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Everything I've seen for cupholders in the FC's has been either non-existent, or a poor solution for adding one (at least in my opinion). The only real "solution"out there, at least from what I've seen, is a little 3d printed piece that goes where the factory mirror adjustment is. This is less than ideal, because it sits right behind the shifter, making it annoying to shift, and it only holds 1 size of cup (which is massive I might add)
So, long story short, I've had this idea bumping around inside my head for awhile and decided to put it in action.
The process is to basically take the cupholder and cupholder bracket from an ND Miata, and retrofit this to the FC. The ND's have 2 cupholders that are moveable/removable. They have a holster between the 2 seats, right behind the center console, and another bracket mounted to the passenger trans tunnel, which is out of the way, and perfectly within within reach. Below is the Mazda part number for the bracket that goes to the trans tunnel. You can find it on eBay with a cupholder for around $100
The install is fairly straightforward. The bracket has a hole for a bolt to be fed through, and a locating pin that keeps everything in place (I assume it's there to prevent the bracket from rotating around the 1 bolt that holds it in). You will need to drill a 1/4" hole for the locating pin, and another hole big enough to snugly fit the rivnut of your choice. These will obviously be drilled in the passenger footwell, right behind where the dash comes down:
Hole on the right is for the pin, hole on left is for rivnut
After that, just install your rivnut and get the bracket lined up. Make sure when you're planning where to drill the holes that you hold the bracket with the cupholder where you want it, and that it's level. If it's not level, it's not a huge deal, but it's just a minor annoyance
And there ya go. A cupholder that's out of the way of your shifter AND is removable. Here's a pic of the finished install. Not necessarily the prettiest thing in the world, but it gets the job done.
That's a pretty cool solution. I assume the plastic trim piece would need to be drilled to be reinstalled, but the location is nice.
I have a 3d printed set of cupholders in my center console currently, and it works fairly well. But as you mention the location is inconvenient as far as the shifter goes. Even using the furthest back point I can the angle is weird, let alone reaching my arm over and down like a crane to actually get the cup.
That's a pretty cool solution. I assume the plastic trim piece would need to be drilled to be reinstalled, but the location is nice.
I have a 3d printed set of cupholders in my center console currently, and it works fairly well. But as you mention the location is inconvenient as far as the shifter goes. Even using the furthest back point I can the angle is weird, let alone reaching my arm over and down like a crane to actually get the cup.
Neat find
Not sure about the trim piece, tbh. Never had it there to begin with, so not sure if it would conflict with the bracket/cupholder
Lol yeah that was what I had noticed in a buddy's car. It works but it's not the best solution
Your solution works . I’ve had great luck with the 3D printed version for a few years. The color has held up well and it holds my travel coffee mug just fine.
Your solution works . I’ve had great luck with the 3D printed version for a few years. The color has held up well and it holds my travel coffee mug just fine.
I wish I could use the 3D printed one. My current vert has the headrest speakers so its a non starter for me lol. Last vert had fabric seats so maybe I could of used these.
I am waiting on a 3D scanner to show up, and hope to start using it to scan everything on the can, and come up with some 3D printed parts. Have been eyeing the saddle behind the arm rest, but also behind the seats to be able to place drinks as one possible location as well. My car is the 2+2, so might have more room then the one with the stowage units though
Great thread, I just came back to it. Do you guys have a link for the .stl file for the 3d printed one? I might make one to try in mine.
Also, off topic, Relisys190, I noticed your stock stereo. I know they exist, but have only seen that configuration in the FSM. We've got another thread on the S5 CD/Tape/Stereo for coupe and vert and have collected the related manuals for that as best as I can. Would you be willing to add to the collection either by snapping a couple of pictures of the head unit and equalizer model information, or finding the manuals for those units? It would be good to add to the rest of our documents. If I recall correctly, I think that head unit could come with either the digital or manual equalizer. The equalizers may have separate model numbers similar to the coupe/vert AE units.
I am waiting on a 3D scanner to show up, and hope to start using it to scan everything on the can, and come up with some 3D printed parts. Have been eyeing the saddle behind the arm rest, but also behind the seats to be able to place drinks as one possible location as well. My car is the 2+2, so might have more room then the one with the stowage units though
If you're looking at placing something behind the center console, might I suggest going a similar route that I did, with ND Miata parts. I'll see if I can track down the Mazda Part #, but the ND Miatas also have a dual cupholder holster between the seats, in front of the glovebox. May be something to look into. I had considered doing it, but I usually don't have passengers, so cupholders there wouldn't make sense
The rear seats of an RX7 was for Japanese car insurance to have the car registered in a much lower insurance payment bracket because it was a 4-seater, you an barely fit a child back there. I've seen pictures of people sitting back there as a joke, never anything serious because head and leg space. If you are taller then 5ft, your head will be touching the roof, and if you have kids, they will be cramped for leg space to begin with. Placing the cupholders there is not going to lose you a passenger for someone that uses their car.
I have an 97 NA Miata (slight change to interior styling) , and it had the dual cupholder in front of the seat as well, but the RX7 has the mirror, security light, and suspension controls there, and it is not long enough forward and back to fit two drinks. I remember seeing an arm rest that had a small popout shelf that would hold two though, not sure if this was a later model, or an aftermarket part. It is a few inches thick, could hide stuff in it somehow with modification.
