What's your cars design flaw?

"jkm7680" (jkm7680) 02/20/2014 at 15:27 • Filed to: None

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Every car has to have at least one design flaw that is annoying. What's yours?

Here is one design flaw on my A4, and just by the picture you notice it, the armrest hangs over the 1st cup holder, to put a cup in, you have to lift the armrest, to put the handbrake on, you have to slightly lift the armrest. The worst part is, while practicing Ju-Jutsu in my car, I broke the clasp for the armrest, so it now it catapults it's contents into the backseat whenever I want to use the other cup holder.

It's not like the wheels fall off, but it's just a kickstarter. Oh and who's idea was it to put the owners manual under the steering wheel?

 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:29

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Big outside, small inside. My car has so little rear leg room it's ridiculous for a car so big.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:30

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Fuel efficiency, small truck (Sonoma) with the fuel efficiency of a big truck.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:31

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even more annoying. Cup holders over the window switches in a Volvo 850 (not my current car but I had an R wagon long enough to remember)

RPM esq. > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:31

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BMW E46s have the same annoying touch.

Frosted > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:31

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Cupholders. Volvo didn't seem to understand them when making the P2 chassis Volvo cars. Or the P80 chassis cars. Or the RWD cars.

Party-vi > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:32

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I have the same issue with the armrest and cup holders in my E46 coupe.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:32

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None. It has none. Not even cupholders to complain about.

mycarneverruns87 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:32

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I know it is a small gripe in the scheme of things but my Focus has the worst dome light. You can't see a damn thing when digging in the back seat!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:32

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My 2013 Civic's sun visors... they dont have the little vanity light inside of them. Also, it only has one outlet.

Sn210 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:32

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The top of the shifter looks like the radio knobs, which my peripheral vision can't handle. Also, the brake lever is away from the driver, I don't like that.

jkm7680 > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 15:33

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I remember, the 5 series Euro a while back model didn't even have cupholders

Casper > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:33

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I drive a 240Z. They didn't have design flaws, they had driver improvement features.

Brian, The Life of > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:33

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"PRNDL"

/hangs head in shame

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > 505Turbeaux 02/20/2014 at 15:33

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I hate you. (eyes turn green.)

The man in the iron mask > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:34

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I had a set ibiza 2 years ago, you couldnt go into 2nd and 4th if you had the stupid armrest.

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 02/20/2014 at 15:34

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That looks like a sure way to eventually fry your electronics, flimsy looking to add to that!

jkm7680 > The man in the iron mask 02/20/2014 at 15:35

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That's the same armrest in my A4, Straight from theVolkswagen parts bin

RPM esq. > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:35

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This is true: I used to have an E34 5-series—an American market one—without cupholders. You had to buy an aftermarket part to add them.

Lazzris > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:36

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taurus x has the chrome air vents and when the sun hits it it reflects in my eyes.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken 02/20/2014 at 15:36

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..unless you count shitty fuel economy as a design flaw, I call it a tradeoff.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:36

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they were so horrible and flimsy

 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:37

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You have cup holders? First world problems.

willkinton247 > Brian, The Life of 02/20/2014 at 15:38

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Yep.

Klaus Schmoll > mycarneverruns87 02/20/2014 at 15:39

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Same here with my Accord. Dome light only illuminates the front seats. Everything I put on the backseat is lost in darkness.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:39

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the only things that i complain about the 08 Rustler( stang) is that you cant turn off the interior lights for when you open the door, and also that driving off doesn't lock the door automatically.

jkm7680 >  02/20/2014 at 15:39

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Haha

153624 - Straight Six > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:39

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Psh, you people with cupholders. Mine doesn't even have cupholders.

fhrblig > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:39

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The doors on my Fiat refuse to stay open. You think you've opened the door far enough, then BAM! It hits you right in the shin. Annoying as all hell. My old Hyundai Accent did the same thing.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:40

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Honda's cup-holders are always to big for anything. I just line them with adhesive foam.

Also it has two doors and a trunk instead of a Hatchback.

jkm7680 > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 15:41

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Oh, I thought it was just a Euro thing. I might as well not have them because if you drink anything colorful in my car, you can ride in the trunk.

Justino6969 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:42

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My car's drive-train being FWD. Also the 'cupholders' that come out of the dash are very weak and block the storage cubby above the radio when in use.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mycarneverruns87 02/20/2014 at 15:43

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My car has TWO dome lights one up in front of the sunroof, and one by the rear window it's awesome.

