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I'm too tall for the roadster!!

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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 06:53 PM
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Default I'm too tall for the roadster!!

I wasn't going to let that stand between me and the car though!

I picked up my silverstone touring last weekend and I really, REALLY like it.

But it just ain't as comfortable as my coupe was. The roll bar robs me of the room I was used to in the coupe.

At 6'3" I used to put the seat all the way back and recline it. I was more comfy in my Z than I was in my F-250. Now I'm scrunched a little more than I'd like to be.

I pulled the cushioned headrest off and got a little more room but I'm worried about getting brained by the roll bar.

Anyone else in this predicament?
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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 07:47 PM
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I'm 6' and don't even have the seat all the way back, although I do prefer a slight recline. I probably move the seat up about 4 to 6 inches. My son is taller than me and he hasn't had any issues when driving; although I don't know if he's a full 3" taller. I guess it depends where the height is (legs, torso, etc.). Too bad you have the fit issues; I would be concerned about not having the head restraint back there...you probably need to find a way to make it work for safety's sake. You really could do some damage! Good luck.
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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 08:00 PM
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That is a beautiful car. The same combination that I hope to be behind the wheel of shortly.

I am not quite as tall as you are, but if I were in your position, I would consider having a few verdibrae removed. This would shorten me to the correct height to drive t he Z comfortably. That's just me.

You may want to see if the rails for the seat can be moved back to make the position more comfortable. I have seen this done on other cars in which the driver is very tall.

Good luck with the new Z.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 07:06 AM
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Default Re: I'm too tall for the roadster!!

Originally posted by Twizt
At 6'3" I used to put the seat all the way back and recline it. I was more comfy in my Z than I was in my F-250. Now I'm scrunched a little more than I'd like to be.
I am a little confused. Is the problem your legroom, headroom, or both?
I am 6' 4" (210lbs.), and sit comfortably in the Roadster. I have driven both the Roadster and the Coupe, one right after the other, and althought I notice a small difference, it is hardly noticable.

I'm curious to hear exactly what is giving you touble.

Thanks.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 08:34 AM
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Default Re: Re: I'm too tall for the roadster!!

Originally posted by DeZigner
I am a little confused. Is the problem your legroom, headroom, or both?
I am 6' 4" (210lbs.), and sit comfortably in the Roadster. I have driven both the Roadster and the Coupe, one right after the other, and althought I notice a small difference, it is hardly noticable.

I'm curious to hear exactly what is giving you touble.

Thanks.
I'm confused too. I'm 6'3" also, I've owned both coupe and roadster, I find the roadster more comfortable. How far reclined do you drive?

I drive with only a slight incline, and there is about 4" more I can recline, that's with the seat all the way back.

I love the ride of the 2004 also. My old 2003 coupe hurt the back of my neck during long drives. It also hurt my lower back. I think it was the roughness of the ride.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 08:50 AM
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Sounds to me like your trying to put a bit of "Gansta Lean" into your Z driving position.(JK) I'm 6'2" and do not even run the seat all the way back, nor do a have the seat back all the way back. I admit that when I first got the car, I was putting everything all the way back, but then I did a trackday in the Roadster, and realized that my "laid back" position did not work very well for cornering and driver comfort. With things moved up a bit now, I feel more a part of the car, have better back support, and I am more comfortable driving.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 01:05 PM
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Default Same here

I sat in the coupe (it was fine) then ordered my Roadster. The roadster does have less room.

I am 6'2" and large framed. I put the seat all the way back and recline until it hits the roll bar. I thought about removing the head rest but a) It seemed to dangerous if I get rear-ended and b) I wouldn't like how that looks when the top was down.

I considered making a thinner headrest, or possibly mounting a pad on the roll bar directly. But so far I just live with it.

It's not "bad", I could just use a little more room.

AndyB
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 02:56 PM
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Some people on other roadster forums remove some of the seat's foam in order to fit.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 03:21 PM
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I too am 6'-4" around 220 pounds and I find that if I have the seat all the way back that it's a bit too far. I am comfortable but I don't have experience in the coupe.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 03:43 PM
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How the heck do you guys sit in this thing without the seat all the way back? Maybe I'm missing something.

I've got plenty of headroom. However, even with the seat all the way back my legs are bent a lot more than in the coupe. With the headrest installed and the seat against the rollbar I end up feeling like I'm sitting on the front axle.

OK, I'm exaggerating about the front axle. But I do feel like I'm about 2 inches too far forward.

I'm 220 pounds with long legs and arms so maybe I feel it more than others. My body was also very used to riding in the coupe. After all, I drove it for over a year.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 04:08 PM
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i'm 6ft and drive with the seat all the way back...try not reclining the seat so far back...you'll be able to move the actual seat portion back further that way.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 04:30 PM
  #12  
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I went out and fiddled with it after my last post. I put the headrest back in so I wouldn't bash my brains out in an accident.

