I'd like to start this thread to get a general idea of everyone's opinions of the NW Mazda dealers out there, in terms of customer service, value, parts dept, etc. I'll start with my limited experience with just two dealers.

Parr Mazda, Bremerton, WA - Closest dealer, so first one I called about pre-ordering my RX-8. First person I talked to, after I said i was interested in an RX-8, asked me "New or Used". I then got someone who (I though) might have some knowledge of what I was talking about, and I was told that Mazda doesn't allow orders. That I can only buy what's on the lot. If I wanted to order a Ford, I'd have no problem (they also have a Parr Ford lot), but Mazda no.

University Mazda, Seattle, WA - After my lovely experience with Parr, I called University Mazda (was highly recommended). They informed me that they already had 8 on order, and wanted me to be numebr 9. I was very impressed with their enthusiasm for the RX-8 so i took the 1 1/2 hour drive over there the following weekend. I talked with one of the Sales Reps for quite a while, and got they idea that they really know how the Mazda company works. Incidentaly, they are the oldest Mazda Dealer in the US. The first two RX-8s that they had on order were general orders from the dealer, so that they had some good example cars, and when i told them what I wanted to order, they said that they had one almost like it (plus the nav system) already ordered. They offered to try and contact Mazda to delete the Nav system for me so that i could take ownership earlier (as it was ordered the first day possible). This impressed me that they really wanted me to get the car soon. I didn't take that route, since I, personally, won't be able to pick mine up until late July anyways due to a "business trip" (I'm in the Navy). But I was very pleased with their dedication to customer service. I made my deposit and order then and there.

So what opinions does everyone else have on the NW dealers?

 

what follows is my somewhat lengthy rant that i originally posted @ Jan. 15th. somethings have changed but some remain the same. i do believe now that my car is actually ordered and after talking with the dealer again yesterday am convinced that he sent my email address in with the order. i still, however, do not have that second email from mazda. i am waiting for a reply to an email that i sent customer service yesterday. oh and since the rant i found out the reason for my being bumped down in their list- the owner of the dealership is taking the first car.


Now my experience at my Mazda dealer has not been pleasant. When I first went in 8 months ago to put a deposit down for the car they told me I was third on the list and that they would not deposit the check until it came time to order the car. Two weeks later I find out that they deposited the check. So I had to go back over there and bug them to give me my money back and to stay on the list. It took me talking to 3-4 people and an hour of my time to do so. Now flash forward to last week. I put my on line order in at 6:30 in the morning. By noon some people were posting on the board that their dealer had called them. So I went over talked to someone who, after a half hour of waiting for them in the first place, that had no clue but promised to call me. Thursday I call to see if my car is ordered, no and the manager went to an auction out of state, wont be back until Saturday, that’s when they should have the info needed and they will call me. I call another dealer in town and the sales person calls the car an r s -8! Twice! And doesn't know about the online pre-sale until I tell him. Friday I call MNAO customer service because I can't stand it anymore. I talk to a guy named Charlie he was great and a lot of help. He called the dealer but couldn't get a manager at the Mazda side of things so gave my info to the manager of the VW sales side. He walks it over to the Internet sales guy who calls me and seemingly gets things straightened out. I don't get one of those confirmation numbers or anything else. On Monday the guy who was supposed to call me Saturday calls me to say he didn't forget about me and they should have the info soon! I tell him I talked to the Internet guy on Friday and ask him to check with him and call me back. 2 hours later I call the Internet guy to make sure the car is ordered, as this is the day that is supposed to be the first cutoff. For the first couple minutes of the conversation he denies talking to me on Friday! Finally he remembers and tells me not to worry that I have their fourth allocated car (remember I was third on the list 8 months ago!) he agrees to change the color to sunlight silver and tells me not to worry again and the car is ordered and will be the second car they get in June. I still don't have that confirmation number thingy that many others have and don't really have confidence that the car is ordered. Until I do or do not get the email from Mazda I wont know. Then the last three days the forum gets dealers posting when they are told not to and they are throwing around false info that everyone here knows is bogus and still they try to defend it saying its true.

 

We had an "ok" experience with Sound Mazda in Renton when we bought our SE Miatia a year and a half ago, so I figured I'd start there for my RX-8 order. When the online order form was available, I filled it out and selected Sound Mazda as the dealer...

I also sent queries via email to Milam Mazda in Puyallup, since they were nearby

Trouble was, I didn't get any responses back from the dealers, despite emails asking about the status of the order process. I looked back at the Mazda order site, and realized that other dealers in the area had more "certs" -- like Presidents Club and so on. I updated the order to select Fugate Mazda in Enumclaw, and resubmitted.

I got a note back fairly quickly, and after a few traded emails, I drove out to Enumclaw and we worked out the options and the order was submitted, secured by deposit.

A couple days later Sound Mazda tried to call -- still never heard anything from Milam.

Got my confirmation email last week from Mazda.

-ss

 

CraziFuzzy...

so how much are you going to spend on your rx8? did they offer MSRP right away? how soon are the cars supposed to come in?

sorry for so many questions...just got onto the board and started researching this car...

thanks.

mike

 

Positive dealer review:

Lee Johnson Mazda-Chevrolet
Kirkland, WA
(http://www.leejohnson.com)

I haven't dealt with them for the RX-8 specifically, so I can't say anything about that (yet). Here's what I do have:

Service Dept: I've been happy entrusting my Protege with their service department. They've been much better than the negative sterotype normally associated with dealership service departments. I tried a few other independent "Import Service" shops but didn't find anything significantly better from a price/performance perspective.

But then, because my Mazdas have been trouble-free, I haven't needed to do anything beyond standard maintenance and expected wear-and-tear items.

Sales Dept: For my Protege, I went through the standard car sale circus. I came out OK. Your experience will depend on which salesperson you deal with, just like any other dealership.

However, now there's a better way: Since the time I got my Protege, they've set up a dedicated "Internet Sales Manager" role. I wanted to check out the Mazda6 as my "back-up car" in case I find something in the RX-8 that would be a deal-killer for me. So I contacted him about it in January.

His first question was if I've done my research on the Internet and I said yes. Everything from that point on was wonderfully straightforward because he could assume that I know everything available over the web.

I specified my configuration, and he didn't try to talk me into another configuration. (Bonus points) He gave me a good quote between Invoice and MSRP. I found that very reasonable considering it was a just-launched car, and I specified a high-demand configuration. (V6 + stick + sport pkg)

I was perfectly happy to let him make a profit on a headache-free deal. I'm not one of those "I must have it for $500 under invoice!" types - it's a business, not a charity.

Since there weren't any V6+stick on the lot that day, I asked to drive their last V6+auto instead. He pulled the keys, tossed them to me, and said "I'll see you in a bit" - it was the first time I was trusted to test drive solo.

I'll be going back when the RX-8 arrives on their lot.