Thank the NHTSA and manufactures trying to get the top safety ratings by going crazy on those headrests:

"Headrests are uncomfortable when they push the head forward. In such case there is effectively no gap behind the head and the headrest, or more technically, there's a 'negative' backset (or gap) as the headrest interferes with their natural neutral posture. Data shows that 16% of the population will experience headrest discomfort because of this issue.[7] The rest of the population experiences no discomfort because there is no contact with the headrest, i.e. there is a gap between the head and headrest.

Headrests are designed this way because the regulated specs for headrests are set for the 'average' body posture. When the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revised the standard which governs head restraints for all new cars manufactured after 2008,[8][7] it established for the first time a requirement for the fore-aft position, or "backset". The backset requirements was set at a 55mm (2.1 in) gap behind the head of the "average" body posture. By definition, not everyone has the 'average' posture. The specs will therefore cause issues for this 16% subset of the population.[7]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_r...cite_note-:1-7

 

I guess those pop up headrests on my MBs didnt catch on they get replaced with monitors anyway

 

Thanks for all the help over the years. I often needed more than most. I was able to hold onto to my 9, when I added a 1M. I haven't had the heart to track it though as I know what that can do to new / pristine car over time. I really wanted to switch to RWD track work, but hadn't had much time for track days or the Evo at all. Making a come back this year, and saw this. Wish you the best .... Change is good!

 

Thanks for sharing your story. Always sad saying goodbye to an old friend. I'd bet we crossed paths at a track event or two over the years. Sometimes things change, others not so much. Sounds like you made the right decision.