I've noticed lately that after washing my car and letting it sit, the parking brake always stick (when I go to drive forward the parking brake grips - even though its been released - then finally "thuds" and the car can move forward).

Does anyone else experience this? Seems like a pretty ridiculous design flaw (have never had this happen on any other 5 speed I've owned)

 

Yes, since new; every time the brakes got wet it did it. I talked to the dealer and the got the standard answer "it's normal" (silly me, I should have known better). I checked to see if there was a TSB, but there isn't. Luckily, as the brakes wore/broke in, it gradually stopped happening.

Now, on Friday I had my brakes done (the right rears, where the thump was, had less than 5% while the lefts about 40-50% left!!!), and guess what, it started again. My way around it is just not to put the brake on and leave it in gear when its raining or go to the carwash (it's a 5 spd).

I am guessing it's the crappy OEM pads, but I'm not sure if there are many aftermarket choices for the rears.

 

If you look at the rotors before trying to drive around after a car wash, particularly sitting overnight or so, you will notice rust spots that cause the 'gripping'. Once they have been worn off, no problem.

As for 'normal'...who knows.