Nismo Recaro seat comfort?

analogman

Greetings everyone, I'm a long time hard-core gear head, but new here. I've owned 104 cars over 45 years of driving (so yes, I'm 'older'), including a couple of Z cars way back when (260Z, 280ZX), and 3 Infiniti G coupes.

I'm intensely shopping for a Nismo, either new or used, 2015-2017. The only thing I'm not sure of is if the Recaro seats will be comfortable over the long run. I'd like to ask anyone for your comments on the seats.

I'm 'older' (60-ish) and not 'small' (6'0", 200 lbs). I've taken a Nismo for two 20 minute test drives, and the seat felt fine to me (though there was no 'wiggle room' in there). But, there can be a big difference between a 20 minute test drive and a multi-hour road trip. Unfortunately, there's only one Nismo at a dealership anywhere near me, and I've worn out my welcome there (especially since I won't be buying that dealership's car), and I've got to make a decision without any more 'seat time'.

How have you all liked the Recaro seat long term? Anyone have any issues with it over time?

Thank you!

herohaki

Well i think it depends on personal preference. Having owned my Nismo for a while, they held up great and the quality is amazing.

Recaro seats are bucket seats so they do feel different than regular and premium leather seats but that doesn't mean they're uncomfortable. I find them very comfortable going fast and making fast and big turns because they hold you very well in place.

Personally I love my recaro seats, they are one of the best feats of the Nismo version. That being said I am a sporty person; I do spirited driving and actively participate on the track. Though I did make 3-4 hour long drives with the car and don't seem to have a problem with comfort, the only problem that I can think of is in a very hot summer day your back may sweat a bit.

Cyber370

I agree with Herohaki. It really depends on your preference. For me, I'm 6 ft. tall/ 180 pounds and find them extremely comfortable so does my wife. However, the passenger base is not the same as the driver. The longest drive we've taken is about two hours and we were very comfortable. But, yes they can get hot since they fit snug. The Recaro seats were what convinced me when I was car shopping. Best seats in its class, IMHO.

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zfaninphilly

Wow finally someone who has owned more cars than I have 37 cars in about 40 years. I bought my 2016 in late June and the longest trips I have taken it on have been half a dozen trips that were 2 hours each way and the comfort was absolutely fine. I am also 60 and 6 ft tall and 200 lbs. The only real issue with the car is visibility in to what is beside you on your right. The recaro seats are thinner and you can actually see out the rear quarter window which I could not see at all on a test drive of a 2016 sport model with regular seats.

There were no nismo 370z's local to me prior to me buying the car. I bought it online from a Nissan dealer a few states away and took a leap of faith that the ride/drive would at least be as good as the 2016 sport model I had driven. The nismo is Far better, handling, acceleration are almost like a different car. My only other minor issue is the car has very little ground clearance when going on or off a driveway. It has to be done on an angle slowly.

OptionZero

I'm 6'0, 210 lbs (ok maybe more, dammit)

Just drove about 800 miles to Anaheim and back.

The seats themselves are comfortable, its the seating position that messes you up. I have an aftermarket steering wheel + QR + spacer to move the wheel closer to me, so it alleviates the problem somewhat

basically you can push the seat back and have comfortable leg positions, but the wheel will be too far

or you can scoot up and grip the wheel properly but your legs will be bent

Over long trips, either option will pose a problem. Either your knees will be sore from being at a bad angle, or your back from leaning forward.

My compromise is to use the seat base height adjustment. The seats allow you to raise/lower at two points, fforward portion and rear portion of the seat bottom. If raise the front a bit, lower the rear, and then tilt the upright back, you end up angling your whole seat back a bit. that seems to be the best

it also gives you the most headroom.

i really need a bigger spacer for my wheel

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Wheels3309

This is my 3rd season in mine and I've got to say that the Recaro seats are one of my absolute favorite aspects of the Nismo.

I've taken a few 4+ hour trips and tons of 2-ish hour stints and have had no comfort issues at all. Like OptionZero said, seating position can be a bit tricky to get dialed in (wheel is a touch farther away than I'd like) but I basically adopted similar adjustments as he did and it's really fine... don't even think about it anymore. (I'm 51, 6' tall / 190lbs)

The one thing I will note (and I'm sure you've already gotten a sense of it from your test drive) is that the Nismo overall is a VERY stiff ride and a large contributing factor are the Recaros. But, personally, thats what I love about the car.

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analogman

Thank you so much everyone! I greatly appreciate the very helpful thoughts and comments!

scope22

is it true that bottom is identical to OEM

Xhilr8n!

6'1", 185, longer waist.

They feel supportive and racy. Actually quite good for me up to maybe three hours. I've done 5 1/2 non stop from Wilmington and looked very much my 61 years of age getting out. But I've never been in any vehicle nonstop that long without considerable discomfort.

Best vehicle we have for extended travel is the Tundra, so big that position can be changed significantly.

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OptionZero

Yup. You only get half a recaro on the Nismo

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KCZ

So it would be possible to swap seats from a sport and Nismo?

Electrify904

He's kidding, the bottom is not the same on the Recaro and regular seats lol.

5' 10" 200lbs here. I've had my Nismo for almost 2 years and I love the seats, they're very supportive. On longer drives in most seats I end up having lower back pain a lot. With the Recaros I don't have that problem nearly as much. I drove 7 or 8 hours up to Zdayz and I have no complaints.
Getting in and out is a pain in the *** though!

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crazy4oldcars

A couple of things that helped me.
I got rid of the thick wallet and bought one of those things ones, then moved it up to my shirt pocket. That has actually done the most to improve my comfort.
Getting in and out is awkward, especially if you're like me and your belly is bigger than your chest. I'm 6'_0" and 230 lbs.
Let the seat all of the way back when your getting in and out. That gets you around the bolsters. I was tearing up the leather before I started doing that. It also keeps my pocket knife clip from catching the steering wheel.
Right foot in the foot well, and back in butt first and swivel to face forward. Nothing else really works for me.
Once I had the 2 seat bottom adjustments to my satisfaction, it's a matter of moving the seat forward until just before my knee touches the dash (so I can get the clutch all the way down without reaching) and tilt the seat back forward to where I can reach the steering wheel comfortably. (Ok. Is anyone else having trouble getting the seat back to stay where you put it?)
My Z is my DD, and long trips are usually made in another vehicle, but it occasionally takes about an hour to get home. I'm perfectly comfortable.

Kirk B.

analogman

Thank you so much again! Your comments and experiences are very helpful!

For the 'larger' (like me...) Nismo drivers out there, do you have any issues with the side bolsters impinging on your, ah, 'love handles'? That was the biggest point of pressure that I noticed in my test drives. It was no problem for 20 minutes, but I wonder what it'll feel like after a couple of hours....

(My wife suggested that I just 'loose a lot of weight', but, it's not so easy to do at 60-ish...).

370zBoyz

they make my left hamstring uncomfortable in the driver side...almost as if it is pushing against the part that is supposed to tuck your thigh in
6'2 205lbs
i have to wiggle around in the seat to get comfy