Console/Armrest differences

[JohnnyJet]

Ok I have an 06 and and 04 and was wonderin why (if anyone knows) the difference in the armrest/console. My o6 has the one I see in most of the cars. The one thats adjustable, up and down. My 04 has a more traditional type of armrest with room for 3 cd's and it looks as if a cd changer would mount in there.

[hestersu]

Good question. My early 98 didn't have a console at all. My 01 had the same console as the 06. In 03, VW introduced the convertible. The new console that would allow for the cd changer to be more accessible by being beside the driver was introduced. This lasted at least through 04 and I think 05. Then for some reason, they brought back the old console. My guess is this -

1) going back to the old console gave them a chance to put the cup holders in a better place. This has been a major complaint - the lack of good cup holders.
2) the console that allowed for the cd changer to be in the cab of the car rather than the trunk solved a major complaint about accessibility. Who likes to pull over on a long trip and change out the cd's? However, CD's are becoming somewhat obsolete with the advent of satellite radio, so now the changer is back in the trunk. Also, see 1 above.

Just changing with the times.

[JohnnyJet]

That makes sense thanks.