pedal layout in the RS

[bryanw]

I don't like the pedal placement in the RS too much. Left foot braking is impossible. It seems to be set up for heel-and-toe, but I'm much more likely to left-foot-brake than heel-and-toe. The steering column is just set WAY too low in that car (or is the seat just too high). I have the steering wheel in its highest position but it's still way too low for me. I have to sit with my legs spread apart and and the wheel between my legs. It's not very safe for emergency braking. The majority of the emergency braking I've done, I've ended up banging my knee on the steering column and barely hit the brake in time. A couple of times, I've ended up getting my toe caught behind the brake pedal (it's too high) and almost hit a couple of cars. It's going to really take some getting used to. I get the feeling that cars are designed for people that are 5'6" and 130lbs. I'm 6'0" 220. I'm not huge, but cars aren't designed for people like me or bigger.

The worst I've ever seen was my boss's 2000 Miata. It's IMPOSSIBLE for me to slide into the driver's seat. My legs will NOT fit under the steering wheel (they don't offer an adjustable). I had to literally climb over and around the steering wheel to get in. And even then when I sit in the driver's seat, my knees actually touch the underside of the dash. There's that little room in there. It's very uncomfortable and feels quite unsafe. It feels like the slightest accident will surely break both my legs. No thanks.

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[Pilot]

You must have the worlds longest legs!

Where do you have the seat positioned?

Anyway the seat is very high in the Impreza, however I find that it fits biggger folks very well, I am pushing 240 and I'm 5'9" (but I have really long legs) and I currently drive with the wheel almost at the bottom of it's travel.

My friend (we call him Big Rob) is 6'3" and 325-350, he fits fine too. Also my old man is 6'1" and 250 and he also fits quite nicely.

Anyway if you want more legroom the answer is a Recaro. They mount Very low, and are much stronger than all of the other aftermarket street seats. That will free up your legroom no problem.

[BugBomb]

My best friend is 6'4" and I am 5'10". We both fit perfectly in the car with a little re-adjustment of the seat. He has no problems driving the car just as hard as I do. Perhaps you dont have the seat all the way back? Myself being 5'10" I find that I have to keep the seat pretty far up so I can still push the clutch all the way down. Have you got your rear planted as far back in the seat as it will go? Also, even though my feet are a size 10, I can still operate the brake and gas without lifting my heel, especially in emergency braking. As far as braking goes, I never do it with my left foot. I can operate both the gas and brake pedals at the same time though my feet are pretty narrow. Why would you want to brake with the left when you have to change gears anyway? Are you driving an auto?

[bryanw]

I can still operate the brake and gas without lifting my heel

Are you serious?? I can't put my heel in the floor and hit the brake at the same time. It's impossible. The steering column is in the way. The only way I can hit the brake is by turning my foot and leg sideways. It's awkward but it works. I can't believe you can push the brake with your heel on the floor in this car. That's just amazing.

Yes, the clutch has such long travel, I can't push the seat back any more. I'm as far away as I can get and still reach the clutch catch-point (or whatever it's called).

[ColinL]

That is impossible, or contortion at least.

I can't heel & toe my wife's miata, I've tried. Quadricep mashes the non-tilting wheel, like you said.

However in the RS it's easy. It is natural for your foot to be toed in though.

Left foot braking feels weird when you first start, but you should be able to reach the pedal without drama with practice.

[BugBomb]

Sorry, I must be a freak