Hello,

I'm a newb in search of a my dream car, a third gen RX-7, down in Charlotte NC. I've been looking high and low and checking all my options. I recently got the chance to sit in a Touring model, thanks to a very kind offer from another member, and found out a car with a sunroof won't work for me. I'm a giant, compared to what the Mazda engineers were planning for when they designed the car. At 6'2", not tall, my head sits just touching the roof, no chance of wearing a helmet. If you would be so kind as to let me sit in your sunroof-less I would be very grateful. I'm now worried that I won't fit at all and will be heartbroken. Anyway, thanks for reading and hopefully I will get to meet you when I get to test fit myself in your car! Thanks again.

Wyatt

 

I promise not to fart.

 

Wyatt, if you plan on wearing a helmet, I assume you will be tracking the car. With that being said, I assume you'll be running a bucket seat. You can go with a setup that will lower the seating position, whether off the shelf or a custom bracket. If you're a skinny guy you could try a Bride Low Max seat in conjunction with appropriate rail and possibly be good to go.

If it's any consolation, I'm 6" and have the same problem in my FC with sunroof. Even in my Recaro my head touches the ceiling with helmet, however I slightly tilt my head and the top of the helmet clears where the sunroof sits recessed. That may be an option for you as well.

Don't give up on the car, you certainly aren't the first tall FD owner

 

the non sunroof car wont give that much more room, I mean maybe an inch so your best bet would be in a lower positioned seat. There are several different models that sit up to 3 inches lower than stock, but you have to be fairly thin to fit in those comfortably.

 

Thanks for the help! I thought about doing the seats and rails but the problem with that is you spend a couple grand on a good seat and hope you fit and that's after you've spent all that money on the car. Then my heads all jacked up and instead of my driven line I'm worrying about how to hold my head to see out the left. Don't get me wrong, I still might do it, I just want to know how close it is.

Also, I'm looking a FCs as well so if your feeling super nice..... And I won't fart, promise!

Side note: In my few short weeks posting on here I've been really surprised at how helpful and nice people have been. Can't wait to get a car and start asking "what's the best intake?"

 

Come out to the Charlotte Cars and Coffee event this saturday, Usually some FBs, FCs, and FDs, along with lots of 8s show up. If you ask nice I'm sure folks will let you sit in the cars to try em out.

Cars and Coffee Charlotte

 

Wow! That is a shocking easy and smart idea. I'm can't believe I hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

 

Fc will definitely have more room in it, as well as being much cheaper to purchase and maintain. FD has that FD tax witch means everything for it is 40% more just because. There is an FD for sale in Spartanburg SC at a local car dealer pretty well sorted, but it's a touring so it has the sunroof.

 

Thanks for the info! Got a link to the FD?

Got a question for anyone reading, would you buy a car that has not been running an air filter? From what I can tell the answer is depends. Look at the compressor and take your best guess. I don't know if I can get over that. It's an FC with a 13b if you're curious.

 

If it's a track only car, I would be fine as long as the compressor wheel looks good. If it's a street car, I wouldn't. If the owner was too stupid/lazy to run a filter, what other negligence has the car been put through? That's just my opinion.

 

The car would be both for me, and so bad at both. I don't think I can get over it and am going to continue looking for a FD.

Give me your FD! I'll trade you monies.......

 

inspect the car with a fine tooth combe , and Do a comp test

 

Update: I know you're are all SO interested!

Went to the Charlotte Cars and Coffee, it was amazing. Vipers, oh yeah. Brand new ZO6s with the aero kit? You betcha! Half a million dollar Lambos? Of course! GTRs? All over the place! Supras, NSXs, 300ZXs? Yes, yes, and yes! Okay okay, what about Alfa Rome GTVs? There in turbo charged glory! Two Hellcats, Ferraris, Diablo VT(2!), DMCs, muscle cars and Porsches for days! How many RX-7s you say? Rubbing your hands together and drooling. ONE. An FC, convertible. I had no idea they were so rare... If you were that one dude, thanks for showing up.

I did learn that 90% of the public can't tell the difference between a RX-7 and a RX-8. Weird...

 

Sorry about that, I usually always go but had to miss this one time due to other projects and the pending DGRR thrash about to happen.

What time did you show up and stay until? I'm surprised at the light rotary turnout, there are almost always a couple of FDs and RX8s.

Did you try sitting in the FC?

 

I showed up at about 8 and stayed till about 10:30. The entire lot was full. I did not sit in the FC, the owner wasn't around when I was over there. I didn't sit in the 8s, I'm not interested in them right now, also I've sat in them before(almost bought one in '07) and I fit.

I found a FD that I think is a match! It's a base model in my price range. Getting the PPI tomorrow. I'm super excited! Hope I fit! Told my wife I do......

 

Ok I'm 6'1" so I feel your pain. I acutally found this setup out this weekend from a FD owner that is similar build to me. I barely fit with sunroof models and the non sunroof add very little. He had bride seat brackets and sliders with his bride digo seat and I fit perfectly. I had plenty of headroom unlike most of the other FD's I've sat in. I'll try and find out which mounts he has.

 

That would be great! Thanks.

 

I'm 6'2" and fit in my S5 FC just fine. My head just barely touches the roof sometimes.

 

Still looking for a few minutes in a solid top FD. Please. In Charlotte.

 

Dizzel, I'm planning to be there this time. We can IM and exchange phone #s so we can txt
to coordinate. I'll see if we can't get some hardtop FDs to show so you can try a sitting out.

 

Of course your coming, probably be nothing but FDs all over the place. Strippers too, giving out free lap dances. How do I know? Because I can't go this time! Be up in Raleigh for my brothers bachelor party. Just my luck.

 

Shhh! Don't let folks know about the strippers. Its just cars and guys as I tell my wife.

 

When my wife asked about the strippers I told her that it is a term that applies to cars with no interior. That way I can say "Man I can't believe I got into that stripper!" Without her getting mad.

 

So, plans changed, now I won't make it either. Be the second one in a row I've missed. Oh well.

 

Well, you people took too long, so I just bought one!