ARMREST - definitive info available?

[bolbo]

I've read several posts regarding the 'ergonomically inefficient' standard armrest. I've sat in several Legacies and the problem was instantly validated. Just like my previous post about the rearview mirror being too low/bulbous, the armrest is another thing I must reconcile before making a future purchase. It's simply a matter of comfort. 300HP wouldn't help if I had to squiggle in my driver's seat at every instance or have no place to put my right elbow.

And, when you add in the fact that the driver's left arm can not sit in it's entirety on the ledge or conveniently operate the window buttons (because of the silver handle) - the problem, in my opinion, compounds and leaves you wondering why Subaru gave so little concern to 'standard' driver comfort - before worry about frills.

That said, I am looking for definitive information on what this extension will look like and how it will work. The dealer I went to showed me one in an OB or something, but that car is a different animal and the extension would not be the same in the Legacy. My one concern is that the Legacy extension be as aestheticallyappealing as the original armrest and that the extension not turn it into some bulbous monstrosity like the auto dimming mirror.

My understanding is that it replaces the top cover of the original, utilizes the storage space from the original plus an additional storage area from the new piece (two segments flip open). I am having trouble visualizing how this may look aesthetically. I do understand that it is rather a permanent replacement - not meant to be taken off and on. Does anyone...maybe somebody that lready has a Legacy from the Japan market....have a picture of this unit or an explanation of how it looks/operates.

Finally, is not the feel rather plasticky? How is everyone liking their stock armrest...and are you finding that there is, indeed, no proper height/length for elbow when hand is on stick or steering wheel. Thanks in advance, sorry for length.

[TLS]

There are no online pics of it from Subaru.

However, the Brochure has a picture of one.

But whenever I drive a Stick shift car, the hand is always resting on the shifter anyways.

The new Altimas have this same problem.

[agctr]

bolbo, welcome to the site. Ummmm to be honest, Im not really sure what to say really to any of that. I have written a whole page and deleted it twice based on yr comments. I will just say this, the GT is a bulletproof A- Z car that isnt for everyone but I love it as much as anyone else does in this forum. Im sure you will make the right choice for you when the time comes... Enjoy!

[Nick]

You really think the rear view mirror is a "bulbous monstrosity"? It looks just like a regular rear view mirror to me. Given your apparent aesthetic sensitivity, I seriously doubt you will like the armrest extension based on the photo I have seen and other Subaru armrest extensions I have seen in real life.

[RobCatron]

I've read several posts regarding the 'ergonomically inefficient' standard armrest. I've sat in several Legacies and the problem was instantly validated. Just like my previous post about the rearview mirror being too low/bulbous, the armrest is another thing I must reconcile before making a future purchase. It's simply a matter of comfort. 300HP wouldn't help if I had to squiggle in my driver's seat at every instance or have no place to put my right elbow.

And, when you add in the fact that the driver's left arm can not sit in it's entirety on the ledge or conveniently operate the window buttons (because of the silver handle) - the problem, in my opinion, compounds and leaves you wondering why Subaru gave so little concern to 'standard' driver comfort - before worry about frills.

That said, I am looking for definitive information on what this extension will look like and how it will work. The dealer I went to showed me one in an OB or something, but that car is a different animal and the extension would not be the same in the Legacy. My one concern is that the Legacy extension be as aestheticallyappealing as the original armrest and that the extension not turn it into some bulbous monstrosity like the auto dimming mirror.

My understanding is that it replaces the top cover of the original, utilizes the storage space from the original plus an additional storage area from the new piece (two segments flip open). I am having trouble visualizing how this may look aesthetically. I do understand that it is rather a permanent replacement - not meant to be taken off and on. Does anyone...maybe somebody that lready has a Legacy from the Japan market....have a picture of this unit or an explanation of how it looks/operates.

Finally, is not the feel rather plasticky? How is everyone liking their stock armrest...and are you finding that there is, indeed, no proper height/length for elbow when hand is on stick or steering wheel. Thanks in advance, sorry for length.


Quite honestly, I don't mind the center console at all on my '05 Legacy GT Limited. To me, the seat height, compared to the entire console is such that my arm rests actually ahead of the console lid cover -- in effect, the entire console (especially around the parking brake lever) acts as an armrest.

I have no problems at all with it. Nor the mirror. I love the autodimming and the compass feature.

Rob Catron
Frankfort, KY

[IwannaSportSedan]

I haven't seen the console in person, hope to this weekend, but I just have to make one observation...

