Capt. Silvia

Can the new leather armrests on the doors, and the new one on the center console be installed in a '06. That would be a very appreciated mod for me. Also are any other new features backwards compatible like the steering wheel, audio system, or gauge cluster? Thanks.

Capt. Silvia

bump

CarAndDriver

I asked the question about the side door panel armrest as well and saw that you posted in my thread. I never got a conclusive answer.

My guess is yes for the side armrest, but you might have to order a whole new door panel and then it's not worth the cost IMHO. You could go to a dealer and see if the part can be ordered separately or email one of the dealers on here.

I think the armrest on the center console would be compatible as well. It looks like they didn't change the basic design.

I think the gauge cluster would be harder. And if they kept wiring the same on 09 steering wheel - should be easy but probably expensive.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Why would anyone want that hideous '09 steering wheel in place of the earlier one is beyond me.

af7mn

Because I like it...That's why.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

oh snap.

CarAndDriver

The 09 steering wheel is my least favorite part of the updated interior. I wish Mazda had squared off the bottom of the steering wheels like a racing wheel on all the years.

Lane03

I have a 2009 sport and while I do have leather padded armrests on the doors, I don't have a padded leather center console. Did some shady person swap out the parts at the dealer, or is the padded leather center console only on the GT/R3 versions?

much2saxy

^ I have the same...so I'll bet nobody stole your padded armrest.

champi0n

iTrader: (1)

+1 seriously the wheel is gross.

The one thing i'd be interested is the bluetooth hands free thing, maybe ipod jack or whatever.

I love the 1st gen rx8's.. they look better.

egads

I've got the '09 GT and no center padded armrest for me either.

Lane03

Thanks guys. I guess it's only the R3 that gets the padded center armrest.