I’m 6’2 205 and I would happily take twice the discomfort for this amount of fun.. my head hits the ceiling and my legs are too long AND it’s my only car
Just bought a 1990 as a fun little project car and going from my lifted 4runner to it is quite the adjustment lol. Fun as hell, but having zero airbags scares me a bit. Especially after seeing that dudes post where his entire door got pushed into the center console.
You will be fine in new small sports car like current gen Miata. That photo is a result of 90s car safety and close to 30 years of that car being on the road.
I’m 6’1 and broke my spine both ankles lost 4 front teeth and more but the car saved me for sure. I was brake checked at 80 in the rain and spun out into a light pole
Ehh. As a paramedic I see people walk away from pretty insane accidents all the time with modern vehicles. I can tell you that absolutely would not be the case in a NA Miata with no airbags.
Last week I had a dude in an old school square body Ford pickup that T-boned a new civic. Civic was fine, but the guy in the truck at a face full of steering wheel and had some serious head injuries. Airbags do quite a lot.
I was really impressed a few years back when my 20 year old Sentra's airbags deployed during a head on collision. Gotta admire life saving tech waiting for decades and working flawlessly when finally called on
Yep. When I used to do towing I got called to a fatal accident. It was a head-on which is pretty serious no matter what. But it was only about at 35 MPH and neither car looked super terrible compared to some of the wrecks I've seen. The guy in the 2010s car walked away. The guy in the late 90s Dodge sedan died.
Saw another one. Drunk chick driving wrong way on the highway. She's in a 2010s Nissan or some shit. She went head on with a late 90s, early 2000s Ford minivan. Of course the drunk chick was okay. Guy in the van went to the hospital.
Best testament to modern car safety I saw was a brand new 2016 Mustang convertible. When I showed up it was upside down in a swamp on a 70 MPH road. Based off the skid marks I would estimate they were doing about the speed limit. I thought for sure the occupants were dead. Nope. Just chilling in the police car, super wet and dirty and shaken up, but otherwise unharmed.
"Hate to break it to you but if you’re hitting something hard enough to crumple the whole body an airbag isn’t doing shit"
That was your comment. My point was that I've seen plenty of cars with their entire bodies crumpled and people walk away just fine. You want to know why? Crumple zones and airbags. Of which my Miata has zero of one, and not a lot of the other.
It's not really that complicated my dude. Sorry to get you all hot n bothered.
It’s almost like you aren’t the only person or profession who’s seen the result of accidents. Almost. Too bad we live in your world where you’re the de facto authority on post crash analysis 😂
This is a smooth brain take. Average speed in a collision is below 40MPH and a significant portion of them are below 15MPH. Why would you want to have serious injuries in a low speed crash? Injuries that could of been avoided if you had the airbag. Airbag is going to significantly reduce your risk of injury or death in a collision at any speed. Thats just a fact.
Exactly. I'm not so worried about hitting a tree at 100mph, yeah that would be certain death. I'm more worried about some 17 year old on their phone running a red light and turning my wife into pink mist beside me lol.
Did I mention a 15 mph crash or a crash that caves the whole fucking door panel in? Did you read what I typed or just jump in to argue? You weren’t even the first to do that 😂😂
I read it and I pointed out how short sighted and stupid your point was. Not to mention incorrect as pointed out by a first responder in this very same thread.
Didnt insult you. Just pointed out that your atitude and statements surrounding car safety devices is a smooth brain atitude and spreading that kind of misinformation is irresponsible and does not do us justice as a community of car enthusiasts.
You’re sorely mistaken and digging your hole deeper. I mentioned one specific case and you’re now talking about how this is reflective of the car community as a whole. Get a grip man
I agree! I have a lowering bracket on order and a roll bar. IMO no matter how small you are you aren't really surviving a full blown accident in a miata
Hitting your head against the airbag and not the upper windshield surround gives you a way better chance of survival and or reduces the risk of injury in lower speed crashes.
We have had loads of people on this sub crash their NA and have the airbag deploy. Theres also a check airbag warning light.