The rear view mirror... does it not have two spherical joints? I would think you would be able to move it up, down, side to side, and get it where you want it.

I tend to have the mirror closer to the headliner than most, because I am tall, and if the mirror is too low, it tends to block my eyeline to the right shoulder of the road, and right sides of intersections.

[brady_bunch]

The rear view mirror... does it not have two spherical joints? I would think you would be able to move it up, down, side to side, and get it where you want it.

Just checked... Yes, it does have two spherical joints and is adjustable.

[bolbo]

Umm. Well, first...thanks for the welcome and the responses. I am aesthetically sensitive (and why shouldn't I be?) and I may, indeed, not be satisfied with the armrest extension. While I'm 'sensitive', I'm open-minded and flexible. If the extension turns out to be overly detrimental to the otherwise wonderfully accoutremented and designed interior - it is not only I that would be disappointed, afterall, there's a reason that they are offering an extension in the first place. It is not unreasonable to ask for an appropriately sized/placed armrest that compliments the previously noted wonderful interior.

Regarding 'bulbous monstrosity': Ok, I exaggerate. But the subaru auto dimming mirror, as I remember it, is taller than, say, the acura tl's. At a minimum, I've seen after market auto dimming mirrors that aren't as large. Perhaps the compass requirements are the culprit. I wouldn't care either way, except that I noted in another thread that the r.v. mirror seems inordinantly low and 'potentially' view intrusive as compared to any other vehicle I've sat in. Others have ditto'd that observation; I'm only piggy-backing. But I appreciate the response that said that the Legacy's cockpit, in general, is different than many other vehicles (more intimate, closer pillars, etc.) but that it is driver oriented - once the drive gets used to the change.


AGCTR - thanks for the welcome, I would have gladly read your response - no need to delete. To help with any confusion, one of my original points was that even a 300hp engine wouldn't help me reconcile basic necessities (armrest, good r.v. mirror positioning/size).

I have no urgency to buy this vehicle, though it is my favorite if I need to make a quick purchase. In the meantime, I am seeking out info to reconcile the few....very few issues that have arisen as I have sat in the car. As I haven't even driven the car (prefer the GT) yet, I figure that the best is yet to come (based on 2,000 posts) so I prefer to direct my attention on interior comfort and convenience.

I would be driving a 5eat so placing my elbow (preferably my right one) on a properly placed armrest is of no small significance, to me. I had also noted that I found the armrest to be rather plasticky; I would've prefered a leather or faux leather etc. The original armrest does 'look' very good, however. I also made note of the inability to comfortably place ones left arm on the door. It, too, looks great....but requires a comfort sacrifice when laying the forearm on it, or attempting to use button windows. Reasonable observation, again, not the first to mention it. I, personally, don't feel it makes me any more aesthetically or cosmetically sensitive than the observations noted in most of the '05 Legacy posts. We all have our sensitive areas, as do I. And I realize perfection is not an option. That said, the forum is here for us to vent, seek solutions (or at least perspective) and perhaps to bend the ear of a Subaru rep.

Chances are, I'll have plenty more anal nitpicks and questions...prepare! Oops, here's one already...what do you mean by spherical ball joints? The part that lets you rotate the r.v. mirror up/down and side to side? That only means you can rotate it out of your way a little but also can't see out the rear...not the solution I was looking for. However, if there is a way to remove the mirror and re-place it an inch higher....that might be a solution.

Thanks again for the responses.

[PPower]

DUAL spherical ball joints is the key. The joint of importance to you and for tall people is that you can move the mirror vertically to be closer to the headliner for taller people or to get it out of your way or lower for short drivers. As you mention that this is a forum to seek solutions, this could be your answer on this issue. Aside from that, you could get a standard mirror and buy a "smaller" aftermarket mirror that was auto-dimming.

On the armrest, I understand how people can be buying cars. I had a lady looking at a TL with her husband and was so fixated that she didn't feel the AC was cold enough that she never even noticed the rest of the car. On the armrest, I have a customer that loves the TL but needs the armrest a couple of inches higher because of a nerve problem on his right forearm. We explored the possibility of increasing the height of the console, but it wasn't going to be sufficient. I actually recommended he check out the Legacy because of this optional armrest extension because of the rising feature more than the extension. As you mentioned Acura products, the RL has a similar extension/rising feature and it is WONDERFUL! If it is anything like that, you will not have any problem with it at all.

[bolbo]

Thanks Ppower. Would you mind clarifying how exactly the two spherical dual joints would be adjusted (or just one, as you say) to move the mirror. Are you referring to being able to move the entire mirror and not the part that is attached to the window (through a glued device, I presume)?

