29 replies to this topic

[Ontario]

Greetings from Ontario, a land devoid of the pleasure of VX220 ownership. I am in the market for some Lotus Elise seats to put in my 99 10AE Miata. This is a coveted seat in the Miata world and very difficult to source in North America. I happened to see some VX220 seats for sale and was wondering if they are basically the same seat as the Elise with the same fit. I am 5 10' , 180 pounds and was wondering if any of you have had seat time in both an Elise and VX220 and can comment on the similarities or differences, as well as build quality. Thanks Folks. Bob.

[2.2_na]

Ontario, a land devoid of the pleasure of VX220 ownership

What a barren place that must be

[Ontario]

Ontario, a land devoid of the pleasure of VX220 ownership

What a barren place that must be

Yes it is. Cold, VX less. Not much point going on really, but once Black Fly season is over there is still a couple of weeks worth living.

Edited by Ontario, 24 November 2010 - 12:06 PM.

[VIX]

AFAIK the seats are the same size but the runners are different. FWIW I've got aftermarket Exige-type seats in my car on modified VX220 runners.

[Steve B]

AFAIK the seats are the same size but the runners are different. FWIW I've got aftermarket Exige-type seats in my car on modified VX220 runners.

Lots of MX5 / Eunos / Miata owners in the UK who fit VX seats.

Why baffles me, the VX and Elise seats are not exactly comfortable I think you'd be better off with an aftermarket race seat. The reason so many Elise and VX seats are for sale is the Elise and VX owners ditch them for something better

[2.2_na]

the VX and Elise seats are not exactly comfortable I think you'd be better off with an aftermarket race seat. The reason so many Elise and VX seats are for sale is the Elise and VX owners ditch them for something better

It's just a chance to get a little bit of VX in the land devoid of VX's

[VIX]

Why baffles me, the VX and Elise seats are not exactly comfortable

IMHO the standard VX220 seat is one of the most comfortable seats I have ever used - and I have a bad back! I've done 3000 miles round Europe in 10 days with no problems.

[Ontario]

The main reason I want them is to sit lower so my head doesn't hit the roll bar. I probably don't want a full race seat because I daily drive the car in Toronto, am 52 years old and would find climbing up and over a race seat a little fatiguing. I figure the Elise/VX seat has some compromises for daily duty built in.

AFAIK the seats are the same size but the runners are different. FWIW I've got aftermarket Exige-type seats in my car on modified VX220 runners.

Lots of MX5 / Eunos / Miata owners in the UK who fit VX seats.

Why baffles me, the VX and Elise seats are not exactly comfortable I think you'd be better off with an aftermarket race seat. The reason so many Elise and VX seats are for sale is the Elise and VX owners ditch them for something better

[Ontario]

the VX and Elise seats are not exactly comfortable I think you'd be better off with an aftermarket race seat. The reason so many Elise and VX seats are for sale is the Elise and VX owners ditch them for something better

It's just a chance to get a little bit of VX in the land devoid of VX's

Very true, we are culturally deprived here. You guys abandoned us after we said bad things about the Austin Marina

[Mangham54]

I will add to the compliments of the VX seat... I don't know why people find them uncomfortable... I have driven a good number of cars (Citroen, Peugeot, VW, AstonMartin, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Ford, Vauxhall) and never thought any compare to the VX seat, especially on a long journey. The nearest was probably the Aston's, the MG ZR buckets are good... Like a sporty armchair!

[Ouchie]

Do you have any links to the details of how Elise seats are fitted to the MX5? It might be clearer if the VX seats will go in or not. I imagine the bolt holes for the runners are not the same anyway so a similar workaround will probably work for either Elise or VX seats. The bonus of the VX/Elise seats is the lack of high sides. The downside if you are a skinny git is the lack of high sides and padding. I'm 5ft 9 and whatever 75kg is in lbs. My back slides about when cornering enthusiastically. Don't dis the Marina

[Tail slide]

Very true, we are culturally deprived here. You guys abandoned us after we said bad things about the Austin Marina

That's most unfair of us.

