I mean, most of us would not smoke in our cars (see the poll?), and since there's already a dedicated 12-volt output port in the center compartment between the seats, what applications can you think of that we can take advantage of this extra unused space under the stereo console??

initial thoughts are:

1. custom audio components
2. flush mounted radar detector (with cover!)
3.

 

loose change or cell phone--not as cool thou

 

Ammo :D

 

"Keep honking; I'm reloading."

 

Power cord for my BEL 985 :D

Although I really wanna put the faceplate to a FM tuner in there. but I dont wanna chop it up yet.

 

think I could make a custom mount to hold my Dell PDA???

till then... coins.... lots and lots of coins

 

I've tried taking the ashtray part out, thinking it would be a little roomier in there, but it really doesn't make much difference. I put coins in mine for now.

I did find a good use for the little compartment in the plastic trunk pass-through piece -- my front license plate and bracket. :D

 

if you take out the ashtray there is tons of room, I have my delphi sat radio custom mounted there.

 

pictures please

 

how about some cool car color matching gages? i was thinking on that, we can fit two.. 1 could be a turbo bosst one :D i dunno about the 2 nd... til them coins aswell . even thoug we hava a little pull out compartment in the left side of the stering wheel for coins too...


i was also planing to make that space btw. the rear seats (yeah the front license plate and frame works better there) as a holder for a NOS bottle that you could reach back, pull down open and gooooo...., but ofcouse the hole thing comes off and doesn't go down all the way..

 

we do!?!?!?????

 

Ah, enlightened input from our texan correspondent, shame on you, guns are bad.

on topic, if the space behind was big enough it would be nice to have an extra CD storage rack (might be too tight to the shifter though)

 

I removed the entire ashtray module, it's long under the ashtray, about a 1" lower than the bottom of the ashtray, but probably not wide enough for a CD.. I could fit my whole hand in underneath the environmental control modules. I really don't know how anyone would fabricate some kind of replacement unit tho..

 

I use the ashtray to hold me cell phone - it fits perfectly in there.

 

I am planning on consealing a turbo timer in there. these cars run hot soo we tested letting my friends 8 idle for too minutes after thrashing it and when we shut her down the fans did'nt turn on. Just like a turbo gotta let let cooool down

 

Other ideas for what to put in place of the ash tray / lighter:

- trip computer display (current and average mpg)
- control center for supplimental video/audio (if you could hook up a dvd player or other audio devices.)


I've been trying to find some kind of trip computer that could be leveraged for install in the RX-8, and where the display could go. If it required some kind of keypad, the ashtray area would be a good spot.

 

Guys I cant make any useout of the ash tray. I dont like reaching my fingers into it forchange so I keep money in the left pocket eventhough that is small too. The real problem I have is where to put my cell phone! My cell phone is not very wide butit is long and it falls out of the tray very easy in sharp turns or if I acccelerate hard so Ii have nowhere to put my phone in the car except inside the cupholder tray! PlusI always close the cupholder tray so I can have a rest for my arm so it is annoying to have to always open it up and close it when someone calls me or if I have to make a call. Also sometimes I forget that I have it in there and I leave it in the car like amoron. Anybody know a good spot I can put my cell phone? I like the thing I saw on the cellphone holder post that people have where they hook it up to the lighter port andit charges the phone plus holds it in place but they dont make something like that for my phone yet.

 

Have a good, trusted stereo shop turn it into a custom hands-free cellphone docking port. Pop your phone in, it gets charged and connected to a hands-free device with hidden mic and speaker (or uses front driver's speaker).

 

That sounds like it would cost too much money toget that done for something that isnt that important. What would I doif I had to change my cell phone for a different oneor change services in a few months? I think would be stuck withthis setup in my car that wont work with any other typeof phone!

 

dont use the ashtray then, leave it empty

 

I love my phone so much, I would get the same one to replace it.

 

If you're not using the overhead sunglasses holder, try that.

 

Thats what I do, use the sunglass holder for the cell phone, I leave it open when the phone is on and shut it up when the phone is off. Works great.

 

1. Get in the car.
2. Flip up the ashtray cover to expose and illuminate the ignition/start button.
3. Drive off.


Not that I have even the faintest idea of how to do this...