I have a '04 Sport with cloth seats and manual transmission. For the last 2 months, I have been driving ~500 miles / week, often 4 hours at a time. (I love the looks the car gets on the expressway!) However, after about a month, I started to notice some shoulder pain in my right (shifting) arm. I think it is from my shoulder being pushed slightly forward by the edge of the seat. I'm 5' 6". Has anyone else noticed a similar problem? I love the way the car performs, but I'm concerned that if this continues I won't be able to keep it.

 

You're probably too close to the shift. Put an extender on the clutch pedal so you can move the seat back further and angle the back a bit more.

 

get an AT

 

I'm 5'6 as well but I have no shoulder problems. I've had my 8 for more then 2mths and have not even been sore. Maybe you should work out a bit . j/k

 

I am 5'10" and have had a similar problem. I am not in the greatest of shape but by no means huge. I do have larger than ricer shoulders though. If you raise the seat up, you can get your shoulders above the bulge area. This will be a little more comfortable but takes away head room. Being larger than average, I instead use a ~1" seat cushion to take out some of the jolts from the suspension. I love the car but it was not built for larger folks. Also try sitting a little closer to the steering wheel so you don't have to stretch as far. This is not as comfortable a car for me as my 626 or my MPV, but your body will get used to it. If this is your only car you may want to work out more to strengthen your muscles or consider trading in for a new Mazdaspeed6.

 

I have the leather seats and after about 800 miles on my car now I notice a spring sticking into my back...I can also hear it making a noise when I sit down. I'm a male that wts 175lbs so I'm not heavy. Anyone else with this problem.

 

I don't feel a spring unless you are talking about the bar in your lower back. My seat does creak when I first get into the car. It stops after a minute of driving. I figure something's loose or I'm just too heavy.

 

Longest continuous drive I've ever had in 3 months of driving was 2 hours. Very comfortable for me, never had any hint of shoulder or any other kind of pain. My back was a little sore one time, but I just had too much lumbar support. I'm 5'4" and 130 pounds. Maybe you are not resting your elbow on the center compartment and keeping your shoulder tense on long drives? I know I start feeling wierd in the shoulder when I use my computer mouse like that.

 

I drove the car for 12 hrs straight then rode in the pass seat for 4 hrs, then about a week later I drove the car for 15 hrs straight , no problems from either front seat, i have a touring so I also have the cloth seats. No problems to report yet. Im 5'10" 150lbs.