Opening the hatch and 3rd brake light lens- AARRGH!

[SteveLovesCars]

I bought a 1996 2+2 about a month ago. I noticed right away that opening the tailgate on the car required some extra care... while it looks like there is a "handle" or gap in the center from where to lift it, this actually put pressure on the thin plastic lens around the third brake light. I was being really careful to reach all the way in to grab the metal... until yesterday. In a moment of distraction I tried to open it quickly and the whole plastic third brake light trim just cracked a few inches on either side of the brake light and came off in my hand. @!#&%!!!

So, while I now see that these are available, they aren't cheap. My question is more about the design of this. I just have trouble imagining that Nissan designed this so poorly and hadn't changed it after 7 years when my car was made.

Should the tailgate hydraulic cylinders be lifting it up a bit when I release the hatch? This would certainly make it easier to grab the metal frame of the hatch. My car has 100k miles so it's likely the struts are weak, but they do hold the hatch open just fine.

Is there any way to reinforce the bottom of that lense to prevent this from happening again? I can't imagine I'm the first to encounter this.

Any thoughts? Or, is this just something Z32 owners have learned to live with?

[SteveLovesCars]

Well, as an update, I got a new third brake light lens and installed it last night. It wasn't too bad but some of those blue clips were a total pain to get off. It was easier on mine since the original lens was already broken I didn't have to be too careful but I did need the clips intact for the new part.

Anyway, I googled around and now realize that the hydraulic lifts are supposed to lift the rear hatch when it is released. Mine were fine keeping the hatch open but must be worn just enough to not lift it any longer. I ordered some high-pressure replacements from Z1 Motorsports and will put those on ASAP so I don't crack the new lens. It will end up being about a $200 repair for the new lens and the lifts.