When I was playing around with the showroom model RX8, I noticed that the cloth, non-power seats have a 'flip lever' that cause the seatback to flip forward, making access to the rear seats much easier. The one I'm buying has leather power seats, and while I didn't spend much time looking at it, there didn't seem to be the same flip-forward lever- just a multi-directional power control. Is that thing also the 'flip forward' lever, or is there something else that I missed?

I only spent a few minutes in the car- I wanted to get back into the office and put some $$ on it as there was another guy there eyeballing it : )

11 days and counting!

-Sean

No flip forward thingy on the driver side.

Bummer... I was hoping I just didn't see it. It shouldn't be a big deal since I drive with the seat pretty far up and vertical, but the one in the showroom made me contort my neck and shoulders a bit getting out until I flipped it foward.

Thanks for the response!

I'm 6' tall, and have never had to adjust my drivers seat to let someone in the back on that side. Of course, I've not had any really large people on that side, just average sized male adults... but they fit just fine.

I looked for the flip-out lever too. When I didn't find one onmy car I figured I was better off not having one - another excuse for not ferrying folks around town in my precious car!

My leather driver's seat misses the lever as well.

I'm 5'9 and I had someone site behind me size 6'+ and he got in there just fine.

What do you need the flip seat handle for anyway. The back door opens. Did the dealer not show you that?

I just noticed the lack of level on the driver's side...the passenger side has it though...I never actually sat in the back seat until I owned the car a few days. I had a friend and daughter do it while I was at the showroom.

Two more things I love...the back seat is wicked comfy, and the there is a separate domelite for the rear passengers with a three way switch for on, off, and door-on.

Yes, I am aware of the rear doors : )

The showroom model had the front seat slid all the way to the back and the seat back itself tilted backwards. I got in fine, but when getting out I thought it was a little awkward. As I said, I don't drive like that, so I'm not too worried about it, although a couple of friends I go to lunch with at work with are 6'6'' and taller (not that they fit in the Miata all that well, either :).

Just curious more than anything... it's tough trying to remember what everything looked like- I was in sensory overload when I was test driving, and I've barely spent 5 minutes looking at/in the one I'm buying.

I seem to be in a minority with regard to my view of the back seats. I don't find them comfortable at all. I'm 6' tall and I sit with the driver's seat all the way back and slightly reclined. (My head often touches the roof, even in this position... a reminder to get a hair cut!) My sons (8 and 6) cannot sit behind me unless I bring the seat forward and bend my legs slightly -- there is simply no room for their legs. We deal with this by giving preference to the passenger-side rear seat; when they both ride with me, one sits cross-legged behind me. A long trip in this car for us, in my view, is simply not possible.

When one of them does sit behind me, having the ability to flip the front seat forward would be a big help. As it is now, I have to bend down and engage the motor to bring the car seat forward and upright... then he gets in, then I carefully adjust. This takes a long time, especially in the cold or rain.

As for being a passenger in the back, I find that I can't get my outside leg in and under the seat. My head also touches the roof unless I slouch. Of course, the car's back seat is far better than nothing... I would just like an inch or so more for my feet and head.

Originally posted by Magnesium
No flip forward thingy on the driver side.

Umm, my leather front passenger seat flips forward - I noticed it at the weekend for the first time when my neice triggered it when she got into the back. I'm not sure how she did it though - I'll go look tonight.

if you have power you can move the seat up/down/front/back

there is three switches

I don't think they have that lever for the one the driveside when you get power seats. The lever would have come in handy, my friend has a coupe (bmw) and it has a lever even though it's power seat... not sure why mazda didn't do the same.

I know that even the Acura CL has like this lever to let someone get in the back and it remembers the position of the drivers seat when you push the seat back. I really wish the rx-8 had at least 1 memory seat setting, when i go the car wash or take it in for service, i have to reconfigure the seats over again.

i mostly don't hang around tall people; we have found no need to bring seats forward to admit people to the rear seats on either side. Short people rule!!