I also have the iST Armrest ordered off ebay. Shipping from Japan it arrived in 4 days. I have to say it can't get any better than this i believe. The only thing that held me back from trying out the Zeta one was that it didn't look like it matched too well. This iST one matches really well and its comfortable and does everything i would like it to do. Great buy no ?

 

I'm obviously with you, bennyboy. The Zeta looks homemade. and it doesn't match. I'm glad to hear you like it, too!

Again, no offense to the Zeta guy or those who bought it--it is just a matter of personal taste.

 

LOL good to see I'm not the only idiot spending extra dough on jdm parts.

 

hopefully I'll post pics of more jdm goodies that will probably end up sitting in mydaughters room for a month or so before getting put on. Should be delviered in few weeks.

 

Uh... they're not exposed in any way. The only time you see them is when you're installing, uninstalling, or have either front seat moved forward more than normal.

The iST center console is very nice even though padding. Strange to say that the plastic is soft, not the hard annoying plastic. I prefer it much more to ZETA's since it matches the interior very well plus it will match better since its made by Toyota. It feels much more stable than what I assume how the ZETA is because the iST is bolted to under the chair rails, then four screws for the console unlike where the ZETA uses the single bolt in the cupholder to install.

$200 for the iST center console/arm rest is very reasonable. Just imagine what the dealerships here might charge if it was an accessory option

 

Good points all around, ChelsDS. I can't wait to get mine installed!

 

thanks chels. not sure where mine is but it's somewhere.

 

I'm new to all this Scion and JDM (not even sure what thet means yet?) stuff, but at 50+, I'm not new to the aftermarket industry at all.

It's a matter of cost, avaialbility, accessibility and personal preference when buying aftermarket or accessory parts.

I'm like some here and would "prefer" to have "genuine Toyota" parts whenever possible, but thats usually for ease of installation, history of sound manufacturing, and resale value.

On my Vette and Toyota Landcruiser, it's quite a different story. Aftermarket has more for the older cars and trucks and seems better made and less expensive in some cases.

"Genuine" GM parts are usually junk anyway!!

On the other hand, my hat is off to Zeta and the other company that is making aftermarket parts for our cars

It's nice to see someone stepping up to the plate to try to help out...thanks

 

JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
USDM = United States Domestic Market

I do appreciate companies stepping up to the plate to fill in a void that the manufacturer left from not suppling us with parts they promised in the first year. Though I am of the mind that I would prefer to have a Toyota made product instead of an aftermarket one. I blame my dad for instilling that in to me. :?

 

Thanks for the definitions
As I said, I'm kinda new to the whole Japanese thing as far as performance and esthetic mods go.

Lot to learn but looks like a great place to learn them.

 

don't worry. ask away, hopefully we can help.

 

Thank you.

 

no probs. that's what these forums are for.

 

Saw this picture in Flickr - The Zeta Looks good

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cr1ck37...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cr1ck37...n/photostream/

 

I Like the hidden change holder. Would love a picture of the rear.

Does anyone know where the center consoles can be ordered from? I'm sure it's somewhere, I just don't want to root through 7 pages.

 

Page 3 has pictures...

And here - http://zetaproducts.net/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=330

Last photo.

 

After much deliberation, I finally settled on the iST armrest. Got it in 3 days from Japan on e-bay and it installs with 8 Phillips head screws in about 5 minutes (a cordless screwdriver helps immensely). It looks great, is perfectly functional as an armrest, small storage container and cupholder. Its a super easy install and most importantly for me, I could uninstall it with no damage to the car. In many ways, I think the Zeta armrest offers greater functionality with what appears to be a larger/more functional storage bay, change holder, and padded top at half the price of the iST armrest, but the thought of screwing into the plastic of my brand new xD made me cringe just enough that I decided to go with the Toyota made part.

But yeah, I'm totally satisfied with the iST armrest/console and think it is well worth the $200 you will spend to get it shipped from Japan.

 

i came across this site and i think its so great how every1 helps each other i was wondering about the arm rest also now that i saw the one that i was gonna order some1 tried and it was no good im not gonna get it ;( i guess i ma have to wait also;(...

 

I'm sorry if this one was already brought up - but has anyone tried this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-2...Q5fAccessories

 

Never mind, I just say the good review on the first page.

Yeah... I don't think that's something I want in my car.