I see a number of posts about the heat in the cup holder and some interesting DIY solutions, but (please forgive me if I missed them)... I don't see anything about the cup holder/console lid sliding forward while braking. Is this a problem with anyone else, or is my car missing a latch somewhere?

When I slide the center console lid back so I can put a drink in the cup holder, it doesn't latch in place, so as soon as I hit the brakes (not even hard)... it slides forward into my drink... spilling it. I had one occasion where I had to slam on my brakes and the lid came forward so hard that it crushed the styrofoam cup my hot coffee was in and hot coffee was all over me and my interior. Any lawyers out there want to take my case?

Seriously... is my car missing a latch or has anyone found a way to prevent it from sliding forward when braking?

 

Definitely shouldn't be doing that! Something's wrong with your lid. There are two little black plastic pieces that fit over the tabs that slide in the grooves—they have a tendency to come off. Read this, starting with post #8:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=console+cover

Good luck!

 

hah, i spilled NOS energy drink all over my shifter, and in flooded the cupholders themselves. That button towards the front of the sliding lid, push that down, and push the lid all the way up, and release the button. It should lock in place after that, if not...then something must be wrong with it. I've come to find that there are a lot of little things like that wrong with my car.
1. Lid to change cup and cigg. lighter is broken - doesn't open correctly.
2. Temp. adjuster for a/c popped off after having to re-adjust the temp. (kept changing on me.
3. Driver side visor is popped off, and if you fold it down, 2/5 chances are that it will come off and be dangling, hanging off the wires for the lighting.
4. Water disposal for wipers doesn't hit my windows, majority of them fly over the car.

 

I found one of the black tabs loose in the center console and put it on. I'll have to go to the dealer to get the other one. However... now that I know it's not supposed to slide forward into my drinks... I took a better look at how it works and I'm even more confused now. I noticed that there is a little button on the underside of the lid next to the magnetic clasp. When the lid is lifted up so I can access the storage area (to the rear of the cupholders), the lid is locked in place and won't slide forward. As soon as the lid is closed over the storage space (while still slid back to expose the cup holders)... the button is pressed and the lid slides freely back and forth. It looks like it would slide with or without the other tab in place.

Is this right? Am I supposed to keep the lid both "back" AND "up" in order to keep drinks from being hit be the lid? OR is the lid supposed to lock in the back position WITHOUT being up?

Keeping it UP would suck because I'm pretty sure my arm would hit it when shifting. I can avoid hitting cups if I'm careful, but avioding the lid in the UP position is not likely to happen. Besides, I keep misc papers in that center storage area that would fly around if the windows are open or if A/C is on high.

 

No—when it's operating normally it can be both "back" and "down".

Take it to the dealer. If your car's still under warranty, they'll probably replace the entire lid cover—that's what they're doing with mine. (Though I have a different problem: the rectangular button on the front—the end closest to the gearshift—sticks up a little on one side. It works normally—the cover doesn't slide back by itself or anything—but it looks bad. If I press the button down hard on both sides, it's good for a couple of seconds, but then the one side pops up higher than the other.)

 

Thanks. I guess it's "back to the dealer" then... again.

So far I've been back for:
- the a/c **** broke twice
- each tail light filled with water and cracked from pressure (seperate times for each)
- passenger side window is choppy going up (still not fixed)
- the car runs sluggishly between 3k to 5k rpm's (still not fixed)
- rubber gromit missing from engine cover
- center console/cup holder cover slides sloppy due to missing guides (this was addressed the first time I took it in and they only put guides on and didn't do anything about the lid sliding forward - not that I knew it wasn't supposed to at the time, so didn't say anything to them about it)
- hesitated to start sometimes

What's one more time?!

 

I hope my dealer is decent, I have both of the problems, my lid slides forward and the button sticks up on one side. The dealer said they would look at it but told me just to wait til I came in for the recall if it wasn't bothering me that much. He didn't sound too convincing that they would actually do anything about it though.

 

Guys, if the dealer doesn't believe the console lid should stay both "back" and "down", just show him on one of the other RX-8's at the dealership. Same for the "front button" staying down.

If the dealer still won't replace it, take it to another Mazda dealer who will. They're all supposed to honor the warranty. Some dealerships are ******** about it, but some are good.

 

The lid needs to be replaced. Almost as common as a broken sun visor...

 

I just had it replaced. It made a huge difference. It appears that it's only friction that holds it from sliding forward. Is it supposed to lock in the back position or is it supposed to just be somewhat hard to slide?

 

HAHA! this has happened to me on numerous occasions also, except since i don't put my cups there any more it usually hits my elbow. I thought this was just on my car since its been umm... beat up before...

just have your passengers hold your stuff or put your cups in the back seat cup holders : )

 

you could always put another (empty) cup in the other cup holder, to stop the lid... just a thought.

 

yes, it should be 'locked in' at the retracted position when you pull it all the way back, then you should be able to flip open the console lid and reveal the additional storage area...

man all those pieces replaced under warranty, do you have an early build 04 or something lol

 

i have an '04

 

I got one replaced under warranty, I can scan you a receipt so you can tell the dealer it is a wear item. Same with motor mount

 

Oh yeah... motor mount. I had that replaced too. Yes it is an early 04 build.

The new lid doesn't "lock in", but it doesn't slide forward because it's pretty tight and takes a little effort to slide it now, so it doesn't move on it's own.

The last ongoing problem I'm having is the passenger window is choppy when rolling up... still! It's been in 3 times for that and it's still not fixed. The next nearest dealer is 50 minute round trip for me, which is a real hassle when the one I've been going to is 5 minutes away.

Well, that and the car is an absolute dog when it's hot and humid out. They tell me the engine is within specs, so there's nothing to do about it.

Anyone know how to escalate complaints?

I've never received the "how was your service experience" questionaire. Does anybody get these? Who sends them, Mazda or the dealer?

 

I think dealer

 

Lid doesn't really "lock" in. It is held back with a magnet.

 

The dealer gave me a new lid under warranty and two days later it was broken again. I opened up the new one to see what is wrong. There is a plastic tab that acts like a spring and holds the door snug when it is open. It is broken. Here are some pictures.

 

i've gotten 2 new lids from the dealer without any hesitation on their behalf... they're well aware of how shitty it is... they'll give you a new one.

 

the lids suck, ive went ahead and put a long piece of black electric tape in there to keep it open all the time. It wont slide but its always open, which doesnt really bother me though.

 

My solution to such problems is not to drink (or eat) in the car at all

 

I just bent the broken piece up a little so that the important part rests on top of the fragment that it broke off of. working relatively well so far.

 

What is a good source for finding the current recalls on Mazda Rx's. I usually ask my service center and they always say my car is just fine. I must say (Wesley Chapel Mazda (FL)) do fix everything without problem, an execellant service center. I travel 30 miles out of the way to use them. However, I do want to keep them honest. They are going to fixs my glovebox again on Tuesday and the electric sit ***** that fell off. these are little things but becomes annoying.

Thank guys for all of the information, this is a wonderful site. I appreciate all of the information.

 

Went to the dealership today to get a price to fix the stupid tab, they of course will only replace the whole section of the center console.

300 bucks for a crappy made piece of plastic. The sales girl said "Damn those Japanese" helpful.