Ok, when I first saw the parking brake in the pre-production, photo's and Ad's I really liked it. I thought "Wow, this is something that's really differant."
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my CAR! But this is the one little thing that I have had a hard time getting use to.

It's very simple, The parking brake always looks like it's Engaged.
I don't mind the extra handle piece, but the Top or Main part of this handle should rest flat when not engaged. I find myself checking, and checking again to make sure it's not engaged. I'm thankful for the light. But when Parking and turning off the car. I have to double check my settings...

I guess I had expected the lower handle piece to be recessed into the console when not in park.

This is truly an example where Form won over proper functionality.

It's ok, I'm getting use to it, it's just taking some time....

Anyone else finding this to be true with the RX-8? Or is it just me?

I agree, plus having it on the wrong side for us NAmericans (& Euros when their blessed day comes) gives me less leverage than when it's in the correct place.

Originally posted by MaRX8
Ok, when I first saw the parking brake in the pre-production, photo's and Ad's I really liked it. I thought "Wow, this is something that's really differant."
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my CAR! But this is the one little thing that I have had a hard time getting use to.

It's very simple, The parking brake always looks like it's Engaged.
I don't mind the extra handle piece, but the Top or Main part of this handle should rest flat when not engaged. I find myself checking, and checking again to make sure it's not engaged. I'm thankful for the light. But when Parking and turning off the car. I have to double check my settings...

I guess I had expected the lower handle piece to be recessed into the console when not in park.

This is truly an example where Form won over proper functionality.

It's ok, I'm getting use to it, it's just taking some time....

Anyone else finding this to be true with the RX-8? Or is it just me?

theres light on the dash to tell when the parking brake is engaged or not

Originally posted by MaRX8
...I'm thankful for the light. But when Parking and turning off the car. I have to double check my settings...


He's already noticed the light :p

God, if it bothers you so much people, saw the damn handle piece off. ;)

Man, do people like to find things to nic-pick about. :D j/k

It's true though, just sitting in the showroom car last night... I looked at the parking brake and was like "hmm... is this up or down?" So i pulled it up just to make sure and it didn't move. I was like heh... It's not really a nuisance just interesting to say the least.

It's the one part of the car that's clearly badly designed and it looks silly. However, we've been saying this for the best part of a year now so a guess we'll have to live with it. Be thankful you're not in a RHD car because the lever is still on the right side of the shifter!

I am sure someone can come up with an aftermarket handle that has better form.

An idea for someone anyway...

Just think of the fun you'll have when negotiating the twisties and your passenger uses it as a grab handle!!:D

Corksport already has a replacement...

http://www.corksport.com/content/00/01/06/61/73/shop/products/images/752806.jpg

LMAO! I can just see the image in my head. That replacement looks mighty tasty. :) :)

The trigger-guard style is kinda funky. And gets in the way of your honey leaning over. ;)

Personally, I kinda like having the parking brake on the other side - the 3rd gen RX-7 is the same way. Put it out of the way so it isn't intruding in your driving area :).

I wonder if they left it "up" a bit to make it easy to grab for fun e-brake action :). Japanese do love drifting, you know!

Dale

I'd rather have it lay flat when it's down. Can't they design the handle with a bend in it to do that?

I agree with most of the above. I have spent part of the past 2.5 weeks looking at the thing thinking there is something just not right. Consider:

1. There is nothing "wrong" with it being on the "right". My wife's Saturn L Series has it on the right side of the console and it seems very natural. However, in the Saturn the handle drops into a recessed area of the console. The RX-8 interrior stylists probably had a fit when someone suggested taking a chunk out of their beautifull full-length console.

2. If you don't recess it (as Mazda did not), then the big plastic "guard" is needed to keep things from catching on it (like a purse strap or something more personal) while the vehicle is in motion.

Bottom line, while it isn't great, I can't see what else Mazda could have done. Also even removing the "guard" still doesn't help in being able to tell by sight whether the parking break is set or not.

Actually, I find it to be VERY functional. My inconsiderate friends have a tendency to sprawl out all over my cabin, and I end up busting them in the kneecaps when shifting into 5th gear. The RX-8's handbrake forms a barrier to keep passenger's shiznat outta my space!