Goofy 911 sizing question, noob...

[jackpine savage]

Howdy,
looking to research the 911 series for eventual purchase, but have one large hurdle to start with: I'm 6'5" and 265#. Is there a 911 better suited for the larger framed fanatics?

So, any like-sized guys out there who are happy with their head/legroom, and in which models? Looking to buy used and the local Porsche dealer only has new cars.

TIA...

[kyalami]

Well I'm 6"5" and 270. I have always had Targas (74 and 87) and almost always drive with the top stowed since I don't drive them in rain, sleet or snow...ever. That leaves plenty of headroom....you can also lower the seats in many of the 911s if desired and I have found that the stock legroom is fine. But again, you can adjust the rails if necessary to create a couple of more inches...

[djcdmv]

Seek out (user name) 6300 RPMs. I met him last summer and he is about 6'5". Pretty sure he put a steering wheel spacer in an 80s Carrera coupe because his seat was so far back he couldn't reach the wheel. I may be mistaken though. Try a PM To him.

[Dodge Man]

You may look at a Targa for a little more headroom in earlier cars. Custom seats (custom rails too) & steering wheel spacers are available. I am going for custom period looking seats for a better fit and look since I am 6 feet tall. Later model cars may also give you a little more room.

[Plays with cars]

I'm 6'4" and have no problems in Targas; like kyalami, though I use them with the top off. I also fit in coupes, but stay away from anything with a factory sunroof they take up valuable headroom.

[AskewRSR]

I will join the club. I am 6'5 and 270 and have been driving 911's for 20 years. Yes, Stay away from the sunroof cars. Also, get rid of any Power seats. I use the Recaro L or Recaro SE seats. They are wider and sit very low. I have also mounted seats directly to the floor with some modifications. I also use a Momo steering wheel spacer. Hope this helps. Thanks

[mikesride]

Leg room....Right leg off the gas and shifting into first gear major PITA for bigger guys. Added a wheel spacer and a smaller wheel and shift knob, better but not perfect. Interested in a shifter extension next. Head room not so much an issue and I'm in a sunroof coupe.

[jackpine savage]

Excellent advice. Thank You.

Any dealers that you would recommend in the upper MW area: southern WI/IL/MN area?

Thanks again.

[jackpine savage]

OK, I mistakenly subscribed to Porsche Excellence for research-seems to be mainly advertising.

Is there a better reference magazine out there for enthusiasts/wrenches?

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by jackpine savage

OK, I mistakenly subscribed to Porsche Excellence for research-seems to be mainly advertising.

Is there a better reference magazine out there for enthusiasts/wrenches?

IMHO you are posting on the best resource for wrenching on the aircooled 911. I'm a decent wrench but have only owned my 911 for just over a year. Before I tackle a project I search here. Pelican hasn't let me down yet.

As to your size, at 6'5" are you legs or torso? I'm 6'2" with only a 33" inseam. I have way more legroom than I need but like many others my head makes contact with the headliner if I sit up straight. I'm lucky that I can sit far enough forward to keep my head inside the sunroof opening where there is more clearance. Kind of counter intuitive but leaning my seat back doesn't really gain me much clearance since the tray for the sunroof really encroaches on headroom.

You should expand your search beyond the dealer. If you can find a local "cars and coffee" that might net you a few 911s that a friendly owner might let you try on for size.

I'm currently trying to figure out how to fit in my car with a helmet on. Right now I don't and it doesn't look like I will without some amount of surgery to the car or $$ for a race seat. Some tidbits I've picked up.

1985 was a transition year for seats. The seats will sit about an inch higher that other years. Porsche lower the rails for 86.

Manual seats sit a little bit <1" lower than power seats.

If you find a car you like but don't fit look and see if it has spacers between the seats and rails. My 86 has a power DS and manual PS. The PS has spacers to level them up. Reading here, folks have found all combos of spacers, no spacers, stacked spacers. With a 25+ YO car there is no telling what the PO did to make the car fit them.

The rails can be lowered, but it requires cutting and welding. Don't forget the fuel lines running through the tunnel right behind where you want to weld.

Bolting an aftermarket seat directly to the rails without sliders could gain you a few inches depending on the combo.


-J

[5String43]

Targa, for sure. I'm 6-foot 4-inches, 260 pounds. I don't fit into a sunroof car at all. Not even close. But I fit into a Targa just fine. Plus there's the added benefit of it being, well, you know, a Targa.

