New 2015! Question about seat design - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ucla81 · 12-09-2014, 05:50 AM

Hi all,

Purged my 201 Challenger R/T and just got a new Camaro!!!!. Absolutely love it. Perfect condition, not even a rattle of any kind. But I do have one irritating (uncomfortable) issue maybe someone can help with.

The Challenger had more inside room. The space in the Camaro is fine, but the front seats are quite narrow (in my opinion). I can deal a narrower seats, but the problem is the sides of these eats, where the seat is raised to hold you in place. The sides are raised up considerably more than any car I've owned ('ve had Corvettes and Porches in the past, so I understand the design to hold me in place). The only way to keep my butt and legs flatly in the seats is if I drive with my knees close to each other. That not comfortable or practical. Otherwise my legs end up pretty much resting on top of those elevated sides. it feels awkward and is starting to give me a backache. I am 5'10 188. I've adjusted the seats up and down, front all the way down, but no configuration works. My legs are resting on those elevated sides.

Anyone else have this problem? More importantly, does any know a way to flatten those sides? (If there is foam in there that can be removed or some other way?) Im open to all ideas, including taking these seats out and installing different ones. Wouldn't know where to begin to make that happen and have them fit the car in every way and still have functioning electronic seat adjustments. I need flatter sided seats.

Help! Thanks much......Ken. Harpers Ferry, WV (DC metro area)

Sir Nuke · 12-09-2014, 06:01 AM

Ken, I can't help you with your seat issue. BUT.....

CONGRATS on your ride and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wives', husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

ssrs2lt · 12-09-2014, 06:05 AM

welcome, sorry about the seat fit.. I'm sure they will loosen up, just don't know how much..

thkfast · 12-13-2014, 02:02 AM

Yeah, it sounds like they may have accidentally installed the optional RECARO seats in your car. If so, those were all made too small, are very uncomfortable and yucky. If this is the case, I am certain someone on this forum would trade you their stock (more comfortable) seats for your RECAROS + $20.

Below is what the stock seats look like...

Name: IMG_2233.JPG
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Size: 102.2 KB

Name: IMG_2233.JPG
Views: 1346
Size: 102.2 KB

And this is the yucky Recaro seats...

Name: Recaro seats.jpg
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2010SLVRBULIT · 12-13-2014, 03:00 AM

..doubt you would have recaros in the V6, but you should've known ahead of time that you were downsizing from a fridge to a microwave oven.

..btw, congrats

PalmerGA · 12-13-2014, 05:32 AM

The raised sides on the seats are what they are - extra support to "hug" your hips and butt. What they are not is rigid and inflexible. Look... the actual flat part of the seat is only 14" at it's widest (where your thighs rest), and 12" at the narrowest (where your butt rest). What grown man has a 12" wide butt, when seated? Only little skinny dudes, which you are not. I'm 6'-3" and 260 pounds and have no problem displacing the raised sides of the seat. I find them quite comfortable actually.

You just need to get used to a slightly tighter space, coming from that big boat Challenger. Give 'em time and you'll come to love it. And if your back is hurting it isn't due to the narrow seats - it because of your seat adjustment. You don't say if you have an auto or a manual (which would be helpful if you added that to your "Drives:" info), but I suggest you move the seat back as far as you can and still safely reach the pedals. Keep experimenting with the tilt/height/back angle and you will eventually find your comfort zone.

ucla81 · 12-13-2014, 05:48 AM

Thanks for all the advice! Correct, the seats are not Recaros. I don't think of my former Challenger all that much bigger than the Camaro, at all. The sides of the seats weren't raised up to 'hug' the hips like in the Camaro. I am sure I will get used to it, just feels awkward. Nonetheless, don't know why they make these seats for someone 5'9 130. That's no where near the average guy's stats! For a normal-sized guy (me), the legs will rest atop those raised sides and I realllly don't think that is the best seat design for the lower back.

NYCamOwner · 12-13-2014, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucla81

Thanks for all the advice! Correct, the seats are not Recaros. I don't think of my former Challenger all that much bigger than the Camaro, at all. The sides of the seats weren't raised up to 'hug' the hips like in the Camaro. I am sure I will get used to it, just feels awkward. Nonetheless, don't know why they make these seats for someone 5'9 130. That's no where near the average guy's stats! For a normal-sized guy (me), the legs will rest atop those raised sides and I realllly don't think that is the best seat design for the lower back.

I doubt they designed them for a person that is 5'9 130lbs..

Splitter · 12-13-2014, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCamOwner

I doubt they designed them for a person that is 5'9 130lbs..

Hahaha +1

Maybe the for the Eurospec Camaro?

el-guapin · 12-13-2014, 08:13 AM

Congrats on your new Camaro and Welcome to the forum!

enzia35 · 12-13-2014, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thkfast

Yeah, it sounds like they may have accidentally installed the optional RECARO seats in your car. If so, those were all made too small, are very uncomfortable and yucky. If this is the case, I am certain someone on this forum would trade you their stock (more comfortable) seats for your RECAROS + $20.

Below is what the stock seats look like...

Attachment 680083

And this is the yucky Recaro seats...

Attachment 680084

I can't tell if you're trying to make him give up his Recaros, haha.

enzia35 · 12-13-2014, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCamOwner

I doubt they designed them for a person that is 5'9 130lbs..

