Door Armrests...what the hell?!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Tigmd99 · 08-12-2008, 11:23 PM

Hey all,

Is there a purpose to the seemingly stupid armrest angle?? That is, for the life of me, i cannot find a way to put my elbow on the door armrest while driving. My '05 Corolla armrest was nice...while driving, you can rest your elbow on the door armrest. In the '09 Corolla, the armrest slants steeply away from your elbow, making it useless. Thus, you are forced to put your elbow on the HARD cheap plastic window sill.

The same goes for the rear door armrests...rear passengers cannot use it to rest their elbows!

Is there a reason why Toyota felt the need to change to this design?? I didn't get the electric steering, but for me, this armrest design is even worst because this will be my daily driver! My guess is that this design was done to improve side crash test...so that the armrest does not crash into the rib area. Still, if so, then that is kinda dumb because '09 come with standard seat mounted side airbags to protect the ribs.

Anyway, is it just me or do you guys feel the same way about the door armrests??

Thanks.

Jeff Lange · 08-13-2008, 12:03 AM

I do not feel the same way, I like them.

Jeff

joeylgarcia · 08-13-2008, 12:13 AM

for me the front door armrests feels ok.

ZenithTheTV · 08-13-2008, 12:21 AM

They seem perfect to me, my elbow is comfortably cradled in the slant. But that might be cause Im a smaller person, 5'11.

Dragon877 · 08-13-2008, 03:00 AM

that might have a lot to do on whether you sit very upright or very lean back and if ur tall or not....im a 5'7 guy and my seat is a bit lean back (no not one of those ppl who's heads are below the wheel and they gotta tilt their head up to see the road)...the armrest actually fits me absolutely perfect, it's nice and supportive i can just rest my hand on it and drive and fiddle with the steering wheel mounted controls

MidNyte · 08-13-2008, 05:19 AM

No. the armrests are fine, but i do agree on the plastic windowsill/interior of the car.

Tigmd99 · 08-13-2008, 05:38 AM

Ok...i guess that i was sitting at the wrong angle?? I don't have this problem in my other cars....

vatecbound · 08-13-2008, 11:18 AM

Did you test drive the car? I mean, it seems good enough to me. You have to remember. Toyota isnt custom making the corolla for you, it is for the masses. Sorry if i am sounding a little annoyed but people buy cars and think they are going to get something that is 100 % what they want. Its a give and take. I am not a big fan of the clock display or the color of the display at night, but who cares, i love my car. I went from driving 2 Ford Taurus's to driving this and it is like heaven. If this generation is as reliable as the past ones, I feel like I have made an amazing purchase, as well have all of you

jdub907 · 08-13-2008, 11:23 AM

This could be due to the fact that when your hands are at "10 & 2" your elbow doesn't rest on the "arm rest."

I'm just kidding. I've never really noticed the arm rest, I really do drive with my hands at 10 & 2.

joeylgarcia · 08-13-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdub907

This could be due to the fact that when your hands are at "10 & 2" your elbow doesn't rest on the "arm rest."

I'm just kidding. I've never really noticed the arm rest, I really do drive with my hands at 10 & 2.

just curious here... are you female? coz most women drive at 10 and 2.

logicbomb.de · 08-13-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeylgarcia

just curious here... are you female? coz most women drive at 10 and 2.

Nice catch!

Actually jdub did mention her gender in a previous thread about deciding between Super White and Barcelona Red for a new XRS.

Tigmd99 · 08-13-2008, 01:17 PM

Well, i am a guy...and i do drive 10-2 positions...is that not the right way??

Tigmd99 · 08-13-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vatecbound

Did you test drive the car? I mean, it seems good enough to me. You have to remember. Toyota isnt custom making the corolla for you, it is for the masses. Sorry if i am sounding a little annoyed but people buy cars and think they are going to get something that is 100 % what they want. Its a give and take. I am not a big fan of the clock display or the color of the display at night, but who cares, i love my car. I went from driving 2 Ford Taurus's to driving this and it is like heaven. If this generation is as reliable as the past ones, I feel like I have made an amazing purchase, as well have all of you

I do NOT own an '09 Corolla yet...this annoyance came when i was testdriving it. So, yeah, i do testdrive all cars extensively before i buy. BTW, my other cars: 2008 Toyota Sienna, 2005 Toyota Corolla, and 2004 Mercedes G500. And i use the armrest on all of them.

logicbomb.de · 08-13-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigmd99

Well, i am a guy...and i do drive 10-2 positions...is that not the right way??

LOL, that's actually the way they teach you in drivers ed, if I can dig those memories up from the murky depths....

I imagine "most" men (myself included) drive more relaxed with their hands at 5 o'clock and 7 or lowrider style one-handed at 12.

I'll often drive with one arm resting on my knee with my left hand at 8 and the other at 5.

sinnaever · 08-13-2008, 02:45 PM

i'm more of a 12 o'clock and one on the shifter.... or I am 1o'clock and one arm out the window...

and i'm going for a fun drive with windy roads I am 3 & 9