What has everyone done with the center console?

[jlynnp13]

Hello.. I have been lurking for a month or two now.

I am the PROUD owner of an '07 V, Blue Onyx/Charcoal SL Hatch. I went from a 2002 Honda CRV (loved it) to a 2003 Murano (didn't love it so much) to my 2007 Versa. The best decision I've made in a long time! I know it's right because the CRV nickname on boards is 'V' ... and so is the Versa's!!

ANYWAY... I have been looking and thinking of what I can do with the e-brake/socket area to utilize that 'dead' space for storage. I have actually tried a couple of aftermarket (Thule, Case Logic) organizers that just did not fit.

Does anyone have pics or a proven method?

Thanks!

-Jessica

[kc5f]

Not a big thing, but I keep the microphone for my ham radio under the ebrake. Plenty of room, and when I need it I can slip it out easily. My daughter, on the other hand, makes much better use of the space in her V. She just sticks her huge purse down there and puts the armrest back down over it!

[Ever Victorious]

I find it to be less "dead" than that, even without modification. I sometimes carry a 1 liter Nalgene water bottle, which doesn't fit in the bottle or cup holders. Laying it on the ebrake keeps it in easy reach, and it won't roll around.

[jlynnp13]

I guess I was thinking more in terms of cell phone, mp3 player, pen, ...

-Jessica

[vpnavy]

Have you considered a center arm rest? I got one off of EBay and it great (and has storage, etc.).

[bigdog]

i did the same 4 my versa s. glad i got the center arm rest,gives more storage & takes about 15 mins to install. got mine of ebay also,it's $80-100 shipped well worth it i think.

[jlynnp13]

Have you considered a center arm rest? I got one off of EBay and it great (and has storage, etc.).

My SL came with the arm rest ... I live in Florida so I RARELY use my e-brake. I guess I was envisioning something that could sit over the e-brake or between the 2 seats to provide a handy spot for my cell phone and mp3 player, etc., etc....

-Jessica

[Ever Victorious]

I don't care how flat your state is, the parking brake is there for a reason. Please use it.

[Martin Roy]

I don't care how flat your state is, the parking brake is there for a reason. Please use it.

Daddy has spoken

Seriously, I also hardly use my parking brake. Actually, I only use it in the winter, when I want to do a rally turn on my street when nobody's around.

[versa2nr]

I know how you feel about the parking brake. It makes me crazy when I take the car in for work and the dealer's porter leaves the car in first to hold the weight of the car. The brakes are there to hold the weight of the car. besides, 100$ to replace the pads on a parking brake is better than $1k to repair a transmission.

[coxcj]

I know how you feel about the parking brake. It makes me crazy when I take the car in for work and the dealer's porter leaves the car in first to hold the weight of the car. The brakes are there to hold the weight of the car. besides, 100$ to replace the pads on a parking brake is better than $1k to repair a transmission.

When I had a car with a manual transmission, I used the e-brake all of the time. With my new one I haven't even thought of it as anything necessary. Where I park at home and work are both extremely flat (could probably leave it in neutral and it wouldn't go anywhere). Why use the parking brake?

[Ever Victorious]

First thing that comes to mind is contingency in case, for some reason, your car should pop out of gear.

Second thing that comes to mind is liability... if you park your car and it rolls away and damages something, you're at fault. The parking brake is designed exactly for that purpose: Parking. And if you so choose, you can have that 2nd degree of protection (leaving the car in gear on a MT).

And yes, I realize you may park somewhere flat. How's this for an odd scenario: your car pops out of gear and some punk kids think it's funny to roll your car into the street. What then?

(trust me, kids would do it, too... I left a couple couches with "free" signs at my last house and they decided to move them into the street and create a roadblock)

[srellim234]

Not only that, but if someone hits your car and it causes additional damage by rolling into another car, you are going to be found partially liable for that additional damage if you haven't set the e-brake. Many courts are finding % of fault for damages these days; it's not an all or nothing proposition.

[matt_a]

Your transmission is not a kickstand. Use your parking break.