[SteveDraz]

I'm 6-3 and 260#. I have no problems fitting in my '70 non-sunroof coupe. Everything on these cars is adjustable and that's why they're so much fun. It's the ultimate tinker toy / erector set.
I did get a Sport Seat replica (GTS) and can wear my helmet for some DE days without any problems.
Like previous posts: stay away from sunroofs and power seats.

[Jerome74911S]

I'm 6'4 and have a non-sunroof coupe. I have no problem with either leg or head room, but in a sunroof 911 coupe I hit my head.

Shifting was awkward (having to reach forward) until I discovered that by adjusting the shift coupler you can reposition where the shift pattern is. I put the pattern back and a tiny bit to one side and I'm comfortable. This is a trial and error process, though, and it took me a number of attempts to get the shift pattern in the right place - and also have it shift properly.

[jackpine savage]

6'5" with 36" inseam.

996s any better?

There's a couple 996s for sale at dealers, both within 70 miles.

Coffee meets forum/area? I raced motorcycles for several years and can appreciate an owner NOT wanting a stranger driving their car. Right now, I'm just looking for better fitment, and a chance to slide behind the wheel for better idea.

Thank You for tips on looking at spacers and seat rails that may be currently installed.

Also found a '82 SC Targa for sale at around $15K, 40K miles, IIRC. PPI those as well? Claims to have all receipts etc.. Thanks again!

[westcoast911]

I am 6'3", and had pretty much given up on anything other than a non sunroof coupe, or a targa.

The targa with stock seats has much more headroom than the coupe.

I recently ended up buying a coupe with a sunroof. The PO had installed recaro seats, similar to what Tate uses in his cars. I was blown away by the amount of headroom I have. Still a few inches to spare. I will stick my neck out here and say that the only way to make it really work, is with an aftermarket seat, then you have your pick of what car you like best.

I'm not sure if this holds true for the 964. I had sat in an RSA with recaro's, and still had very little headroom. It may have been the seat tracks,cant say for sure.

Cant comment on the 996, although I did consider it briefly, it just didnt have the styling, and the air cooled feel.

Good luck!

[Trackrash]

I'm currently trying to figure out how to fit in my car with a helmet on. Right now I don't and it doesn't look like I will without some amount of surgery to the car or $$ for a race seat. Some tidbits I've picked up.

I'm 6' 3" with a long torso. When I had "stock" seats in my car I removed some of the foam in the seat bottom to effectively lower the seating position.
I now have race seats installed, which are bolted to the floor. This gives me enough room for a helmet. I have a coupe with no sunroof.

My advice would be to try sitting in different cars. Go to a local PCA autocross and sign up for "tour of the track", you can get rides in different cars.

Sun roof cars have less head room, targas the most. The newer cars, 996s and 997s are hopeless for tall drivers IMO.

The bottom line is the older aircooled cars are easy to modify to suit your needs.

Good luck.

[daleflesburg]

IMHO. Join PCA. Join Chicago Region. If you want an air-cooled (pre 98) 911, which IMHO you should want, and the best years are 95 - 98, you will need to find one privately. Most Dealers only deal with much newer cars and do not have much inventory if any of air cooled cars. I really like a dealer in Illinois called Isringhausen in Springfield, IL but they are at least 250 miles from you.

I would shop on Pelican Parts Cars for Sale, on EBay and on Craigs list. I would check the cars for sale section in Panorama. A trip to California to buy a car should not be a turnoff for you. There are better used cars out there (no road salt). Do not buy the first car you look at, but buy the first car you really love at first sight. Do not buy a car if you do not like the color, thinking you can repaint. A good paint job will cost you at least $10K. Do not let a car with high mileage turn you off. A 1998 car with 150,000 miles might be a real gem of a car for you.

Take your time and look a lot. You will find your car.

[jackpine savage]

Thank You Dale.

I get down to the Peoria area quite a bit, so Springfield isn't too much farther down the road.

Thanks again guys. Research shopping is fun too.

[mreid]

Try Autotrader.com also. I'm 6'4" with 36" inseam. Both of my 911's have sunroofs and were found on Autotrader. After market seats, a dished Momo steering wheel, and a extended shifter are your best friends. Given your size, select your aftermarket seat width carefully.

[Reifle]

6'6" + and 250lbs! Drive my '77 Porsche 911 with sunroof quite comfortably! Steering wheel extension (quick release) as well as 4 inch extension on the shifter. I replaced the seats with Recaros. I enjoy long drives (when I can get them in) and only get tired as I have no cruise control. The last picture I was doing some laps at Mosport DDT track with my son in the car - 6' 4" 220 lbs. I hope this helps!