Does anybody else think the grab handles on the doors are ergonomically poorly designed. Couldn't they be inset into the door ledge rather than blocking the mirror/window controls. I tend to get a little squirmy on long trips, don't have much space to move my legs, and the handle blocks my knee from comfortably moving up...

At first, I thought Honda did this so the driver could brace themselves when rocketing through corners, but then the door really does a fine job of that without any help from the handle.

How about Rick or Muz designing a leather strap to replace the bulky handle?

[Edited by tmkarab on 05-17-2001 at 09:17 PM]

 

I think they're hard to find because they're so forward on the door.

 

I'd strongly support that motion, tmkarab. In my three (past) Miatas, I removed the pull-handle entirely and replaced it with a nylon strap in order to allow me to be able to pull my left foot back and place it flat on the floor occasionally during long drives. With a 33' inseam, I found the ergonomics just too restrictive otherwise.

The S2000 is not nearly as bad, but the handle does still get in the way when I really want to pull my left leg back for a change of position. It's too precious a car for me to do a half-assed install of a do-it-yourself nylon strap, however.

I'd be first in line to buy a cosmetically acceptable replacement.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RoadSurfer
[B]I'd strongly support that motion, tmkarab.

 

Didn't the first generation Miata, at one point in it's cycle, have some sort of strap for a door handle (I know it did, in fact maybe when it first got power windows?). I'm sure something like that could be used for the S2000, maybe a direct switch? If not, I'm sure a sponsor on this board would figure out a good alternative (hint, hint) - maybe not alot of people saw this post or just not that interested? I bet the switch would save weight!!! Ok not much, but every little bit helps!

 

No, sorry, I have no picture of the set-up I used in the Miata. But it was simple enough. I just removed the handle and used the two bolts and bolt holes at either end to substitute the nylon strap that I'd crudely punctuerd to allow the bolts to be inserted. I did paint the bolt heads (and the washers I had to use to spread out the pressre on the strap) black, but it certainly did not look "finished".

 

I plan on either going to a Mazda dealership or just checking out a Miata Service manual (all years) to see if they have the strap that I was talking about...I'll report results soon.