New-ish RX-8 owner who doesn't have an RX-8
10-08-2013, 08:23 AM
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New-ish RX-8 owner who doesn't have an RX-8
Hope that caught your attention.
I bought an 09 RX8 GT in July. Man, I fell straight in love with this car. It was only a weekend car for my wife and I. I have a commuter car (Acura Vigor) which I use for work.
About 2 weeks after I bought the car, I noticed a grinding 4th to 5th gear process. I assumed it was a synchro and the car being well under warranty mileage for the drivetrain (only 47K miles), I took the car into the original dealership where it was purchased back in 2009. The original owner (I'm only the 2nd owner) took the car to this Mazda dealership for everything, so I thought to myself it's easier to take it here because I don't have to prove service records for the warranty.
Low and behold it ended up being the synchro. Quick, cheap and easy fix. The car was supposed to be in the shop for 3 days.
Welp...the 2nd night that the car was there, the dealer left it on a hydraulic lift overnight and evidently didn't engage the safety clamps. So the lift bled out over night. No big deal right?? Well, it is a huge deal when they left the transmission rack underneath. $8000 worth of damage, parts and labor just estimated at the time they called me.
So I, coming from an insurance claims adjuster background and being from Texas, knew the laws for diminished value very well. My car was in perfect shape when I bought it. The General manager even said that when he spoke to me in person a few days later. So I told him, not only did I want the car fixed, I wanted diminished value on top. I was very generous and said I'd take 10% just so this whole thing will hurry up and be done. The GM fought me, tooth and nail for 2 more weeks while my car sat at the dealership untouched.
He finally realized I wasn't going anywhere and crumbled. I think he realized that 10% is being let off easy considering I could have gotten around 15% if I filed through insurance. So finally, 3 weeks after the incident (and 6 weeks after I bought it) the RX8 went to be repaired...and when I say repaired I'm talking first class. Laser frame machine, the whole nine yards.
So today is October 8. The car was taken in to the dealership August 10. 2 1/2 months that I haven't seen, driven or even sat in my car. And to make this long story a little longer, it was supposed to be done last Wednesday. Well, they call me Thursday and tell me that the paint wasn't blended properly so it will be Monday (yesterday). So guess what? I had to wait yet another day (today) to go pick it up because for some reason they had ordered a new engine cover though nothing was wrong with the engine or exhaust. So I asked the GM what the deal was and he said, "Look. We messed up, bad. I told the guys over at the shop that I wanted every single exterior part that could be seen brand new on this car. You're car was in perfect shape when you brought it in which is uncommon for RX8's because they are sports cars and get abused. I'm sorry it's taking so long but I really want you to be happy with the car once it's back in your hands."
So today is D-Day...yet again. We'll see if I get it back or not. I'll post some pics of the damage too. That's if I can, I'm a newbie here.
I bought an 09 RX8 GT in July. Man, I fell straight in love with this car. It was only a weekend car for my wife and I. I have a commuter car (Acura Vigor) which I use for work.
About 2 weeks after I bought the car, I noticed a grinding 4th to 5th gear process. I assumed it was a synchro and the car being well under warranty mileage for the drivetrain (only 47K miles), I took the car into the original dealership where it was purchased back in 2009. The original owner (I'm only the 2nd owner) took the car to this Mazda dealership for everything, so I thought to myself it's easier to take it here because I don't have to prove service records for the warranty.
Low and behold it ended up being the synchro. Quick, cheap and easy fix. The car was supposed to be in the shop for 3 days.
Welp...the 2nd night that the car was there, the dealer left it on a hydraulic lift overnight and evidently didn't engage the safety clamps. So the lift bled out over night. No big deal right?? Well, it is a huge deal when they left the transmission rack underneath. $8000 worth of damage, parts and labor just estimated at the time they called me.
So I, coming from an insurance claims adjuster background and being from Texas, knew the laws for diminished value very well. My car was in perfect shape when I bought it. The General manager even said that when he spoke to me in person a few days later. So I told him, not only did I want the car fixed, I wanted diminished value on top. I was very generous and said I'd take 10% just so this whole thing will hurry up and be done. The GM fought me, tooth and nail for 2 more weeks while my car sat at the dealership untouched.
He finally realized I wasn't going anywhere and crumbled. I think he realized that 10% is being let off easy considering I could have gotten around 15% if I filed through insurance. So finally, 3 weeks after the incident (and 6 weeks after I bought it) the RX8 went to be repaired...and when I say repaired I'm talking first class. Laser frame machine, the whole nine yards.
So today is October 8. The car was taken in to the dealership August 10. 2 1/2 months that I haven't seen, driven or even sat in my car. And to make this long story a little longer, it was supposed to be done last Wednesday. Well, they call me Thursday and tell me that the paint wasn't blended properly so it will be Monday (yesterday). So guess what? I had to wait yet another day (today) to go pick it up because for some reason they had ordered a new engine cover though nothing was wrong with the engine or exhaust. So I asked the GM what the deal was and he said, "Look. We messed up, bad. I told the guys over at the shop that I wanted every single exterior part that could be seen brand new on this car. You're car was in perfect shape when you brought it in which is uncommon for RX8's because they are sports cars and get abused. I'm sorry it's taking so long but I really want you to be happy with the car once it's back in your hands."
