Size Matters - Can You Fit into a Modern Car?

[68X426]

I cannot fit a modern car. I like my space, and I'm only 6'1", but I am wide (was 285, now a svelte 248  ). I've been 200+ since HS and 230+ since college (34 yrs. ago). I cannot fit into about 90% of modern cars (leaving out trucks). And I'm not talking compacts and imports or vettes. The modern car is smaller and I'm XXL.

I just bought a new car (post and pictures to follow in a few days  ), and I bought it especially because I fit inside.

So I thought I'd poll the membership. You can stay anonymous, no need for revelations if you don't want to. Just wondering how many other wide bodies and XXLs are out here.

[Cooter]

I fit into my little Toyota truck. I'm 6' and 275 Lbs. Not a "great" fit, but for the fuel savings, I'll deal.

[mrsskip68]

  No "Shrimp" catagory? Lol! Im only 5'3", 106lbs, so I fit comfortably in an average size suitcase! Lol!
Lisa

[twodko]

No "Shrimp" catagory? Lol! Im only 5'3", 106lbs, so I fit comfortably in an average size suitcase! Lol!
Lisa

Lisa, you're not a shrimp.......you're petit! 

[mrsskip68]

No "Shrimp" catagory? Lol! Im only 5'3", 106lbs, so I fit comfortably in an average size suitcase! Lol!
Lisa

Lisa, you're not a shrimp.......you're petit! 

DING! DING! DING!!!!! We have a winner!!! 

[dyslexic teddybear]

6'1......255, I'm no lightweight.

Absolutely hate the closed in cockpit style of most newer stuff. Far more comfortable in an old first gen Dakota then a late model Ram. Pretty big outside, small inside.......

[twodko]

Hi Dan,

I have always had a full size truck for just this reason. When they came out with extend cabs it was a gift from Gawd!

Always loved Chevelles too until we bought a 69 in 2005 to restore.......383 stroker yada yada but it wasn't the same fit like it was in HS. Don't know why.  

Then.......I sat in my buddies Charger. That was all she wrote and now it sits in my man cave. I can get into and out of it without making old geezer sounds or unintentionally methanating. Yeah I know ....TMI.

Like Lisa, Diane could fit into any car.

My name is Tom and I'm a Moparoholic. I've not been normal since Oct. 2008.  

(OK.....not normal since forever)

[dyslexic teddybear]

I'm not normal either.....

Normal=average.

Who wants to be average?

[Ghoste]

I don't fit any of the categories but also fewer modern cars.  I'm just a hair under six foot but pretty slim.  Getting in and out and riding comfortably are an issue.  Its little wonder people want extended cab trucks and not little electric commuter cars.

[Cooter]

ALOT of folks said I looked funny sitting with the driver's seat all the way back past the door post in my old Superu, but what the hell. As long as the car is a four door, should be able to let the seat all the way back and sit in the back like Shak.

[tan top]

 6 foot 2  &  until recently  been 220lbs for years  ,  got a economical daily driver now with a manual trans , seat all way back  ,   ,  but knees still hitting dash   , well econmical though    all cars seem to be more compact in side these days with the fancy shaped trim & dash etc

[Ram07]

I'm 6'3, 220lbs, fit just fine in my Kia, seat all the way back tho'

[Rolling_Thunder]

I drive my 2004 Tacoma - seat not all the way back -  I am 6'2 and 180lbs (down from 320lbs) --- 

When I was around 250lbs in high School I drove a little 1988 toyota pickup - fit just fine there too.

[polywideblock]

I'm 5'9" 197  i don't have any probs      

[71ChallengeHer]

I fit in anything.     5 ' 3 ".   And 93 lbs. no problems for me.

[TruckDriver]

I'm 6'0 and 375 pounds. I can get into most small cars, but do not feel safe at all in them. I need leg room or my legs cramp up bad. If I farted in a smart car, it would become a stretch limo 

[Old Moparz]

I'm 5-10 & about 175 & can fit in most cars without any trouble but the seat is usually the issue for any trip longer than 1 hour. The first time & realized this was in the Honda Civic my wife used to have. There was enough leg room for someone well over 6 foot in this tiny car but the seats sucked. We went on a 4 hour ride somewhere & my back, hip & legs were so sore & stiff I dreaded the ride home knowing I'd have to sit on the concrete block with the plywood back rest for another 4 hours.

The only car I can recall not being able to fit in was a late 50's MG. It was at the shop where a friend of mine worked & I was looking it over when he told me to "go sit in it". The large diameter steering wheel was in a fixed position & literally pressed down on my legs while I sat there. Turning the wheel was not going to happen.

