Rollover questions. Would really love some feedback.

[willd]

I don't know whether this is going to help you, but really, in the event a convertible car is upside down - unless you're in a four-point harness - your head is going to connect with the floor whether you're 5'2 or 6'2.

But anyway - I took my Boxster round the Nurburgring in June, and yes there were a couple of scary moments where I'd over-egged it, but I found the car slides very evenly (kind of a sideways drift lol). Anyway what I'm getting at is unless you're going to drift sideways into a high kerb at a high speed, you really don't need to worry.

I was wringing the cars neck on all the corners and I can assure you, the tyres will lose grip looooong before the car turns over!

[Jaxonalden]

An open cockpit is an open cockpit. In a rollover your body will try to come out no matter what you do, look at people that come out of their door windows and are flung out. Remember, the roll bar won't protect you from foreign objects invading into the passenger compartment ether.

Forgot to mention the windshield frame, it's also a roll bar so you are pretty safe in the car.

[husker boxster]

Have you tried a 987? They're better equipped for taller drivers than a 986.

[Overdrive]

Hi, just thought I'd throw in my two cents here, a lot of which would be reinforcing some previous suggestions and comments.

First, don't write the car off just yet. As someone mentioned above, the seat height is adjustable, and may give you that inch back, or more, to at least provide you some psychological security. Even still don't write the car off, as there are other options to consider that may satisfy you.

As someone else mentioned, it's an open top car, and one can't trust some metal tubes, plastic, and cloth to protect you anywhere near the equivalent of a solid roof...I certainly don't. That being said, I'm sure you're aware that there is a removable hardtop for both generations of the Boxster. In my opinion, consider this unless you've absolutely got to have the wind in your hair at the touch of a button. Some would say 'why buy a convertible if you're not going to use it properly?', but ignoring that and assuming that the ragtop is not the only selling point for you, I'd say consider purchasing one. That would put you in the middle territory between a ragtop Boxster and a Cayman in terms of protection...and to me it looks so much better. But I digress...

Also mentioned previously is the windshield frame and windshield, which is required to be able to withstand a rollover without completely buckling in order for a convertible to be roadworthy. Obviously that's not going to apply to every possible scenario other than whatever NHTSA considers a vanilla rollover, but there's some more peace of mind.

I'm between 5'7" and 5'8", not exactly in your territory, but I don't feel that my height affords me any more safety than your height. As someone else mentioned, should you ever find yourself in a rollover situation and you have time to do so, grab the wheel and hunker down. That's about the best you can do.

Lastly, I'd say, unless it's way out of your budget, look into an early Cayman. You'll get all the pros of a Boxster, and have a solid roof, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Hopefully we've all given you something to help you in your decision. Good luck, and if you do end up with one of these cars, be sure to come let us know.

[Pat]

I am 6'3" and have the same concerns you do. I got a different seat. It makes a significant difference. If you do that and the BK roll bar extension you should have no concerns. The total cost might be around $1300. PM if you would consider this. I'd be happy to walk you through what I've learned.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by Pat

I am 6'3" and have the same concerns you do. I got a different seat. It makes a significant difference. If you do that and the BK roll bar extension you should have no concerns. The total cost might be around $1300. PM if you would consider this. I'd be happy to walk you through what I've learned.

+1 on that:
I am 6" tall but have a tall torso
On the track I am using the B-K rollbar extension plus lowered seats and now my head is more than an inch below the rollbar

[ChrisZang]

here's a picture to give you an idea about the clearance I have with my setup
Please bear in mind that w/o the helmet I have an extra 1/2 inch of clearance