I just love my 2002 SL1, and it has held up and performed very very well. But I just had my first piece of interior trim break. The armrest on the drivers side door panel has cracked. Not surprisingly, it is broken right where my elbow rests when I drive, which I am sure caused the break in the first place. It is still covered with the padded vinyl, and looks fine still, but the plastic beneath it is cracked.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before, and what my options are to fix it.

I've got 96,000miles, and just drove from FL to CA without a single problem, just had to add a quart and a half of oil for the three thousand mile drive. This car impresses me more by the day, and I really want to keep it in great shape!

 

Replace the door panel...not rocket science, and no I have never heard of anyone breaking one before.

 

If you can find the correct one, it is not hard to replace. If you can not find the right color, SEM products can supply you with the materials to dye (repaint) a plastic door panel. I've done it, if you have some painting skills and use the right materials and prep it correctly it will last a life time.
I have also re-inforced door panels from the inside using fiberglass cloth. Again takes some skills but do-able.