996 seating position

Am considering buying a 996. Have owned a number of early 70's E's and S's, and a '78 SC. Was shocked when I got in this '99 996 at how Cramped the seating position was. I also noticed several inches of space between the drivers seat and rear seat cushion. The old 911's would press against the cushion, which may be why there was so much space in front. Is there an easy fix? A way to move the set rails back? Maybe a stop in the rails that can be removed?

Is this Andre the giant?

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It must be! I recently made the move from a 964 to a 996 and I wouldn't mention "Cramped seating position" and 996 in the same sentence (although I just did ). Spacious? Yes!

Lose weight.

Really!? How tall/big are you!?

dis aint how we rollz - seriously, how tall are you....

With manual sliders you can remove rear stops and take the seat more to the back, or you can remove seat and sit in the rear one or and this is a personal favorite. : )

lol so you are saying the Newer Bigger car with bigger interior is smaller than your 70's smaller car with smaller interior... I want some of what you Smokin bud

wow Zookie - love the new avatar!!

I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever seen someone complain that there is not enough room in a 996 compared to a 911/964/993.

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hey thanks, it was actully taken last Spring/Summer... i have more if you, Visit the C4S Picture Thread all is posted there...

Having both cars in my garage... I beg to differ... 996 has more room.

Even with my power seats I can roll the seat back to the rear cushions. My buddy loves riding in my 996 because he's got so much leg room on the passenger side - he's 6'4". Now getting in and out - that takes a bit of practice.

I have a friend who could not comfortably fit in a Carrera and eventually bought a C6 Vette instead... but he is 6'9"! Hard to comprehend any person with a body type that would fit in a '70s era 911 but find the 996 too "cramped."

maybe the seat is stuck on the rear matt?

WTF, dudes, you have got to be kidding me? Have you guys been in an early 70's 911? There is no comparison. Even the guy selling this car mentioned the old 911's had more leg room. I am 6'4" but am all legs. The old 911's were glorious for seating position. And to the guy who concluded the "newer bigger car" must have more leg room, must be a youngster. Try a real Mini Cooper compared to the BMW version. Half the car, twice the legroom. Cars are bigger now because of all the safety reqs. Seating position is cookie cutter, off the rack so to speak. Larger car does not translate in anyway to more leg room. But I am thinking now that maybe there is a stop in these seat rails. Can anyone tell me if their drivers seat will touch the back seat cushion when positioned all the way back?

^^^lol this guy is actully serious infact i have been in and driven a 79 911 and also a Orginal Mini and new Mini and newer was/is bigger... So to asnwer your question, you are still on crack like i said... and yes i am Young not "old" and "stiff" like you, sorry granpa, you should be shopping for a Benz... as for the rails, i highly doubt it will go any further than it is... What you could try is Euro GT3 Seats... Lower/Tucked seating position, i dont know if you will be able to get in and out of it granpa

I have manual sport seats. I took the stops out and still have about 2 1/2- 3" to the rear seats. Make some seat bracket extensions from angle iron. If you can get your seats that far back you better be able to scratch your ankles without bending over or you will never reach the steering wheel. Someone makes column extensions that would help that.. I had 1970 and 1972 911's that were easier to modify for seat travel. I always had more problems with head room in those cars the roof slope is steeper. 6'4" 270lbs 34" inseam

It may appear "cramped" because the lower center console does intrude on the side of your right knee. The "fix" is to remove the lower center console section, a la 996 GT3. This conversion can be simple or complex depending on exactly which year and model 996 you choose, because the arrangement of the "bins" can be as easy as one empty storage cubby and one cassette/disc holder (thus no electrical connections to move), to having radio, A/C controls, heated seat buttons, etc. in that section and thus needing to be relocated into the upper center console section. There are plenty of threads here showing the process and the kit to purchase to remove the lower center console. Freeing up that space will "open" the car up substantially. Also, every 996 C2/C4 (non-GT3) has a sunroof. 993's, 964's, and 911's may not have had a sunroof because it was either an option to get it, or an option to delete it.

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I have participated in many car forums over the years and you sir, are a piece of work. Old stiff granpa on crack? Really? Clueless and rude. Somehow they always go hand in hand. Thanks to those that posted useful responses tho. I guess I have to assume that without re-engineering the seat rails, the seating position is the same as a Boxster, Z3, Miata, cookie cutter. Really a shame.

man this went into "train wreck" mode in a hurry

It shouldn't have. The OP was asking a question and is new to the 996 model. He got jumped on like a pack of wolves. Nice welcoming committee.

