Hey guys, im new to the gulf area. I have an RX8 and i feel like my local mazda dealership in Lafayette, LA is ripping me off. Is there a trusted mazda dealer that you use? Does anyone have any feedback on this dealer im using now?

 

Why don't you post the situation and maybe some people can give you feedback.

 

OK, next post i will. will take a min.

 

The dealership is COURTESY MAZDA in lafayette, LA. I just moved down here from seattle, WA about 6 months ago. I have owned my 2005 rx8 for 13 months now.

I bought my rx8 with about 25k miles on it and i have about 42k on it now.

I have been complaining about a grind in my transmission shifting into 2nd at higher rpms from just shortly after i bought the vehicle.

The mazda dealer here in Lafayette has just been telling me to keep fllushing the transmission. They were bleaving that because i did my 30k mile service myself that i must have done something wrong. I kept recepts for all the items used for the 30k mile service. I had to come into the shop and show them on the recept where the transmission oil was because they could not find it. after being interagated by the customer service person on how i performed the flush on the transmission i walked the tech through the entire process. I did nothing wrong. the customer service rep there then told me that because i did the 30k service myself and my car is lowered. and i have the mazdaspeed catback that my powertrane waranty is void. this lady was all over the place. so i showed her that the mazdaspeed catback does not void the waranty and that it staits in the owners manual that the owner can service the vehicle themself as long as they maintain recipts of all consumables used for the service.

after all of that i paid twice for them to flush my transmission at the next two oil changes. and NOW they say, "hey, it looks like something is wrong with your transmission" they got the go ahead from the mazda waranty rep to remove my transmission and see whats wrong.

after they removed my transmission they looked at the clutch and told me that it was worn out and that it needed to be replaced. they told me that it would cost $660 for the clutch, i gave them a go ahead on that.

a few days after i gave them the go ahead on the clutch they called me and told me that the mazda rep reviewed my case again and said that because the clutch is worn that the car was raced and abbused and they are no longer going to cover the laber on replacing the transmission and they are going to charge me $650 to R&I the transmisson.

The transmission has already been removed from the car as the mazda rep previously gave them the go ahead.

I dont understand how mazda can say "well this is only part our fault"

i have never raced my vehicle and as i understand this problem with the transmission is very common for the rx8. i dont know how the previous owner was with the vehicle, if they raced or just didnt know how to drive i dont know. but the clutch has felt just fine to me this entire time, it has never slipped and has plunty of engagment.


I have been in contact with the louisiana motor vechicle commension who gives the dealers there licences. I will be filing a complaint with them. if anyone needs the number it is 504 838 5207

i also contacted mazda of north americas customer support line and i will be filing a complaint with them. if anyone needs that number it is 1-800-222-5500

and if anyone bought an extended waranty or is having any problems with any waranty coverage in Louisiana on any vehicle you can contact
Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800 259-5300 they can point you in the right direction for getting some help depending on your specific case.

 

i know it seams like a small thing, but i went from bringing my car in for another oil change and them telling me that mazda will pay for a new transmission now. to them wanting 1300 more for a new clutch (that was working fine b4) and newly found nonwarranty transmission work.

 

Hey mate,
I lived in LFT my whole life till I went to college in Fort Worth. I left because that whole state is fucked up to the left side of the moon. Granted while every make of car has bad dealerships I wouldnt find it hard to believe that someone in that state was trying to rip you off. I know this doesnt help your cause, I know practically nothing about cars, or fixing them, but I suppose I tend to be a bit bitter about how crooked people in LA are.

In any case I come down a couple times a year, maybe we could chill at an 8 meet or something. I wouldnt think LFT has many 8's in the area, but it couldnt hurt to find out.