roguiethegiant

Need some insight. I'm test driving 996' so I can learn preferences and know what I want come Springer thaw and more cars hit the market. But, I'm a 6'6" guy with big feet. I drove a 1999 coupe automatic the other day, fit just fine. Sadly, the other 996 that was manual at the dealer was in the shop, so I couldn't compare.

Does anyone who is tall have issues with leg/knee and/or footwell space issues with a manual?

And, I've read Targa's are a no go for tall people (though I much prefer this to a coupe). Any truth to that?

Any insight is appreciated

dkraige

There's so much variation in people's seating positions that I think the only way you'll know for sure is to sit in the car and judge for yourself if you're comfortable.

FWIW if you get a car with no sunroof you should gain a tiny bit of headroom.

TonyTwoBags

Center console delete is $220 and removes the section that can limit right knee space.

Gbug

I've seen referenced the fact that the supple leather option gives tall folks ever so slightly more headroom.

islandflyin

I think the targa is better. I have one and it seems like the roof is a little thinner being glass and not the headliner.

I am only 6'2" but appreciate the targa very much and have always thought it had a little more head room.

Petersa9

I'm 6'4" and 48" chest. I found that the supple leather does seem to give me more room, especially for height. My first 996 was a MY99 and I fit fine, but my MY03 C4S with supple leather is better. If you ever plan on racing make sure you can fit with a helmet on.

If it's a huge problem replace it with an aftermarket seat with a lower bracket. Where there's a will there's a way!

I will say I wish I had more leg room. When I operate the clutch pedal my foot never touches the floor. This took a little while to get used to, but I got it down.

Finally, get some racing shoes. You won't regret it!

gnat

Things I've heard related to height:

A unicorn sun roof delete will buy you an extra 1.5-2"

Manual seats supposedly give you a bit more too.

As has been mentioned, do the center console delete.


Overall, however, if you fit in the Tip, you'll fit in a 6MT with the same seating and sunroof options.

MiataR

Yup, I can confirm this one. While my car came with the unicorn dingle-berry magic already applied, there are certainly cases where folks have successfully deleted the sunroof from an optioned car (a quick search should be able to dig this up).

While this helps a bit, and I like the cleaner look without the lower console, it didn't impact legroom as much as I was hoping for.

roguiethegiant

This is all great info, especially on the targa (which I had kind of given up on).

Jorge Moreno

For extra comfort consider seat extenders...I'm 6'5" and this added 4" of travel and allowed for a slightly more tilted back which also benefitted headroom, my car has a sunroof

911Syncro

I'm 6'2" but not skinny and fit very well. I'll clarify that my car is Tiptronic with the supple leather (which is a surprise that this would have more space). The only part that seems a bit awkward is the foot rest -- my left leg seems to be angled to the right a bit more than is sometimes comfortable. I sat in a Targa a few weeks ago -- in the normal upright driving position the head room above the heard was good with space, but there wasn't enough space to the left. The Targa has "tracks" that allow movement of the top, and so the structure running above the driver's side window is thicker than on a non-Targa. If I moved my head a bit to the left, it would hit this thicker area where all of the mechanism is for the Targa top.

DaMann

My buddy drives my manual all the time and he's 6'9. He says he feels comfortable driving it. Well as comfy as a 6'9 dude is going to get in a sports car anyways!

Volkert

6'3, 99 manual with sportseats (!!) and no sunroof. Fit very well, sportseats you need to get used to a bit.

Volkert

thechileman

I am 6' 5", 250 pounds. I fit fine in my M6 Cab. Top up, or down.

5CHN3LL

6"2, size 13, rather husky, with not especially long legs. Seating position is no problem, but headroom is definitely tight. With a helmet on, if I slouch and keep my head in the cutout for the sunroof where there is slightly more height available, I fit. Without the helmet, I fit perfectly. When I sat up straight in my 986, the top of the windshield partially obstructed the view. The 996 is a better fit, but both are surprisingly comfortable for a large guy. I think you are going to have an issue with the height unless you have longer legs and an average-to-tall torso.

Also worth remembering is that the steering wheel in the 996 telescopes, but it does not tilt. If you are accustomed to using the tilt to work around your knees, you're SOL in the 996. The GT3 console delete offers a great solution to those of us who need more knee room than the non-tilting steering wheel setup provides. Sure, I drive a little bowlegged, but it works.