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Tall guy in sunroof model... suggestions?

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Old 07-20-05, 08:26 AM
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Tall guy in sunroof model... suggestions?

I've read post about people really complain about how much headroom the sunroof housing takes up (I'm sorry, I know this has been discussed, but this post is a little more specific than what I could find). Does anybody have any actual numbers about how much headroom there is in a sunroof model? I found on MSN Auto that the 3rd Gen has app. 37.6 inches of headroom (not sure how accurate MSN would be). I owned an 89 vert which claims only 36.3 inches of headroom & I fit in that fine. It obviously did not have a sunroof. So how many inches of space does the sunroof housing take up?

I have also read some solutions to counter the lack of headroom. 1) cut some foam out of the seat cushion & 2) buy racing seats. I would be willing to do either if it meant I could drive my dream car.

I have tried finding a local car with a sunroof to no luck (I'm looking at a non-sunroof car tonight).

So do you guys think that with either some cushion foam removed or racing seats I would be ok? I don't plan on using the car where I would need a helmet either.
Old 07-20-05, 08:29 AM
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You forgot -- "only drive car with sunroof open."
Old 07-20-05, 08:33 AM
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I am 6 foot and if the seat is straight up and down, my head hits. I have to recline it most of the way back.
Old 07-20-05, 08:33 AM
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Yeah, what I was hoping to find was headroom measurements for a sunroof model.
Old 07-20-05, 08:36 AM
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TSMYSAK1 - You wouldn't happen to live near the South Bend area would you?
Old 07-20-05, 10:20 AM
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That's interesting....hmm.

First off, I'm 6'6". I'm somewhat uncomfortable in an FD with a sunroof. Mind you, I use a proper driving position, not seat kicked way back G-style. I have to tilt the seat back a click or so back from what I would normally be at, which gives an uncomfortable straight arm position for the steering wheel.

I used to have a '90 convertible, and I fit in that great, even with the seat in a proper position. I think part of it may be the 2nd gens are a bit wider around the seat, and I could slump down a bit in the seat and still be comfortable. I dunno.

It really depends on how you typically sit in the car. The sunroof will take about an inch of headroom away, so see how you fit in a car without a sunroof, and see what you headroom is like.

BTW, I think part of the problem for me is the top of my head ends up at the back edge of the sunroof, where the headliner comes down a bit. It's a bit less there than directly under the sunroof. If my legs were shorter and I didn't have to have the seat all the way back, that might not be an issue. BTW, I wear a 36" inseam on pants, as far as leg length.

Dale
Old 07-20-05, 10:21 AM
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What you need are measurements of individual peeople. "Tall People" don't all the same problems. Some tall people have longer legs so their problem is the steering column/wheel (which is NOT adjustable); other people have longer torsos so their problem is headroom.
Old 07-20-05, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Mahjik
What you need are measurements of individual peeople. "Tall People" don't all the same problems. Some tall people have longer legs so their problem is the steering column/wheel (which is NOT adjustable); other people have longer torsos so their problem is headroom.
Exactly, no one ever seems to realize this. I've said that for years, all depends on where your height is...
Old 07-20-05, 10:39 AM
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fat guy in a little coat ahhhhhhh
Old 07-20-05, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mahjik
What you need are measurements of individual peeople. "Tall People" don't all the same problems. Some tall people have longer legs so their problem is the steering column/wheel (which is NOT adjustable); other people have longer torsos so their problem is headroom.
And then you have me. I have both problems
Old 07-20-05, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by DamonB
And then you have me. I have both problems
Meh, you poor bastard. My height is right between the torso and legs, but that's for my gf.

Seriously, there are too many variables to make it into a discussion. Arm length, leg length, posture, etc. You need to sit down in one and adjust the seat and find out how you fit.

Dave
Old 07-20-05, 12:30 PM
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I'm going to sit in a non-sunroof model tonight, would you all agree the sunroof eats up about 0.5-1 inch of headroom?
Old 07-20-05, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by TMadlem84
Does anybody have any actual numbers about how much headroom there is in a sunroof model? I found on MSN Auto that the 3rd Gen has app. 37.6 inches of headroom (not sure how accurate MSN would be). I owned an 89 vert which claims only 36.3 inches of headroom & I fit in that fine. It obviously did not have a sunroof. So how many inches of space does the sunroof housing take up?

The sales brochures for the 3rd Generation RX-7's give these measurements:

37.6 inches of headroom without the sunroof.

36.4 inches of headroom with the sunroof (closed, of course.)
Old 07-20-05, 06:40 PM
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That's just what I was after. Thank you much.
Old 07-21-05, 01:04 AM
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Just do what everyone is saying and sit in one and move the seat around until something works.
Old 07-21-05, 01:06 AM
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im almost 6'5 and have a sparco steering wheel and fit fine. my knees dont hit the wheel and i tilt the seat back a lil and my head doesnt hit either.

btw 93 touring and yes the seat is all the way back
Old 07-21-05, 01:24 AM
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sunroof model is ok to about 6'5"
non-sunroof model is ok to about 6'9"

Helmets not considered and very general. As already stated width becomes as much of a factor as height increases. FC is a lot more spacious especially in width.
My brother is 6'9" and drives my non-sunroof FD without major problems. People are amazed when he gets out of the car.

Last edited by Matt Hey; 07-21-05 at 01:26 AM.
Old 07-26-05, 11:24 AM
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Just in case anyone is interested... I sat in an R1 & a touring. Fit about the exact same in both. The sunroof in the touring is actually in front of the driver's head, & the housing does not go all the way to the top of the rear window. This space actually bubbles back out so I fit fine.
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