So today is D-Day...yet again. We'll see if I get it back or not. I'll post some pics of the damage too. That's if I can, I'm a newbie here.
Last edited by Mack Dazzle; 10-08-2013 at 08:32 AM.
10-08-2013, 08:39 AM
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Yeah, they've turned a 180, that's for sure. Honestly, my car may be in better shape physically than it was when I bought it. Brand new front bumper, brand new side skirts, brand new engine cover (still don't get that one), brand new driver's side doors, brand new driver's fender, and brand new floor panels on both sides. That aluminum body gets expensive quickly!
10-08-2013, 03:36 PM
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Good luck op. I remember when I bought my old S4. I had it two months before a lady ran a red light and I t-boned here. I had to wait 4 mo for them to finish it. Sadly, they didn't repair her to Audi original spec.
I'm interested in learning more in this diminished value laws. Suggestions on where I may learn more?
I'm interested in learning more in this diminished value laws. Suggestions on where I may learn more?
10-08-2013, 05:52 PM
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I can just imagine seeing the car after the fall and being totally beside myself. I'm just glad this dealership is standing up to their mistake (even with a little coercion). Post some pictures when she's pristine again.
10-09-2013, 07:52 AM
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I got my 8 back! The Hammerhead (I name all of my cars after sharks) is home. I didn't have a chance to take a pic because I picked it up at 6:30 pm, so it was dark. But I have to say, they did go above and beyond. I suppose the 2 month wait was worth it considering they replaced pieces and parts on the car that weren't even damaged by them, mainly wear and tear pieces underneath the vehicle.
It was repainted 3 times in order to make sure it matched the pristine paint that was on the car when I bought it. I mean, I can't even describe how happy I am with this. Honestly, it looks better than when I bought it, and that's saying quite a bit. They've even gone as far to order and replace an interior trim piece that was barely damaged by the previous owner. As pissed off as I was becoming during the whole process, I suppose my patience and sternness with them finally won out.
I'll post pics today when the sun comes up
It was repainted 3 times in order to make sure it matched the pristine paint that was on the car when I bought it. I mean, I can't even describe how happy I am with this. Honestly, it looks better than when I bought it, and that's saying quite a bit. They've even gone as far to order and replace an interior trim piece that was barely damaged by the previous owner. As pissed off as I was becoming during the whole process, I suppose my patience and sternness with them finally won out.
I'll post pics today when the sun comes up
10-10-2013, 07:52 AM
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Here it is. It's the wrong side where the damage was, but trust me, it's all good. They actually even lifted the car so I could see underneath, etc. They were completely up front and honest about what they had done. The dealership even went as far as to replace and repair every part on the car that wasn't their fault including some engine cover components underneath the vehicle and a painted portion of the rear bumper that they had nothing to do with.
On top of that, they are replacing the entire right side of my console silver trim piece because the previous owner (which was a woman) spilled some finger nail polish remover and stripped the paint. I can't express how surprised I am. I've never had a dealer treat me this way.
Then on top of even that!...I got the warranty invoice from my transmission and instead of just replacing the synchro in 5th gear, they actually rebuilt the entire tranny. The GM told me that they wanted to make sure no shrapnel, etc. ruined the others gears so they just replaced all the gears and synchros throughout. Not sure if that had anything to do with their damage done to the car to make it right with me or if they just actually were going that extra mile to begin with. But none the less, my extremely nice 8 just got much nicer.
I'm going in sometime next week for them to finish the cosmetic pieces up.
And yes, the car runs perfectly, there wasn't any engine, exhaust, or mechanical damage to the car at all to begin with. It was all consmetic. $3000 sum odd worth of damage and $5000 sum odd worth of parts and labor.
On top of that, they are replacing the entire right side of my console silver trim piece because the previous owner (which was a woman) spilled some finger nail polish remover and stripped the paint. I can't express how surprised I am. I've never had a dealer treat me this way.
Then on top of even that!...I got the warranty invoice from my transmission and instead of just replacing the synchro in 5th gear, they actually rebuilt the entire tranny. The GM told me that they wanted to make sure no shrapnel, etc. ruined the others gears so they just replaced all the gears and synchros throughout. Not sure if that had anything to do with their damage done to the car to make it right with me or if they just actually were going that extra mile to begin with. But none the less, my extremely nice 8 just got much nicer.
I'm going in sometime next week for them to finish the cosmetic pieces up.
And yes, the car runs perfectly, there wasn't any engine, exhaust, or mechanical damage to the car at all to begin with. It was all consmetic. $3000 sum odd worth of damage and $5000 sum odd worth of parts and labor.
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