DatBomb > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:44

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2011 Camaro ss

I use the built in stereo Aux and plug into my phone. Good crisp music until i want to charge my phone at the same time. Then i get static and a constant hum with my music. I changed cables and phone same thing every time. This didnt happen in my last car...

jkm7680 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/20/2014 at 15:44

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That's a good concept with the hatchback! It looks like it should be a hatch. Probably just a cost saver.

Rainbow > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:45

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Foxbodies had no cupholders unless you ordered an absurdly expensive attachment that looked so out of place and ugly it just wasn't worth it.

efme > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:45

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I believe they're designed as an afterthought since in europe most cars do not have any cup holders. I recall someone telling me its because its against the law or something to drive and multitask...

MrCrash > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:45

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Traction control. They put 400hp into a truck, then set it so that if the tires start to slip the tiniest bit, it cuts all engine power and lets you sit still to ponder what you did wrong. That could be leaving from a stop light, merging into traffic, or trying to get out of the way of something. I've had it do this pulling out into heavy traffic. Even worse is if you spin it around, it has a habit of turning off the engine.

Spaceball-Two > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:46

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I have a B6 and the lid off my armrest has been gone for months. Also I have longer arms and that same armrest bumps my elbow when I'm rowing through the gears. I'm currently researching the "armrest delete".

jkm7680 > Justino6969 02/20/2014 at 15:46

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Sounds familiar, I test drove an 02 Wrx a while back and the cupholder was right above the radio, so you could spill shit on it

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:46

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Where's the apostrophe in the title?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:47

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I just love having a hatchbacks period. I bought this coupe b/c I fell in love with it, and it was a big improvement from the rusty Accord sedan I was driving, but when it comes time to replace it I will buy a hatchback. Coupes really are silly when you look at how much more convenient a hatchback is.

Awe_thentiX > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:48

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SRT-4 A pillars. Can't see shit around those.

RPM esq. > 153624 - Straight Six 02/20/2014 at 15:49

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E36 M3?

jkm7680 > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 15:49

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I'd love to just take the armrest off, but I'm downgrading soon and want to keep resale up.

HammerheadFistpunch > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:49

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be happy you have cup holders....and an arm rest...

No cup holders (from the factory) and the arm rest is way offset to make room for the parking brake (not shown)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 15:49

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At least you get realistic cupholders

jkm7680 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/20/2014 at 15:50

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Oops

Spaceball-Two > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:51

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You can buy a new armrest off amazon.com with the faux leather and pretty close color match pretty cheap.
What year A4?

jkm7680 > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 15:52

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It's an 08

RPM esq. > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/20/2014 at 15:53

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Is than an E36 console?

Spaceball-Two > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:54

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What are you getting next?
Here's mine.

red014 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:54

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2007 Legacy. Window controls tucked behind the door handle. You need to severely contort your wrist to reach them. The photo doesn't make it look so bad, but the first time you reach for them...

eovnu87435ds > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 15:56

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That stupid slide-out cupholder. It holds any drink too low so that it will topple out and all over all of your dash controls, or the drink is too tall and protrudes half way up your windshield. And don't think about a cold drink in the winter time. With it right behind the vent, your ice cold drink becomes quite warm in a few minutes.

There is also another cupholder, directly behind the stick. Except it is so skinny you can only fit a soda can. A water bottle is too wide, and even if you jam it in there, it sticks up right where you want your elbow to be when shifting gears. I stick my water bottle between the driver's seat and the door because of how much of a pain it is.

Spaceball-Two > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 15:56

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kinja'd!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 15:56

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Yup.

jkm7680 > red014 02/20/2014 at 15:56

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That looks extremely inconvenient, I can see it

jkm7680 > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 15:59

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Haha, I'm probably getting a 06+ Golf, or a B5 S4

It's a "Porch-uh" > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 15:59

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Yup, get to deal with this in my wife's car.

Mine is worse:

E39 cupholders are practically worthless. Anything bigger than a small coffee means you can't get to the HVAC controls. A Starbucks venti will certainly fall over with any sort of acceleration (which is extra difficult in the M5). And they are flimsy, so they will break if you're not careful placing something in.

Makes me miss the cupholders in the E60, which were far from perfect.

