Jsum40

I have an opportunity to possibly get a killer deal on an 04 w/68k. The car recently had the alternator changes at a local dealer. When the owner got the car back the power steering, dash lights, and ac no longer worked (they worked before). The owner has no confidence in the dealer, and is selling the car as-is. Any ideas?? I have been looking for my first RX8, having owned an RX7 in the past that I loved. I am very mechanically inclined. I always do my own repairs, so unless it is something costly/major, this might be a real deal. Help!

VashGS

How much? With those things wrong it's prob worth $8000 sitting as it is. So they fried something huh lol? I think I read about similar symptoms before. Owner should take back to dealer and or contact Mazda USA. A stealership can't just do that and get away with it.

Owner need to demand repair 1st then sell.

Jsum40

The current owner is not inclined to do anything but sell as-is. So, I would be interested in it if I had a clue what to look for as far as repairs.

Jsum40

Is it possible that the new alternator is bad?? Maybe a reman that is not up to the job??

yiksing

With the faults that you'd mentioned, it could be as simple as a few blown fuses or big major repair of a toasted ecu (maybe). Gotta find out more why the owner change the alternator in the first place, etc.

Jsum40

True, I will try to find out more. The car is over an hour away, so I am digging for info remotely. I suspect after having the Alt replaced something is loose, not connected, etc... Sounds like a poor installation. I also wondered if it could be a worse case and be the ECU. Any ideas what that costs??

05TouringRX8

Trusted dealer or not, why would someone get a repair done at a dealer and not hold them accountable to make it right? Sounds shady to me. They could get Mazda customer service involved if that's what it takes vs. just selling as-is.

I certainly wouldn't buy as-is unless I knew what the issues were and what it would cost me to fix them and I'd make sure the car was priced accordingly. I also wouldn't buy a used car without running a carfax or similar on it, especially if it already has some issues. A service history would be nice as well. Mine passed the vehicle report with flying colors and had a complete history and all recalls and flashes were done in a timely manner, etc.

All that due dilligence and I still got burned a little because of just not being familiar with the car and the maint. that it requires. All regular maint. was done on the car in a timely manner and I've got receipts to prove it but what doesn't appear to have ever been done was a tuneup. I've read that the coils, plugs, and wires should be changed every 30k in these cars. I bought it with 43k on the odometer. At 51k it started running like chit. Took it in and found that it needed a tuneup. Doesn't sound like a major issue until you price it.

Jsum40

All good points. I plan to do a car fax, and get any info on past repairs from the current owner. They had a very bad experience at the dealer, and are getting rid of the car in frustration I think. I don't think they are inclined to fight the dealer over the problems. The dealer had the car for a weeks, and the owner is just tired of the whole thing.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Possible, but I'd be cautious. Call the dealer, find out about the car. I don't see how somebody in the right mind would throw away thousands of dollars in resale value because they can't be bothered to drive the car to the dealer and tell them to fix it. It doesn't take THAT much effort. More likely, in my opinion, is they know something is really wrong and want to get rid of it without too many questions. Does it at least drive? Can you take it for an inspection at another dealer?

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

sounds shady to me too check it out thoroughly before you buy

05TouringRX8

Agree on giving the dealer a call and getting their side, at least. I'm having my own frustrations with a dealer right now as a matter of fact but I'll be damned if I'll let them off the hook when it affects my pocket. I called Mazda customer service and they have helped me out a lot but I'm still not satisfied. I can't imagine being frustrated enough that I'd just let it cost me hundreds or thousands of dollars because selling the car at a loss would still leave me frustrated.

I'd call the dealer and get their side and, at the very least, see if they will look at the car and diagnose it and give you a quote on fixing it. If it still sounds like a good deal, buy it. I suspect you'll find out something along the way that will make you just want to walk.

Razz1

It's shady...
If you want it. Look at it test drive it. Then sign an agreement you will buy it for X amount after he takes it in to the dealer to get those things fixed.

Watch the look on his face and his reactions.

He he truely wants to get rid of it he will do this.

Jacob6875

i would say take it to a mechanic and find out everything wrong with it before you even think about buying it.

Jsum40

Thanks for all the input. I will take it to a mechanic for a second opinion, as well as speak to the offending dealer. They are asking $8900.00 for it as is, so it's not turning out to be as great a buy after all. The car does drive, and the engine runs up and down the rev range w/o issues. It has to be an electrical issue, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble at that price. I was hoping for 7-7.5K so I would be tempted to deal with the problem myself.

NotAPreppie

This is really fishy.

A person that wants to unload a car so bad that they won't hold a third party accountable for a screw-up tells me that there are very significant details missing here.