Miata was designed for the small Asian male...and I, with my 5'8" 220lb frame fits in them fine. The Camaro feels like a palace with all the room in comparison.

MBS · 12-13-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzia35

I can't tell if you're trying to make him give up his Recaros, haha.

Eaxctly what I thought , Exchange with stock plus throw in a extra $20 bucks

102SS · 12-13-2014, 08:45 AM

I am 6'2" 260lbs and have no problem getting comfortable in this car.

You want tight? go sit in a 4th Gen.

12-09-2014, 05:50 AM	#1
ucla81 Drives: '15 2LT, RS, wht, black striping Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV (near DC) Posts: 13	New 2015! Question about seat design Hi all, Purged my 201 Challenger R/T and just got a new Camaro!!!!. Absolutely love it. Perfect condition, not even a rattle of any kind. But I do have one irritating (uncomfortable) issue maybe someone can help with. The Challenger had more inside room. The space in the Camaro is fine, but the front seats are quite narrow (in my opinion). I can deal a narrower seats, but the problem is the sides of these eats, where the seat is raised to hold you in place. The sides are raised up considerably more than any car I've owned ('ve had Corvettes and Porches in the past, so I understand the design to hold me in place). The only way to keep my butt and legs flatly in the seats is if I drive with my knees close to each other. That not comfortable or practical. Otherwise my legs end up pretty much resting on top of those elevated sides. it feels awkward and is starting to give me a backache. I am 5'10 188. I've adjusted the seats up and down, front all the way down, but no configuration works. My legs are resting on those elevated sides. Anyone else have this problem? More importantly, does any know a way to flatten those sides? (If there is foam in there that can be removed or some other way?) Im open to all ideas, including taking these seats out and installing different ones. Wouldn't know where to begin to make that happen and have them fit the car in every way and still have functioning electronic seat adjustments. I need flatter sided seats. Help! Thanks much......Ken. Harpers Ferry, WV (DC metro area)

12-09-2014, 06:01 AM	#2
Sir Nuke Master of All Things Drives: '20 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southeast of Houston, Texas Posts: 22,332 View My Garage	Ken, I can't help you with your seat issue. BUT..... CONGRATS on your ride and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wives', husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy. oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here. Welcome!! __________________

12-09-2014, 06:05 AM	#3
ssrs2lt Drives: too many Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: oh va pa ma tx Posts: 3,046	welcome, sorry about the seat fit.. I'm sure they will loosen up, just don't know how much.. __________________

12-13-2014, 02:02 AM	#4
thkfast Drives: '14 Red 2SS/RS/LS3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 692	Yeah, it sounds like they may have accidentally installed the optional RECARO seats in your car. If so, those were all made too small, are very uncomfortable and yucky. If this is the case, I am certain someone on this forum would trade you their stock (more comfortable) seats for your RECAROS + $20. Below is what the stock seats look like... And this is the yucky Recaro seats... __________________ 2014 Red Hot 2SS/RS/M6/NPP/Shifter/Nav/Roof/SilverRallyStripes/Airaid intake/GM StrutTowerBrace/50%-35%tint

12-13-2014, 05:32 AM	#6
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,755 View My Garage	The raised sides on the seats are what they are - extra support to "hug" your hips and butt. What they are not is rigid and inflexible. Look... the actual flat part of the seat is only 14" at it's widest (where your thighs rest), and 12" at the narrowest (where your butt rest). What grown man has a 12" wide butt, when seated? Only little skinny dudes, which you are not. I'm 6'-3" and 260 pounds and have no problem displacing the raised sides of the seat. I find them quite comfortable actually. You just need to get used to a slightly tighter space, coming from that big boat Challenger. Give 'em time and you'll come to love it. And if your back is hurting it isn't due to the narrow seats - it because of your seat adjustment. You don't say if you have an auto or a manual (which would be helpful if you added that to your "Drives:" info), but I suggest you move the seat back as far as you can and still safely reach the pedals. Keep experimenting with the tilt/height/back angle and you will eventually find your comfort zone. __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

12-13-2014, 03:00 AM	#5
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	..doubt you would have recaros in the V6, but you should've known ahead of time that you were downsizing from a fridge to a microwave oven. ..btw, congrats

12-13-2014, 05:48 AM	#7
ucla81 Drives: '15 2LT, RS, wht, black striping Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV (near DC) Posts: 13	Thanks for all the advice! Correct, the seats are not Recaros. I don't think of my former Challenger all that much bigger than the Camaro, at all. The sides of the seats weren't raised up to 'hug' the hips like in the Camaro. I am sure I will get used to it, just feels awkward. Nonetheless, don't know why they make these seats for someone 5'9 130. That's no where near the average guy's stats! For a normal-sized guy (me), the legs will rest atop those raised sides and I realllly don't think that is the best seat design for the lower back.

12-13-2014, 08:13 AM	#10
el-guapin Trust No One! Drives: 2010 SIM 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NOLA Posts: 531	Congrats on your new Camaro and Welcome to the forum! __________________

12-13-2014, 08:45 AM	#14
102SS waiting at the tree Drives: SIM 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 3,152	I am 6'2" 260lbs and have no problem getting comfortable in this car. You want tight? go sit in a 4th Gen. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS A6 ZL1 Rims 60ft 2.03 13.08 at 107.82 (4/28) 2009 Pontiac G8 3.6L the DD