A guy I know is interested in getting a 914, but he's fairly tall and wants to make sure he'd fit comfortably to drive one. My car is down due to shifting problems and a main seal leak so I'm looking for someone who would let this guy do a short test drive. He's actually owned 914s in the past but he was much younger then and wants to make sure it would still work for him.

So, is there anybody from the Puget Sound area that would be willing to help? (I thought of Greenie but he had some lame excuse about his engine being on the garage floor...sheesh)

how tall is your friend?

I've asked this question before since I'm 6'4" and most people say that it shouldn't be a problem. I've heard 1st gear can be a challenge and a smaller steering wheel can be beneficial. Also I guess the seat pad can be taken out to allow for a bit more head room.

I still don't have one and haven't test drove anything so I cannot speak from experience, just from what others have told me in the past.

mine's running either....

I'd say he's about 6'2". I've known quite a few tall people who have 914s and they seem to fit just fine. Smaller steering wheel helps, hadn't thought about the seat bottom but that would also be a plus.

I think he just wants to reassure himself before he jumps back in to the madness.

Did you mean to say it's not running, Bruce? BTW, you're a fairly tall guy; how does the 914 fit for you?

I'm 6'2 ish and have plenty of room in my 914.

A smaller steering wheel really helps, i have a 350mm Momo.

Only downside of such a small wheel is that i had to turn the tach upside down on my 5-gauge dash to be able to see the turn signal indicators and rotate some of the other gauges slightly for the important info to be visible.

Your friend is welcome to drive mine. The idle is a little rough but he'd find out if he fits. It looks like the weather is supposed to clear up mid-next week so maybe we could arrange something then.

-Shawn

yeah, writing too fast . . . life's short! Never time to do it right, but I always seem to find time to do it again.

I would be willing to let him sit in my car, you can stand next to him and make engine sounds.

He could slide the seat all the way back, you could then get in and put the telephone book and pillow behind ( like you use in your car) your back to demonstrate the flexibility and range of the seating.

Thanks Shawn, I'll let you know.

Better yet, I'll just use my phone to make a recording of a sewing machine and play that for him.

My dad is 6'2 and has driven mine and my moms back in the 70's. Small seat cushion and a smaller wheel and its peaches and cream.

How much weight has he gained? Part of it depends on how long his legs are too. I'm 6'3" and my pants are a 34" inseam, I fit fine and only recently put in a smaller seat cushion. Not that I really needed to, but the seat was shot and made a new cushion, my but's small enough that seat to fit. I'm now 210 lbs.

Bottom line(pun intended) it's just depends. If he had one before, he should have a pretty good idea. Getting out may be more of a challenge.

6'3" and fit with a small wheel is no issue. He should be fine as long as he buys a smaller wheel.

where does he live

I got my 914 from my father in law. He is 6'7" and enjoyed driving it.

He can drive mine if he wants to venture this far north. I'm 6'3" and have a stock wheel and fit fine. I don't have a center console though which helps if you're tall and have Bozo feet like me.

IMHO if you have a center console and are tall, you must use a smaller wheel or you're have issues.

I'm tall and fat and still fit. He can come watch me get in and out of my car while you make engine sounds..... I might even start my engine.

Are you paying attention to our weather. I'm not pulling the car out in this stuff.

Kelty, my silver '75 is available for him to drive here in Everett too... also with a smaller steering wheel (momo)
Sh#*, if he likes it enough, he can drive it home

Chris