Tight fit

I hope to buy a Porsche so that I can take full advantage of the training and track access that comes with joining the local Porsche club. I am only 6'1" (185cm) but I have the torso of someone much taller. For example, I barely fit in our Volvo V70R which has sport seats and I had to order my Subaru GT wagon in base trim so that I could fit. I don't know of a Japense car with a sunroof that I fit in comfortably. I also prefer a rather upright driving position (what I happen to think to be the correct driving posture but what do I know?). I need advice in the following areas; 1) where do I find a low profile helmet? ie flat on top compared to the standard bubble style. I live in Ottawa. I'm willing to drive to Toronto or Montreal in need be to try them on for fit. I need a helmet so I can start trying cars on for size. 2) is there such a thing as a 996C2 or C2S without a sunroof that is not a GT2 or GT3? ie, did anyone ever order a 996 with the sunroof deleted or what that even a delete option? I'm pretty sure I would fit in a 996 GT3 with a helmet but I think that is way too much car for a totally inexperienced typically overconfident male such as myself. 3) can I easily, cheaply, and most importantly safely modify a sunroof equipped 996 to gain approximately 2" of headroom? 4) if the above ideas fail to get me into a 996, can anyone recommend a reputable car broker to find a used Cayman S from the US for me? It irks me what Canadian dealers charge for a new Cayman vs. US dealers. Any constructive advice is most appreciated. Thanks! Merci! Chris

Sometimes it is nice to be short, I got my Subaru Legacy GT Wagon as a Limited with sunroof. Porsche offered a factory option for 996's "Lowered Seats (-10 mm) Thinner seat cushion lowers seat by 10 mm to offer increased headroom. Includes padded head restraints" as option code XSU on the 2003-4 Carrera. I have seen it listed on a few cars over the last few years, so that might be an option for you. It might have been available on earlier years, too. I know you can pretty easily swap out the driver's seat for a racing seat with lowered rails, too. I have read here that some folks do that for track days.

have you thought of going to Height Watchers�?

Your best bet is to install gt3 seats. I'm 6'3" and when I used to track my boxster, I could not fit with a helmet and the hardtop (which were the local rules). The stock gt3 seat lowers you by 2". Brei Krause makes a bracket that lowers it to the floor practically and gives you another 2" or 4" total. I opted to install both GT3 seats in the boxster made of leather, but you could just install a single cloth one and that would be much cheaper. If you are interested here is my writeup: GT3 Seat install page

The Fiat Abarth "Double Bubble" of the '60s came to mind. While probably not a realistic solution to your problem, it's an interesting thought. This car had streamlined bulges in the top to give the driver and passenger additional headroom. A realistic solution is to buy a car with "sunroof delete" option. At 6' with long arms and legs, I need to have the seat all the way back and then recline the seat back to where my arms comfortably reach the wheel without it feeling too close. This gives me a lot of headroom. Whatever works, I guess.

One of the advantages of being 5' 7" - no tight fit!!

Chris, i've got the GT3 seat in mine and am about 6 feet tall. with a helmet i clear the roof because the seat is lower. Not sure how big your waist is but some of my...erm...more portly friend have fit in them on roadtrips without complaints. If you're interested in picking up a 996 mine is for sale at the moment. we can discuss by PM further.

Thanks for the feedback about the GT3 seats. I think that is my only option. That or buying new and deleting the sunroof.

I didn't fit with my roll cage until I switched to an Arai helmet which was about 1" lower for me. I also came down almost another inch with my 6 point harness sinched up really tight. My GT3 seats are mounted on Brey Krause brackets which further lower the seats. Works great.

Doubtful you'll find any 996 with the sunroof delete. It sounds like you want to spend lots of time at the track. Find a 996GT3. Most of them do not have sunroofs and they are an excellent car for the track without modifications. Prices have also gotten much more reasonable on them since the 997GT3 and 997GT3RS have come out.