Anyone else have trouble finding a comfortable seating position? (MS3)(tall/big)

[elderlycoffee]

I actually found the optimum positioning yesterday.

 

[major error]

The one thing I noticed about my positioning is that I can relax my right elbow toward the front edge of the storage compartment while still being able to shift. My upper arm points nearly straight down at that point...

...but then I try not to slouch in the seat, so that might have something to do with it. Good posture is important!

FWIW, the process I went through is as follows:
-set seat back to straight up
-set overall distance front/back so leg is bent at knee maybe 30-50deg (from straight)
-(discovered seat height lever at this point) dropped to lowest setting
-barely disengage lock on seat back to allow for only a small amount of recline
-unlock steering, pull all the way out; align top edge with arched visor over instrument cluster.

I have to admit that it's just a bit of a stretch for me to reach the steering wheel, but that's because I've spent the last 8 years in a '94 Ranger that had a fixed steering wheel and no airbags. Now that I have them, I wanted to make sure it was aimed mostly toward the upper body & head than into the gut
The whole 10 o'clock/2 o'clock thing was a learning experience too--I miss the old Ford steering wheel (and barely needing to raise my arms to steer)...

 

[bast525]

Update:

Been driving the last few days with my back pockets empty (someone suggested my wallet might be causing the discomfort).

I also tried removing the kick panel on the side of the center console, the one my foot would rest against when it was on the throttle pedal.

Neither of which has helped the issue at all.

I really want to love this car but anything over 20 mins gets painful.

 

[stopsign]

Seating position for me is adaptable. Im 5-11 and 150
Just curiously asking a majority of the post up are those either having a problem with thier new MS3 or just not liking it (not what they expected it to be). Do most of the MS3 owners enjoy having this car?

 

[Vixen]

Seating position for me is adaptable. Im 5-11 and 150
Just curiously asking a majority of the post up are those either having a problem with thier new MS3 or just not liking it (not what they expected it to be). Do most of the MS3 owners enjoy having this car?

As it's been said before, forums are a sure fire way to find out what people hate about a vehicle. It doesn't mean that that is the majority speaking. Without getting everyone who has bought one to vote in a poll, it's hard to say if most enjoy the car.
If I had to vote I would say I thoroughly enjoy the car and it is everything and a little more than I expected it to be.

 

[Mspeed3]

6-4 225lbs- I would agree about the brake and gas pedal being to the right and too close to each other. But I am comfortable driving, I have the seat all the way back and the seat leaned back a little.I have to say I usually lean to one side a little and for the most part drive with one hand on steering wheel. Its the way I've always driven, but everyone is different so do what works for you.

 

[clos561]

im 5'6 and everything seems good for me...took me a while but you gota jsut keep moving the seat around while ur driving to find what is right for you...sometimes my left foot hurts from the clutch but thats about it..and eya my right knee rubs the center console alot of times

 

[Hypnotized]

Im 6-2 215 and I very comfortable in this car. I have my seat set to the lowest level and the seat is back far enough so i can hit the clutch with my heal on the floor and havent had any issues.

 

[alien1979]

Update:

Been driving the last few days with my back pockets empty (someone suggested my wallet might be causing the discomfort).

I also tried removing the kick panel on the side of the center console, the one my foot would rest against when it was on the throttle pedal.

Neither of which has helped the issue at all.

I really want to love this car but anything over 20 mins gets painful.

Is it time for some Sparcos or the like? I am genuinely sorry you are having trouble. Between your leg problem and my having to keep taking my car in for stuff thats breaking, I wonder how long any of us will keep these things. If the car wasnt such a blast to drive, I would be pissed.

 

[bast525]

I do actually LIKE the car and enjoy driving it. My only complaints are the seating and a couple rattles in the dash and front passenger door (after only 900 miles!!!).

Other than that I am not dissapointed with the car at all. Compared to my last car (Dodge SRT-4) it gives up a little and gains a bit more than what it gives up. Power/acceleration are great, handling, steering and braking are excellent, I'm loving the utility of the hatchback, the Bose stereo/speakers (GT)... so far really I do like the car but this comfort issue is a BIG issue considering I'm the type to take long road trips regularly.

I seem to be getting closer to an acceptable seating position though... or I am adjusting to the car slowly... I don't know... but as I adjust and adjust I seem to have gotten slightly more comfortable and can drive longer now before I get sore. I have to say though... if it weren't for Cruise Control I would be SOL. In street driving, as long as I keep my feet/legs moving I seem to be able to tolerate it longer.

 

[knowledge007]

I see...maybe we need to start modding so you can get your mind off it for good....hehe

 

[bast525]

yeah I want to get the MS CAI as soon as possible. Probably not going to do anything else to it though at least not for a while. Though yeah at this point I am considering swapping the seats for some aftermarket seats!

 

[clos561]

I do actually LIKE the car and enjoy driving it. My only complaints are the seating and a couple rattles in the dash and front passenger door (after only 900 miles!!!).

Other than that I am not dissapointed with the car at all. Compared to my last car (Dodge SRT-4) it gives up a little and gains a bit more than what it gives up. Power/acceleration are great, handling, steering and braking are excellent, I'm loving the utility of the hatchback, the Bose stereo/speakers (GT)... so far really I do like the car but this comfort issue is a BIG issue considering I'm the type to take long road trips regularly.