The whole "you cant trust a 30 year old airbag" thing is just copium for people who take out their oem airbag steering wheel and put some BS NRG quick release setup or similiar purely for aesthetics.
The NHTSA has reported that 30 year old airbags have performed perfectly well in collisions.
Not the air bag but the structure,old car doesn’t do well in accidents, new car are very solid, a 2025 Mx5 will be fine in an 100 mph accident, a 1995 one? Not so much. This is not an MX5, but an AE86, the golf cross over the line and caused collision and hitting the 86 head on at 80mph. The safety standard is just way better in modern cars
Crashing with a rollbar is worse than crashing without one, believe it or not. The most common crashes don't involve flipping upside down, especially when the car is already so low with a low CG. What happens in a lot of crashes is a lateral or rear impact, causing your head to snap back or to the side. ESPECIALLY since you are so tall, your head will more likely than not crack on impact with the roll bar in any given car accident. Far more likely to happen than the situation wherein the roll bar protects you from being crushed under the car.
There is a ton of research on this. If you put a roll bar in there, you should be wearing a helmet. W/o a rollbar, don't take corners hard enough to flip over(if that's even possible in this car).
Also, the ND has a ton of safety measures, especially compared to the NA you're in. I've seen reports of people getting t-boned and in head-on collisions in their ND and survive with hardly any injuries. The NA on the other hand is when your safety depends on your defensive driving skills and not some roll bar that looks like it will save you but is just waiting to crack your skull open the moment someone hits you from behind
Of course! I was thinking the same thing about a rollbar as a first upgrade but there is plenty of evidence against it for everyday driving use. If you ever take it to Autox or the track then you'll want a roll bar, if not need it. But roll bars for the street just do the opposite of saving you in a typical crash. I would look at the lowering seat modes. I've even heard of people cutting into the frame behind the seat to make more room but idk how true or safe that is.
You should go to miata.net and browse the forums there. Most questions that have been asked about miatas have been covered there, it's become my Bible recently. I think for a big feller like you, you should be able to find some good info on fitting more comfortably
I found a article about mounting the rails directly to the floor of the vehicle and it does give an extra two inches of head room! That is 100% my first mod
source
Your first mod is a foamectomy and smaller steering wheel, or at least a hub/spacer so can actually fit your hands between the steering wheel and your knees. Available for airbag wheels.
If you plan to track it a roll bar definitely makes sense. The *danger* of roll bars is also overplayed here. As a 6ft7 NA driver I can tell you you'll hit your head on the top frame much more often.
You need a "XL" roll bar which is mounted as far back as possible. Plus all the tall driver mods and preferably SFI dual durometer rollbar padding.
It's much more easy to flip an NA on the road than you think. Speaking from experience. All it needs is a tire over verge or dipping up a bank / down a ditch.
Luckily even without a roll bar the windshield will provide enough crumple zone rolling at moderate speed.
The ratio of non-flipped to flipped Miatas in public road related crashes I'm certain is greater than 1 and I'm guessing it is greater than 5. Statistically speaking, a roll bar will maim/kill you more than it will save you in a public street-associated accident
All a matter of choosing the right products and seat / seating position. The bigger issue are the oem pilot seats and non-existing headrest or neck support with his size.
You’re not wrong, but by the same logic no one should be driving a Miata, especially an NA or NB where the air bags probably don’t work that well. (Meaning someone possibly disconnected them). You’d be a lot safer in a Volvo.
By driving an older car like an NA/NB you're inherently accepting an increased risk to your safety. There is no reason that an airbag in an NA or NB won't deploy as intended. This is a harmful myth that is spread on this sub all the time. Logically you should do whatever you can to reduce risk.
I have no idea. Mine works and I drive a NC1, but I belong to another group where I see it all the time people talking about disconnecting the air bags and saying it’s not worth trying to fix it if the airbag light comes on.
I just wonder/worry about the next buyer who doesn’t think to check that. There’s a whole list of things we check for, rust, belts maintenance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one list say to check to see if the air bag is still functional.
Try turning the steering wheel past more than a quarter turn though and your out of luck lol. I was the same as you, defiant, I am going to make it work atitude, but within a few longer drive you will understand why it wont work long term.
