Hyde -
No, the bar doesn't seem to intrude or make it feel "tight". It actually provides a good "arm rest" inside the car. It also is very helpful for climbing in and out of the car - makes it much easier to "lift" myself out of the racing bucket seat (couple more helpings of turkey and apple pie, and I'll need a pry bar to get me back out of that seat
).
The extra piece of mind I feel as a curious on-looker on the highway drifts (unconsciously) closer to me trying to get a better look at the car...well...that's PRICELESS!
regards,
Jeff