Cup Holder Alternative?

So 5 weeks later and I'm still not thrilled with the cup holder location. I always travel with a bottle of water, espduring the AM commute after a workoutat the gym.It irks me to put a cheap plastic bottle smack in the middle of the dashboard (or to have tobuy some fancy one that looks better). So I either have it rolling around on my passenger seat or I place it on the floor behind the drivers seat (its actually not too tough to reach behind the backrest, unless it rolls under the seat). Has anyone seen any aftermarket holder that wouldn't look cheesy but would be a practical alternative? Wow, you know you're really happy with your new car when all you can complain about is the cupholder...../fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/teeth_smile.gif

If memory serves me W. Shakespeare had a comedy about thiskind of problemwritten around 1598 or so? /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif Edited by - Santa Fe on 02/20/2006 4:50:12 PM

For water drinkers, the cup holder in a car can be an issue. I have had to replace cup holders in other cars because of the worn appearance of my cup holder - the soft touch coating wore away - or, in the case of another car - it broke. The German car builders have been struggling with this apparently American concern with the cup holder. The current Porsche Sports Cars can lay claim to the most engineered cup holders around - well maybe it's a tie with BMW , but even though I have found that I can make the Cayman cup holder work, as the driver using this cup holder it is not something you can easily do while driving. Having a stick shift and a bottle of water does require some quick parking of the water bottle and the Cayman cup holder does not lend itself to quick parking because it is a two step process; 1. getting the bottle in the holder and then, 2. closing the holder around the bottle so that it is held firmly in place. perhaps if I had an adult passenger, this cup holder would be fine - she could hand me the water when I ask for it and take when I am through, placing it securely in the cup holder, which is perfectly positioned in front of the passenger. I will add that my son loves to open the trim piece with his foot and then open the cup-holder with his foot, while securely seated in his car seat. My solution so far has been to not drink water in the Cayman . As a result,I have found that I get dehydrated when driving the Cayman because I have not found a way to drive, drink water and not spill water in the nice new car. I am beginning to think that the solution would be to use something like race car drivers or bicycle riders use. Some kindof plastic bladder with a hose that I can clip to the shoulder harness. Like: http://www.dirtworld.com/productreviews/details.asp?id=6963&rn=1&rt=5 or https://www.wingnutgear.com/product_details.cfm?id=124 Considering the g forces that you can generate in a Cayman, the Cayman cup holder does not seem like something I would rely on to hold a full bottle of water - especially if the cap were off. A hydration system, like the ones above, adapted for the Cayman would seem like a better proposition. The bladder could be securely stored behind the seat or in the netting over the engine hump. REI has a selection to choose from: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8001&text=1&query=hydration+packs&link=1&cat=29356261&title=Hydration+Packs From a design perspective, I love the Cayman cup holder. Edited by - mpollard on 02/20/2006 8:04:08 PM

True German Engineering...

Kman-Went - you are correct sir! They got it right in the Cayenne so I have been spoiled. And my usual bottles don't fit the holder - smaller, taller ones sit at an angle. When I first popped out the cup holders I laughed because of their position - not exactly ergonomic or elegant engineering. So that space needs too be converted for a different use by some fancy mechanism to hold additional CDs, chopsticks, Ritz crackers, etc.

I must be missing something y'all. A 24 oz . AquaFina bottle sets upright (no tilts, no angles) in my holder and is easy to reach and put back. In fact I have to close the holder down around it and when I do it isn't going anywhere. When 24 oz . is gone it is easy enough to add another one. Granted water bottles aren't pretty but there are lots of fancy bottles to replace them with if one is concerned about appearence. To me after years of no cupholders I guess I am happy to finally have something that works from Germany.

mpollard, Why not complete the cycle by having some sort of catheter connected to a urine bag mounted low and behind the seat, as opposed to the incoming water bladder mounted up high on the engine deck. That way you could continue to drive your car very long distances without having to stop to get water or to get rid of water. Do the same for food and gas and you've got a cross country cayman !!

OK, you almost killed me with your "complete the cycle" comment - laughing so hard!

Believe me, that thought has already occurred to me. Porsche needs to offer the Hospital Bed option package - with this package - hydration kit, IV and catheter - you need never get out of your Adaptive Sport Seats. And speaking of water bottles, they can come in handy on long drives in metropolitan Los Angeles when you a stuck in traffic!

I think you might be onto something. The adaptive seats could be programed to pulse every 30 seconds so that blood clots wouldn't form around our waists or rib cages while stuck in traffic. The worthless cup holder slots could be fitted with defribulator paddles for those of us with heart issues. Hell, our medical insurance might even pickup some of the cost of the options - if Porsche called it the "Preferred Package MD" for instance. Just a thought...

Jeez - you guys are onto my secret Porsche options list. You'd be surprised what your average anesthesiologist travels around with! But don't forget the reverse osmosis micro-filtration unit to convert all that urine back to pristine, drinkable water! ==RedEye

OK, so everyone seems to be confirming the silliness of my complaint....thanks for the support, guys! I knew I was in trouble the moment that I posted this message. Serves me right!

I think that these cupholders are about the best I have ever had in a car!

These clever little, adjustable 'cup' holders are 'cup' holders. They work well when using them for their designed function. They won't hold a 64oz big gulp. Or a 5 Gal Glass water bottle, or a bottle of wine, or a pony keg. But they will hold a cup of coffee from your favorite purveyor. This 'cup' holder should be an option for about $10K. It doesn't belong in a sports car anyway (IMHO). In an SUV, yes, in a sports car no.

Anyone looked at these yet? http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/

BINGO!! Thanks sjagota, that's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for doing my homework. I'm ordering one right now. Here is the shot of the Boxter version from their website: \

Right - I just ordered one as well. Now where do I get one of those reverse osmosis micro-filtration units just in case?

Glad I could help /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif

Thanks, sjagota! My local Starbucks was beginning to miss me. I'm gonna pass on the reverse osmosis unit from Doc RedEye though...I'll justhave to take a grande instead ofmy usualventi.

Pilots have been dealing with the disposal issue for a long time... Many early aircraft had a 'pee tube.' This one is part of my standard flight kit for cross-country flying. I will leave the 'Lady J' adapter to your imagination....John

This site is great...just ordered this. Btw, I'm really trying to imagine the'Lady J' adapter /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/whatchutalkingabout_smile.gif

Here is a disposable unit: http://www.acespilotshop.com/pilot-supplies/safety/rest-stop-1.htm Link to the bottles: Gentlemen: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/liljohn.php Ladies: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/liljohn2.php

Whoever gets the cupholder first, please report on its usefulness in the Cayman . Thanks

Please advise how you get on with the Little John and if you can use whilst accelerating 0-60mph, cruising at 90mph and drifting around corners or do you have to stop first? lol /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/dance.gif

AZCayman, I'm in Northern Virginia where Mike at UltimateCupholders is located.I'm hoping I can meet him in person to make sure they fit properly. I'll let you know after Iget a responsefrom him.

Mine was already shipped...should arrive about the same time I pick up #3086. I'll update you then (unless someone beats me to it).

[mumbles] Never thought I'd make a forum post about a cupholder, but here we are... Got a pair of these after reading this thread. They are excellent. They fit well, and are unobtrusive...but still match the fit and finish of the interior. Perfect for holding drinks without cluttering the dash. Yes, there is some interference when you need to adjust the manual seat, but it's a minor thing... Two thumbs up!