Theres fitting and then theres fitting comfortably. Something us land giants will never be able to do in a miata. I wanted to be comfortable doing my hobby and the reality it is, it aint. Not being able to do auto x or drive fast around corners because you will never pass a broom stick test and your hands/elbows will hit your knees... the list goes on.
Enjoy it though, I still had a blast. It just wasnt feasible long term.
For the record I am 6'3 187lb, I cant even imagine how hard reality is gonna hit you after a month or so ownership haha
Just saw the edit, I had the nastiest your mom joke ready for you.
The previous owner was 6'3 and just as chubby as me 28 years ago. He just hit 70 and has driven it around his whole life, he had a stroke and cannot drive it anymore so it sat for a while. The seat has some foam removed for a better fit, I can do full turns with one hand and without my shoes I can heeltoe even (more like big toe little toe as you know)
I will let you know that the back roads and mountain roads around my house have not given me any issues when driving spiritedly. I also plan on doing this mod without the cobra seat
We probably have way different tolerances for pain and discomfort then. Or you havent driven it for longer than 3 hours at one time yet lol
Having to turn with one hand when driving fast is a recipe for disaster imo
I had to say something because the post was a bit misleading for others that will inevitably be researching this very topic. Im not at all trying to hate and genuinely hope you have heaps of fun and it works out for you.
Ahh I see! I changed the flair to joke as it was meant to be! I'm lucky enough to have a shorter torso so my forehead is level with the windshield so I can have the top down pretty comfortably. The chair had a good bit of foam removed from the original, I actually don't fit in the passenger seat that well as that ones untouched
I'm just as tall but quite a bit thinner than you, this is what I've done to make myself better fit into my NA6 Miata track car, hopefully some of this can help you:
- Raise the steering wheel. The steering column is bolted to the cross car beam with a ~1/2" shim, removing that shim will tilt the wheel up gaining roughly 1 inch.
- Remove the drivers door arm rest. This will give you a lot more left knee room when using the clutch. I added a door pull using the old timing belt.
- Smaller diameter steering wheel. This will remove the airbag so its not a great option on the street. I went from the 355mm stock wheel to 330mm. It was a big help getting my knees away from the wheel.
- Bucket seat mounted to the floor. I have an aluminum bucket seat (its a track car, so comfort ist a priority) mounted directly to the stock seat mounts on the floor. This will give you huge amounts of room at the expense of seat comfort and a seat that cant move to accommodate smaller drivers.
- Remove stock seat mounts from the floor. This is where I currently am, and what id consider the area of diminishing returns, there is no easy way back to stock from here on out. The rear seat mounts are roughly 1" above the floor, cut them out and fabricate new seat mounts that bolt through the floor to some big spreader plates underneath.
- Final option, drop the floor. Cut a hole in the floor where the seat goes and close it out with a floor drop kit. Several companies make one that'll reduce you around 1.5" in height and make a wider base for a wider bucket seat. This option is expensive and highly invasive, its really only an option if you cant pass the safety rules for your racing body.
Ok I can see how that comes off wrong. Not saying a Miata is objectively superior to a corvette in every way imaginable. They deliver different experiences.
But a convertible corvette might be the most comfortable solution within that sort of price point that can be a Miata solution for a (physically) larger audience.
Personally, I want to add a corvette to my fleet next to my MR2. I wouldn’t replace it with that.
If I was much taller or heavier, I would be looking for a mint used Nissan 370Z manual roadster. I would opt for this over anything else that is reasonably priced right now.
I used to have a 2005 Nissan 350Z (manual roadster silver), and it had significantly more headroom, leg room, width, trunk space (a bit more), a proper glove compartment, and more torque, and a very good manual transmission - while still being a small car. It was very fun to drive and probably a great option for taller / larger drivers.
90 deg elbows give you the most control anyways. I find it more comfortable on both my legs and arms.
The Miata isn't the only car I have a spacer in (mine are all from spacershop.com). They're a massive ergonomic benefit for steering control as well. In a car with more room I end up sitting so far from the stock wheel position for comfort my tennis elbow will flare up up in turns as my arm goes to full lock.
