ND drivers: how tall are you?

[colster3]

Hi,
I have had my current NCLE MX5 from new. Fell in love with it the first day it was in the showroom in 2005. Although it has just turned over 80,000 km and runs fine, I am thinking about upgrading to an ND.

I sat in one when they were released and found my head touched the inside of the soft top and my knees were in contact with the dash. Not sure if they are much smaller than my NC1 or whether I didn’t have the adjustment in the right spot.

I am 187cm and a shade over 100kg. Just wondering if anyone around my height fits in... had considered a foamectomy but that’s a big call for a new car.

Cheers
Col

[lucmor444]

I’m 185cm and 82kg. I have an RF which has less headroom than the ST. I had about 15mm headroom to spare with the roof up and no problems with clearance for my knees.

Nevertheless I installed lower seat brackets which gave me more room.

Fit comfort can depend on body shape (eg long torso shorter legs or vice versa).

Only real way to know if you fit and more importantly are comfortable is to try and take one for a longer test drive.

[colster3]

I’m 185cm and 82kg. I have an RF which has less headroom than the ST. I had about 15mm headroom to spare with the roof up and no problems with clearance for my knees.

Nevertheless I installed lower seat brackets which gave me more room.

Fit comfort can depend on body shape (eg long torso shorter legs or vice versa).

Only real way to know if you fit and more importantly are comfortable is to try and take one for a longer test drive.

Thanks Lucmor444!

The concept of lower mounts sounds like a possibility. The NC is so roomy compared to my old NB8A (traded in on the current NC).

[Mr Morlock]

Thats all crazy. If the car does not fit its the wrong car. The NC seems like its got more room than an ND . If you get into a car on a cold day with a big coat on or a couple of jumpers and a cap then a small cockpit and low headroom is a big negative. I have a few friends who rule out MX5s because the cars were never meant for for a taller or heaver built drivers or passenger. I once had a pair of RM Willians riding boots- they were always a bit tight even with thin socks- they ended up in the OP shop.

[lucmor444]

I don't understand what's 'crazy'.

It's just another mod but I do understand if owners are only interested in keeping their purchase original.

I on the other am very happy to muck around to make things more fit for my particular purpose.

[madmort]

Thats all crazy. If the car does not fit its the wrong car. The NC seems like its got more room than an ND . If you get into a car on a cold day with a big coat on or a couple of jumpers and a cap then a small cockpit and low headroom is a big negative. I have a few friends who rule out MX5s because the cars were never meant for for a taller or heaver built drivers or passenger.

I once had a pair of RM Willians riding boots- they were always a bit tight even with thin socks- they ended up in the OP shop.

Your the one that left a $300 pair of boots in the shop that I paid $30 for and don't tell me you had a Weiden leather jacket that didn't fit that you got rid of too! OP shops were treasure troves in the 70s

[StillIC]

Thats all crazy. If the car does not fit its the wrong car.…..

So what should I get instead that can do what my NA does, for anything like the same price?

[Mr Morlock]

I dont understand why anyone wants to put up with an inconvenience in cars because you buy something that suits ones tastes and stature / size. I have a few mates who really think MX-5s are obviously good cars but not designed for their stature. Mazda said with the NA that the car was not meant for everyone and its not. The seats are not made for heavy frames, leg room is restricted, windscreen heights relatively low , and roofs can restrict headroom. Taking foam out of seats compromises adequate cushioning and for most would render the car as uncomfortable over a longer run. When I sold my NB a family member took it down for the RWC- he said it was ok looking over the top of the windscreen and he did have his sunnies on so he made to the garage - getting out was not much fun either.

Madmort mentioned the leather jacket. I had a few of those and my first Marlon Brando jacket - made in Melbourne -is now long gone but it's a timeless style. I still have a full length oilskin coat now 35 years old but reluctant to ditch it - but I did buy a replacement which is more practical for walking on wet days and its much lighter than an oilskin.

[StillIC]

At my height (190 - 192 cm depending on how long I have been laying down for), no car suits me. Nor aeroplanes, trains, cinemas, doctor's waiting rooms.....

If I am going to modify my car to make it comfortable (and I usually do) I may as well modify a car I like/want.

[Mr Morlock]

I think if you plan on keeping an NA and want to make it fit then go that route. I few years ago I chatted with a QLD driver who came down to the big gathering of MX-5s at Sandown. He was very slim guy buy more than 6ft 6in - so it can be done. A mate of mine is also at least the same height maybe more but but a big frame - he just dont fit in any MX-5 - he has tried.

[colster3]

My main reason for asking was that since I had a sit in an ND in a showroom, I have seen Brian Goodwin in an ND and I believe we are a similar height. There are always variances, long torso, short legs and vice versa.

Thanks for your comments. I have decided to do some upgrades on my NCLE as I have had it since new (coming up on 15 years). It’s only got 80k on the clock.

So a new(er) top tomorrow, upgrade my Mazdaspeed springs and std Bilsteins for some coil overs, and a new sound system that can run sat nav and hands free calls.

Might even spring for some better seats (or re-cover the std ones to fix the cracked leather. This is pretty much the only sign of wear

[lucmor444]

Sounds like a good plan - keep enjoying your NC.

There was some very nice NC Ohlins for sale on FB this morning?

[Mr Morlock]

seat covers- I had lambswool covers made for NC - that worked very well- short nap and hard wearing and improves comfort as well.

[pcmx5]

I found my ND cloth seats much more comfortable than my NC which other then the Recaro version had the hardest . slippery and most unsupportive seats of any car I have owned!!
I am 5.10 and solid and had no drama fitting into the ND.

Peter

[MX5STA]

Re NC leather seats,
They are terrible!
Best thing I did for my NC1 was to replace them with fabric seats.
Made a world of difference comfort-wise.
Cheers, Jon