I don't have much experience driving older 911s, but I'm 6'4" and I easily fit into the 996. It has plenty of leg room. I'll have to measure, but I believe my seat is less than an inch from the back seat when it's all the way back. I have the 8-way power seats with the "comfort seat" option.

No pic, no mercy.

[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/popcorn.gif

Since the replies to my first post on this site started out so mean spirited, I assumed I just hit the wrong forum. But too many thoughtful answers since. There MUST be something wrong with the seat rails on this car. This makes no sense at all. I am heading over to check out this car again right now.

the Console Delete might help, easy DIY... still think you should get a benz my insults to you include tips. read first...

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Zookie, that is an awesome looking C4S!

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well in that case seriouosly Op... stick around, somehow this just wasnt your day to post about a seat issue....

At 6'4" (All legs) you should still be fine. My father is the same height and fits in my 996 very easily. This car should def not have problems accommodating you. As mentioned, check the rails and see if anything is stopping it and let us know how far it goes, a pic could always help. I find these seats so versatile, you can lower them all the way and move them all the way back and you should not have a problem in any way, plenty of room to spare actually.

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OK, lets review Mr. what is it, 4 posts? You come on here and are 'shocked' - your words about how small the seating area is - when clearly, most here disagree. Did you ask up front if you may have a problem as in something stuck in the rail? No. You ASSUMED the car seating was smaller then the older 911's that you say you have owned. When clearly your postion (no pun intended) is not supported by this group as per the seating room - you STILL believe WE are at fault by the following... It was only AFTER the comment above that Zookie went postal. Perhaps this group is not up to your standards? Free country mode and all that. You failed to note Marc's post of CURRENTLY owning both old and new(er) Porsches yet you make the above comment. Why was that? We don't know him. He could be on crack as well. (That was a joke you'll notice) Your caught up in some 'glorious' past I guess. I've sat in my brother-in-law's 77 targa. It's no bigger or smaller inside quite frankly then mine and he's way taller then you and has no problem driving while seated behind the seat of my 996. Now see... you can do it. This was the question you should have asked FIRST before you tell us your 'shocked' about something on our cars - a car I note you haven't bought yet. To reply your question: Yes my drivers seat goes right back to the back of the front edge of the rear seats. Your welcome.

The only thing I'd change for my seating position, is having a steering wheel that can be adjusted on 2 axis. I'm 6'1 and when my seat is set properly, my view of the gauges is nill because of the steering wheel angle. If I could tilt it upwards a couple of degrees, it would clear my knees and give me a better view of the gauges. Legroom is fine for me though, I'm far from maxing out the rails.

I would bet that the height adjustment was wrong. I remember my first "sit" in a 996 I thought the roof was too short for me (I am 6'5"). Then I figured out that if you press down on the seat adjust lever and push your body down into the seat it moves down and gives you more room. I have plenty of room in my car. In fact, if I moved the seat all the way back I couldn't reach the steering wheel!

Geeezus......I'm sorry I started the waterfall......To the OP, I meant you must be a big guy because I really find the interior has a ton of room. The first thing I did when I got in my car was adjust the height of my seat to the lowest setting. That helped a lot. I have also owned a '86 Carrera and a '67 911. The '67 was silly with room because of no console and I could have laid in that (amongst other things ) flat. The '86 had a console and it got alittle tighter but still adjusted the seat down. I'm 6'2" 225 and have 10 pounds of dangling death.

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I hear the ladies say the "death" and "dangling" part is right, but the 10 pounds is waaaaay over exaggerated.

There are too many tall people on this thread. You are making me look small. Now how am I going to justify that 5' 8'' is "average" height???

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+1 Often wondered why? To reconfirm the seat travel, my drivers seat will get to within approx 40-50 mm (~1.5 - 2 inches for you Americans ) of the rear seat...

Maybe its less to do with overall room than with seating position? I find the older cars (911SC, 914) allowed for a very vertical seating position which made viewing out the car quite easy. Other cars (my 944 and Boxster) required me to "slouch" more to see under the top of the windshield, combined with a feeling of a higher dash. Its possible that you need to work on the seat adjustments, afterall, most Porsche street cars are made for holding "big Germans" for instance.. not just 5'5" waifs. I did find that the console delete was a great way to open up legroom "width" space, which my 914 and 911 afforded since neither had a center console.

Count me in on 5' 8" as average Varun ....