I know that the legacy has wires attached for auto dimming, etc. And I presume that this has no bearing even if the 'whole' mirror (with part that is glued to windshield) is repositioned up an inch or so. But feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. If the problem is more easily fixed by not having the auto dim to begin with, I would probalby gladly forgo that option. Anyhoo, I'm just having trouble visualizing the part you are referring to and the technique/labor involved in it. If you don't mind, could you tackle that question. Thanks again.

[NewSubieLegacy]

Here is the armrest extension. From http://www.drivesubaru.com/Sum04_QuickStops.htm -

"The center armrest extension allows the armrest to be raised and moved forward. The choice of positioning adds to driver and front-passenger comfort."

[bolbo]

Good work and thanks for the reply New Subie. If the enlarged picture is the 'extension' in the unextended position, then this is good news because the original aesthetics remain. While the black area shown perhaps is less conspicuous with the charcoal (black!) interior, I don't find it offensive and expected something worse (more conspicuous).

I'm still slightly confused on how this system operates. I've been told there is a button that is depressed that puts the unit 'up and out' but I don't see where that is nor do I get exactly how that would get the job done. But, from what I see, there is, indeed, an option (after permanently installing the extension) to keep the placement low or 'unextended'.

The only other question would be does the extender in any way take away storage room?

[gtguy]

Good work and thanks for the reply New Subie. If the enlarged picture is the 'extension' in the unextended position, then this is good news because the original aesthetics remain. While the black area shown perhaps is less conspicuous with the charcoal (black!) interior, I don't find it offensive and expected something worse (more conspicuous).

I'm still slightly confused on how this system operates. I've been told there is a button that is depressed that puts the unit 'up and out' but I don't see where that is nor do I get exactly how that would get the job done. But, from what I see, there is, indeed, an option (after permanently installing the extension) to keep the placement low or 'extended'.

The only other question would be does the extender in any way take away storage room?

When I fiddled with one at the Chicago Auto Show, it was a two-way manual button. One way flipped it up, the other way allowed it to slide up and forward. It doesn't take away storage space at all, and you are correct. You can have the "normal" or "extended" mode.

Kevin

[kanoswrx]

The extension I think might impact shifting, that is if you have a MT of course. I found the armrest extensions in the STI and WRX to be very obtrusive and they made shifting much harder, you had to hold it at a 45 degree angle and it felt really bad. I don't know how the legacy armrest extension would effect us but from the looks of it, I would expect the same reduced ability to shift. I personally like the stock armrest where it is, out of the way. Use two hands on the wheel :)

[gtguy]

The extension I think might impact shifting, that is if you have a MT of course. I found the armrest extensions in the STI and WRX to be very obtrusive and they made shifting much harder, you had to hold it at a 45 degree angle and it felt really bad. I don't know how the legacy armrest extension would effect us but from the looks of it, I would expect the same reduced ability to shift. I personally like the stock armrest where it is, out of the way. Use two hands on the wheel :)

I'm with you on the two-hand thing, Kanos. But the Legacy's armrest extension, because it doesn't sit as high as the Impreza's, isn't as intrusive. I rowed the gears with the armrest up at the Chicago show.

Kevin

[tasdisr]

I saw on Subaru's web site that the armrest extension is now offered as a $144.00 option

[brady_bunch]

I called my parts guy yesterday and I had to assure him it was available before he would even bother to check. When he did check, he told me there was a part number but that only the "port" was getting the parts (possibly due to high demand?) and they were not available as separate parts at the dealerships yet. :(

[finked]

The extension I think might impact shifting, that is if you have a MT of course. I found the armrest extensions in the STI and WRX to be very obtrusive and they made shifting much harder, you had to hold it at a 45 degree angle and it felt really bad. I don't know how the legacy armrest extension would effect us but from the looks of it, I would expect the same reduced ability to shift. I personally like the stock armrest where it is, out of the way. Use two hands on the wheel :)

i think the reason why the armrest extension is designed to be raised or collapsed (rather than just built permanently raised) is so that you can keep it in the lowered position while you are doing most of your shifting (except for highway passing) and can raise it for comfortable cruising where, presumably, you won't have to do much, if any, shifting.

[*Jedimaster*]

How is it raised? Is it a one handed operation? I also was wondering if it gets in the way of sode bottles in the cupholder?

[DSattler]

For what it's worth, I just ordered the armrest extension from SubaruPartsForYou.com for $109 plus $8.55 for ground shipping.