[jlynnp13]

OK Dad! Geesh! I said I rarely use my e-brake.. not never! Anyway.. back to the topic at hand.. if you read above.... ......

I don't want to make it inaccessable <sp?>, I just don't mind reaching around to use it (please, no remarks!!).. I was just looking for input and ideas on additional storage possibilities for that area

-Jessica

[Clipsed]

well for 1. I use my parking brake no matter what, because leaving it off in a MT or AT transmission, ruins the transmission faster if it moves around which is VERY possible.

2. I think that there is enough storage in the glove box, the side of the doors, and the hatch area!

3. I think your cellphone should be in your purse, because I don't see a need to use a cell phone while driving unless it is an emergency. I have only known people to keep calling OVER AND OVER AND OVER in a real emergency.

[jlynnp13]

3. I think your cellphone should be in your purse, because I don't see a need to use a cell phone while driving unless it is an emergency. I have only known people to keep calling OVER AND OVER AND OVER in a real emergency.

While I appreciate your sarcasm, I don't have a purse. And guess what? I use my cell while I drive!

-Jessica

[jfanaselle]

(trust me, kids would do it, too... I left a couple couches with "free" signs at my last house and they decided to move them into the street and create a roadblock)

Hey EV - didn't you know that if you want to give away furniture, you can't put "FREE" on it. One time, I put a NICE kitchen table and chairs on the sidewalk in front of my house with a free sign on it and it sat there for 3 days. So I decided to put a sign on it that said $50 and someone took the whole set it in the middle of the night!

Jessica, I find that my cell phone (razor) fits nicely in the long slot under the armrest next to the e-brake. However, I like to keep it in the cupholder instead - too hard to get to it when it's ringing and I'm driving with the armrest down. However, I agree that there is alot of wasted usable space there and I've trying to think of a way to take advantage of it.

[Clipsed]

I always took my cellphone clip, and clipped it up to the visor. VERY ACCESSIBLE!

[KimberKenobi]

I don't care how flat your state is, the parking brake is there for a reason. Please use it.

Ask any tow company... if you don't use your e-brake, it'll loosen. They came to tow my mom's 2000 (2001?) Subaru Forester and on the older cars they usually leave the break partially on to slow the momentum... The flatbed couldn't pull mom's car onto it until the guy released the brake completely. He was surprised and stated that mom must always use it... to wit we replied, 'of course' (like the creepy twins we are... my mom and I look and sound exactly alike...)

[lain]

dont konw how thread turned into a, "where do you put your cell phone" thread but ill play alone. I like to put my cell phone in the little slot on the door arm rest. its just big enough for my phone and i can see/hear it ring cause its close enough to me. I also use the little room under the e-break for my phone when I have it pluged into my charger.

[matt_a]

PLEASE use blue-tooth if you're going to talk on a cell phone while driving. If your Vesa doesn't have it built in, spend $30 and get a BT headset. It is sooooo much safer. That's why it was invented...please use it.

[Ever Victorious]

(daddy)

Plus, in more and more states, it is becoming illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving unless you have a hands-free device.

(/daddy)

[reyes1212]

I just bought a Momo universal e-brake handle and have taken the black plastic off, but the handle isnt long enough to cover the metal stick.

[irsa76]

Not a big thing, but I keep the microphone for my ham radio under the ebrake. Plenty of room, and when I need it I can slip it out easily. My daughter, on the other hand, makes much better use of the space in her V. She just sticks her huge purse down there and puts the armrest back down over it!

Any photos of your ham install? I'm thinking about running a UHF when I get my Tiida, soon I hope.

[kc5f]

None, yet - I didn't think it was a big deal! All I did was put the rig under my seat and the control head against the left side of the windshield, using velcro on the dash. I ran the control wire down the side of the dash where the door hides it, and then into the plastic molding and out again to go under the floor mat. I didn't like to have the microphone under the seat, so that's why I keep it under the e-brake handle. I'll try to borrow my wife's digital camera to show the control head, at least.