mathteacher

This is my first time ever posting so forgive me if I make any mistakes.

I have been wanting to buy a car for about a year now. First it was the 300M but I thought nah its American and unreliable, then I switched to the acura TLS and found a whole lot of transmission issues so I went over to the G35 but it just didn't feel right.

And now I finally have that feeling like this is the one! The beautiful RX-8. The car looks awsome! I have never bought a new car so this will be my first. I just want to make sure this is the right decision because I don't have tons of money (being a teacher and all) to get a new car every couple of years.

so here are my last minute questions.

I am 6'4'' and weigh 230lbs. Do you think this is going to be an issue? I wish I could sit in one just to make sure but I have called everywhere and I haven't had any luck. I have looked at many pictures but I have yet to see someone my size in a pic.

I want to go and put a deposite down on a Titanium/red-black interior GT by the end of this week. Any suggestions on a dealer in Los Angeles area? And how does the process work I don't want to get taken advantage of.

Well I guess that is it for now I hope I did this right ! :o

Thanks in advance for helping me out!

SPDFRK

Welcome, There has been a few pics of "bigger" guys sitting in the car and they said there was still plenty of room, you may run into a little trouble if your legs are real long because head room hasn't been thought of as an issue. Although you sound proportional at 6'4" 230lbs this car should compel you to go on a diet, I'm gonna. It would be a shame to slight all of the engineers hard work shaving weight by putting my fat a$$ in the front seat.:D

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with any LA dealers but I'm sure somebody here will hook you up.

danielk015

iTrader: (1)

welcome aboard bro... where in LA are you from??? i am from OC and know peeps that had good experiences from some dealers down here... if you are close to norwalk, you might want to try browning mazda, i think it is there... i heard good feedback on them... also, just to test the waters, try calling around first, that will help a lot... if you need any more advise, just do a search, or post on here or the west region forum... good luck

BillK

All I can say is that it MAY be.

Several here are 6'0 or taller and said they fit with no problems; I sat in a preproduction 8 at the Denver Auto Show and my hair was brushing the roof (I'm 6'1 and no, I don't have a Mohawk. )

For the record, I don't fit in an Audi S4 or an E46 BMW 3-series (if equipped with a sunroof) either, so fitting in a sports car is an issue with me in general - unless I don't mind brushing the roof with my hair and smashing into the roof on roads with whoop-de-doo style depressions in them. I also look over the TOP of the windshield in a Miata. I JUST fit in an Audi TT but still occasionally brush the headliner. I have long legs and a long torso, but a lot depends on where most of your height is - for example, in the aforementioned 3-series my head brushes the head liner but I have to have the seat up a few notches to be able to press the clutch all the way to the floor.

Also, as a general sizing guideline I fit in a Gen II RX-7, but there was no way I could fit in a Gen III unless I wanted to drive with my knees.

Regardless, my dealer has promised to call me when his first 8 comes in so I can sit in to determine once and for all if I fit or not.

However if you're really serious about it, I'd say as long as the deposit is refundable if you don't accept delivery of the car, I'd say "why not?"

RXhusker

I am a little over 6'2" and 275 lbs (yeah I know all the engineer's hard work reducing vehicle weight is lost on me) and had no problem sitting in the RX-8. In fact there seemed to be plenty of front leg room to spare. The first show car (Detroit) that I sat in had the manual seat and I couldn't seem to get the adjustment to go low enough for me -- the seat was initially adjusted so far forward and high that at first I though my dream car was going to be a bust!

Since I was a pre-order the Mazda rep let me sit in the display car with the power seats and they seemed to adjust to a lower (more head room) position -- plenty comfortable for me.

RotorGeek

My friend just put his TL in the shop for the transmission. I too need to go on a diet when I get this car.

RotaryStalker

I'm 6'4" and 215 with 35.5" legs.. A lot of cars I like are just sized a bit too small.

I did buy a '93 after sitting in it for about an hour. I went for it but soon found that if I drove it over an hour (no cruise in R1) the muscle on my right shin would begin to spasm. I'd have to pull over and massage my leg for 15 minutes every hour. Plus I found I couldn't crank the wheel past my left leg. My hand would force it to jam a little.

Regardless it was still a blast to own but knowing what I know now I wouldn't get another FD R1.

Bought seat extenders for my 84 GSL-SE and that worked well. Had more room in that by far then the FD.

I'm a little concerned about fitting well in the 8. It will kill the deal for me if it's too tight.

RotaryStalker

desmo996

My wife's car is a 300M. The car is two years old and it has been very reliable so far. The cockpit has an elegant design and has a lot of room for someone your size. It is a heavier car (3500 lb), but the HP and Torque (250 and 260 resp.) make up for it. You should test drive the 300M. We usually take this car for long trips, because it is so comfortable. For the price , you can't beat the 300M package (confort + performance).
The question is wether you want to compromise comfort for better performance and styling. I drive a 626 (figure that one out), and the fun factor increases with weight decrease. I like the 300M for a straight line out of the toll booths, but for regular traffic I prefer the 626. This is a difficult choice.

mathteacher

wow guys thanks for the input. I really feel like part of the group now.

The size issue is the only thing that worries me.

Rotarystalker: you bring up a good point. I want to enjoy my new 30,000 dollar car. I know it is not going to rommie by any means but I was hoping I would be able to find a comfertable position with the electric seats. Quick question what exactly do the seat extenders do? Allow you to move the seat further back?

