Sort of. I had an upholsterer modify the head rests on my current daily (also a Subaru) due to a similar stupid design.

I think I'd rather get some made from scratch this time. First set would be expensive, but that's the benefit of a network of owners.

I'll second the "amusing post" opinion above and add -- would better-shaped headrests from another Subaru or Toyota model fit, and if so, are they reasonably priced?

I'm worried that it will be even worse when I try to wear a helmet.

a company needs to come up with an after market head rest and only a head rest that doesnt go so far forward.

i know newer STI's have the same issue and i would assume WRX's do too

Wow....those are expensive.

Well, the problem is that all new cars built after 09 have this exact same problem. Believe it or not, experts who spent too much time in the lab and not enough time in the field believe this is a "safety feature." Don't know how it's supposed to be safer when I'm spending more time trying to massage my shoulder, crack my neck, and basically self-chiropracting... all while watching traffic and driving stick. :mad0260:

This car isn't the worst offender: Ford's seem to be purpose built to destroy your spine. But on the FR-S, the combination of extreme headrest angle plus the overall tightness of a racing-style seat... it's impossible for me to find a comfortable driving position. (And before people start suggesting this, no, leaning the seat further back doesn't help, not when you've got minor neck and shoulder problems to start with.) My only real solutions are A) modify or replace the bloody headrests, or B) get all new seats. I really don't want to go with option B, but I honestly can't drive this car for more than 10 minutes at a time, without wanting to get out of it.

Hey Grimmspeed, any chance you guys would want to fabricate new mounting posts? :help:

I agree with your concern very much. During a test drive my wife commented that the headrests are very awkwardly positioned forward. I decided to stop worrying for now, until I get a car. I am afraid I'll have the same issue as you do, I like to sit up straight. I'll give a try to evaluate the problem when I get the car myself, but I think the chances of me liking them are not too high.

Option C- just remove the headrest and call it done!

Were you able to try the headrest flip that was suggested earlier? I don't have an FRS yet but that trick works like a charm in my Mazdaspeed 3, though I suppose you'll be sacrificing a bit of safety by doing that.

That is what we call, a bad idea. Somebody bumps you from behind at anything over 10 mph, and the best you could hope for is paralysis.

Yup, problem solved... till he gets rear ended...

Maybe it has something to do with height? I'm only 5' 7 and with the seats a little bit leaned back (100° from floor, max) the headrest perfectly touches the back of my head. First car I've ever owned where the headrest actually rested my head.

OK option C is a bad idea.

Like those recaros.

Does anyone know what the stock chair weighs?

I honestly think it's a body shape thing, rather than a height issue. I know some people think the new style seats are just fine, if not better; but do a Google search for "headrest" sometime. There's a LOT of people out there who can't find a comfortable seating position with these mandated headrests, and their height range from 5' to 7'. For me, it's just painfully uncomfortable to either not rest my back and shoulders against the seat (putting all my weight on my head, and thus neck), or to ride with my head tilted forward all the time. I don't even recline the seats on airplanes, because I can't stand that sort of position.

Mazdaspeed: yeah, I gave it a try (it's free, easy, and reversible... so why not?) While marginally safer than removing them altogether, it would still leave a lot of room for collisions to do bad things to your neck. Though I have to admit, with these seat's shape, they didn't look quite as goofy as I was expecting. So... maybe an acceptable risk trade-off for others, but I think I'm going to keep looking for a better solution. Personally, I'd rather have the tradeoff of losing my side airbags by installing Recaros, than risk neck injury due to rear-ending. For where I live now, the latter is far, FAR more likely. :(