I seem to be getting closer to an acceptable seating position though... or I am adjusting to the car slowly... I don't know... but as I adjust and adjust I seem to have gotten slightly more comfortable and can drive longer now before I get sore. I have to say though... if it weren't for Cruise Control I would be SOL. In street driving, as long as I keep my feet/legs moving I seem to be able to tolerate it longer.

when i first had the car lol i would hear what sounded like plastic snapping and i sware to god i thought i was fuckn insane driving this thing but i gues cuz it was new and i was driving it hard (of course) the plastics moved around or some s***...but it took me a while to get comfortable...i adjust while im driving on non busy roads...moving sterring wheel, seat height , recline..takes time and my back hurt me so muuch at first because i was used to slouching in my 04 3 and this one i am upright

 

[ForceRecon]

I'm waiting for my Speed3 to come in. I'm trading in a Toyota FJ Cruiser with 6K miles on it straight accross. The reason I'm getting rid of the FJ is this exact problem. I've delt with it long enough and after going on a three hr. road trip I was done. Couldn't stand up straight or hardly walk.
Rented a Mazda3 (Standard) for two weeks while in Vegas. Liked everything about the car. Had NO issues with the seating. I'm 6'2"@260lbs. Found out they make a Turbo version and I put my order in last week. Found this forum a day ago.

 

[Rotus8]

I'm waiting for my Speed3 to come in. I'm trading in a Toyota FJ Cruiser with 6K miles on it straight accross. The reason I'm getting rid of the FJ is this exact problem. I've delt with it long enough and after going on a three hr. road trip I was done. Couldn't stand up straight or hardly walk.
Rented a Mazda3 (Standard) for two weeks while in Vegas. Liked everything about the car. Had NO issues with the seating. I'm 6'2"@260lbs. Found out they make a Turbo version and I put my order in last week. Found this forum a day ago.

You will find the speed seats MUCH different than the standard 3 you rented. I had a standard one for a couple of days while my speed was having some warranty work and the seats and seating position are night and day. I suggest you drive a speed before you make the final committment on the speed to be sure you don't have the same problem.

 

[ForceRecon]

You will find the speed seats MUCH different than the standard 3 you rented. I had a standard one for a couple of days while my speed was having some warranty work and the seats and seating position are night and day. I suggest you drive a speed before you make the final committment on the speed to be sure you don't have the same problem.

Wow, Didn't know that! No dealers here have one to look at or even test drive. They are all sold before they arrive at the dealership. I'm going there today and ask the Sales Manager to cotact some buyers to see if I can take a ride with them and check out the seats. Thanks for the heads up on this guys!

 

[Stamperman]

Im' 6'-3" and about 310 lbs. No problems in my MS3. I did have a regular 3 hatchback with the leather interior before this car and the MS3 took me a bit of fiddling to get the position right , but no problems after I figured it out.

I tend to sit straigher up than most people. 18 years of Auto-xing teaches you to sit so that you have the best leverage on the wheel, sitting that way may make a difference as it seem most people sit with the top of the seat laid further back than I do.

 

[Kansei]

i can tell you what it is, i had the same thing after a 30mins testdrive ^^
it's the part of the middle console you will touch with the right part of your shinbone/lower leg. it's so badly shaped, it will penetrate the area below the knee where the nerves go down the leg, it will make you walk like a cripple within no time...

when i experienced this during the testdrive, i knew i would never buy a mazda 3, simply because a design failure like this clearly shows the designers didn't give a SH*T about who is going to use their vehicles.

correction: the team that changes the designs to work for LHD markets doesn't care about who is going to use their vehicles. I'll guess that the RHD model doesn't have these issues.

It's kinda like how most LHD cars have the ignition on the right side of the steering wheel, even though it's more logical to have it on the left side for quick easy access. I know the only porsche I've driven (a late 70s 911 with 15k miles on it.. I wanna say 1979.. it was air cooled and had the whale tail) had the ignition on the left side of the steering column and i thought that was such a great idea. My friend said it was for races where the drivers start outside the car, it was faster to get in, start it, maneuver the shifter, etc... since you were using both hands instead of just one.

 

[ForceRecon]

Well, My local dealer hooked me up with a Kick Ass person to let me check out the seats. I met the guy around 6pm. We talked about the MS3 for about ten minutes and he asked me if I had plans for the evening. I told him just dinner with my wife. He told me to take the MS3 and take my wife out to dinner and go play around with it. He said his wife is in love with the FJ Cruiser's and really wants one. So we swapped vechicles for about three hours.
Didn't take the wife out to dinner. Just drove around getting use to the car. Spent the entire three hours in the seat. Had NO issues with the seat giving me problems. And the car Ripps....
Returned the car and made a new friend out of the deal. He is now going to buy his wife a FJ and thats that...

 

[Kansei]

Well, My local dealer hooked me up with a Kick Ass person to let me check out the seats. I met the guy around 6pm. We talked about the MS3 for about ten minutes and he asked me if I had plans for the evening. I told him just dinner with my wife. He told me to take the MS3 and take my wife out to dinner and go play around with it. He said his wife is in love with the FJ Cruiser's and really wants one. So we swapped vechicles for about three hours.
Didn't take the wife out to dinner. Just drove around getting use to the car. Spent the entire three hours in the seat. Had NO issues with the seat giving me problems. And the car Ripps....
Returned the car and made a new friend out of the deal. He is now going to buy his wife a FJ and thats that...

Was it just some random guy they sold an MS3 to? or an employee