[moparsr2fast]

  6 foot even, 272, long in the torso, pretty decent shape yet, especially for an older guy. I actually fit in most new cars, but have issues getting in because I will often catch the side of my head on something. My 01 Ram is so big inside, that it could be used for " parking ", just like the old days 

[billfury]

I'm 6' 3" 195. OK so I'm 300lbs. I can fit into some small cars but have problems with my big feet. They seem to get caught between the gas and brake pedal. Also they cannot have a sun roof or I have to drive with my head tilted .I fit real well in my 99 Neon. The only problem was I look ridicules driving it. I look like I'm wearing a pair of fenders.

[kab69440]

Most of my spite for modern vehicles comes from the fact that I have to drive with the seat in a near full recline position to keep my head from rubbing the ceiling and that the headliner dips so far forward that I can only see out of the bottom half of the windshield. Four doors recieve an extra upturned middle finger for the fact that I always have the seat fully to the rear and when I look left or right, all I see are pillar posts.

That is why I am in love with the new Challenger. I can drop into the seat and have almost two solid inches of clearance without reclining the seat. If I could find a buyer for some of my extraneous body parts so that I could buy a Challenger, I would do it.

[Mike DC]

      
I'm 6'0'' 170 lbs.  That probably sounds ideal but it's surprising how many things I still have trouble fitting into.  Cars, seats, some clothes, etc.  Arm & legroom is often a problem.  

I'm always thinking - if it doesn't fit me then who DOES it fit?  
I have friends who are just a couple inches shorter than me, and they complain that stuff is too big for them.  
         

[Indygenerallee]

6'8" 280 lbs. 16 shoes It's a PITA to fit into anything but a full size car or full size truck and even then it's cramped!!!

[PlainfieldCharger]

We could start a football team with most of the members hear 6'0 275# I can fit into most cars...it's getting in and out of them...

[Marck]

6,3 feet and 205 pounds.. I generally don't have any problems fitting in to any modern or older cars in the front seats, the back is a whole other story though.. 

[JB400]

I fit Marck's description and have the same complaint.  Most of the cars I fit fine.  My 00 Cougar, I have to drive in an Indy car configuration with my arms stretched out though.

[Slowpoke]

6'3" and down to 249 from 272 so its getting easier to fit into cars.
I just bought my wife a newer car and a prime consideration was could I fit into it?
Needed it to be comfortable so we can use it for long drives, she dosen't care fro my Wrangler. 
Ended up etting  Rav4 of all things.

[hatersaurusrex]

I'm 6'4" and 325.   There's a reason I'm not restoring an A body an why I drive a full-sized pickup.

[CUTiger78]

I'm a lot like the OP - I like my space!  I'm 6'3", 300, with a size 13 or 14 shoe.  The modern car is smaller inside and I'm XXL.  My daily driver is a 2011 Escalade ESV and I don't especially like the way I fit inside.  I, too, absolutely hate the closed-in cockpit style of most newer stuff.  My '74 Charger, w/ bucket seats & the buddy seat seems to be as big as a living room compared to new, full-size cars.

Thanks for letting me vent!

[Ponch ®]

5'10" / 260-ish. I'm fairly comfortable in 08 Charger and the wife's Challenger - which isnt exactly a shocker since theyre big cars. But surprisingly enough, I've test driven the FIAT 500 and the Abarth (same car for purposes of this conversation) and i was comfortable in that too, didn't feel cramped up or anything. Now, with any of the cars mentioned above, any passengers sitting behind me may not be very comfy, but that's not MY problem. 

[Fred]

I fit into anything, no problems. The only thing I don't want to fit into is a coffin...........not for a long time yet.   

[ACUDANUT]

Okay Stu.
Give up the stats

[charger_fan_4ever]

6'2 245lbs

Feel most at home in my 01 ram 2500 quad cab. MInd you the seatbelt comes out the end to buckle yet my car i'm fine go figure. My commuter is a 01 jetta tdi no sunroof and I fit good with the seat back a fair ways. The vw i like you can lower or raise the whole seat and not feel like your laying down. Nothing with sunroofs, or i seem to rub the roof. Never been in a compact gm car that i could fit in knees always in the dash and the seat feels like ,y shoulders are trying to wedge into a baby seat. Vw,toyota seem ok.

Have a 91 notchback mustang no sunroof and it is about the best fitting as far as pedals,shifter,wheel maneuverability.