Ferraris and Tall People.. Questions for ya

Hi guys, its been my dream to buy a Ferrari before i turn 30 and the more my company comes together and i keep getting more work, this sounds like its going to happen, maybe even before i turn 30.
My dilemma is, Im 6'6" and have never had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of any Ferrari, but it has always been my dream car. I was thinking that for my first one i would try and find a 355 but once again, im not sure if ill be comfortable in it. Im hoping they are like the Italian motorcycles which fit tall people very well. I just dont know though, there are no dealerships around here and i think there are a few in this town, but i never see them nor do i know them.

Any help you could offer here would be great.

Thanks
Justin

 

Maybe you could post this in your regional area and possibly find out about an upcoming get together where someone might let you sit in the car. I've had many people come up to me and ask to sit in my car for the same reason that you're asking. They're usually surprised at how spacious the 360 is. A friend of mine has many NBA clients and they always end up getting a Stradale because they fit so easily. Good Luck.

 

A Belgian guy here in the chat (speedman without licence) is as tall as you are and seems to be ok with his testarossa.
You have the solution...
Ciao
Eugenio

 

6'6" is going to be tight in the the older cars. My brother in law is 6'7" and literally can't fit in my 328 with the top on. His head sticks out above the windshield when the top's off.

The Testarossa has less headroom than my 328, based on the one I sat in.

A newer car is bigger in every direction. If you're looking at a classic, check out a Mondial coupe .

Then again, a convertible fixes the issue if you never drive in the rain

 

I'm 6'5" and 220lbs,tight in a 355,impossible in older ones,comfortable in 550,456 and any new ones.

 

Thanks.
I think RufMD lives near me and is a member of our local board, but i dont know the guy. I wish i would have made it out to the show at Keenland a month ago, i could have at least looked at a few

 

Many of the vintage cars will work but, they probobly aren't what you are looking for.

Regards,

Art S.

 

I'm 6'4" 250. I have driven a 355 spider, 360 c, 360 spider, and rode in a 430, all very comfortably. Dont know if that extra 2" will make a difference though.

 

I just sold my RX8 and it was a tight fit, but for no more than i drove it, it was a blast. Im hoping at worst a Ferrari will be a tight fit. Maybe not great for driving everyday, but comfortable enough for some weekend fun or track time.

 

It also depends on how badly you want it to work. I'm 6'4", and the first time I drove a Boxer, I thought it was a bit tight. Now, I hardly notice! Seems like I have plenty of room.

The key is that I wanted to fit, so I made it happen. If I wanted an excuse to dislike the car, I could have said it was too small.

355 is tight, though. 360 would be no problem.

 

I have a few tall friends over 6' and watching them get into the Daytona's in my 430 is painful. In my mind, you have to have the race seats if you are over 6'+.

 

I'm 5'7", just posting here because the ACLU's FChat Division encouraged me to fight threads that discriminate.

(OK, seriously, the 308/328 will be impossible for you and I'd guess a 355 would be pretty claustrophobic. But you need to get over an event -- or dealership -- that has some of these cars so you can do the seat test.)

 

For comparison... I'm 6'3" and around 240ish. I drive RX8s on a regular basis at the track and find it fairly comfortable... albeit a bit tight when I have my helmet on. When driving my dad's 360 spider at the track, I am much more comfortable, but that is simply because my helmet is sticking out above the windshield... with the top up and a helmet on, I'm not sure how well I would fit.

As a side note, I've been a passenger of a 348 out on the track, and found it extremely tight with my helmet on. I can't imagine what it would be like driving...

 

Tillman is right on the money. The Mondial "coupe" has a lot of extra legroom. I'm 6'2", and have to put the seat up two clicks to be able to reach the pedals adequately. Headroom (for you though) might be another issue. Depends on your body (long legs vs long torso) type.

The 308/GT4 is also an exception. It's the same as the Moni coupe. Ask me how I know: It's the reason I bought mine!

 

I'm 6"4' and have no problem with my 355 spider. I think the soft top gives a little extra room over a hard top. If your in Atlanta, come by and I'll take you around. But I'll warn you. Don't get in one, unless you are ready to buy one. Because it will become a must have item after that.