A Marina coupe was inflicted on me as my first car, but thankfully I soon realised what I must do, and did my bit for automotive evolution by totalling it into a wall.

[bbd]

I will add to the compliments of the VX seat... I don't know why people find them uncomfortable... I have driven a good number of cars (Citroen, Peugeot, VW, AstonMartin, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Ford, Vauxhall) and never thought any compare to the VX seat, especially on a long journey. The nearest was probably the Aston's, the MG ZR buckets are good... Like a sporty armchair!

[Ontario]

Here is a link
http://revlimiter.ne...ats-in-a-miata/


Do the VX seats come in cloth? Is the side bolster sufficient if one is fatter than 75KG by about 10KG? Ok, I won't dis the Marina. I also drive a Corvair if you want to send it back my way!

Do you have any links to the details of how Elise seats are fitted to the MX5?

It might be clearer if the VX seats will go in or not. I imagine the bolt holes for the runners are not the same anyway so a similar workaround will probably work for either Elise or VX seats.

The bonus of the VX/Elise seats is the lack of high sides. The downside if you are a skinny git is the lack of high sides and padding. I'm 5ft 9 and whatever 75kg is in lbs. My back slides about when cornering enthusiastically.


Don't dis the Marina

[N17VES]

Personally, I wouldn't fit elise/vx220 seats unless they are a really good price an suit your needs. They are not supportive at all (mainly becuase the way you have to enter into the elise/vx220), and are genrally not that comfortable. I've now got an exige with the sports seats and probax padding and they are still not supportive, or paticulary comfy for that matter. Some of the best seats I've sat in are the sparcos as fitted in the racing puma and some of the early sporting vauxhalls (recaro seats) - Manufacturers now don't seem to fit comfy supportive seats like they used to do although the Msport bmw seats are not bad. I would consider looking at Sparco and cobra - I know they do some seats that drop the height around 2 inches, and are not too racey so are still quite easy to get in and out of.

Edited by N17VES, 25 November 2010 - 12:18 PM.

[Ontario]

Personally, I wouldn't fit elise/vx220 seats unless they are a really good price an suit your needs. They are not supportive at all (mainly becuase the way you have to enter into the elise/vx220), and are genrally not that comfortable. I've now got an exige with the sports seats and probax padding and they are still not supportive, or paticulary comfy for that matter. Some of the best seats I've sat in are the sparcos as fitted in the racing puma and some of the early sporting vauxhalls (recaro seats) - Manufacturers now don't seem to fit comfy supportive seats like they used to do although the Msport bmw seats are not bad.

I would consider looking at Sparco and cobra - I know they do some seats that drop the height around 2 inches, and are not too racey so are still quite easy to get in and out of.

In Miata circles there is not too much choice when it comes to fitting seats, as they are narrow when you factor in the width of the transmission tunnel. Will look into the seats you mentioned, but I have a gut feeling that this option will be about three times the cost. A lot of the smaller seats are not sold by North American retailers, so if any of you can suggest a great seat available in the UK that is light , comfy and well made, please let me know. Thanks.

[Steve B]

I run Cobra Monaco in my Miata track car, steel framed but cheap FIA approved. They do a GRP bodied version as well.

[Pidgeon]

I never realised seats were so subjective. I'm with Steve. The VX seats are the most comfortable I've experienced. OTOH, a steel framed Cobra bucket was the least comfortable. I'm 6'4" and 100kg odd. I know people who are not as well padded as I complain the VX seat does not grip well enough for track use, but I find it ideal.

[muckyman]

I had carbon Recaros in my MX-5 and they were way way more comfortable than the VX seats. Fairly rare seats though (as fitted in the mark 1 Miata RS)

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[Ontario]

I had carbon Recaros in my MX-5 and they were way way more comfortable than the VX seats.
Fairly rare seats though (as fitted in the mark 1 Miata RS)

Very neat. Recaro in North America does not sell a seat that will fit a Miata. Will keep my eyes open for that one. Did it require custom mounts?