joey zaza

Hi everyone!

As you probobly can tell I'm new to this forum. I'm thinking of buying a new car but im having problems deciding between the Nissan 350z, Mazda Rx-8, Subaru WRX Sti, or the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.
The reason I'm saying this is because I'm 6'2" and I wanted to know if the new Rx-8 has an adjustable steering wheel that can fit my big *** legs? I currently drive a '96 Nissan sentra and everytime I turn into a big corner the steering wheel rubs into my legs which, after a while give me a rash. If anyone can answer this, I would really appreciate it.

Grimace

Ouch! Steering wheel rash! Sounds painful!

How do you need it to adjust? I'm pretty sure it will have a tilt feature. Telescoping feature, I'm not sure about.

Toadman

Welcome to the forum, Joey! Telescopic steering column will probably not be an option, but head-room shouldn't be a factor. Guess you'll have to "test-fit".

joey zaza

thanks for the info guys, I guess im just going to have to take it for a test drive when it comes out and see how it fits. Hopefully the rash will go away by next week!:p
I need the steering wheel to be able to move itself up and down in order to get my right leg past the steering wheel when i enter the car. The only car that i know that I can push the steering wheel up and down is my fathers '93 chrysler town and country. I hate mini-vans cuz i always go to fast on the turns which scares the passengers cuz they think the car is going to tip over.
thanks again for the help!:D

WankelWannabe

Curious....why do you guys think that the RX-8 won't come with a telescopic steering wheel??? I believe the new Mazda6 has one.

boowana

RX-8 will not be allowed in Sudbury, Ontario. Too far north. Sorry...

WankelWannabe

Damn! And I just finished adding a garage to my igloo specifically for the RX-8.

Oh well, guess I'll have to settle for driving my Corolla to the mine and back everyday.

Jerome81

Yes, the New Mazda6 has tilt and telescpoing wheel. However, the Miata has no adjustment whatsoever. So, you could look at it from the perspective of the 6, and think that is the direction all Mazda cars are going, or you could look at it from the perspective of the Miata, in that it is a rear drive sports car.

I'm gonna lean towards the side of the 6. The RX-8 is supposed to be a more practical sports car. If not tilt/telescope, at least tilt I expect to see.

The days of the unadjustable steering column have got to be seriously numbered.

wakeech

ya, and it's a damned good thing too...

but certainly, unadjustable steering wheels are all but forgotten (well, close enough)... even the (about) US$10 000 Echo (used, 2000) i drive has a tilt steering wheel...

it's just basic economic theory: an adjustable steering wheel is a normal good, thus as they become cheaper (to manufacture) or people earn proportionately more money (aggregate price level falls), people will be inclined to buy more adjustable steering wheels... and thus cars with adjustable steering wheels will be chosen over non-adjustable ones: so to maximize revenue, and as the marginal costs of making adjustable steering wheels fall, they'll just maximize profits and not make inferior non-adjustable steering wheels anymore.

i know this is blindingly obvious to nearly everyone, but just for those few that aren't sure why... whatev.

WankelWannabe

I really hope it has both...I have long legs and relatively short arms in comparison, so I find it very difficult to get a comfortable driving position. With a telescoping wheel I can adjust my seat such that my legs aren't cramped and yet still reach the wheel with my hands.

Toadman

Being a typical "average-sized" person, my concerns lie in whether the pedals are optimized for heel-and-toeing. :D

fuz

hm, that might be another "first" mod.

SsollosS

Well Joey, I'm also 6'2", 320 lbs and I had only minor difficulty getting in and out of my 2nd gen RX-7. If the 8 is anything at all like the 7, annoyances like entry and exit are a non point. As for the wheel rubbing the legs...I'm sure it will tilt up and into a comfortable driving position, left hand firmly on 12 o' clock, right thumb, forefinger, and middle finger caressing the shift ****. Ahh I loved my 7. Too bad she burned up on me.

RXhusker

I am 6'2" 280 lbs. and I just spent the weekend driving a 350Z -- rental car in Phoenix. I had no problem driving it and was fairly comfortable for the 2 hr. drive to Tucson (and no speeding tickets!) Could have used a little more leg-room for the more aggressive driving however.