 

Thanks. Oh i know, its a must have now, but i sunk all my money into starting my business so im still a little ways from buying. I just want to start shopping and researching early.

I should have posted this a few weeks ago. Ive been to atlanta 2x in the last month

 

Hi Justin,
One of my first posts was the exact question!
I am 6'3 200 and of course your body proportions will dictate your personal fitment. I started with a 550, good fit except the door header intrudes into my headspace but all in all, pretty ok. The 355 required lots of seat adjustment and more of a recline than I prefer for performance driving. Shoulder room and space a bit tight. I fit ok but after an hour or two I would be wishing I had more room every time, and that was with racing seats.
In the 360 its just get it, buckle up and go. Lots of space, an extra 2" above, no window header intrusion AND great views through ample glass.
If you can swing it, the 360 will be well worth the extra $.

As someone suggested, go to a gathering and "try on" several cars. Hope it works for you, its quite a special experience.

 

Could you clarify this - because I'm familiar with the available seats - the Daytonas are the stock seats or an option? What about the race seats? What is the difference in terms of height, etc.

Thanks for the help.

 

I'm 6' 3" & 15 1/2 Stone, I have no problems with any 308/328/348/355 or Mondial, the only issue I have is wearing a helmet on trackdays it can get a bit tight headwise

 

They are the stock seats with the daytona insert and they sit quite a bit higher than the race seats. I haven't measured the difference in seat height, but I have had some time in F430's with both types of seats. The additional head room with race seats is significant.

For me it was uncomfortable since I am not a tall guy! The stock/daytona seats are perfect.

 

Let's not forget that you can always have the dealer move the seat rails a bit backwards. It is an inexpensive fix. I even tried a 360 with the driver seat lowered. Race seat. I am 6'6" always looking for that extra room.

 

That's good to know. I meant to say I'm NOT familiar.

For the 360, it seems most cars have the power Daytonas. Were race seats available for the 360, and was the difference in seating as great as with the F430?

Thanks again.

 

I have no clue about 6-6, I am 6-1. My dream was the 308. Not initially, that was really more vintage V-12, but once the 308 was drawn I really wanted one. But years elapsed. I finally was able to sit in a 308 GTSi almost 10 years ago, and the horror, I didnt fit. My feet were to big for the pedals, my legs were to long, the seat wouldnt go back enough, and my head hit the roof. Well, we found the seat tracks were sticky, and with some prodding it slid back a wee bit more. With my shoes off, my EEEE wide feet could clear the pedals without hanging up. With the roof off, I had just enough room to be almost comfortable. I drove that car twice, first a short lil ways, then on a longer jaunt some 50 miles of twisty roads. I found the longer I was in it, the better I fit, the more comfortable I became, and the more fun I had.

The 308 GTB has more room than a GTS. Way more. The seats in the GTS cars stop shorter to leave room for the roof, and I also believe there is some different sctructure to the car to add strength as it has no roof. I would imagine this would hold true for the 348/355 as well. The seat goes back so far in my GTB that I cannot fully depress the clutch and have to slide up several notches. I found some driving shoes so I dont have to drive barefooted, and my head dont even rub the cieling with a ball cap on. I let my friend drive it the other day, he is almost 6-4, and he was actually comfortable. But he has very long legs that make him tall. Remember, height alone is only one factor. Some are torso tall, some are leg tall. Leg tall is probably more accomodating in a Ferrari.

 

I also drive with racing shoes, which make it alot easier for tall people with big feet. Piloti racing shoes come in some great styles, and don't get in the way. I guess since they are fire proof as well, that will let my feet survive a crash even if the rest of me burns up.
Plus nobody else will have these so you will look pretty trendy.

The 360 race seats are pretty rigid, but do add a few inches. They make the same ones for my 355, but my back would not be too happy with those.

 

I was also going to add that Tom Sellick had the 308's for Magnum PI modified from what I understand. Seat padding was removed from the seat bottom, and reportedly, the floor section was lowered a tad and the area at the rear of the seat, the rounded part, was altered so that the seat tracks could be mounted farther aft. Because its on an incline, even on inch of track in the seat can make a big difference in comfort. I would imagine simular alterations could be made to 348/355 and others.