Pics of new armrest accessory in development.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by Revmatch

Just throwing an idea out there for those who want access to the cup holders. To me, the cup holders are not a very secure unless you get exactly the right cup. One problem is that they are not very deep. Even for just a medium coffee. No big gulps in my car.

My thought would be to cut one, or two holes in the armrest that have a wider mouth then the the current cup holders. These holes should be directly above where the cup holders are in the back position. The holes can have caps that match the rest of the arm rest and fit securely. Then you just pop out the circles (caps) and stash them inside the arm rest and you have a cup holder that is designed better then what we have now. It just may not be a clean enough look for many of you.

Having the cup holders in the forward-most position is already a pain in the arse trying to reach for the cups in the bolstered seats...

If you position these towards the back, I'd imagine them for the rear passengers...because unless you're a gymnastic olympian, you're not going to be able to reach like that for a cup.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by RZ86

what is that armrest anyway!? it looks great!!

OEM prototype...as OP said.

[Wolfking]

Originally Posted by colHolm

In the pic where it is open, you can see two little stoppers that hold it open. I haven't had any issues with the lid closing going around a corner with drinks in there.

I believe you are forgetting about your passenger reaching for their beverage...other than that, that thing is awesome!

[drifter]

Whatever, I"ll take it

[mach330]

I think it would be better if it opens front to back and not right to left.

Tap'd from my G-Nex

[White64Goat]

What I find amusing is that all the people who say "I never eat or drink in my car" and now everybody is bitchin about having cup holders.....

I think the arm rest is pretty good just the way it is. Maybe add a hole towards the back for one cup holder and a notch for phone charger/ipod cable. Price point starting around maybe $125 for fabric cover and $150 for leather (if that's an available choice). Needs to have good top strength as I tend to lean on my armrest when getting in and swinging my legs in.

If it had come from the factory just as pictured, no one would be complaining about the screws either. Maybe Velcro attachment is another option.

[Dake]

I'll simply add my "ME-2" to most of these comments.

Cable notch would be handy.

I think a rear hinge would be better than the side hinge. First off, there will be a passenger in the front seat far more frequently than in the back seats so the convenience should be there for the two up front. Secondly, that side hinge will not only make getting the front passenger's drink harder, it will physically restrict their left elbow. Frankly, as cramped as the back seats are I don't know I'd want someone trying to juggle a drink back there anyway.

As far as strength of a rear-hinge, that shouldn't be a problem. A rear-hinged arm rest/console cover has been a standard design for decades in all manner of cars and trucks. My old Celica had one and it never broke off or even torqued sideways. I even designed a small, drop in spacer to turn the center console into a cup holder since it was an '87 and didn't have one. Consequently the armrest spent plenty of time both up and down with no problems.

The single stitch looks fine to me as well. I think it might look too busy with a double.

I would caution against any kind of stamped, embossed or embroidered logo on the top of the armrest itself though as that would likely be uncomfortable to rest one's arm on. The FR-S is awesome, but I don't think I want a brand on my forearm. Maybe a logo on the underside to pretty it up while it's opened would be an idea.

This is a great idea (and it boggles the mind that the car wasn't designed with something like this from the start), and I would frankly buy it as is - but I would definitely prefer a rear hinge.

[dem00n]

Don't really like it, id like something that plops in and plops out. Has a hatch that opens up from the front and flings back like other arm rests for storage. I find that having it open from the side would be annoying for the passengers since i find every time i have someone else in the car there's a drink or two there. Great build but i'll keep my eye open for something else...
The fact that i have to do drill my car doesnt look good to me...

[Mr. J]

So everyone is recommending the rear-hinged idea, but with the draw back of having your whole armrest sticking up (blocking visibilty, falling down, +other issues etc), but has anyone considered something like the armrest in the Prius? It slides back when you pull up on the release and locks back for cup holder accessability. And if you want access to the storage compartment, you just pull up on the release, and up comes the armrest when you continue pulling up.

(Dunno if this is what you guys implied by mentioning a rear-hinged device, but it's just my two cents and seems to solve a lot of issues.)

[jadewbj]

I dont see how a 1/2 or 3/4 inch tall armrest does anything to give you a place to rest your arm. My arm would be way to low and uncomfortable in that position. It needs to be taller if you ask me.

[NemeGuero]

It covers the gaping hole and gives you a place to put your elbow and forearm.

[colHolm]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

I dont see how a 1/2 or 3/4 inch tall armrest does anything to give you a place to rest your arm. My arm would be way to low and uncomfortable in that position. It needs to be taller if you ask me.

It actually feels perfect at the same height as the armrest on the doors.

[jadewbj]

Originally Posted by NemeGuero

It covers the gaping hole and gives you a place to put your elbow and forearm.

I guess my torso is up higher. I would need to lean over to the right to be able to rest my elbow on that.

[whaap]

There's also the chance you have your seat jacked all the way up.