The RX is supposed to be bigger than the 350Z so I think we are in luck! I had no problem with my '79 RX-7 (but I was just a little thinner then).

carzgirl

Welcome! The all new Mazda 6 has a telescopic/tilt steering wheel. So I would assume Mazda would not down grade options while they up grade vehicles. I'm sure you'll fit because the car is designed to fit four large adults comfortably.:D

Elara

It's kinda funny how you tall guys are worried about fitting in the car- I am too, but for the opposite reason. I'm only 5' tall, and to drive even the Miata I have to push the seat ALL the way forward. God help me in a BMW- I need phonebooks.

I just hope it's got an adjustable steering wheel AND power seats- I've never been able to get close enough to the freakin' pedals in anything without power seats.

pelucidor

My wife is 5' 1" - if she can't drive the RX-8 then I can't buy it. So far she's managed fine without phone books or cushions in all our cars so long as they had a tilt-wheel. Her favourite was the RX300 because it had individual armrests on the front seats.

She even fit OK into an S2000 (which has no steering wheel adjustment whatsoever, and the manual seats only recline and slide forward/back). I'm sure the RX-8 will fit well for both of you - I really hope so at any rate...

Toadman

"Smart" dual-stage airbags that adjust deployment force based upon seat position should be a concern for you and a shotgun passenger, Elara. The bag should be fully deployed before impact with an occupant's head. A very sober fact everyone should consider and ask about, especially when sitting close to the wheel.

Elara

Yeah, I know about the airbags too- my mother is always fussing at me to push my seat back further in the car, because airbags have been known to seriously injure people my height. I really hope they do have the dual-stage airbags- I'd feel safer. Wouldn't adjustable steering wheels also help with that? I believe I heard something about part of the problem (but I could be wrong) being that airbags tended to hit at exactly the wrong spot on short people like me, as well as children, and snap body parts that shouldn't be snapped...

pelucidor, hopefully, for both me AND your wife, there won't be any problem reaching the gas pedals- if I can't get this car I'm going to be VERY upset.

babylou

Elara,

If your major problem is reaching the pedals then there is an easy solution. Pedal blocks. These can be made and installed by any local company that tailors vehicles for handicapped individuals. I have been trying to get my mom to do it since she is about 1mm away from the wheel but she is as stubborn as a mule.

tallguylehigh

RXHusker

You were able to rent a car in Phoenix? Where? I am often in that area on business travel and would love to have the ability to drive one. Also, was it a stick or an automatic? I am pretty curious...

twifosp

I'm 6'1 and I fit comfortably in my FD. My knees do touch the steering wheel but I feel the cockpit is in such a shape that I feel it more comfortable than most cars despite having half the room most cars provide.

That being said the rx7 doesn't have tilt wheel and the rx8 should have a lot more room than the FD. I'm expecting it to be a lot more comfortable.

Red Devil

Man, 6'2 320lbs, 6'2" 280 - I'm 6'2" 175lb, my Father always tells me my days are numbered before I start puttin' on the lbs. Oh well, I'm gonna keep stuffing my face and eating everything I can get my hands on while I still can.

...I knew a guy that was 6'5 and drove a last generation 300Z, he barely fit and needed to be greased every time he got in and out of the car, but it worked just the same. The 8 should be fine.

dzakem

The new article in Autoweek says that it will have plenty of space inside.
http://www.autoweek.com/search/searc...52354&record=1

Also, in the summer when I was there, most of the roads in Ontario are better than most of the roads here in Southern Ohio.

Obviously that would change in the snow and ice.

If you make it up there take the drive from Sudbury to Kilarney, what a beautiful area.

WankelWannabe

I'm sorry, did you just use the words "Sudbury" and "beautiful area" in the same sentence???

You must live on Mars or some desolate moon to think Sudbury is beautiful!
"Armpit" of Ontario, polluter of the north.
This is Sudbury.

I went to a friends wedding near Canton Ohio a year ago and I thought the highways were amazing. The underside of overpasses were freshly painted blue, nice green grassy dividers, not a lot of garbage along the side of the road.