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Hey all, I recently got my first Porsche. a beautiful basalt black Carerra GTS. Here she is during my first drive in the mountains.
Love the car so far. Only complaint is shoulder pain I get while driving more than an hour or so. I have the 2-way manual sport seats. I'm a taller driver about 6'7'' but slim. The wings on the shoulder area of the seat really bother one of my shoulders. I've sat in my friends RS (pictured above) and don't think his carbon buckets don't have this issue.
I'm thinking about swapping out my manual sport seats for either some flavor of Recaro Sportsters or 991 GT2 carbon buckets from carnewal. I think the basic seats (sofas?) would work too since they don't have the wings. I've done a bunch of thread digging on this subject but curious if anyone has any comments or thoughts.
Cheers!
Last edited by gjenk; 09-28-2022 at 01:59 PM.
Reason: spelling
I’m 6’4” and 245lbs with broad shoulders. I floor mounted these, they are surprisingly comfortable. Not saying you’re gonna be doing cross country stints but they are comfortable enough for a day of spirited driving
I’m 6’8” and 250 lbs. I looked at cars with the sports seats and found them uncomfortable through the shoulders. I ended up with the standard seats and have taken long road trips very comfortably.
I’m 6’8” and 250 lbs. I looked at cars with the sports seats and found them uncomfortable through the shoulders. I ended up with the standard seats and have taken long road trips very comfortably.
I'm only 6ft but have broad shoulders and I found that my seats (Sport seats) were a little uncomfortable at first but I got used to it after a week or so. I drove 1800 miles over 3 days when I first got my C4S and on the first day I was thinking I need to change the seats. By day 3 I was settling in and not as uncomfortable.
Maybe get some more seat time before you make your final decision to replace.
6' 5" athletic slim 200 lbs here and also own a GTS Aerokit that came with the manual sport seats. I've since swapped for the sport buckets (same as those in your friend's' GT3 RS). So I have probably the best perspective you're going to get. Both seats I also find bring my shoulders forward equally but not to the point of noticeable discomfort and I've driven non-stop 12 hours in this car (yes stop for fuel, pee, snacks). If anything my butt falls asleep after 6 hours from the sport buckets.
The sofa seats IMO would be the best answer to address this. They're comparatively cheap, relatively easy to find, bolt on OEM and you wont lose a dime on them if you ever try to sell. If you really really really can't stand the sport seats then this is the route you should take. I will say that the sport seats are nice to have on spirited drives and I do really find them comfortable even for extended periods.
So comfortable in fact that I am sitting in one right now as I type this having converted my removed driver's seat to a desk chair in mid 2020 for my 50+ hr week desk jockey day job.
I have your car with 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats (***).
I am 6'4", down to 185 lb now (after falling to 165 due to some badass surgery 5 months ago).
Previously 195-205 depending on beer/beef/brat intake and exercise output over the years.
In my experience, having the adjustable upper and lower bolsters on the *** is the key to comfort for taller drivers.
(Not to mention the adjustable lower back bolster- both up/down and in/out. And the extendable thigh bolster can distribute *** (butt) weight more equitably = more comfort.)
My shoulders are not linebacker wide, but I have 44" chest, 36" sleeves and 19" neck.
On both my 997 and Macan GTS with the ***, I have zero complaints of shoulder, lower back or seat discomfort.
None.
Have road-tripped both cars extensively (12K in 997, 25K in Macan) with zero issues. Longest drives have been 8 hours with a long lunch.
You really have to sit in the base, *** and Sport Buckets to find out what works for you. Like shopping for a mattress, cannot do it online or with friend's advice.
Our bodies/physique and spinal condition make each of us a unique bio-mechanical machine. No matter what advice you get, YMMV.
Last thing- on both the Macan and 997, us taller drivers can find extra space between the pedals and floorboard/firewall affording full extension of legs (one at a time) on long stretches of interstate. Reduces the need to "get out and stretch".
Last edited by Liste-Renn; 09-30-2022 at 03:24 PM.
I'm thinking about swapping out my manual sport seats for either some flavor of Recaro Sportsters or 991 GT2 carbon buckets from carnewal. I think the basic seats (sofas?) would work too since they don't have the wings. I've done a bunch of thread digging on this subject but curious if anyone has any comments or thoughts.
Cheers!
Congrats on the GTS. Same car as mine, even the color but I don't have the wing. I've decided it's a keeper. Not looking to trade anymore. As for your question about seats, I don't know what the difference is between the 997 carbon buckets and the 991 buckets. If they're anything close to similar - just forward and aft adjustments - I can't see how the 991 carbon buckets will be a good fit for you being 4" taller than me. I have the 997 buckets and full aft I'm comfortable and love the feel they add to the car but if I was 1 or 2 inches taller I don't think I would be happy. I'm 6'3" and 187 lbs btw.
Of course, driver position preference comes into play here which is subjective. I don't like being close to the steering wheel which is why I have my buckets full aft. I could also stand a tad more tilt backwards. Just a little too upright for my likes but as I've said before, sliding a little forward in the seat compensates for this. There's also a solution using brackets on the floor mounts to make this adjustment. So in sum, the slide forward in the seat works for me but if I was taller I doubt it would be enough for an overall driving position I could live with.
If you’re anywhere near North Carolina, I have a pristine set of 18-way Comfort (no shoulder wing) seats, with heaters, just sitting in my garage. Yours if you want them.
Appreciate everyone's comments so far. My right shoulder is a little tweaked from a basketball injury a few years back, IMO that plus my height is whats causing the discomfort with these seats. In any case, I got out for a spirited drive this weekend and didn't feel as much discomfort as previous drives. So I'm going to spend some more time in the seat before making any decision.
Shout out to my fellow tall 997 folks and thanks again for all the advice and comments
Appreciate everyone's comments so far. My right shoulder is a little tweaked from a basketball injury a few years back, IMO that plus my height is whats causing the discomfort with these seats. In any case, I got out for a spirited drive this weekend and didn't feel as much discomfort as previous drives. So I'm going to spend some more time in the seat before making any decision.
Shout out to my fellow tall 997 folks and thanks again for all the advice and comments
good deal and seems like the 997 group can wreck havoc at the over 40 rec ball courts lol
If you’re anywhere near North Carolina, I have a pristine set of 18-way Comfort (no shoulder wing) seats, with heaters, just sitting in my garage. Yours if you want them.
Let me know.
I am in need of some seats if you still have them … shoot me a PM