How far do you sit back from the steering wheel?
 

For srs, yo.

I've driven with and driven a couple of buddies cars and I noticed that even though they're all about my size (6'), they all sit really close to the steering wheel. Meanwhile, I sit as far back as the Miata seat goes. I have no problem reaching anything.

How tall are you and how far back do you sit? For reference, I'm about 2 feet away from it, I don't think I'd get close to it or the airbag in a crash.

5'8 and almost all the way back

Straight arms

Since I have long arms, and the Miata is so small, I drive with the seat about 3/4 - 7/8 back on the rails, and full tilt until it hits my seatbelt brace thing, then move it up a half of an inch so it won't squeak. Have a proper angle at the elbow, and the pedals are close enough that it's not a reach, not that it could be at 6' with long legs, but far enough away so that my knees aren't all under the dash.

You should be able to set your wrist on the top of the steering wheel and still have a bent elbow. Try that in your current seating position and report back.

Having said that, I do the same (seat all the way back) because my legs wont fit otherwise. I scoot the seat up for fun driving off the street (and my feet get all tangled up but atleast I can steer).

Arms at about 90* when holding the wheel at 9 and 3. Close enough that i can put my wrists on top of the wheel when I am strapped in the harness.

I used to sit really far back:

Attachment 199681

but getting into cars made me move a little closer to reach the clutch. My current seating position is a lot closer, but my ideal position is fully extended legs and arms at a 90 degree angle at 9-3 position. Requires that you bring the wheel 2"+ towards you in most cars, though.

I think I may move it back from here, just because my legs are a little more bent than I like. Everything else is perfect, though.

Attachment 199682

damn wayne beat me to it. FWIW i have 45mm of spacer on my steering wheel to get it where i like it.

Having the wheel close also makes driving a depowered rack w/ 6* of caster easier.

so does 3.5* of caster ;) Try it, you'll love it.

Either my alignment is fuxxored, or my smaller diameter wheel has made turning while stopped on pavement pretty damn tough. I need to do something about it. Otherwise while rolling it's no issue. Turning in a parking lot while stopped I look like I'm crazy in there cranking on the wheel like I'm opening a rusty bulkhead door. :giggle:

I am 6'4" so all the way back arms bent. I hike the back up when i auto cross, but i am usually fully reclined. The legs are long too, so its like sitting in a go kart.

No problem at all. If I try to follow what people are saying about 90 degrees at 3 and 9, this happens:
Attachment 199679
I feel like I would smash me knees into the dash if I drove like that.

Just out of curiosity, anyone crashed a Miata and had airbags? Or even crashed one without if you sit like I do? I'm tempted to get rid of the air bag, since I don't think it would even do anything for a tall person if I crashed, but I'm hesitant.

I'm this far back:
Attachment 199680
And I really don't feel like I would hit it at all.

Depends on my footwear. Barefoot I'm closer than with work boots on, for example. If I sit too far back it's -that much- harder to not fully press the clutch, which is bad with the low-engaging ACT.

Depends on if I'm driving seriously or just chillin'. Chilling= far back as possible, seriously=chest about 1.5 feet from wheel.

BTW

Has anyone noticed that in general, WOMEN SIT REALLLLLY FUCKING CLOSE TO THE DAMN STEERING WHEEL????

This is my guess as to why "airbags kill women". Because they're fucking stupid and the airbag explodes into their chest.

5'4", Barely see over wheel!!!

I sit so that I can lean forward and lick the windshield seductively as I pass the hotties.
Girls or boys, I take what I can get.

HAHAHAHA good shit!!!

Im 5'8" and I have the seat 2 notches from all the way back and I also have a steering wheel with a 1.5in spacer after all the adapers and quick release is on. It is the most comfotable driving position of any car I own.

close as fuck

http://www.boostedmiata.com/gallery2.../googlemap.jpg

http://gallery.y8s.com/d/21625-2/scott_011-rsz.JPG

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/...142b4c25_o.png