Caleb goes to promote his Z3 undertaking automobile as a result of at 6’8” he doesn’t precisely match safely inside the confines of the automobile. He and his fiancé have a $12,000 finances for a zippy, guide transmission automobile that may accommodate a taller driver. What automobile ought to they purchase?
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Here is the situation.
Hi there! My identify is Caleb, and my present undertaking automobile is a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. My fiancee allowed me to purchase and maintain this Z3 below one situation: that I might you should definitely modify the seating place in order that my entire head is safely contained in the car’s security envelope. This poses a problem as a result of, at 6′-8″ tall, the top of my head ends about 4 inches above the top of the Z3’s windshield with the seat pushed all of the way down to the floor. All jokes aside about buying a convertible for the unlimited headroom, I have not found a solution and so I am going to sell the Z3. My fiancee and I would really like to find a fun, zippy, manual transmission car that I can fit in and that would be a great entry-level project car for us to drive on the weekends. We both drive fairly practical cars (Subaru Crosstrek and Ford Maverick), so we would really like our project car to be something a bit funkier and impractical. Budget is anywhere from $5,000 – $12,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: Up to $12,000
Location: King of Prussia, PA
Daily Driver: No
Wants: Funky, manual, zippy
Doesn’t want: Something with a low roof
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Mini On The Outside, Big On The Inside
This one is certainly a challenge, as most of your small, zippy cars aren’t designed for folks with taller frames. Even though I am a very average-sized dude, I have some personal experience that may point you in the right direction. I once owned a 2004 Mini Cooper S and found the interior way roomier than expected. When the car was up for its state inspection, I took it station where they checked the basic safety features tested for emissions and so on. The worker that was assigned to drive the car through the testing area was a very large man, I don’t know his exact measurements but he was well over 6-ft tall. I pulled the car up, got out, and left the door open. The man looked at the car, looked at me, looked at the car again, and said, “Sir, I dunno if I can fit in here.” I adjusted the seat to its lowest position, and this big fella sat down with an inch or so of headroom to spare, he looked around and said, “Well I’ll be dammed.” There is a whole internet forum dedicated to tall folks driving Mini Coopers.
Obviously, the Cooper checks your boxes of small, fun, and zippy. It is also certainly funky enough to be different. Minis aren’t known to be the most reliable, but you said this was a project car, and there is decent aftermarket support. You will definitely want an S model for the extra power, and finding decent examples under twelve grand shouldn’t be too hard. Here is a 2006 with only 40,000 miles in NJ for ten grand. It does have a minor accident in its history, but that tends to be something that was cosmetic.
Expert 2: Steve DaSilva – OK, Wait, Hear Me Out
Caleb, bear with me a second. I realize that your entire thing here is “accounting for your height,” and that you specifically said you didn’t want any low-roof coupes. I also realize that I am suggesting a low-slung, compact coupe. Here’s the thing: I think a Toyobaru will fit you great.
Despite its low, sleek looks, the Scion FR-S/Toyota 86/Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ is actually built to accommodate tall drivers. I, at six feet tall, could wear a helmet in mine with ample room to spare. Forum threads are full of drivers over six feet, even up to 6’7″, who match nice of their hachirokus — all due to the slight, however noticeable, bubbles within the roof over the entrance seats.
It is usually a little difficult to discover a clean-title Toyobaru in your finances, however there are alternatives on the market. Here’s one with a contemporary motor in Maryland, or you would attempt to discuss this one in Pennsylvania down by two grand. You’ll doubtless match nice in a bone-stock automobile, however there’s at all times the choice of throwing in some race seats for further room. Bride has some nice choices for the platform, which offers you all of the room you want.
Those choices are, in fact, one of the best a part of a undertaking automobile. You need one thing that’s not solely enjoyable to drive, however that may be wrenched on and modified. That means you want one thing with a robust aftermarket, and the Toyobaru twins (quadruplets?) have third-party assist in spades. See you on the FT86Club boards.
Expert 3: Collin Woodard – Risky Business
Unfortunately, Caleb, as I’m positive you’ve already found, discovering a zippy, enjoyable automobile with a guide transmission isn’t simple on a $12,000 finances. If you would probably spend just a little extra, you would at all times go along with this 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T. It’s the king of coupes for tall drivers, in any case, and it comes with each a guide transmission and a V8. Even in case you might stretch your finances to $16,000, although, I don’t know if it’s what you’d name “zippy.” Fun in its personal approach, sure, however not zippy.
It’s additionally most likely not one of the best candidate for a undertaking automobile. For a 10-year-old Dodge with 127,000 miles on the odometer, it’s in shockingly good situation. So I say let’s roll the cube. Let’s take a couple of dangers. My suggestion may find yourself being a horrible thought, but it surely additionally won’t be a horrible thought. You gained’t know till you deliver your new automobile dwelling and begin poking round.
You see, my precise suggestion is a Nissan 370Z. They have much more headroom and legroom than you may anticipate, so there’s a good likelihood you’ll truly match inside. And this specific 370Z is available in slightly below your $12,000 finances. Oh, and it additionally occurs to have a salvaged title. Normally, that will be your cue to run within the different route, however you stated you desire a undertaking automobile, proper? I don’t know what gremlins are hiding below the hood, however sorting them out can simply be a part of the undertaking. It’ll be enjoyable!
Source: jalopnik.com