I wish I could just find one to sit in and it would ease my mind!

desmo996 thanks for the info on the 300M it is nice to hear that the car has been trouble free for two years. I still like that car but I think I am falling in love with the style and performance of the RX8.

Thanks,
Mathteacher

Smoker

I'm not familar with the 300M, can you tell me what car is it ? thanks.

mathteacher

the 300M is a full size sedan made by Chrysler. If you go to there web page I am sure you can finds some pictures. However, from what I understand it is going to be replaced with the 300C. There are pictures of that on the web pages from the New York International auto show.

Mathteacher

rotarypower

cool. a math teacher with an rx-8. do you teach at a high schooL? cuz if you do i bet you'll be the envy of many students. :p

rxeightr

Here's what you should do:
Put a refundable deposit on the RX-8. When your dealer gets his 1st shipment in, go down & sit in one, as you will have to decide on your own if there is enough room for you.

mathteacher

High school in the summers and middle school during the year

mathteacher

Yeah I was thinking thats what I should do. I just want to make sure they don't jerk me around if I decide not to get it because I didn't feel right. Hey i see you are from Alhambra I am in Montebello have you ordered yet and where?

I called Alhambra mazda and they semmed like they were lost and that they might charge over MSRP.

Mathteacher

boowana

Welcome to the forum.

The best advice has already been stated; order one with a refundable deposit.

With that said, YOU DO NOT EVER HAVE TO PAY OVER LIST PRICE!!! There are plenty of dealers in your area. (You can go to http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/dealerSearchMain.action to find all the dealers in your area. Simply call them up until you find one that will accept your order at MSRP, will refund your $500.00 (max) deposit and has cars available in the first or second allotment that meet your needs. That's it!:p

RotaryStalker

Hi Mathteacher,

I had seat extenders for my 85 GSL-SE which is a first generation body style. The extenders bolted on the floor replacing the two rails (I think, long time ago) and allowed the seat to move back an additional 1.5-2 inches until the seat touched the storage compartment.

In the 93 R1 the seat touches the storage compartment anyway so there's no room for the seat to move back any further. Therefore, I doubt extenders for 3rd gen Rx's were ever made.

Not sure what will happen with the Rx-8. I guess it depends on leg room available. There's certainly room for the seat to move beyond it's maximum range since it's a 4 seater.

I loved the R1 so much that for a while I considered having my legs shortened.

RotaryStalker

rxeightr

Yea mon, I ordered the GT in 1st allocation from Bently Mazda in Huntspatch. !st one pre-ordered from there & dealed for MSRP.

Enough talking, go put that deposit down, and come back & tell us the good news !!

Puppy1

Alhambra Mazda told me the same thing, so I went with Irvine Mazda as they were only charging MSRP and that is where I was living at the time. I wanted to order from Alhambra mazda as that was where I would be living by the time the car came out.

Now I've got to go all the way down there to pick up my car. Should be a great ride back (keeping the rev's moderate)

StephenF

Too bad you missed the Mazda Rev It Up event in LA earlier in April. The RX-8 was there to sit in. Rev It Up is now on the east side of the U.S. Your timing was about a month off

-Stephen

pmacwill

6'1" with all these head problems? Your legs must only be 2 feet long.

BillK

Can't explain it.

As far as the legs go, they're long too, I take a 36" inseam jean and have had lots of problems with leg cramping in cars too - I really need seats with thigh support like BMWs have.

Just goes to show that no matter what the measurements say, you need to both sit in and hopefully test drive for over an hour any car you intend to buy.

The last few cars I bought were unintentially purchased largely for emotional reasons.

Thus the reason I have a 2003 and am still considering an RX-8 when they come out...

TybeeRX-8

When I ordered mine, the dealer said $1,000 deposit! I headed for the door, he asked what I would give him and i said $500. He took it. When the order was written up, it had a "Consumer Services Fee" of $299 added. I said "no". He took it off. So, I'm left with list plus taxes. Don't just settle!

G-man

If you look at the recent reviews and comparisons, you will find that Automobile Magazine rates the RX-8 as the same or more headroom and shoulder room than the BMW 330i 4 door sedan and more leg room than the new Nissan 350Z. Face it, there is going to be lots of room in this puppy. The low sloping hood should also be similar to that of the Acura NSX since the high fenders and low hood and lots of glass have that same effect.

While I haven't sat in the RX-8 yet, I have owned a number of BMW 3 series and I test drove the 350Z and I don't think you will have any problems. It really is a matter of if your height is in your legs or in your torso that makes the most difference. I am 6'-4" and about 245 lbs and I don't have any problems with any of them. While the Japanees are small, they realize that this car is as much for the US Market as anything else and that means 10 years of supersize McDonalds means before you can buy this car so girth our height is likely not to be a problem.

Puppy1

I think it has been pointed out before that when you are in the backseat you stare right into rather tall front seats, thereby severly limiting your passenger's view. Also the rear windows are tiny and only open an inch. I have sat in the car. Yes, it is more spacious than it looks, and there is more legroom than in my current 4 door sedan. However, this car is no sedan. There isn't much 'view' to go with the 'room.'

Don't get your hopes up too high, or you will be dissapointed. As for me the car is perfect. My passengers will be enjoying the ride of thier life no matter where they sit.