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hot damn I aint never seen anyone with ears that big

6' 2", with a 36 inch inseam. No problems for me and plenty of room to go. I am wondering if the seat was stuck up and forward in some weird position and the steering wheel was all the way out. IIRC, the earlier cars had adjustment holes in the seat tracks...the 80s cars could be moved backwards by 2 holes or about 1.5 inches beyond the regular seat adjustment travel.

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thanks Varun! those wheels get the Bitches D-T-F...

I actually know what that means without looking it up because I looked it up a couple weeks ago

Perfect! Bitches D-T-F. I assume that means you. Lol. Exactly why I am done with this site. Many of you posted useful info and I appreciate it. But you have some users like this adolescent, that you must be embarrassed about. Must drive the adults here nuts having to read posts like this. How about the guy that said "no pic no mercy"? And he uses an extraordinarily culturally offensive avatar on the site. Suggest the adults here look around. I don't know the p-car forums well yet, but will guarantee you that you can do better than this. Many car forums will block crackers like this. Good bye rennlist. We have wasted one another's time. Zookie, feel free to go postal now. Sorry I won't be reading it tho. Oh, and consider using a spellchecker for the poor blokes that decide to read it. It betrays so much about you.

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Wait a second. I think you're talking about me. Please don't go. I'll change my avatar. I'll do anything. You have so much to offer and everyone will miss you terribly. I'll even pay for your membership so we can discuss the appropriateness of my avatar in OTPC. And he uses an extraordinarily racially offensive term to boot.

Sorry you guys, but this was pitiful. OP was shopping for a car, and when he got in one, the seat didn't go back far enough for him. He's trying to figure out what's up with that, and the thread degenerates in what, two, three posts? I think we can do better than this crap.

I agree - that didnt go well.... but on the bright side - it didnt take long

It's been real!

come on whos next? i bet i can do it in less than "5" Posts next time

Hi, I am thinking of buying one of these cheap pieces of crap but my brother Lurch doesnt feel comfortable in the back seat - can I remove something to make it better - I drove a much better car before so I hope you can help

Drive a Viper and then tell me your 996 is cramped hahah.

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Us grandpas are already exhausted from Googlizing "dtf" on the interwebz and now we need to take a nap.

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Hi, I'm NEW. I am very interested in wrapping my whole car in Pink 3M. Carbon pink that is, with beautiful pink stiching inside. P.S I'm a grandma wanting to feel young and vibrant!

Reading all the posts you gotta take it all with a grain of salt. Life's to short to get all wound up over a forum board. My brother Lurch.....still laughing!!

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ya nizzle da Snoop Dogg Appizzle fo yo Iphonenizzle fo sizzle bee PS: DTF = Down To F*&K www.urbandictionary.com and while you are on that Website try "One-eyed Angry Pirate" nah you have more than 5 Posts, cant help you and i already "Mushroom Slapped" AKA "D-Slap" the OP outta here

FUNNY! Excellent read while enjoying a cold beverage

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This reminded me to tell the wife to pick up more beer! What a usefull thread!

err.. i know this is a late entry, but i think i *might* have understood what Kjeld was trying to hint at. I've owned an '86 Carrera and currently have a 996. The seating orientation in the old car was such that I'd to push the pedals along the floor away from me, whereas in the 996, you step on them. And because you need to step on them, you need to be closer to the pedals - which makes it seem as though there isn't enough legroom - even though there is tonnes of space. I could keep the seats lowered down in the old car, and everything would seem perfect as though I was welded into the car - the seats were more body-hugging than the 996 - I should get sport-seats in the 996 soon! I guess my opinion is because of my physique - 6' and leggy n lean. Oh yea, and I'm only 25

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Thanks for reviving this one. It was a good read. It's like see Eddie Murphy Delirious again. It just gets funnier. fpb111: Can you post up some pics on this? I'd like to do the same. Did you replace/move the stops or just remove completely. What stops the seat from coming right off the rails?

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I just pulled the stops. I will have to look to see what they stop against. My seats are all of the way down. I think they hit the rug/floor before they come off the rails or maybe the bolt that held the stops.

Be sure the seat can't come off in case of an accident. Last thing you need is a home made ejection seat

Kjeld, Thank you for starting this thread. Plenty of us are too tall for most cars and especially the 996 and 997 Porsche. I am new to the Rennlist.com forum however I am a fabricator of a legroom solution for taller drivers. I started www.extendmyseat.com 4 years ago after being cramped in my car. We have recently completed the 996 and 997 911 seat extenders. Our simple drop in solution extends the legroom up to 3" with no drilling, welding or cutting. The brackets are made out of the a single price of 10 gauge steel and can be installed within 30 minutes. I would be happy to answer any questions about the product. Griff