Given the little community we’ve built here, it’s safe to say that we all want to experience more cars. Fast cars, slow cars, big cars, small cars, cars powered by electricity or gasoline or steam. Unfortunately, not all cars are built for all humans, and sometimes our dreams are dashed by ergonomic concerns. Today, let’s talk about times our dreams were dashed by physical limitations.
Oh, and not fitting in a car isn’t just for people who are tall and/or built sturdy. Sometimes, cars aren’t built for shorter people, or people with longer legs than torso, or people who are longer in their torso than their legs. To an extent, there are cars we all don’t fit in, it just is what it is.
Take the Dodge Stealth, for example. Its a fascinatingly quick bit of ’90s cool, but I just don’t fit in the damn car. I’m not especially tall, but in a state of recline that gives me a safe reach of the steering wheel, my head hits the headliner. I adore the car, but I’m genuinely unsure if I could own one an actually fit in it safely. Shame, that.
Likewise, I quite like the Lexus UX. It’s a brilliant little posh hatchback for the city, but my right knee is always hard up against the plastic center console, which makes longer stints behind the wheel unworkable. Another shame, because the UX is just like a CT200h but better. Who wouldn’t want to daily that?
So, what are some vehicles you don’t fit into? Be it ergonomic concerns or a simple lack of space, let’s hear about those cars that just aren’t compatible with you.
(Photo credits: Dodge, Lexus)
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I’ve never been a big Miata fan, though I love that they exist and I had thought of buying an NA when they were dirt cheap to convert it into a streamliner. Technically, I fit, but I find them uncomfortably cramped and I’m only 5’11” and slim, though with longer limbs (yeah, I know, guy who’s taller than Shaq and outweighs Andre the Giant, you fit very well in your BiL’s college roommate’s cousin’s Miata—good for you). On the flip side, I fit quite well in Saab Sonnets, which are much tinier cars (of course, older cars were far more space efficient for their footprints thanks to a lack of safety and not needing 40 computers that need to be jammed in). Since it’s old cars I much prefer, there really isn’t anything else that I can think of that I like, but don’t fit in that I’ve tried.
Yeah it’s weird how much the proportion thing matters, I’m 6’4 and fit quite comfortably in the e30 I used to daily even thought they’re tiny by modern standards.
I have a long torso so I struggle to get into my buddy’s lifted Cherokee. Also loads of convertibles have very low roofs.
Another long torso guy here. I’m taller when I sit down.
You must have a REALLY long torso, XJs have quite good headroom. More than most of my cars actually.
it is more getting in the door opening, fine once inside.
I have a long torso so I struggle to get into my buddy’s lifted Cherokee. Also loads of convertibles have very low roofs.
Another long torso guy here. I’m taller when I sit down.
You must have a REALLY long torso, XJs have quite good headroom. More than most of my cars actually.
it is more getting in the door opening, fine once inside.
Clown shoe. I’m 6’5″, so it’s not happening but I’ve always loved it.
Yeah I’m 6’4″ and only found out a couple weeks ago that I won’t fit in one comfortably. I was devastated it’s been my “some day” car for years
Clown shoe. I’m 6’5″, so it’s not happening but I’ve always loved it.
Yeah I’m 6’4″ and only found out a couple weeks ago that I won’t fit in one comfortably. I was devastated it’s been my “some day” car for years
Most vans, commercial or consumer, and some trucks. At a towering 5’7″ and legs on the shorter side of the body balance, I can’t get the seat low enough to adequately straighten my bad left knee. So any stint longer than about 15 mins behind the wheel starts to load up the knee to the point of distracting levels of pain and discomfort.
So many people have lamented the previous generation Taco for it’s leg-out, low seating position. But that’s exactly the setup I prefer.
Most vans, commercial or consumer, and some trucks. At a towering 5’7″ and legs on the shorter side of the body balance, I can’t get the seat low enough to adequately straighten my bad left knee. So any stint longer than about 15 mins behind the wheel starts to load up the knee to the point of distracting levels of pain and discomfort.
So many people have lamented the previous generation Taco for it’s leg-out, low seating position. But that’s exactly the setup I prefer.
At 6’5″ and all torso, there are many cars I don’t fit, namely any small Honda. The car I wish I fit into is the Miata, but I can’t if the top is up. Many cars with sunroofs are difficult too.
Surprisingly, my former wife’s 2015 Mini is fine. For a smallish car, they’re surprisingly roomy inside.
At 6’5″ and all torso, there are many cars I don’t fit, namely any small Honda. The car I wish I fit into is the Miata, but I can’t if the top is up. Many cars with sunroofs are difficult too.
Surprisingly, my former wife’s 2015 Mini is fine. For a smallish car, they’re surprisingly roomy inside.
I’m 6′-4″, and really wanted to daily a 718. -NOPE- There was no way. And a 911 is just way over what I wanted to spend. I ended up getting something much more sensible – an A4, and although I love this little car, I still put a longing hand on a window when I see a 718.
I’m 6′-4″, and really wanted to daily a 718. -NOPE- There was no way. And a 911 is just way over what I wanted to spend. I ended up getting something much more sensible – an A4, and although I love this little car, I still put a longing hand on a window when I see a 718.
I’m 6’4”, so the list is long. Starts with Miata’s though, grew up with them and drove my Dads all the time but actually owning one is a little harder proposition. Applies to plenty of great small classics and sports cars, all of which is unfortunate because I love small light cars. Currently have a BRZ which I “just” fit in and have been pretty happy so far.
