fiero driver position (Page 1/2)
domer94 SEP 02, 09:54 AM
as i am new to fieros , im wondering if anybody finds the driver positioning a bit odd. im 5'9 regular build and i find that to get the clutch all the way to the floor , the seat has to be rather close to the steering wheel and still i do some toe extension. were they designing these things for long legged folks? im sure i will get used to it , but still was surprised as this was a mass marketed car.
Frenchrafe SEP 02, 12:38 PM
I advance the seat on trackdays in order to have better control overall.
Yes the clutch needs lots of "welly" to operate it when going fast!

------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

82-T/A [At Work] SEP 02, 03:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by domer94:

as i am new to fieros , im wondering if anybody finds the driver positioning a bit odd. im 5'9 regular build and i find that to get the clutch all the way to the floor , the seat has to be rather close to the steering wheel and still i do some toe extension. were they designing these things for long legged folks? im sure i will get used to it , but still was surprised as this was a mass marketed car.




I would make sure that your clutch pedal is OK. There's an issue with Fieros, whereby the pedal can bend over time, creating clutch issues that are nearly impossible to diagnose unless you look at the pedal itself.

Your clutch pedal should stand proud of the brake pedal, like this...




... and yes, I know the bolt in the steering shaft is missing, haha. But let me know if your clutch pedal looks like this. If it doesn't you might have a bent pedal.


I'm 6'3", going on 6'2" as I get older. And the Fiero is one of the few small cars that I really feel like was made perfect for someone my size. When I was 18 and used to drive it everywhere, I generally had the seat back all the way... but occasionally would move it forward a click or too if I felt like just "cruising." But my daughter who is about 5'7" ... she's able to reach the pedals, but does have to move the seat forward a bit.
domer94 SEP 02, 04:10 PM
hi , yes the pedal is ok... but i think thats what i mean... seems like taller folks would get on better with the way its set up.. i will have to get used to my left leg being more bent when on the deadman pedal
Patrick SEP 02, 05:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by domer94:

i will have to get used to my left leg being more bent when on the deadman pedal



Deadman pedal? I think in this instance you mean the dead pedal.

I have never used the dead pedal in any car in my life... and I've been driving for over 50 years.
fierofool SEP 02, 06:49 PM
I'm 6' 1" and when I had a base 88 with non-tilt, I had trouble getting in and out and also with the clutch due to the position of the steering wheel. Changed it to a tilt and it was a whole new world.

My wife was 5' 4" and when my ddaughter was in high school, about 5' 7". Neither had trouble driving any of my Fieros. All manual transmissions and tilt wheel.

I can't tell by 82/TA's pic but I think he's showing that the clutch pedal should rise about 1" higher than the brake pedal.
1985 Fiero GT SEP 02, 10:16 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Deadman pedal? I think in this instance you mean the dead pedal.

I have never used the dead pedal in any car in my life... and I've been driving for over 50 years.



What do you do with your left foot then when not shifting?
1985 Fiero GT SEP 02, 10:27 PM
It is a tight fit to get into, but once I'm in the seat, it is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever been in. I'm 6'2", have the seat up a few clicks (enough room to store a small fire extinguisher behind at the bottom), and then reclined right to the firewall, when cruising, my left knee is on the side carpet between the door pocket and the upper vinyl piece, foot on the dead pedal, right knee leaned near the radio, I can quickly and smoothly access all pedals and it's perfectly comfortable. Both my elbows can rest on the arm rests (at the same height to!) and my hands are comfortably on the steering wheel just below the 2 horizontal spokes. No other car I've been in has such symmetry where both legs can be supported from the sides and at similar heights, and both arms can comfortably be on the armrests while fully holding the steering wheel, and being at the same height. The Fiero is the only car I can comfortably drive 2 handed and without cruise control basically indefinitely, all other cars cramp my legs and tire my arms out.
Patrick SEP 03, 12:06 AM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:

What do you do with your left foot then when not shifting?



If it's not raining, I stick it out the window.

My left knee rests against the door, and my left foot is simply on the floor... but not on the dead pedal. This is how I've driven any/all of my cars over the decades. I've experimented with putting my left foot on the dead pedal, but to me it feels unnatural and uncomfortable. I'm 6'3" if that might make a difference in regards to foot placement.
Kitskaboodle SEP 03, 09:55 AM
Hulki was required to make sure the Fiero fit / accommodated the chief engineer on the project team. I’m going from memory but I think the chief engineer was Bob Dorn who was somewhere between 6’4 and 6’6.

On another note, be thankful this is the case as there are indeed some cars that are made for “smaller men” such as some Italian cars and from memory, my brothers Triumph GT6+!
Kit

[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 09-03-2025).]