Hello all - again, actually as I've rejoined after a few years gap! 

 

I had 2 Octavias on the trot, but when it came to replace the last one, I opted for a Focus (for long and tedious reasons). 

 

I waited for the Scala to launch really keen to like it (big boot!!) and had a test drive as soon as I could back in early summer 2019.

 

It was fine to drive and comfortable etc... etc.. but the main reason I didn't order one was the position of the handbrake over next to the passenger seat - designed for a LHD car obviously and not moved for the UK.

 

After a couple of embarrassing 'oh, sorry' to the salesman as I brushed his leg with my hand (!!) I realised it was an issue for me. A bit of a stretch too even if there was nobody in the passenger seat.

 

The Focus has an electronic release with hill-hold so no such problem and I've got used to that.

 

Does anyone else have an issue with the location of the handbrake? I Can't see any comments on here, so perhaps you just get used to it and avoid contact with any passenger in the seat!!!

 

I'm wondering about giving it another go (1.5/DSG probably)..... Don't want EV, don't want SUV and wish the Octavia was a wee bit smaller/shorter.

 

 

Having only test driven the Scala once before placing an order for a Monte Carlo version, I have to say it wasn’t obvious to me when driving. Having said that, I did have the wife next to me who didn’t indicate I had inadvertently copped a sneaky feel whilst using the handbrake.
 

I suppose a large passenger with legs splayed out may need a more targeted approach should an emergency handbrake turn be needed.

 

I wouldn’t let the handbrake position stop me buying the car. Yes it’s next to the passenger seat, but perfectly possible to use correctly without a visit from the Police for inappropriate behaviour.
 

I have never found it a problem, driving a Scala for 3.5 years, then again my previous Fabia had it so was used to it. The Peugeots have them, but their driving position is atrocious, you cannot see the dashboard when the seat is in a certain position.

Not found it a problem. The arm rest thing is though if it is down and forward!

I'm sure that I noticed this when driving my younger daughter and husband's 2019 SEAT Arona, I was not impressed, but I'm sure that I'd learn to live with it, surely that could have been avoided - and I wonder if that "off centre" positioning of the handbrake handle contributes to the appalling "feel" of the handbrake action.  

That May 2019 SEAT Arona had been "attended to" during its new car warranty when in the possession of its first owner over "handbrake action" - twice as part of a VW Group workshop action, twice for the same workshop action, did seem a bit strange, I would have thought that VW Group would only have reimbursed only once for that workshop action. 

My current SEAT Leon has the handbrake right by the passenger seat and I can't say I have noticed an issue in nearly 8 years driving it.

 

Only thing I can think of is if we had a large drink in the centre cup holder that got in the way.

Thanks for the replies. I think an extended test drive is in order! I've got used to the Ford's auto handbrake I wonder if I could go back to ANY traditional one? Mind you the Ford one catches me out by not being active on odd occasions - almost caused me to roll back into the car behind !

I have the Kamiq with DSG. I never use the handbrake, just leave the car in Park. Being DSG means hill starts are a doddle. Though I do apply the handbrake on-off every week or so to stop the mechanism from seizing up. 

Not the best of ways when parking on anything less than flat as there is a strain on the Pawl in the DSG.

Actually applying the Parking Brake is quite common for some before putting i P so that it is not held by the pawl before the hand / parking brake operates. 

 

Being a DSG there is Hill Hold Assist / Control to hold it a couple of seconds as the foot goes from brake pedal to accelerator.

 

Each to their own though. 

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/522689-learn-how-to-drive-an-auto-including-what-neutral-does-more-driving-tips

 

Edited 18 April, 20242 yr by Rooted

I'm running a 2019 Scala with a DSG box. I always use the handbrake and as it's a proper one, I'm happy with it. 

 

What I get annoyed about is that there are VERY few new cars that don't have a proper handbrake, just the bloody silly electric ones.

 

What am I supposed to do when the time comes to replace the Scala or my elderly Focus?