My long journey to find an RX8 to sit in final ended today! My major question has always been, Will I fit in this sweet car! The answer is YES!!!! I am 6’4’’ and weigh about 230lbs. Just to give you a visual, I played QB in college and I would say I have gained about 10 pounds since my playing days ended. When I buy pants I get a 38 inch waist with a 34 inch inseam. I have read the long torso debate earlier in regards to head room so I wanted to give my measurement. The cool thing is I Did fit in the GT package which we all know has the sunroof. Now don’t get me wrong I didn’t have tons of room to spare but my head certainly didn’t touch the top! I would say there was about ½ inch to ¾ of an inch to spare. I did sit in the non sunroof car and of course I had an extra inch inch and a half in that one.

Leg room was a surprise both good and bad! For me I was impressed with the leg room for the driver. However, No one will be sitting behind me. It is very tight behind my seat when I had it adjusted to where I felt comfortable. My wife and I were a little disappointed with the room in the back because we will have to fit a car seat back there in the next couple of years when we decide to start a family. However, I know one of our fellow forum members in Japan has a car seat in the back so it must be possible. One thing for sure is it has to go behind the passenger because it is not fitting behind me.

Well this is getting a little long winded so if you have any specific questions just post them and I’ll try and answer them to the best of my ability.

Lastly, I must say the car is beautiful. Pictures do not do the car justice. From what I understand, the ones I was looking at were pre production so I am sure the production ones are even more stunning in person. The Red color is breathtaking. It really is making me think twice about my titanium order. But to be fair the only two colors that were there were red and yellow. So I can’t abandon my titanium yet! Who know when it will get here but seeing the cars today for the first time has made me even more anxious which I thought was impossible.

Congrats to all that have your cars already!

Mathteacher

 

Glad to hear that you can fit in the car.

Hopefully you will get your car soon. And I wouldn't worry about the color because no one has seen a color they didn't like.

 

thanks for the head room info, makes me more confident that i'll fit. what did you think of the yellow?

 

I too had second thoughts about the Titanium when I saw the red. During the 4th of july weekend I came across a Shisen (Cant spell it) Miata with the Titanium. it was amazing stick to your color choice. I 'm glad I did.

 

Edge,

I thought the yellow looked pretty good. To be honest, I am not big on yellow cars so I don't know if I am a good judge. with the yellow sitting right next to the red it didn't have that sparkle like the red does but that is becasue they are different types of paint.
Mathteacher

 

mathteacher,

Just wondering were you able to extend your legs while sitting in the car? I'm close to 6'3" and like to stretch my legs on long drives. I was close to being able to do it in the 350z. I hope I'll be able to in the rx8. I'd rather have the RX8 with the suicide doors with 4 seats. I appreciate any insight you have.


The General

 

Mathteacher:

Where did you find the preproduction cars? I thought they were all over the US now and nowhere near L.A.

I'm glad you fit. This week I should be getting my titanium baby so we'll go for a spin and you can check out the color. I too had second thoughts about the color when I saw the red. I don't blame anyone for changing to it. The only reason I didn't was the miss match between the red leather and the red paint. See below:

 

I sat in the 2 pre-production RX-8s when I was in the Rev-It-Up in Dallas. I am 6'3" with long legs(inseam 36"). The driver seat is very comfortable for me. But like what mathteacher said, probably nobody can seat comfortably behind me except for kids. This is also one of my concern. I recalled JSG also mentioned he had a car seat fits in his RX-8. I have a 3-month old and I don't think the infant car seat I have will fit behind me. The booster seat for 20lb and up will probably fit fine since those car seats sit up-right. I won't be in the market for a new car until next year, so I guess it would be okay. Besides, I still have to convince my wife to let me buy another stick shift while I am still keeping my 1 gen miata

 

Hey Mathteacher,

Tell wifey this is the perfect starting-a-family-car. It is stylish, modern and sports for the parents, and just enough room for 2 car seats in the back. Sure it is not enough for 8year olds or adults, but perfect for a car seat or two. I am a Pediatrician with a wife and 2yr old child, we have one on the way. We though this was a perfect fit for the 30something new couple with a small infant/toddler family. Forget the MINIVAN, take the RX8-- you other car can be a traditional family car (if you want one in a couple of years.) Furthermore, if price is an issue, try not to get every option and stay away from the port-installed accessories and get an below MSRP deal. BTW, the average sedan cost over 20,000 now and the average MINIVAN 25,000.


Just my opinion.

