rsponholtz

Hi,
I'm a really tall guy (6'8", 36" inseam), and for some strange reason I like small cars. I've been wanting to buy a 911, but I wanted to check with the community on model and seat options. I've sat in a 997 (a 2007 model, I think) and fit ok, except for the center console. However, I'd probably be looking at an older model, mostly due to cost. Do you have a recommendation (model, seat & mount) on the best set up for both legroom and headroom, either for a 996? Any idea how much space I'd gain from a modified setup?

Surely there are lots of NBA players out there driving Porsches - how do they do it? Are there shops that specialize in that kind of thing?

BTW, I currently drive a BMW 3-series sedan and fit fine in it, with the seat all the way down and back.

Any other tall-ies out there who could send me some suggestions?

Thanks,
Ross

cardsrule

Ross,

I would look at a non sun roof coupe (really rare). We had one in the shop a little while ago and it made a big difference in head room. You could lower the seat mount on the chassis but it takes some work. We do it for all our BSR cars.
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/project/image/889/
Maybe someone else can give you some ideas about seats. I fit well in my 02 996, even with a helmet with the stock seats. I am long torso 6"5.

Scott

Dennis C

I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam. I fit easily into a 996 with a sun roof. I have a good friend who drives a 996 turbo cab who is 6'10" who has no problem. This car accomodates tall drivers very well.

Auto-X-er

Well I've been in a 3 series with a helmet and it was right against the roof and I have plenty of room in the 996, but then I'm not sure if the 3 series seat was all the way down.

As far as small sports cars, there aren't many that fit tall people. Many of the new subcompacts are better at accommodating taller people but that might not be what you had in mind. The 911 seems to always have been one made for taller people than other brands.

sheatley

This will help if you get a 996 but not a 997 to remove the center console:

http://www.suncoastparts.com/product...POTE996IN.html

It is called GT3 but it will work on the 996 to fill in the carpet portion after the console is removed. I could not stand the console pressing against my right leg.

thirteeneast

But he is 6'8 tall not wide?

Optical TDI

OP said center console bothered him. I too deleted mine and rerouted seat heater and targa top switches. Much more roomy.

Sue Esponte

Have you considered surgery?

Okay, seriously though, wasn't there a lowered seat option for the 996? Something like option code XSU, XSL or something. I think I remember coming across this in my car search. It wasn't relevant for me (I'm only 6'1", 32" inseam) but I think I remember seeing something about it. Maybe it was a different model. Good luck!

-Eric

rsponholtz

Hi! Thanks for the comments..

Today I test drove a 2001 model, and I fit, surprisingly ok. My shin hit the console in front of the shifter- with the console delete package, I should have enough room to put my legs. If the seat went back a little farther it would be better though - maybe I could move the rails back? Or, thinner seats would help some.

My head is really close to the headliner though. While it would be fine for street driving, I'd be really cramped with a helmet on (for track use, of course). Looking into aftermarket seats might be a good idea.

While we are at it, the car I looked at is a 2001 C2 with 27k miles (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2521578095.html). They have it listed for $29,995 which seems a bit high to me - using the "high" value from the excellence magazine price guide (http://www.excellence-mag.com/resour...ide/1041874889) plus 10% for low milage gives me $24860. The current owner says there have been no IMS or RMS issues, but said that a head gasket (or something) was replaced due to some smoking. I was planning to take the car to the shop that I've used, and the PO says has maintained the car for a PPI..

Thoughts?

jyoteen

I would think that you need a few things.

1. sunroof-less coupe

2. manual seats (don't power seats add height?)

3. some sort of smaller steering wheel since 996 coupes have very little in the way of adjustment of the steering wheel distance/rake.

4. gt3 center console delete.


I'm sure you can weld in lower seat rails. Spec Miata guys have seats that are on the actual floor if they're tall. Also look at aftermarket racing seats that have lower mounting systems.

knfeparty

The 996 has great headroom compared to BMWs and other similar sized cars. You can get special seat mounts to bolt a racing-style seat (like the euro gt3 seat) directly to the floor without sliders. I did this in my bmw and it added about 3" of headroom.

Of course any GT3 or other sunroof-delete car would add about an inch too.

You can always get a cabriolet?

function12

I am 6'4" with a 36" inseam. I have had a 996 with no issues and now have a 997tt and no issues either.

Bluc4

i find them really spacious, i am 6'5 and fit in no problem

gieseja

I did the gt3 console delete - cheap, easy and helped quite a bit.

Then my mechanic installed a recaro profi xl seat. Custom install - seat is super low, slides all the way back and still uses the factory belt.

Pac996