Cal Club Autocross Forums

Be sure you're looking at models *without* a sunroof.

Everyone keeps saying that, but I've sat in them with my helmet on and I feel like I have enough clearance. I'm 5'10", so not really that tall. They're so much harder to find without sunroofs. Both of the ones that I'm looking at right now have sunroofs.

Jeff Stuart wrote:Everyone keeps saying that, but I've sat in them with my helmet on and I feel like I have enough clearance. I'm 5'10", so not really that tall. They're so much harder to find without sunroofs. Both of the ones that I'm looking at right now have sunroofs.

Don't do it - I'm 5ft 8 and driving KJ's sunroof car was a miserable experience.

Jeff Stuart wrote:Everyone keeps saying that, but I've sat in them with my helmet on and I feel like I have enough clearance. I'm 5'10", so not really that tall. They're so much harder to find without sunroofs. Both of the ones that I'm looking at right now have sunroofs.

Its a mistake. Less head room, and count on 50-80lbs more weight (depending on if its a sport with sun roof or a GT).

But we know from your past purchase you like to have the wrong car. :unimpressed:

You should easily be able to find a hard top 2005+ for under $15k. On the other hand... As you seem to not care about getting the right car, you should PM Jason Munchoff from SD. He has a blk GT with Konis, exhaust and the unobtainium SSR comp wheels. I am sure for the right price he would sell.

Max Hayter wrote:
Don't do it - I'm 5ft 8 and driving KJ's sunroof car was a miserable experience.

That would not have been because you were so slow?

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:

Max Hayter wrote:
Don't do it - I'm 5ft 8 and driving KJ's sunroof car was a miserable experience.

That would not have been because you were so slow?

That didn't help

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:

Jeff Stuart wrote:Everyone keeps saying that, but I've sat in them with my helmet on and I feel like I have enough clearance. I'm 5'10", so not really that tall. They're so much harder to find without sunroofs. Both of the ones that I'm looking at right now have sunroofs.

Its a mistake. Less head room, and count on 50-80lbs more weight (depending on if its a sport with sun roof or a GT).

But we know from your past purchase you like to have the wrong car. :unimpressed:

You should easily be able to find a hard top 2005+ for under $15k. On the other hand... As you seem to not care about getting the right car, you should PM Jason Munchoff from SD. He has a blk GT with Konis, exhaust and the unobtainium SSR comp wheels. I am sure for the right price he would sell.

I had very little choice with the Cougar. I was 15, and my dad got it for me mainly because he got it for 0% financing. It's not that I don't care, I just have different priorities. This is going to be my daily driver, not just a toy to play with when I go autocrossing.

It is clear that the headroom issue is a serious one though, so I'll continue looking for one without a sunroof.

I'd hold out and find the perfect non-sunroof car. You'd kick yourself if you got beat by 0.07 sec. and think, "If it wasn't for the weight of this #*&)#@& sunroof...!"

Then again, if you're one of those people who actually likes a sunroof, then go for it!

I bought my MR2 because I have a penchant for oddly styled mid-engine cars (owned a 914 before), and I don't even like convertibles that much. The only time the top's down is when I autocross.

--Doug

Jeff Stuart wrote:It is clear that the headroom issue is a serious one though, so I'll continue looking for one without a sunroof.

just bring your helmet w/ you when you go check out cars ;)

Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:

Jeff Stuart wrote:It is clear that the headroom issue is a serious one though, so I'll continue looking for one without a sunroof.

just bring your helmet w/ you when you go check out cars ;)

I did when I test drove this one, and I had maybe 3/4 of and inch to one inch of clearance, but moving my head to the left would pretty quickly result in the helmet hitting the roof to the left.

I'm 5'9" at best and don't fit in KJ's RX8 with helmet! But I also have a problem in the Vette ... short legs mean I have to sit close'ish to the wheel.

Mako Koiwai wrote:I'm 5'9" at best and don't fit in KJ's RX8 with helmet! But I also have a problem in the Vette ... short legs mean I have to sit close'ish to the wheel.

I'm about 6' and with a helmet on, I fit in my motorhome and that is the only closed auto.... Andy Hollis got in my Mustang and had to slide the seat back to fit. After the cone clinic run, I asked him how tall lhe was---5' 7" was the answer--subtract about an inch for valve spacers and he is about a half-foot shorter with longer legs----

I understand your plight Mako.....

Don

Well, I'm convinced. I've told the two people I was talking to that I'm no longer interested, and I'm continuing my search.

Don Salyers wrote: Andy Hollis got in my Mustang and had to slide the seat back to fit. After the cone clinic run, I asked him how tall lhe was---5' 7" was the answer--subtract about an inch for valve spacers and he is about a half-foot shorter with longer legs

ROFTLMFAO

Why Andy is the runner and Don is the coach.

Seems like fate that you're parting with the Mercury, as Ford dropped the ax on the division today. R.I.P.
Or will you keep it?

--Doug

Not planning on keeping it. I'll definitely be driving it at the Divisional though. I only have one parking space, otherwise I'd think about keeping it.

The search has ended!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Jeff.M.Stua ... 6779870898

Sunroof free, and for a price I'm happy with.

Cool! Congrats!

Awesome! The world has been watching and waiting! So does this mean a new ride for the Divisional? 'Cause I'm kinda lookin for someone to co-drive with. HAHA.... jk... Congrats, bud.
Mark D.

Nice, Jeff! Drive it with the same determination you've shown with the Cougar and you'll be a front-runner in no time!!

--Doug

Sharp! Looking forward to seeing you slinging it around. What's your schedule for proper tires? Z1's ... I think that's what KJ likes ... although perhaps those new Hankooks are even better. Cheaper ?

Has the latest RX8 body been redesigned? There is a brand new one parked down the street and it seems lower and sleeker

Mako Koiwai wrote:Has the latest RX8 body been redesigned? There is a brand new one parked down the street and it seems lower and sleeker

Yeah...for model year 2009 there was a styling "refresh," as they say in the biz, where the sheet metal stays pretty much the same but all the plastic bits are tweaked. Racier, more angular front facia, outboard ducts reshaped, have horizontal slats with turn signals above them, new wheels, etc. etc.

Mako Koiwai wrote:What's your schedule for proper tires? Z1's ... I think that's what KJ likes ... although perhaps those new Hankooks are even better. Cheaper ?

I was planning on Z1s, but I'm trying to decide what wheels to get before I order the tires. I think I'm going to give the Cougar one more go at divisional, I'd really like to get a practice in before I do championship runs in the RX-8.