ColoradoTaco > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:03

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B5s have the same stupid cup holders. The one over the radio is worse though, hit a bump and it spills over the HVAC and tuner controls

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:06

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There is an outlet in my under-armrest-bin but no good way to have the cord come out into my interior to hook up my phone. I know they just want me to have my phone inside of there, but that's nonsense. My commute is 10 minutes, I don't want to be dealing with that.

The other outlet is near the front cup holders, it just looks ugly there.

jkm7680 > ColoradoTaco 02/20/2014 at 16:06

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That looks pretty bad, if it was sticky and got under the buttons, that would be terrible to have to clean.

ColoradoTaco > efme 02/20/2014 at 16:06

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I don't think it's against the law, Europeans tend to drive less and don't feel the need to drink something while driving whereas an hour long commute in the States is not out of the norm and we tend to want to have a coffee of coke at all times it seems.

hethoughtofcars > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:07

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Well, looks like you all stole cupholders (for the record though, the MINI Cooper/Clubman has the worst design in the history of cupholders...put a can of Coke in the holder and it blocks the switch for opening and closing windows!). Anyway, I've got to go with another MINI design aspect that drives me insane (no, not the central speedo, I think that's kinda cool), it's that the tachometer that is right in front of the steering wheel:

Nothing wrong with the tach part (I'm definitely fond of that), nor is the digital speedo the problem, but the fact that they put the temperature on there instead of say, something useful: Namely, the time. When driving, how many times do you need to check the temperature? I'd say once, at most, maybe (and it also has that BMW "safety feature" where if you start the car and the outside temp is 37 or less it beeps at you, ostensibly warning you to look out for ice).

Other than my speed I would say I definitely check the time the most. I think this may be fixed with the new Cooper, although they are ditching the central speedo. :(

It may sound weak, but how often do you check your time when trying to get to work on time compared to how often you "need" to check if the temp is 45 or 48? It just drives me insane.

Takuro Spirit > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:07

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Pfft, armrests and cup holders.

ColoradoTaco > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:08

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It is, if you put something in that holder make sure it can be closed. Cleaning already sticky buttons is damn near impossible.

Audi-os, amigos > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 16:08

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B6 A4 thread!

Lever arm of the glove box.

Lever arm of the center console.

Radio antennae.

I own two B6 A4's, one I've had for years, and one I just bought. The same 3 things are broken on both.

jkm7680 > ColoradoTaco 02/20/2014 at 16:09

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There used to be a company that did that. I can't remember what they are called.

gavinski91 > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:11

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image from google, but the cupholders on E39 5 series are terrible. When you have something in them they block the climate controls, and they break all the time (and it's something ridiculous like $50 for a factory replacement).

jkm7680 > gavinski91 02/20/2014 at 16:13

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So it's either heated seats or the cupholder. Hmmmm, tough choice

Spaceball-Two > Audi-os, amigos 02/20/2014 at 16:13

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All those! The stupid card holder thing in the dash! Oh and it will be 45 degrees outside and the car is telling me to watch out for snow.
Glad to see another B6 owner here. Thought I was alone.

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:14

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Mine has to do with the cupholders...something I don't typically use. I would rather just have a tray there for the key fob and miscellaneous crap but when my passenger has a water bottle (no soda allowed...yes, I'm that guy) the bottle is right behind the gear shift.

I have my arm on the armrest and hand on the shifter, forearm over the cupholder. If a water bottle is there, I can't rest my arm.

It bugs me to no end. Really.

Cixelsyd > DatBomb 02/20/2014 at 16:15

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GET THEE TO THE NEAREST RADIO SHACK! (or just go here )

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Seriously, you need a ground loop isolator. The noise you describe comes from the fact that the factory didn't bother to ground the 12v power source properly. My Lexus had the same issue. Slap an isolator on it and your problem will be solved.

Feel free to message me for my mailing address if you'd like to reward me with riches after your first blissful, buzz-free ride after install.

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:16

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I'm that guy also, water is all you bring in my car, I do see how the bottle would get in the way of the shifting arm though

Roberto G. > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:17

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None. The 2009 Chevy Aveo 1.2 16V EcoLogic 3 doors hatch, is almost perfect. But what am I saying??... it IS perfect. They don't make like 'em anymore. And with 185/55 R15 wheels from the factory (alloys are mine) and side skirts. It's so darn beautiful that when there's no one around, sometimes I kiss her. Good, good car!

