Ok, so here's my question. I learned stick on a 2000 Miata, where the armrest ran right into the gearbox. When sitting in any given gear, I could lean my elbow back on the armrest and feel very comfortable. But, with the tC, I feel like I'm stretching to reach 1, 3, and 5, and my arm is DEFINITELY not long enough to reach the armrest from those gears. 2 and 4 is fine.

Would installing a shortshifter make a difference in this? Or is there some other easy fix I'm missing?

I love my car, but I'm just curious if I have to get used to the "stretch".

 

I just noticed that today, while sitting in traffic. I had an MR2, so I know what you're talking about. I am assuming, you're just going to have to get used to it. I normally would just rest my palm on the stick, but it's too far and uncomfy and the armrest is too far back (yeah, I'm short).

Ugh. Just gotta learn to deal with it. lol.

 

if your having trouble reaching 1st, 3rd, and 5th your sitting way too far back. you aint gotta be up on the wheel nascar style but you will have better control if you move up a bit. as far as the armrest goes, it may help if you feel like being lazy to have somewhere to set your elbow while shifting, but you will have more consistant and solid shifts if your elbow isnt anchored down. i think the setup forces you to improve your driving habits...im all for it.

 

I dunno if it's the way I sit, or what but I can't comfortably USE the arm-rest/center console compartment when I'm driving let alone rest on it. I guess my legs are just short, I'm 5'9 but still, inbetween shifts when I don't want to put my other hand on the wheel it goes right there comfortably on my right thigh/knee.

The center console top is too firm IMO to use it as a rest, I really don't think it was meant for that, the placement doesn't seem right.

 

Using the center console as an armrest works great for me. That's one of the reasons I haven't installed a short shifter just yet. I'm just too comfortable.