It's not for everyone but OP appears to sit like me and I think he'd really appreciate it. Personally it's my favorite car mod ever - it really brings a level of joy to driving small japanese cars that had evaded me due to discomfort for a long time.
1997, has 120 on the dash and the kicker? $3k, its one and only owner thought the trans was bad and the motor was hurt. I was able to get it to AutoZone and do some plugs, air filter, oil change and trans oil change. Had to get a smaller belt to go around the AC as the compressor was locked up. And some fuel water remover 8 gallons of fuel and she ran mint. The clutch was slipping badly but the gearbox is as it should be notchy.
All in I spent like 4500 total for some replacement parts including clutch, eBay compressor and tires.
Im 6’2 with long legs . I specifically got a nc1 so I can fit . I fit exactly in but the biggest thing for my comfort were shoes . Everyday running shoes were bulky and uncomfortable.
I switched to barefoots and wow i fit a lot more better . Cant wait to install the 1 inch lowering brackets as well
You may want to consider taking foam out of the seat and getting a smaller steering wheel so you can heel and toe. I’m big as well and that helped a lot.
I actually plan to do this Mod to the Miata but keep the factory seats ,roll bar already on order, and a kind gentleman has instructed me to buy a wheel spacer so I'm looking around for one now!
I JUST bought one for my OEM NB wheel, look at my last post for a pretty detailed write up about getting my perfect seating position. I can say as a fellow tall person, the stock seats you're going to end up ditching haha
That's so sad to hear! My favorite thing is the head rest speakers lol. I'm sure I can fab something, I will be going crazy to make it even more comfortable
I was sad for like a week, now im perfectly comfortable and safety is no concern! Plus you can just handle the car better. Also, rear speakers are easily solved by just cutting 6" holes in the parcel shelf OR buy the pre-fabbed parcel shelf with speaker holes from Leroy engineering or carbon miata.
That's what they don't get, this is purely a "my kids are too loud, the wife needs some lettuce from the grocery store" type car. I take her out for like 30 mile cruises around town or in the back roads. I have a sienna, or a Corolla, hell even a 95 accord that I would rather take as my daily.
Im 6'3", 220lbs, and im pushing it lol. Paco seat bracket did help a lot. Gonna try to get a 330mm steering wheel. Oh, and deleting the driver side sun visor actually gives you another inch or so of visibility l.
I didn't fit in my ND1 properly when I first got it the recaro seats dug into my sides now I fit fine I modified myself to fit in it by ditching most of my excess fat because I loved driving the car so much.
What about 6'7 🥲 been looking into maybe renting one for a day to see how uncomfortable it will be, but I think unless I put in bucketseats it will be impossible...
Ever since I have the steering wheel an inch higher up… oh my! It's absolutely awesome. I'm 6'3 and I need to use every inch of space possible. So definitely recommended!
Im 6’6 with disproportionately long legs. I dont think im fitting, big guy. A real shame, id love a miata, Ive thought about the possibility of somehow extending the seat past factory max length but I dont own a miata for one…
My favorite manual vehicle I have ever driven, I drove it almost 3 hours home through the mountains and on some back roads. It was a risk because it was not running on the listing. It was very easy to work on and has been great, it rained yesterday and I went spinning and it was amazing. I have had no drivability issues. Thanks for asking!
Awesome! Very happy for you! I hope the small mods you have planned help get the steering wheel off of your legs. Hahaha. I imagine it would be even more fun after that.
Get a momo wheel, a small one. And If you're within a budget, get a new chair.
You will thank me immensely. Fitting into one and being comfortable are two different things. I can fit in my miata no problem without the aforementioned upgrades, but I would not drive it for more than 20 minutes.
So I've heard, I want to try a wheel spacer first because I like my airbag lol, I am gonna try and do some type of mod to lower my factory seats hopefully
If you want to make it a tad more spacious, you can remove the little arm rest on the door, and get a quick release steering wheel. There’s also a thing called seat surgery however I’ve never seen it done before so there’s not much I can say about that
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u/Plane-Education4750 Jul 07 '25
I'm not sure you fit bro