Am I too fat for GT3 seats?? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

thenavarro · 02-05-2007, 07:37 PM

I am considering getting GT3 seats for my 2001 986 as I like the look and think they would work good on the track as well as I go to Motorsport Ranch some to drive. However, I've heard that you have to be reasonable skinny to fit in them comfortably. I am about 5'10 and weigh about 237 and have a 39-40 inch waist, in jersey sizes I wear a 50-52 chest size to be comfortable. Here is a pic. Am I too fat or wide to fit comfortably? I'd hate to spend that type of money and not be able to fit. Please be reasonably tactful in your responses as I'm trying to lose weight and have taken off about 17 pounds already but I have a ways to go. I know I'm fat, so maybe just reply that the seats are too small

Thanks!!

Mike

02-05-2007, 07:43 PM

Talk with todd, he tracks all the time and uses a couple different seats, hes tall too. But if you do buy those seats and they dont fit, I get priority on them, lol. Id say theyd fit you though, just a guess though.

Jeph · 02-05-2007, 07:51 PM

I don't know the answer to your question, but this picture is perfect for asking. It honestly looks like you're saying/gesturing, "C'mon guys, seriously, am I too fat? I'm being for real!"

iJeremy · 02-05-2007, 08:05 PM

You would fit just fine. The seats won't be as comfy as the living room sofa, but then again if you are looking for an extra comfortable seat, I would suggest something more along the lines of the recaro top or sport line style. These will still hold you in, but provide a fair amount of padding. However if you are looking to save weight in the car, and be held in, the GT3 seats are tuff to beat. We are actually running a sale on Porsche GT3 style seats right now, if you are interested P.M. me with your email addy and I'll send you our most recent news flyer that went out at the end of last week with the sale info for them and a few other 986 products.

SD987 · 02-05-2007, 09:10 PM

No...those jeans don't make you look fat.

Can you just pick out a pair of seats so we can go home?

TriGem2k · 02-05-2007, 10:14 PM

I'm pretty average sized 6'1, 170lbs, and find those seats most uncomfortable. I had bought a set off eBay not too long ago and couldn’t stand them in terms of comfort. They are too narrow. I wear a size 44-suit jacket with a 28" waist. I ended up selling them locally to a friend of mine. He likes them but he’s a small guy.

Bottom line.... Don’t expect comfort out of them regardless of your size. If you are looking to track the car and need something to really hold you in then go for it. If the car is any type of daily driver then id say hold on it and spend your 2k+ somewhere else.

FIG · 02-06-2007, 12:27 AM

Isn't there somewhere (dealership) you could go try 'em????

Take a test drive.......hit some corners, sit on the freeway for a bit, you know

Try before you buy sort of thing?????

Just a thought, good luck.

Seubs · 02-06-2007, 05:13 AM

i sat in a 2006 carrera GT3 RS at the porsche motorsports garage. Im 6'3" and weight about 200lbs with 34" waist. i had a semi deficult time getting in and out of the car and there wasnt exactly a lot of hip room. i kinda had to pry myself out of the seat.

Boxtaboy · 02-06-2007, 05:23 AM

I drove someone's 2004 GT3 club sport which had the GT3 seats, and suprisingly, found them very comfortable. I am 6 feet, 205 lbs, so I'm not exactly skinny either. Try em for yourself and see.

Perfectlap · 02-06-2007, 06:14 AM

at 5-10 in terms of height you should be ok. My buddy is 6-1 and can't pass the broom stick test on my car. He would need the Boxster roll bar extension.

The GT3 Seats can be installed or removed in about an hour tops, Depending on whether you have help it can be done in 30 minutes. So for track events its perfect.

I use themn for daily driving but I'm a small guy, 5-7 170 pounds with a 31 waist.
You need a strong mid section because lifting yourself out of the seat with the high bolster is like doing a tricep dip at the gym everytime you get out. I use the ebrake to brace myself and can jump out in one quick movement. Not ideal if you are a big dude with a bulky mid section. It will get tedious, quickly. The misus who is also 5-7 but weighs 120 absolutely hates getting out of them. I thought about putting the stock seat back in for the passenger and using the spare seat as desk chair. ummmm maybe not.

TriGem2k · 02-06-2007, 08:11 AM

Perfectlap, you bring up a good point. What would a Ms. do if wearing a short skirt? Might it fall under the Britney Spears flash catagory...AHHHHHH

Perfectlap · 02-06-2007, 08:46 AM

LOL,
that happens EVERY SINGLE TIME she gets out. Either she is yelling at me for looking at her backside when she's getting out (low riding jeans).
or she's yelling at me to look away as she does this funny dance to get out of the car in the skirt. But since its 10 degrees right now long winter coats take care of all that.

p.s.
i've seen those Britney pics, she's got allot of misplaced self confidence wearing a mini anything. Time to lay off the pork rinds and cheesburgers and stay home with her kids...

TriGem2k · 02-06-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

p.s.
i've seen those Britney pics, she's got allot of misplaced self confidence wearing a mini anything. Time to lay off the pork rinds and cheesburgers and stay home with her kids...

AMEN to that brother!

Bavarian Motorist · 02-06-2007, 10:44 AM

I liked Britney's stuff. That flabbiness is yum.

TriGem2k · 02-06-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I liked Britney's stuff. That flabbiness is yum.

Take that back....Don't make me post the pictures. It reminds me of...

thenavarro · 02-06-2007, 03:25 PM

Ok, I guess I'll be making a trip to the dealer this weekend to test sit in some. I definitely want to be sure before I spend that type of money.

Maybe I can get just one for the passenger side and invite Britney to ride along....LOL

02-06-2007, 03:29 PM

Good luck with your "test sit". But, a seat needs to be good for 3-5 hours in my opinion. I don't think the dealer would like that!

Perfectlap · 02-06-2007, 03:31 PM

The dealer? i don't think Porsche is allowed to sell those seats in the car stock.
DOT regualtions require that the seat have the ability to recline if I'm not mistaken. Maybe they have them with all the other Tequipment stuff in the parts department. But I'm sure you won't see them in a car on the lot.
That's why they call them Euro GT3 seats. Stock in Europe, aftermarket in the U.S.
If you can find a Recaro delaer in your area they are essentially the same as the Recaro Pole Position without the star trek shape on top.

02-06-2007, 05:50 PM

I went to imagine auto to sit in some race seats and the GT3 seats are like a perfect fit for me. Im 6 foot 150 pounds with a 31 inch waist. Both of my hips touched both side bolsters and my shoulders filled out the upper portion. If I was any bigger I dont know if Id buy them. I dont know if its mainly your hip size or your gut size, but your cant be too wide im thinking, but a beer belly you can have.

arenared · 02-06-2007, 07:17 PM

Just another fat guy's opinion here...

I would say that a 32" waist is fine. 34" is touching. 36" is getting pretty snug. I think 39 to 40" isn't going to fit. If you can get down to 36", I'd say go for it. Could be a good incentive. For me, I need to get back down to a 34" before I'd say I fit. Body proportions, legs, etc., are different for different people so my opinion could be +/- 2" compared to you or others.

I would recommend you try to sit in a pair before you buy. Different seats also fit different people differently. For me, the GT3 seats are MORE comfortable than the stock ones. Good luck.