I'm about 5'7 inches and I have a short torso and long legs. After getting an rx8 it got a little way too uncomfortable and I started using a cushion. It helps a little bit and all. The automatic seats seriously suck, any opinons, suggestions? Plus I drive small and local 3-5 mile trips.

 

You've got the powered seats right? Did you explore all the options with the seat tilt, lumbar, back lean, and seat position?

I'm 5'-8 and got a pretty good position for most trips. Only time I had issues was with my knee getting really sore after a 4 hour drive..

I know my friend, who's also 5'-7, short torso and long legs, have issues with the passenger seat. He pulls the seat back all the way to get comfy.

 

I'm 5'4 and I've had similar problems in all my cars. Best I can tell you is to keep that seat back pretty close to upright and learn to use the clutch to the tip of your toes. I also put the front of the seat all the way up, with the back dipped down slightly - that seemed to help for some reason. It's also a big help to stay shoved back into the seat as far as possible to keep yourself from slouching. Sitting a bit closer to the wheel can bring you a bit higher too, but then you can get into questionable territory with the airbag.

To be honest, the 8 was probably the best car I ever owned as far as seat adjustments. I could always see out very well and I always sat nice and high. Just don't worry about "fashion over function" sit in a way that lets you see the corners of your car, that's what's important. Doesn't hurt that the seats get pretty comfortable when you sit in them as intended.

 

Um, short? You guys are tall. I'm 4'11'', seriously.

I keep the seat forward and clutch in with the ball of my foot. I used to keep the seat back a couple of notches and use my toes to floor the clutch, but that sucked. I worry about the airbag, but my mom was 4'6'' and got nailed by the airbag in her Miata with the seat all the way up and was OK (after she came to) so I don't think my head is going to come off from having the seat all the way up.

So, in short, quit your bellyaching. I'm way shorter than you and I can drive my 8 fine. I do sit on a cushion but I have it covered by a seat cover so no one can even see it. And you still sit higher than I do without a cushion and I can see fine.

 

pics or your 6 foot... lol jk

 

hmmmm.... Well, the car was built in Japan. The average Japanese fellow isnt going to be taller than you. If it works for them, should work for you, unless they use different seats for the US model.

 

LOL, I can prove it if you want me too, but I would have to drag someone else in to take the shot or post a family pic or something, and I don't want to do that.

Take my word for it, I'm that short, I have dwarfism actually. Metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, type Schmidt. I just look like a short dude though, you wouldn't necessarily know it was a medical condition.

 

I'm about your height and have no problem. I have the front part of the seat raised and the rear somewhere below that so I'm not sitting totally flat or pitched forward. I sit fairly upright and I try to push the seat back enough where I am using my toes on the clutch comfortably. With my arms stretched out, my wrists rest on top of the steering wheel. That is a good rough guide of how far you should be from the airbag (or around 10 inches away chest to airbag).

 

How is it possible to not find a comfortable position with the power seats? I'm one of the pickiest people I know in that aspect and I will admit it took me a month to get it right, but play around with it and you should find something that will be good.

If someone even touches my seat though it screws everything up and I'll freak out..

 

Well, I'll admit one thing.. the lumbar support doesn't push out enough for my preference. However, it's not such a big deal except for long trips =p

If it would only go a liiiiiittle further..

 

I think it's weird, I'm 6 foot 7 and I sat perfectly in my 8.

 

Im 5'7" and Im perfect in the correct upright position with the tilt flat and all the way down. I think you need to measure your height again u might be shorter than you think.

 

seriously, 5'7-8" ish and its hard not to be comfortable.

 

I think 5-7 to 5-8 is the perfect size intended for 8's afterall, I dont think JAPS are that tall, with that said I see some MIATA drivers that are like 6-6'6 and I have no idea how they climb into those tiny circus cars, maybe thats why they always drive with the top down (convertibles) or with the top off (hard top)

 

i'm 5'3.. honestly...the left side mirror is a major blind spot LOL.

 

I'm 5'8 and seriously, that isn't short. Just a bit lower than average. Now if you are under like 5'5... then you would be considered, you know, small. Don't wat the complaint is about the whole short thing with the people who are about my height.

 

I'm 5'8" ish and I guess longer legs and shorter torso. My chest is mayb 18 inches from the wheel. So when airbags deploy I'm dead. But I'm comfortable. I think it takes time. Took me a good few months to find my sweet spot.


I have a back condition too, I have Degenerative Disc Diease or Disorder whichever you call it. Which means I have the rapid degeneration of discs. I am one of the hardest people to make comfortable. The seats in my RX-8 are the most comfortable sitting I've been in.

The RX-8 is my first car(i'm 18). And other cars I've sat in I was discomfortable in.

You just need to play with the seats. They are poweredd with probably millions of combos of lumbar, back and seat itself.

 

I'm 5 foot 4. For the five weeks I've had the Ocho I've been tinkering with the seat because I can barely reach the clutch but if I move up too much I feel waaaay too close to the steering wheel. Not sure what to do to mess with it some more but I guess I should keep tinkering til it works.

 

Im not short, but i dont see how you guys think being short and being uncomfortable, im 6'1 and obviously have the seat all the way back but i think the 8 fits me very comfortably....this coming from a Celica, and Scion TC which was real roomy....

Although i just picked up my 8 friday, that day i took an 1 1/2 road trip and was comfy the whole way....

 

I thought I would beat you all, but I can only be 2nd now.

I am 5'2. I adjusted my seat right to the point that my knee slightly touch the front panel under steering wheel and yet left foot is comfortable with my clutch. I can use a bit more room on the knee. but all the manual car I drove are all like that because of my shortness. Juts have to get use to it.

 

5'4" here, perfectly comfortable. Actually, it seems like the perfect height for going to the track. I have JUST enough headroom with my helmet on.