I looked for the "sweet" spot. Where I get the recline/arm extension I want and still get my legs fairly straight.

One thing I found was that I didn't want to push the top of the seat against the roll bar too hard. This pushed the headrest too far forward.

What about the seat base? The two ***** seem to raise either the front or the back of the base. Any of you tall guys have suggestions for those?

I've currently got the seat bottomed out.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 04:38 PM
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I'm 6'-3 1/2", 200 lbs., very long arms and legs - 35" inseam. My only complaint is I think the accelerator pedal is too close. With the seat all the way back and reclined with the headrest just against the rollbar, the ergonomics are ideal. Except for the gas pedal.

My left foot feels perfect on the dead pedal, but the right is not. It's easy enough to tilt your foot to the side to compensate, but annoying. The design of the gas pedal has a metal cleat on the back for bottoming on the floor. If this could be eliminated and the pedal somehow moved a couple inches closer to the floor, it would feel balanced and comfortable. Unfortunately, it doesn't look possible without some serious fabrication.

Small complaint for an awesome machine.

Anybody else think the gas pedal's too close?
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 09:12 PM
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Originally posted by E.F. VaBeach
I'm 6'-3 1/2", 200 lbs., very long arms and legs - 35" inseam. My only complaint is I think the accelerator pedal is too close. With the seat all the way back and reclined with the headrest just against the rollbar, the ergonomics are ideal. Except for the gas pedal.

My left foot feels perfect on the dead pedal, but the right is not. It's easy enough to tilt your foot to the side to compensate, but annoying. The design of the gas pedal has a metal cleat on the back for bottoming on the floor. If this could be eliminated and the pedal somehow moved a couple inches closer to the floor, it would feel balanced and comfortable. Unfortunately, it doesn't look possible without some serious fabrication.

Small complaint for an awesome machine.

Anybody else think the gas pedal's too close?
My experience exactly! @ 6'3 and let's just say over 250 lbs... my only complaint is my right leg become uncomforatble in LA traffic.

I'd pay a few bucks for a kit to have it moved towards the firewall. Any of you fabricators out there interested? I made my own grounding kit, but this is a bit more involved...
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 09:13 PM
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Talking Re: I'm too tall for the roadster!!

Originally posted by Twizt
I wasn't going to let that stand between me and the car though!

I picked up my silverstone touring last weekend and I really, REALLY like it.

But it just ain't as comfortable as my coupe was. The roll bar robs me of the room I was used to in the coupe.

At 6'3" I used to put the seat all the way back and recline it. I was more comfy in my Z than I was in my F-250. Now I'm scrunched a little more than I'd like to be.

I pulled the cushioned headrest off and got a little more room but I'm worried about getting brained by the roll bar.

Anyone else in this predicament?
At 5'3 and 93 pounds I'm vertically challenged! LOL..can't help you!
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 04:10 AM
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I am 6'2" and "over 250 pounds" to.

I put the seat base all the way back, then recline it as far as it will go. I could still use a couple more inches to the pedals. My knees are a little high. (not terrible, just not optimum) I wouldn't mind a little more recline either.

I have enough head room, but not much extra.

As for the seat base *****, I bottom out the back one (obvously) to maximize headroom. But I actually have the front raised a little because my knees are bent and I want the support. If I dropped the front 100% my legs would be off the seat a little.

I also wouldn't mind the seat being lower (or the windhsield taller). To see stoplights I need to duck my head down.

Overall not too bad. When I drove the S2K the door hit my shoulder when it was closed.
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 08:52 AM
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6'2"... definatley a problem... biggest beef as a result of the lack of recline room is the fact that i cant see the instrument cluster when the wheel is tilted all the way down... i don't want to drive it like a bus, so i'm forced to use the digital speedo to stay under the speed limit (which is hard to do in this car)...
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 09:56 AM
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Originally posted by vancitydude
6'2"... definatley a problem... biggest beef as a result of the lack of recline room is the fact that i cant see the instrument cluster when the wheel is tilted all the way down... i don't want to drive it like a bus, so i'm forced to use the digital speedo to stay under the speed limit (which is hard to do in this car)...

Maybe when you get a speeding ticket you can sue Nissan for making a fast car where you can't see the speedo.









(for the humor impaired.... JUST KIDDING)
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 03:37 PM
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Different strokes for different folks! 6' - 230 and I drive with the seat almost all the way back and like a prior post have the front of the seat elevated and the back on the floor. Comfortable and more headroom than the S2000 I drove. Better ride than the Boxster I considered.
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 08:28 PM
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Isn't there just one **** on the left side of the seat that raises and lowers the cushion...somebody said something about bottoming out the back one and lowering the front...maybe 'cause my seat is power forward-back and recline? little confused. srm
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