I will post pics of my happy kid in the back when I get my in the next week or so.

 

I'm still reserving a bit of judgement as though I have long legs (38" inseam) most of my height is apparently in my torso as my hair scrapes the head liners of many vehicles, including the pre-production RX-8 I got to sit in at the Denver Auto Show. (I can fit in many of these vehicles, but not without tilting the front seat back like a recliner...)

I hope to hear from my dealer this week, so I should be able to post a final answer regarding my fit for others with a long torso build...

 

Puppy1,

The guys down at Tustin Mazda gave me a call last week and said they were going to have in 2 rx8's this weekend. Honestly I didn't believe them but when I drove up to the lot this weekend my jaw just about hit the floor. There they were sitting in the front of the dealer looking beautiful! I am not sure if they are still there but If you get a chance to stop buy it is quite a site.
BTW I can't wait for that spin. I sure hope you get yours this week! Good Luck!

General Patton,

I was very close to being able to extend my legs all the way. I am sure you won't be disappointed with the leg room. The only thing I wish was the wheel was telescoping because when i did have the seat all the way back i felt like I was reaching a little.

RotorRooter,

I agree with you a 100%. I think it is an awesome starting a family car. I know we won't have any issues when the car seats are facing forward but I am a little concerned with them rear facing. I would love to see some pics if you get a chance once you get yours. JSG if your still out there, help us out with a picture.
BTW my wife and I have made a pack to never get a minivan

 

RotoRooter , yes, please post pictures with your kid (with car seat) in the back. I can show that to my wife
My wife have one more issue about getting another car with stick shift. I injured my right wrist last month and couldn't drive stick shift for 2 weeks. Now she said maybe we shouldn't get another stick shift in case that happen again, we will be left with one 1 car(an automatic) to drive. We currently have a CR-V, Jetta VR6(both auto) and a Miata. It is the Jetta that I want to replace with the RX-8. Hmm, not sure what to say. I think I will let it cool off a bit.

 

To even further reassure you.. I am 6'2" and sat in the pre-production model at the Dallas Rev-it-up and just sat in the production model this morning. The production model has at least .5 in. greater headroom than the pre-production version. I am able to extend my legs (36" inseam) with a slight bend. The stearing wheel clearance is close but am able to just get my legs underneath without touching the wheel with my legs bent.

P.S.- I don't know if it is just my imagination or if it was the way the sun was hitting the car, but the red looks even better on the production model. It is simply gorgeous!!

 

There is a slight problem with a reverse facing car seat. As most of you know, car seats need to be reverse facing until an infant is 1year of age AND 20lbs or more. The way the car's rear seats are bucketed for comfort and headroom pose a small issue. You have to first place a pillow on the rear seat, then place the rear facing carseat and strap it down, be sure to jam it in good and tight by pushing your weight on the car seat with your knee while securing it. The pillow will actually help protect the leather in the rear seats nicely. You have to actually take the 8 to babies r us and buy a few car seats, walk out to the car and fit the best one - return the rest immediately. I did this with my current car, and i am happy with the results. After I get the car, I am going to do this right away and I will post the perfect car seat for the vehicle. As far as toddlers go, it is perfect . . . open the rear doors and watch with pleasure as the little one just hops right in, we did this at the rev-it-up in ATL, it was a huge hit. I am 6foot and my kid fit behind me chillin' in his car seat.

 

RotorRooter,

Sounds good I can't wait to see the pictures. Yeah, I figured the front facing car seats and booster seats should be fine. It is just when they are little and it has be rear racing that worries me. Someone mentioned one time that if you could deactivate the front air bag you could put them in the front but that sounds hectic and a little crazy. Well I sure hope you get your car soon so I can see those pics. Good Luck and thanks for the info.

Mathteacher

 

Didn't mean to turn this thread into a child safety thing. I am just wondering is side curtain airbag safe for infant/toddler? I heard that some cars have their side curtain airbag deactivated at delivery. You have to activate it if you choose to.
RotoRooter's suggestion is great. While you try out the car seat, you may want to check if the stroller will fit in the trunk.

 

Actually with the rear facing child seats we have to move our passenger seat up in our wagon, so it would not be unreasonable in the 8 as well. that's why we don't put the rear facing one behind the driverside seat.

in terms of the front seat, we used to let my son ride in his car seat in the the Miata, just made sure to turn off the air bag first. rear seat is no doubt safer, but . . .

don't forget we survived years without child car seats, air bags, seat belts, etc.