Hi everyone,

A little while back I had asked if anyone had purchased the Ebay Armrest and from the response I got, no one had. I finally decided to go ahead and buy it to test it out for myself, even though I hate being the guinea pig...

As I install it, I will be taking pictures and doing a complete how to but I wanted to share a few initial impressions, thoughts and pictures with you guys to look at until I get it installed (probably sometime this weekend).

The unit itself has the following measurements:

• Cover = 10.5" L x 5.5" W
• Outside of Bucket = 9.5" L x 4.75" W
• Useable Inside of Bucket = 6.25" L x 4.5" W x 3.25" D
• From Base to Armrest = 8.5"

The top armrest portion is made out of "ecological leather" (basically normal leather from animals that were originally raised for food and the leather is a by product). The fit and finish of the leather (and yes it definitely is leather, not vinyl or pleather) is really good and the stitching looks to be professionally done.

The inside of the armrest is covered in a velvet like product that is firmly affixed to the plastic. It actually looks like a product that is sprayed onto the plastic with an adhesive within it. Again, another professional touch.

The outside plastic of the main armrest portion feels like a decent quality interior plastic and should match fairly well with the plastic in my SS/SC (my initial thought is that this plastic is a toucher darker than the one already in my car. The lid does not have a release to hold the top closed, but never fear, there is a small (quite strong) magnet that is located inside of the front of the unit. The base is made of the same plastic but because of its design, it feels a little bit cheaper.

Installation is completed with four included screws. There are two on the side toward the front of the base and two located more on an angle on the back of the base. They do recommend drilling first and then using the four included screws to attach it to the centre console. It also came with small plastic washers so that you can attach the small plastic caps to hide the screws from view.

Now some pictures (in a couple of them you'll see my cell phone just to give you guys some proportion of the size):






If you have any questions, please ask as I'll be happy to answer. Once it's installed, I will complete my how to and give a final rating.

Thanks for reading!

 

installed pics and how much was it?

 

As stated above, it will be installed later this weekend and then those pics will be up. Price was approximately $78.00 US shipped. It is sold from a Canadian distributor so it will cost US members a little more for the shipping (an extra $6).

 

Is this not just the same as the GM armrest? or is the custom made?

 

No. The GM armrest is much larger and because of that they do not install it in the Manual Transmission cars (not saying it doesn't work because many members have installed the GM armrest in their SS/SC's). This one is much shorter and not as wide. It won't hold as much, but it should give a little more storage without being the way as much. It would probably work better for guys complaining about GM's armrest wearing on the side of their seats (especially Recaro guys).

I asked the seller where he makes it/buys it and he told me he purchases them out of Europe and is the only dealer for it currently in North America. I don't know if I fully believe that, but it is a well made product.

 

Humm...I've been wanting an armrest for mine....thats one thing I hate about the cobalts...no interior storage. I'd love to see the pictures of it installed.

 

me to depending on how it looks installed, i want one, i have a 5 speed and worried that i would have problems with the gm one especialy if i get a short throw shifter

 

The GM one doesn't effect the shifting at all. The only cars they don't come in id the SS/SC. I think mainly because it doesn't fit well between the seats. My g/f has an N/A SS and hers has an arm rest. The only time it is a pain in the ass is when your trying to get at the e-brake.

 

Well guys and girls, the armrest is officially installed in my car. I've done a full install "How To" and submitted it to the moderators. Here are a few pics of the finished product:




My install includes a full rating of the product. As soon as it is approved, I will link to it from here!

 

looks good man... is your arm more comfy now?

 

Any noticable rubbing on the seats? I can't tell, call me blind right now, are those the recaros.

 

nope those are regular ss seats with black inserts

 

No rubbing at all. Apparently the guy who sells them also sells an armrest where the top matches the bucket portion exactly. That would be the one to go for if you have Recaros.

Lol, thanks! Haven't actually had a chance to drive with it yet but I'll let you know how comfortable it is when it do!

 

looks good!

 

Looks good. Everything bolted up nicely I take it? Looks like a good purchase.

 

Looks good...I may have to consider that.

 

Thanks for the positive comments everyone!

Yep, everything fits very nicely and works very well with the lines inside the car. I just came back from driving around town a bit and it works well. More than likely around the city, I'll keep it in its upright position as it is more comfortable to shift without it in the downward position. Don't get me wrong, it's not in the way, it just puts your arm at a bit of an angle that isn't great for stop and go traffic.

It will be amazing for highway driving though and the simple fact that it adds more storage to my interior is great too. There are no creaking sounds from it (something I hate and was worried about).

I think it is a good investment as it fits in well and does the job it's supposed to.

 

looks good.... I have the GM one in my SC and I love it.... I can't live w/o it
where else would I put, my small crap

BTW... the GM one does not conflict w/ the seats or shifter

 

that has a suprisingly factory appearance.

 

All you SS/SC guys didn't get an armrest in your mannys? Wow, I got the G5 manny and I get an armrest...and it isn't in the way at all...

Maybe you should look for G5 Armrests...

But anyways, nice armrest there...looks good.

 

Hey Routs I forgot to ask. Who is the seller on Ebay that carries these? Thanks man.

 

The link to the seller is:

http://myworld.ebay.ca/swirek51

FYI - My How To for this is now up at the following link: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/how-ebay-armrest-installation-57875/

 

You're the man Routs thanks.

 

nice man, looks like a great purchase. i'm now going to go look into buying one from the same source.