Cupholders, an English perspective?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 56
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From: MK, UK
Cupholders, an English perspective?
Ah, I see the old cupholder debate has raised its head once again... I remember a time when only 'posh' cars had cupholders and they were usually in a pull down walnut picnic tray or on the inside of the glovebox door. Even then they were only a shallow recess, suitable for enjoying your favorite beverage in the car only while stationary.
Then in 1999 I came over to the wonderful land of the free and stayed for almost 5 years.
On my return a great many things had changed. McFlurries had followed me back, I could now return an item to the store a month later with no questions asked, and most importantly, I could buy a frothy coffee from my local petrol station and with a suitable drink through lid could now enjoy it on the move in my car abundant with cup holders.
Alas, the country had become more Americanized in my absence. It seems however, that some manufacturers have resisted change; most notably the Germans.
A BMW courtesy car I had for example, had no cupholders. Apparently, they were available as an option on an alternate centre console. And now of course, the great Mercedes (Crossfire) debate with the infamous pop up cupholder.
Although driving styles and conditions differ greatly in the UK to those in the US, I do find myself in the same predicament as the American driver. Not because I now have nowhere to put my thermal stainless steel mug full of coffee because I don’t currently own one; nor do I feel the need for one on my morning commute, but on those long journeys from MK to Scotland (375 miles, a long drive on our roads) a place for a cold beverage or energy drink would not go amiss. It’s a safety feature y’see, to stop me falling asleep on the M6.
Of course to add to all this, Chrysler didn’t feel the need to change the centre console around for RHD cars. So, even if my '06 Crossfire had the cupholder, it would be on the wrong side and would stop me from getting to the handbrake which is next to the passenger seat. An excuse to feel the leg of your passenger but that’s altogether another subject...
Then in 1999 I came over to the wonderful land of the free and stayed for almost 5 years.
On my return a great many things had changed. McFlurries had followed me back, I could now return an item to the store a month later with no questions asked, and most importantly, I could buy a frothy coffee from my local petrol station and with a suitable drink through lid could now enjoy it on the move in my car abundant with cup holders.
Alas, the country had become more Americanized in my absence. It seems however, that some manufacturers have resisted change; most notably the Germans.
A BMW courtesy car I had for example, had no cupholders. Apparently, they were available as an option on an alternate centre console. And now of course, the great Mercedes (Crossfire) debate with the infamous pop up cupholder.
Although driving styles and conditions differ greatly in the UK to those in the US, I do find myself in the same predicament as the American driver. Not because I now have nowhere to put my thermal stainless steel mug full of coffee because I don’t currently own one; nor do I feel the need for one on my morning commute, but on those long journeys from MK to Scotland (375 miles, a long drive on our roads) a place for a cold beverage or energy drink would not go amiss. It’s a safety feature y’see, to stop me falling asleep on the M6.
Of course to add to all this, Chrysler didn’t feel the need to change the centre console around for RHD cars. So, even if my '06 Crossfire had the cupholder, it would be on the wrong side and would stop me from getting to the handbrake which is next to the passenger seat. An excuse to feel the leg of your passenger but that’s altogether another subject...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: MK, UK
Re: Cupholders, an English perspective?
Originally Posted by danimal
Wonderful write-up...you ARE a traveling man!
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