Handbrake: why is it on the left?

[Fish in a Barrel]

I find it really strange that the handbrake is on the right side of the center console in the 3. Why is it not over by the driver? Is it on the left in right-hand drive versions? Could I get parts from a ride-hand driver car and swap it out?

[Mortose]

your seriously bitching about what side the E-break is on? what, is it to far for your T-Rex arms to reach when trying to do a super cool E-Break turn? trying to drift like those cool people on F&F Tokyo Drift?

[Keko]

....seriously?

It's bugging you to the point where you want to swap it?

[uncorked11]

WTF?

[Fish in a Barrel]

Hah! I have no idea why it bugs me so much, but it does. I always set the brake when I park, and it's the only car I've ever owned where it wasn't right next to the driver's seat. It just feels awkward!

[cbspd3flip]

What. The. Fuck.

Originally Posted by Fish in a Barrel Hah! I have no idea why it bugs me so much, but it does. I always set the brake when I park, and it's the only car I've ever owned where it wasn't right next to the driver's seat. It just feels awkward!

Then go buy another car if it bothers you that much.

[Vansquish]

Simple answer: The Mazda3 MPS was designed to a budget. Rather than moving the hardware from one side to the other when it was converted to LHD, Mazda simply kept the center console the same.

[Fish in a Barrel]

Originally Posted by Vansquish Simple answer: The Mazda3 MPS was designed to a budget. Rather than moving the hardware from one side to the other when it was converted to LHD, Mazda simply kept the center console the same.

That's what I assumed, too, but check this out: It IS on the other side in right-hand drive cars.

Anyhow... I didn't realize this question would provoke such angst. My apologies for offending everyone's sensibilities.

[Pointless]

Best Handbrake location ever

it let you (without a hint of suspicion) touch / punch / grab the knee of the passenger

[Keko]

I just looked at those pics and it looks gay as shit on the left side. It would get in the way too if you put your AP in the cupholder, or just shit in general. I like how it is.

[Easter Bunny]

It would also just be in the way of shifting if it were on the left.

[Vansquish]

Originally Posted by Fish in a Barrel That's what I assumed, too, but check this out: It IS on the other side in right-hand drive cars. Anyhow... I didn't realize this question would provoke such angst. My apologies for offending everyone's sensibilities.

Sorry...didn't see that you had a GenPu. For the GenJuan, the center console is identical on both LHD and RHD forms. I suppose it must be an ergonomic issue...maybe moving the cupholders closer to the driver for the GenPu's console to be set up the way that it is.

You could probably figure out a way to replace the trim panel and bolt up the e-brake on the other side if your so prefer. However, you'd need to replace/move the shifter assembly as well, and replace both the black bit (with the cupholders) and the silver shifter-surround.

[Fish in a Barrel]

Originally Posted by Easter Bunny It would also just be in the way of shifting if it were on the left.

Nah, I just hopped into the passenger seat, and the brake is well below my arm when it's on the shifter. My last three cars prior to this (including a Mazda 6) all had the brake on the left, and it was never an issue.

It may be I'm weird for even using the thing (among other reasons). Seems like most other people just park the car in 1st and never touch the hand brake.

[Fish in a Barrel]

Originally Posted by Vansquish You could probably figure out a way to replace the trim panel and bolt up the e-brake on the other side if your so prefer. However, you'd need to replace/move the shifter assembly as well, and replace both the black bit (with the cupholders) and the silver shifter-surround.

Yeah, it was just a thought. Probably not worth the effort... probably.

[Dmurray06]

The really question is, why isn't it beside the clutch pedal?

[dantes5823]

Shit i remember when i had my old porche 944...the ebrake was between the door and the seat... It took me forever to find that thing the first time....and when i drove my dads car after driving my car for months... I looked like an idiot fishing for an ebrake on the wrong side.

[bvbull200]

I would have assumed it was left alone when converted to LHD, but that doesn't seem to be the explanation.

My GTO had it on the right side, too. GM left it there when they converted Monaros for American consumption. Never bothered me and doesn't bother me in the MS3, either. If I were drifting or something, perhaps, but I just park with it.

[Spec]

Originally Posted by dantes5823 Shit i remember when i had my old porche 944...the ebrake was between the door and the seat... It took me forever to find that thing the first time....and when i drove my dads car after driving my car for months... I looked like an idiot fishing for an ebrake on the wrong side.

What year 944 did you have? I had a cherry, white 83 w brown leather (barf) was a nice car for me when I was 16. Some redneck decided not to tie a water heater down and it owned me.


On topic: who the fuck cares.

[dantes5823]

Originally Posted by Spec What year 944 did you have? I had a cherry, white 83 w brown leather (barf) was a nice car for me when I was 16. Some redneck decided not to tie a water heater down and it owned me. On topic: who the fuck cares.

It was an 84 I wanna say. Like a dark purple almost black paint. Tan interior I think. I was like 18 when I had it. Fun little car. Not very fast.

[SpeedViktm]

Duh, easier access to the cup holders....

[Tyler@CorkSport]

I thought they put it there just to piss off the OP...

[radioflyer]

Originally Posted by Tyler@CorkSport I thought they put it there just to piss off the OP...

LOL

I prefer it where it is for sure.

[3Gee Tee]

You just want to be one of those fags that can engage the e-brake by lifting up their right knee.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spec]

Originally Posted by White Jade Why do you park with E-brake? It will freeze when freezing outside.. What then ?

That's an easy answer.

[White Jade]

ah, i got it okay

[Speed3eak]

I thought it was because the Japanese version is right hand drive, and they just kept the same one for cost savings.

But no, the japanese one is the same way - hand brake is on the other side of the shifter.

My guess is because the brake is kind of on top of the center console, it would get in the way of your arm when you're shifting if it were on the driver's side of the center console.

The designs I've seen that keep the brake near your right leg have the actual handle at the height of the console. While I would prefer that I don't go everywhere sideways so it isn't that big of a deal.

[Vinnie]

your title is really misleading...

[Fish in a Barrel]

Originally Posted by Vinnie your title is really misleading...

I was waiting for someone to notice that.

[surebOOst]

I would think its so no one tries to DRIFT a FWD TURBO STATIONWAGON like a fag