New Yorker

I'm on my third Miata ('04 MSM) and thinking of getting an 8. Which has the most comfortable driver's seat - especially for long drives? (I'm 5'7" and 140 lbs.)

(I also posted this on the Miata forum.)

XDEEDUBBX

Prior to my 8 i had two NB's. The miata's cabin is tight compared to the 8. When I first started driving my 8 it felt like a bigger miata. I would give the win over to the rx8 only because it is able to be fully reclined, but both are great.

Tigster

I had a 02 Miata and I think the 8 is a much more comfortable car. It is a bit wider in the leg area and the seat is more adustable than the Miata's. The only thing with the 8 you may notice is at 5" 7" the B pillar may cause a blind spot.

missinmahseven

Had an NA (A-Pckg, no leather) for ten years... the 8 has the more comfortable perch of the two. Mainly due to its greater degree of adjustability (elevate / tilt seat bottom, adjustable lumbar support.)

my10ae

I agree 100% I too owned an NA and NB Miata and now my 8. Still own my NB and the 8 seats put them all to shame as far as comfort and adjustability...

BunnyGirl

I have driven both, not regularly since neither one belonged to me, and I prefer the RX-8. The Miata felt a little cramped to me. I am 5'6"-5'7" (depending on how my back is doing at the time) and weigh 110-115 pounds. The RX-8 just seems to fit me better.

Asmoran

I've never been in a miata, but the cloth seats in the 8 give me problems on long trips. The night after a long trip (8 hrs driving in one day) I'll get the worst calf cramps imaginable. I woke up screaming the first time it happened.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

RX8....cuz i cant comfortably fit in a miata

XDEEDUBBX

i'm 5'6 and the miata fits just perfectly. I also have a 9 1/2 shoe but for people who are bigger than me will have problems. I also noticed when I was weaing dress shoes the brake pedal would get in the way of the gas. But with the 8 there is no problem.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

Are you a girl?

Raptor2k

pwned

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

Oh ****, that's f'd up.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

No, its a legit question...no malice involved...not trying to be a dick...just trying to clear something up for the purpose of this discussion

GULAMAN

my dad has an 01 Miata (leather, if that makes a difference) and for a minimalist small sports car, the seats aren't bad at all. true there's less adjustability, but I'm 5"11" and I can get a good seating postition. now the passenger, who will likely want to stretch out and back more, will definitely be limited compared to the '8.

overall, the seating position/comfort of the RX8 is a bit better still. the biggest difference is that the steering column of the Miata blocks my right knee from moving left when reaching for the brakes...forcing me to pivot from the knee down, rather than my hip. it's a little more strain on my lower extremities, but on a long hwy drive you won't be using brakes much anyway.

KYLiquid

its hard for me to tell, the rx8 is stock, on the sports suspension....the miata was on ground control and koni..... also I only had the stock seats for a while and then switched out to race seats....

I would say the rx8 is far more comfortable for long drives...the seats are about the same.

I still have my stock miata (cloth) seats...ill go sit in them and compare to the rx8

GULAMAN

Actually I notice the same thing with my new RX8. but that can also be used as a positive...it allows more options for heel-toeing. instead of pivoting my ankle to get my heel on the gas (while rest of foot is on the brake), if my shoes are wide enough I can alternatively 'roll' my foot to the right to blip the throttle.

msrecant

I had a 93 Miata for 8 years and have had the RX-8 for almost 2.5 years. New Years weekend I test drove a 2006 MX-5 Sport and a 2005 Miata MS. I am only 5'7" and 155 lbs so I fit well in all four cars.

The RX-8 is definitely more comfortable for two reasons. In general there is just more room. It doesn't feel cramped so, unless you really like the Miata cozy feel, you will enjoy the extra space. Not that the Miata is bad, but it is definitely cozy. Also the RX-8 seat feels more comfortable. The 93 Miata and Miata MS seats were definitely minimalist. I didn't spend enough time in the 2006 to get more than the impression the seats were better than the older Miatas but not as nice as th 8.

IMHO, of course.

DOMINION

Was at my Mazda dealer. Got a chance to sit in the new Miata. I like the look and feel but when takeing a curve sitting in my RX-8 sure fells good. Dont know about the Miata. All I know is driving from Las Veas to Calie' state line in my RX-8 is about a 40min drive and my a$$ never fall-a sleep

Krankor

There is absolutely no question that the seats in my RX-8 are far, far, far more comfortable than those in the 05 Miata that I've never sat in.

I assume.

Freddie

I owned a 2000 Miata LS up until this past November when I bought my new RX-8.

Seats, driving position, and interior space are different issues, I think. I am vastly more comfortable on long drives in the 8, thanks to all the additional room as well as the better adjustability of the seat. The Miata felt more "connected" for agressive driving in the local mountains, I think partially due to the close quarters. However the RX-8 seats do have better side support when cornering... so far it seems like my passengers appreciate that as much as do I. Finally to me the RX-8 seats are more comfortable just by virtue of being cloth. I wasn't all that crazy about the leather in the Miata. So, I give the "better seats" nod to the RX-8. I am 6 ft. 2 in. and weigh 215 lbs and oh BTW male.

eclps0

The 8 does have a better seating postion But come on it sits 4 seats. Not 2 seats, It like comparing a boxster agianst a accord. @ diffrent cars for diffrent reasons.

I have owned my MSM for 3 weeks ( did my 1st auto x with it last weekend) I have more fun in the Msm then i did in the 8. I dont have to worry about filling up my car in 3 days. ANd the turbo is FUnnnnnn. I killed a Bmw 330, it was very easy.

I do miss the 8 becuase of the more room, navi, but thats about it. If i could take it back i would still sell teh 8 and get the MSM.


here is a auto x pic
http://www.tonyschreiber.com/gallery...70846738/Large

alfy28

Had a 97 M miata which i SCed. any how i do miss being able to rest my elbow on window area while driving. I mean i can do it with rx 8 but alot of space between me and door while siting. but then i guess that is why me and wife have s2k for :p but yah you cant go wrong wtih the 8 from miata. lots of nice room

soldano

drove both and prefer the 8's

supergoat

The RX-8 seats are more comfortable, but I find the Miata seats to be more supportive in the corners.

The rx-8 seats are a little wider than I'd like, I'm assuming this is to accomidate "fat americans". I wish you could adjust the side bolsters, my Probe has a button where you can bring the sides of the seats in, hugging you more. It's fantastic, and I was surprised the 8 didn't have that.

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

I'm the fat american that goat is talking about. I fit in the 8 fine. Actually, though, I'm at the limits probably. With the seat all the way back, my head touches the ceiling with proper posture. I usually have the seat reclined a little for more lazy driving during which it is a perfect fit. I will never be able to drive with a person sitting behind me who has legs though. Like my other cars, I consider the 8 fit for 2 people with room for 2 more who you might not like very much. I sat in the new miata (top down). It made me feel like a fat man in a tiny coat.