After my first weekend of driving, I think I've identified the first thing that's going to break on this car:

The sliding console cover / armrest.

While the design is kinda neat, the problem my wife and I are finding is that we tend to rest our arms on the edge of it rather than on top. This often results in it getting pushed sideways, and it sometimes complains audibly. I'm reasonably certain that it's going to be the first casualty of normal wear and tear.

Not the best design, IMHO - I won't be at all surprised to see it redesigned in the next model.

We have a winner!!!

After placing five cd's in the storage area behind the cup holders, the cover slid closed perfectly. It wasn't until I tried to open the storage area to retrieve them that it would not lift open. The front part of the lid was caught somehow. Try as I did to gently pry the lid open, one of the plastic pieces which snaps over the rail guide broke and fell off. I was able to place it back on but it sometimes falls off again. It is just a tiny piece of plastic so no big deal.

Damn...just realized I should have grabbed one off of the car at the Rev It Up.....

It works just fine 95% of the time so I'm not worried about it.

Be careful how much stuff you put in the storage area.

Originally posted by eccles
After my first weekend of driving, I think I've identified the first thing that's going to break on this car:

The sliding console cover / armrest.

While the design is kinda neat, the problem my wife and I are finding is that we tend to rest our arms on the edge of it rather than on top. This often results in it getting pushed sideways, and it sometimes complains audibly. I'm reasonably certain that it's going to be the first casualty of normal wear and tear.

Not the best design, IMHO - I won't be at all surprised to see it redesigned in the next model.

yea i noticed that too. they should of used metal clips or something

Can you superglue it back on?

5 cd's? Is this with or without cases?

I managed to break something similar in my first Mazda Xedos ... even though it was my fault I just asked them to fix it at the first service and they did at no charge ... never done it again since (after 9 years of 2 Xedos's)

P.S. The two Mazdas I've had have been absolutely fantastic, so I'm really looking forward to my mid-life crisis RX-8 :)

I would agree that the sliding armrest is ready to go and would be the first thing to break - if the rear cupholder cover hadn't already broken twice. It's in the exact WRONG place, if you're in one back seat and need to lean over to the other that's where your hand (and body weight) will go. Fortunately I was able to fix it fairlly quickly because of how the hinges snap together, but still...

Originally posted by Wing
5 cd's? Is this with or without cases?

It was a mix of the slimline cd cases(very thin) and the regular sized cases. To be more clear, it filled the space to the top while still allowing unrestricted sliding of the armrest. The lid however, would not open. After taking one cd out, I have had no further problems.

Originally posted by Lensman
Can you superglue it back on?

Yes, but it is not necessary in my opinion. It still slides ok even without the snap on plastic piece, but not as smoothly. The piece snaps on securely enough for now. I'll just leave it until I can take one from someone else's 8. :-) j/k

Okay, I'm not sure if it's considered broken, but my armrest is jammed. I can't slide the cover all the way back, and hence I can't lift it up for the back compartment (CD part). Anybody know how this thing works and have a solution? So much for putting SIX CDs in there...

Oh, and in fact the first that broke for me wasn't the armrest. It was the sunglass holder. It also was jammed at some point, had it replaced now.

They'll probably beef it up in the 2004.5 or 2005 model years (ie next march)

Well, one thing that will help is if "every" one who has had one break takes it back to the dealer to make them fix it under warranty, not fixing it themselves.

That way, there will be a record of a lot of these things breaking (and warranty repairs which cost Mazda $$) and that will increase the likelihood it gets fixed.

If everyone fixes it on their own, they won't know about it.

Originally posted by rotary_it_up
It was a mix of the slimline cd cases(very thin) and the regular sized cases. To be more clear, it filled the space to the top while still allowing unrestricted sliding of the armrest. The lid however, would not open. After taking one cd out, I have had no further problems.




I had the exact same thing happen- took us 20 minutes of serious fiddling with the lid to get it open. CD's now live in the CD case on my passenger-side visor.

my cd's live in a case in the door pocket.

if only you could use the 12 volt plugin when the slider is closed. there is a wire pass through to the cup holders but not if the whole thing is closed

If the console is the worst thing I will need to worry about when I finally get mine I'll be in good shape:-)

I just had the problem with my cd storage area as well and when I took it back to the dealership this morning they told me that they are going to replace the whole center console for me. I guess it pays to complain. Anyone who has experienced this problem should definately take it up with the dealer.

Originally posted by rieskame
if only you could use the 12 volt plugin when the slider is closed. there is a wire pass through to the cup holders but not if the whole thing is closed So can you drill a hole...?

My dealer's demo already has a broken armrest and I assume it is because the drivers were leaning on their right arm and directly on top of the lid. I feel it is too easy to push on the release button on the lid when I shift gears. Don't know if anyone else have this problem. Or maybe I just have long arms. Also, I find the back cup holder cover is flimsy.

My entire car is going to break first. I am about to pass my car onto my dad (who is in his mid'60's), let him drive my car every other week or two weeks. Yesterday, he drove my car for the very first time up the road to Mt. Baldy (in Los Angeles). He immediately started flooring the gas pedal; chirping the rear tires in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears; riding the clutch on EVERY gear shift; drifting too far on the right side of the road TWICE, hitting rocks; and going up the curb while parking.

I plan to pass the car to him on the day before Christmas. I bought him driving gloves for Christmas, but today I decided to return those and just give him a DVD. I think it's for the best.

Please everyone pray for my car.

Pray for your dad... Are you sure he should still be driving? Not trying to be rude just trying to figure out why he would want to drive a car made for street driving in the rocks? Is he not able to see the edge of the road? And how could you let your baby go to someone who isn't going to treat her right :confused: .

Originally, he didn't even want to drive the car. I was the one who got the idea and I was the one who kept hounding him. So I can't go back on my plan.

Maybe he just needs to get used to driving stick again. I think it's been well over 10 years since he last drove a manual. I think also he wasn't able to judge the right side of the road because of the RX8's fender flare, but if that's the case, he'll get the hang of it.

Does Mazdaspeed offer any training wheels? Or maybe curb feelers? :)

That would be the perfect Christmas gift for him.