Guys, I finally figured out what I want to replace my BMW 6 vert and tried to get into a Vantage roadster today and I look like a sardine. I think if I pull the rails off the seat and bolt the seat directly to the floor I might gain some head room. Anyone done this or know how much I can gain if I hard bolt the seat to the floor. Will it kill the ride comfort? It would allow me to tell my wife she can't drive my car too. Double bonus! I need help, this is a dream car and there are not many cars I would like to replace mine now. I am 6'4" but have a taller upper torso than guys my height. I was thinking of a Continental GT but this Vantage is screaming at me. Don't make me go to the land yacht just yet. Help!

Thanks

 

Bentley = Land Yacht
The roof line of the roadster is a little lower than a coupe, though once the roof is down it is not a problem
Does it have to be a convertible?
There are a few tall guys in the UK whose only problem is getting past the roof line with it up, make sure the seat has gone all the way down. You will need to move it forward first so it clears the rear more. Lower it then move it back until it starts to move itself up to clear the back.
You don't get the light weight seats in the US, but one option might be to get a pair of Recaro SPA's fitted directly to brackets on the floor (they are the same as the light weight seats in Europe and much thinner in the base.

Here's a pic to encourage you

 

Thanks for that. That may be an option too. I read last night on some other sites (not AM) but some guys have seat lowering kit and some also take out some of the foam and gain an inch that way. I am not giving up yet!

 

have you considered a DB9?

 

Cgt.
If not not comfortable right off that bat in it you won' be comfortabl 6months down the road. You;ll be rubbing you hair against the roof and that is incredibly annoying or you ill have to slouch a little which wont be comfortable either.

 

I have looked at the DB9 but I am trying to get away for the back seat I have now that never gets uses and feels too big. I like the Vantage because it is shorter and looks wider or has more aggressive lines to it. I guess the DB9 looks longer to me and not as sporty? I might have to go with a Merc SL65 but where I live they are a dime a dozen. That's what I liked about the AM. Even thought exotics are everywhere here in Newport Beach CA, I don't see alot of AMs. I am looking at used by the way. Maybe a 2009.

 

I am 6'5 and have a V8V roadster. It is tight to be sure, but I eventually found a comfortable spot where my head does fit in the car as best as it can. With the top up and a shaggy hair day, it does touch on occasion, but why buy a roadster if you are not going to go top down. I had to adjust a little to sitting more upright in the seat instead of reclined due to my longer legs, but I have the seat fairly upright, as far back as it goes but most importantly all the way down and it fits. I would suggest sitting in a MY2009 if that is what you want and play with the seat to get it right. It took me a month before I found a comfy spot. Only annoying thing is that I sit so tall in it that at some lights I cannot see the stop lights easily. With the top down, no issue, I can see over the windshield easily ( a little odd, but it works) and with top up, I just have to look down a little bit. Such is life of being a tall guy. Who said that being shorter does not have some advantages?

 

If you can't fit in a Vantage a DB does not offer that much more space, my tall friend I think he's like 6'5'' is a tight fit in my DB9...I am selling one of my cars, having gotten the Aston don't need 2 big front engine GT cars, free up some space. Buy my SL55 AMG I have over 25K in mods and the car is screaming fast (750 lbft tq well over 600 hp at the rear wheels), plus I have a CSC warranty until April 2014! At just $42K it's a steal and is a gorgeous roadster and you can fit just fine!

here's a link to my FS thread...

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post3804247

here's a pic!

 

Magnum, at 6'3" headroom is always an issue. My length is more lower body but I have still had issues. I did remove about 1" or headroom equivalent from the seat foam in my 550. I also used low profile seat rail replacements in my Viper and saved 1.5". And I have bolted drivers seat to the floor in a couple of Porsches. I am sure in that combination you can find the space you need. Good luck!

 

River, thanks for that. I was really getting bummed that I might have to get a Bentley GT which is nice but it is not an Aston. I will call West Coast Customs today to see how much they think I can gain. 2 inches with foam and rails would be ideal.

 

Magnum, I'm 6'5" and feel your pain. I've always liked being tall, except when it comes to cars, planes and clothes. I've had to avoid many of the cars I've loved over the years because I couldn't fit in them, including older Astons.

However, whatever changes that Aston made to the Virage, now the new DB9, have made a huge difference for me. After about 6 months in my Virage, I can say that it is one of the most comfortable exotics I've had. Plus, I really like the longer lines of the full size body, and there's no comparison with the V12. I would definitely go with the Virage/DB9 over the Bentley.

 

I am 6"3 just test drove a convertible and I fit perfectly

 

Big body Astons have the best lines

 

What about a used dbs 2+2? Granted that increases the price about 80% over a used 09 Vantage, but you can at least recline the seat without giving up leg room.

I am 6'6'' and certainly relate to these issues. It is a big reason why i have not bought an aston yet, but it will be the next car i buy. Either vantage or dbs and i will just saw off part of my legs to make it work if i have to.

 

great suggestions guys. I think I can get the room from a little foam removal and bolting seat to the floor... now I just need to get past that darn gearbox!! Does the semi auto drive any one here crazy? Do you just get used to it?