITA install is.

Which seats are you referring to? the spirit Rs bolt right in, of course. I believe the profils will fit pretty easily, but I seem to recall reading that the pole positions will fit, but just barely.

https://img50.imageshack.us/img50/7139/im0006377ol.jpg
Talking about these Rich? :D
Even these are a pain in the ass to mount and fit!

Getting in and out of the car is a PITA with the seat I have (Momo that was in the car when I bought it). Wonder how it is with these seats.

Hm, now I know the RZs came in both red and black, so how can one tell the difference between the red RZ seats and the spirit R seats? perhaps they are one and the same?

Yummy!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...hmentid=169793

the pole positions are offered in a black velour and blue velour, either of which would like nice with your paint :)

Rich,

I think I read somewhere (reputable) that the RZ and Spirit R seats were the same seats. Ramy probably knows for sure, though.

BTW: Thanks for the ride, it was a blast.

Joe

this type of seat was used by mazda as far back as 95 - so be careful when looking for 2nd hand seats. Only the later version was available in red - earlier are all black.

there's a set of two used seats available on yahoo auctions at the moment, not in perfect condition though: http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r23171879

last time I priced a single seat from mazda... it was, iirc, well over US$2000 (including rails).

...and the spirit-r (type A) is essentially an RZ with a few individualized differences

seats are the same

They are the same Rich. :) I have a black recaro RZ seat. Ramy found my passenger seat which should be arriving soon hopefully. :) Here are some nasty pics that I took in the garage. Sorry for the quality.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat6.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat4.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat3.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat2.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rage/seat5.jpg

I have a set that I bought from Ramy. Red Spirit R seats (some reason its missing the stock seatbelt clips).

I recently put them on my MB FD for the DGRR 2006 event. They are pain in the ass to get in and out. Seats are OK. Its not uncomfortable but at the same time, its not supportive either. Not sure if it was worth the money.. except its Spirit R.

Also, I can't move the seats that far back.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=168667&stc=1
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=169171&stc=1

WOW...that's the first negative I have heard! Frankly, I'm glad that there isn't universal praise for the seats! It gives more people info on the pro's and con's.

Herb, do you have the reclining rails? Also, what do you mean when you say you can't move the seats far back?

Also, what makes them lack support?

I was paged, and I came... :D

Thanks for the plug Rich. I'll pay you later :p:

Lupercal_CATS, if you want a set, PM me...but I hope you have deep pockets...

Absolutely. And there are a cpl of Mazdaspeed seats to choose from, some are only about $800some a seat. Dunno which one you speak of that's "comparable" to the OEM Recaros tho.

Bottom line is, our car is VERY cramped inside (not really w/ the stock seats, but cramped for other seats to fit). Recaro specially designed these seats for the FD, and as such, they're virtually the only drop-in Recaro seats you can get.

Do NOT deal w/ that guy. I bought a pair of seats from him a while back...not only did he rob me blind, but he "lost" the seat rails :rolleyes: Of course, immediately after, he stopped responding to my emails and phone calls. Thankfully, my credit card company LOVES me, so I simply had 'em straight up PULL the money from his bank account, hostile takeover style LOL. So stay AWAY from that guy is my advice to you.

A) You got a ride in Rich's FD?! When?!?! I'm jealous!

B) The seats are NOT the same. They have very minor differences throughout the years, such as width, rails, slits for racing harness (the crotch and side slits), etc etc. They're all VERY minor differences, but differences that exist nonetheless. I only noticed them after I went through a few sets - and I've been through quite a few ;)

Actually, these seats were used in some very late FC's in Japan. Yes, you read that right. That's why you'll see a good number of these seats coming w/ FC brackets. Also, the black RZ's extend up to '98 IIRC. I got a few sets from '97s. But in general, they later models (RZ, RS, Spirit R) were red. There's no real difference between the seats other than the colors though. I usually just refer to the blacks as RZs and the reds as Spirit R's for simplicity's sake.

Gene, I know I know...it's on the way ;)

Don't remind me... grrrr.

7racer, Phil's right, but here's the problem. Ppl become disillusioned by the idea of a "Spirit R" and expect it to be some Cosmo luxury FD. It's not. The Spirit R was supposed to be the pinnacle of Mazda's FD production line. And the Recaros are hardcore racing seats. They're not sports seats, they're not performance seats...they're straight up RACING seats. They're designed to hold you place and not let you move. End of story. And they do that VERY well (which is why they're so friggin snug). I personally think they're comfy if you get them positioned well (which means you fabricate your own brackets if you're tall) b/c they're designed for apparently smaller Asian guys (Rich, gosh, you'll fit perfectly :p: I'm just messin man... I got nuttin but love :D) So they're serious seats. No reclining back, the material is actually flame-retardant (very expensive), etc etc. I found the seats to be supportive, but then again, I didn't sit in them for THAT long. Nothing as long as Phil's Dragon run...but I'd imagine I'd have the same complaints Phil has. I think we're about the same height.

So it depends on what preconceived notion you come with. 99% of the ppl that have these seats do NOT drive their car often, so the seats don't see much use. As such, ppl don't complain about ride comfort etc... that's just the nature of it. So again, it depends on what you're looking for.

Jason, yea I noticed the difference in the center console and tranny tunnel a while back ;)

Whew. :)
~Ramy

The center console in my '01 is the same....

I wish I could afford nice seats. They all look wonderful:(