echelon

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone around here has gotten a letter requesting for participating in this "optional" emission test?

I got my letter last week, the letter states that they will need to bring the car in for 1-4 weeks, will run max 300 miles during the period.

compensation is $20 + a loaner car or $50 w/o a loaner.

Called them up, and they basically told me the basics - testing if the vehicle meets the emission standard, EPA blablabla.

I'm no expert in this area, but what would be the cons of doing this, other than of course not having the 8 for up to 1 month!

thanks guys

Red Devil

I've never heard of this before. Is it for the Federal EPA, or just the local State organization?

And $20 and a loaner car. That's just not worth letting them get a hold of your car for a month.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

There was something last summer about Detroit area owners getting a letter requesting use of their RX8's for testing. I don't remember anything about it being the EPA.

echelon

It's actually per day. so 4 weeks = 30 x 20 = $600 with a loaner or $1500 w/o a loaner.

from the look of the letter this seems to be a federal EPA, it's just that i happen to stay near one of their facilities here.

Red Devil

Ah, a per day rate. I was thinking maybe that's what it was but wasn't sure. I don't know, I'd still probably not give it to them. First I'd find out what the loaner would be.

Detroit RX8

The testing in Detroit wasn't anything government related. It was conducted by a third party that was looking at emissions but not for the EPA, just for Mazda.

echelon

I gave them a call and managed to get more info.

They'll be looking at the emissions/mpg and if doesnt meet the EPA standard they will "repair/replace" the affected parts and investigate the issue further.

THey told me so far they've checked 2 Mazdas. the first one passed, and the second one failed to meet the standard. Didn't ask further on what model was the mazda though. doubt they were 8s.

glassetcher

Call me a big conspiracy, paranoid freak, but with all of the scams we hear of every other day, just exactly who did you call? Was it the phone number THEY gave you? Did you look up the local address and phone number of the REAL agency? Did you go see them in person?

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me to get an owner of a $25K sports car to turn it over to me for 2-4 weeks for just $1500. I'll bet I could sell it for at least half of the value ($12,000) and be long gone before the owner has the slightest idea what is going on.

"if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"

jaedcem

He he - I agree. This reminds me of Fletch driving the Fiat (or MG) that kid was trying to steal. "Gotta get it up to at least 80 to check on the hydrocarbon output." Sounds like this scam will be in the papers soon.

echelon

Hey guys,

just an update,

I decided to send my car in. I went inside their facility, and everything is for real. I see 3 8s inside, apparently they're testing out our baby as of now. Saw some EPA chief guy talking with Mazda US Rep besides a new red miata.

Saw a few infinitis, porsches, and a few others inside their facility. Apparently it is there is only one EPA's facility-of-this-kind, and it's right here in Ann Arbor, MI.

tito rotativo

I have a rx8 that only has federal EPA standards but not california. do I have to change anything to make my vehicle meet cali standards?