My husband is retiring his 2005 Prius with just over 400K on it because the heater went out. That's the only reason otherwise it's still running fine but the computer is starting to go and says it is now a "Lexus" on the screen so it's time. We just picked up a 2008 on Saturday and he's trying to come up with a better way to reconfigure the console. I've seen several posts asking about this. If he figures out anything new I'll post on it.
I guess one person flipped his around and shoved the console all the way to the back so the flip open holder is in the front. We are going to look at that option tomorrow to see how much room it makes. That allows the lighter and aux port to still work.
The OP's husband is probably sitting on the passenger seat and reaching across to access the steering wheel and pedals, so he doesn't want the center console to block his pedal access. He is sitting on the passenger seat for easier access to the mailboxes on his rural route.
That may be true especially if those cars are more than 21 years old. If newer, the owners will incur substantial cost in getting those cars to be compliant with Federal safety and emissions regs. Importing a Motor Vehicle | U.S. Customs and Border Protection Procedures for Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States | Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States | US EPA I do not think the typical rural mail carrier will want to incur that expense.
Ugh - the 25 year rule. Thanks a lot, Mercedes. A few of them are probably gray-area VIN swaps, but it's not like the guy needs to import an R34 GTR (so so many people have tried - and there are only a small handful of Motorex R34s). These guys have an old Nissan Pulsar GTI-R (which is probably a blast to drive since it's got an SR20DET) for (an admittedly inflated) 11.5k. He could probably find an old 240 that someone did a RHD conversion on for cheaper (here's an old listing where a guy only wanted $6500 for it: $$$FOR SALE OR TRADE: 93' Nissan 240sx RHD (price reduced!) - Club RSX Message Board). Hell, Postal Jeeps are on sale on eBay all the time if the guy needs the 4WD (and deal with the terrible handling and expensive parts).