I’m 6’4”, so the list is long. Starts with Miata’s though, grew up with them and drove my Dads all the time but actually owning one is a little harder proposition. Applies to plenty of great small classics and sports cars, all of which is unfortunate because I love small light cars. Currently have a BRZ which I “just” fit in and have been pretty happy so far.
I fit in a Viper, but not with a helmet.
I wish I had ignored that bit of a problem and bought one, because I don’t do track days anymore and helmet is now irrelevant to me.
I fit in a Viper, but not with a helmet.
I wish I had ignored that bit of a problem and bought one, because I don’t do track days anymore and helmet is now irrelevant to me.
High beltline cars drive me insane. I’m 5’4″ and more of that is legs than torso, so I simply can’t see out very well, which doesn’t feel particularly safe to me. The biggest offender I’ve been in for this is modern Camaros.
My 5’2″ wife agrees with you 100%! As does 6′ tall me, for the record.
Even at 6’2″ the Camaro felt like enough of a pillbox from the passenger seat that I wouldn’t want one.
High beltline cars drive me insane. I’m 5’4″ and more of that is legs than torso, so I simply can’t see out very well, which doesn’t feel particularly safe to me. The biggest offender I’ve been in for this is modern Camaros.
My 5’2″ wife agrees with you 100%! As does 6′ tall me, for the record.
Even at 6’2″ the Camaro felt like enough of a pillbox from the passenger seat that I wouldn’t want one.
I spent a lot of time in Gen-2 F-body rear seats back in the day, and those were terrible. But that was nothing compared to my buddy’s 944, which had a rear seat only suited to cats.
But we’re talking about the driver’s seat here, and I’ve identified my kryptonite. The vertical distance between my butt and my heels is critical; too much, and it translates into a knee angle that approaches 90 degrees. This is no bueno.
I spent a lot of time in Gen-2 F-body rear seats back in the day, and those were terrible. But that was nothing compared to my buddy’s 944, which had a rear seat only suited to cats.
But we’re talking about the driver’s seat here, and I’ve identified my kryptonite. The vertical distance between my butt and my heels is critical; too much, and it translates into a knee angle that approaches 90 degrees. This is no bueno.
I’m short by North American standards but dead on equal to the average Japanese adult male height. One of the advantages of that is that I’m yet to find a car I don’t fit in, even small Japanese cars. I was very comfortable in my Miata, even with the roof up. I’ve even driven a kei car once and while I did have the seat all the way back, a genuine first for me, I fit fine and didn’t find it really uncomfortable at all.
I’m short by North American standards but dead on equal to the average Japanese adult male height. One of the advantages of that is that I’m yet to find a car I don’t fit in, even small Japanese cars. I was very comfortable in my Miata, even with the roof up. I’ve even driven a kei car once and while I did have the seat all the way back, a genuine first for me, I fit fine and didn’t find it really uncomfortable at all.
As a 6’3″ tall guy with a long torso, the list of cars I don’t fit in is pretty long. If I’m sitting in the driver’s seat of an NA or NB Miata I have to choose between sitting up straight to see over the top of the windshield, or slouching to see through it.
Surprisingly I don’t fit comfortably in the passenger seat of a new RAV4. Twice co-workers have rented them for work events and I found my head uncomfortably close to the headliner, which I wouldn’t expect in an SUV.
As a 6’3″ tall guy with a long torso, the list of cars I don’t fit in is pretty long. If I’m sitting in the driver’s seat of an NA or NB Miata I have to choose between sitting up straight to see over the top of the windshield, or slouching to see through it.
Surprisingly I don’t fit comfortably in the passenger seat of a new RAV4. Twice co-workers have rented them for work events and I found my head uncomfortably close to the headliner, which I wouldn’t expect in an SUV.
As someone who is 6’6″ tall, when I’m car shopping, it’s not a question of what don’t I fit in, but what do I fit in? For starters, any Toyota with a sunroof (and some without) I just don’t fit.
That’s what the sunroof is for. Open it up, stick your head out and you’ll be just fine!
If only it was wide enough!
Ah, you need the 70’s solution, the beloved T-Top.
I was going to mention the old school aftermarket type pop out roofs. They didn’t really take up any additional space (and I preferred the sense of occasion that came from manually removing the panel that’s lost with electric roofs).
A lot of headroom problems would be solved if sunroofs were just a few inches wider. It is that harsh headliner jolt downwards in most cars that occurs right over your head that messes it up.
Yeah I hate sunroofs too man, haha.
As someone who is 6’6″ tall, when I’m car shopping, it’s not a question of what don’t I fit in, but what do I fit in? For starters, any Toyota with a sunroof (and some without) I just don’t fit.
That’s what the sunroof is for. Open it up, stick your head out and you’ll be just fine!
If only it was wide enough!
Ah, you need the 70’s solution, the beloved T-Top.
I was going to mention the old school aftermarket type pop out roofs. They didn’t really take up any additional space (and I preferred the sense of occasion that came from manually removing the panel that’s lost with electric roofs).
A lot of headroom problems would be solved if sunroofs were just a few inches wider. It is that harsh headliner jolt downwards in most cars that occurs right over your head that messes it up.
Yeah I hate sunroofs too man, haha.