Audi-os, amigos > Spaceball-Two 02/20/2014 at 16:18

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Hahahahahahahaha YES!!! THE FREAKING SNOWFLAKE ICON!! WHYYYY?

And yep, credit card holder. Dumb thing to exist.

Also, the bright, animated, distracting icon directly in your line of sight that warns you you are low on wiper fluid.

jkm7680 > Roberto G. 02/20/2014 at 16:18

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Haha. Those alloys suit the car well!

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:18

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My girlfriend knows not to leave something there but if it's a friend, I feel like a jerk saying "HOLD THAT CUZ IT BUGS ME!"

I have some coconut carved figure a friend from Thailand gave me in one cupholder and my phone in the other...effective water bottle deterrents.

Stupidru > eovnu87435ds 02/20/2014 at 16:19

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I've found my crotch works as a better cupholder than either of the bugeyes cupholders do

puddler > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:20

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aside from mechanical shortcomings my furd has no design flaws.

Roberto G. > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:21

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My Mafia hitman will get you. It's a promise.

153624 - Straight Six > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 16:22

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Close! It's a 320i. The M shift knob was on sale, so I bought that rather than non-M.

horspowr1001 > Sn210 02/20/2014 at 16:23

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I never had too much beef with the e-brake handle being on the opposite side, no problems reaching it when I want to :) The flaws I do see though are:

1) FWD

2) Rear seats that don't fold

3) When side mirrors fold down in reverse, they should go a bit further (or have custom settings you save in reverse).

4) The EVAP system vent/drain hoses are prone to spider's nests, throwing a code and making diagnosis a PITA

5) And who can forget; 3rd gear synchro that only was a TSB but never a recall

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:23

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Haha, I just put my phone so it takes up both cup holders.

jkm7680 > Roberto G. 02/20/2014 at 16:24

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Are those Enkei? I'm really actually liking the look

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:25

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Oddly enough, the figure came before the phone. He gets primary consideration and the front cupholder.

Spaceball-Two > Audi-os, amigos 02/20/2014 at 16:26

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In my case this morning the giant "robot suicide" icon telling me I need gas. Like I wouldn't notice the giant yellow symbol!

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:26

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How about one of these?

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:28

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Haha...maybe a little much.

If I think of it I'll post a pic of the little guy in his natural habitat. He's still in a plastic bag...without airholes.

RPM esq. > It's a "Porch-uh" 02/20/2014 at 16:29

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Those look incredibly flimsy and un-German. Perhaps Swedish...those Volvo cupholders look awfully weak.

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:30

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Haha, I've got to get the point across to my passengers!

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:32

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Print this out, cut a circle, tape it over the cupholder.

Boom.

Jayhawk Jake > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:32

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My car has a similar problem to yours. E-brake and cupholders are in a really tight area, if I have a passenger it's really tough to get stuff in and out.

The bigger problem is the armrest. It's totally useless. I don't even put mine down anymore, I rest my arm on the shifter or the passenger seat

See the dinky little armrest? Yeah, useless. Put your seatbelt on with the armrest down and ebrake up? Good luck...

They don't even show it down in press pictures

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:33

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Haha, I'm seriously going to do that!

cazzyodo > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:34

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I hope you do because that would be hilarious.

UserNotFound > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:34

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My Focus is a 2012 and it still doesn't have four wheel drive.

Ilike_cougars > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:35

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Worst design flaw in mine, There are cupholders in the car!.. 2 of them, I dont want any.

puddler > puddler 02/20/2014 at 16:36

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wait, thought of one, but it still falls under mechanical flaw, not design flaw.

no camber adjustment on TIB front end.

jkm7680 > cazzyodo 02/20/2014 at 16:36

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I'm going to. I'll post up when I'm done. It will be a few hours though

It's a "Porch-uh" > RPM esq. 02/20/2014 at 16:36

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Our XC90 had awesome cupholders.

Mercedes Streeter > jkm7680 02/20/2014 at 16:38

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smart fortwo

Two things:

2. The only way to open the rear hatch is by a button on the key fob or by getting out, going to the back, and hitting the button.

1. There's no coolant temp gauge and the temperature warning light doesn't illuminate until the engine is only 16 degrees from cooking itself.