Beyond frustrated now...

I started to hear a strange sound from the back-end of the car not long ago. Actually a two different noises. The only time the noise would come on was when turning the car and accelerating at lower RPM (less than 3,000). The more common noise gave me the impression that either my tires were "slipping" as I turned, or that there was something loose in the exhaust. A low sounding vibration.

The noise got progressively worse. Until the other day a new one appeared. At very low speed - creeping - and turning, there is a metallic ping sound. Kind of like a metal spring noise.

Took the car to the shop twice to get the tech to duplicate the problem. He concurred that there was an issue and decided to drop the rear sub-frame to check out the axle, differential, exhaust and transmission. They finally got to the rear differential and saw that the fluid was black. They are ordering a new rear differential. It's interesting to note that the dealership also serviced my rear differential less than 3,000 miles ago.

My car has 52,000 miles on the odometer.

So now, INCLUDING original parts (and excluding simple things like bad cd players, broken arm rests, cracked visors, etc.), my car has had:

TWO ENGINES - (original blew an apex seal, running the 2nd one with 12k miles)
THREE CLUTCHES - (changed original out with new engine at 40k, 2nd one felt terrible, running on 3rd)
THREE REAR DIFFERENTIALS (original made a high-pitched whistling sound, 2nd one just now cooked after Mazda serviced it, 3rd being installed next week).

I really like driving this car, probably more than any other car I've owned, so I genuinely would hate to sell it. But these innumerable trips to Mazda service and the multiple failures of major components has got me completely frustrated (that's my edit).

So I ask you all the question: Is my car a lemon?

 

Short answer: RX-8


Shorter answer: Yes


Long answer: Mazda

 

stop pretending you know anything about what you are talking about.

 

It sounds like you're driving the **** out of it.

 

Has this same dealership been doing all the work for you? If so, it might be the dealership's fault.

 

+1

 

yes

 

Never tracked the car, auto-cross, etc. I drive 25 miles each way to work in light to moderate traffic.

 

And yes, the same dealership has been doing all my work.

 

Yes because since I've been having a lot of problems with my car aswell means I can't reply?

You are right though, I have no idea what I'm talking about as far as what a lemon would be or not. I mean, heh, it's not like I've taken my car to the dealership a handfull of times myself or read some horror stories of it on the board.

 

I wouldn't worry too much, you're not the only person on the forums that treats the car right and has repeat visits to the dealer for the same problems/fixes.

If you've really been having this many problems with the car, haven't you tried to talk to the service department about it? I would have atleast tried to get talk about a new car in there other than just repairing yours unless you're just that partial to it.

You could always get a lawyer and file a lemon law? I remember reading something about it on a previous thread that after you've taken a car in for something 3 times if it still has that problem it can be classified as a lemon? Not entirely sure if you wanted to go that route or not.

 

Lateral G,
Wow, man i feel for you. That many trips for that many probs is mind boggling to me. I have 04 manual w/ 46k and i have had it to dealership once for gear replacement. Try to see what can be done to get another 8. You may have to take a loss, but piece of mind would be worth a couple grand IMO... and get to another dealership fo sho.

 

....i meant PEACE of mind.....

 

Look up the lemon laws for your state - each one is different. In Virginia, the car has to be serviced for the same problem (doesn't matter how many different problems you have) 3 or 4 times (can't remember which) in the first 18 months to qualify to be submitted as a lemon. It doesn't necessarily mean it will be a lemon.

 

Lateral G, I know how you feel. This car just has too many problems to hang on to it. Its so disappointing because when it works it is a fun car to drive.

 

52k = not a lemon. Most lemon laws have some kind of time +/- mileage clause. You're probably past it, but it's worth looking into in your state.

That's definitely too much BS for anyone to deal with inside of 50k miles - get rid of it.

 

I contacted a local attorney that specializes in Lemon Law. I

gave him a synopsis on my situation with specifics of components repaired, approx days in the shop, year of the car, mileage, etc. He contacted me personally and said "we believe you may have a valid claim under both state law and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act."

I am supposed to get my car back with the 2nd replacement differential this week. He asked me to provide him with a complete repair history and statements and my bill of sale. I will probably have about a half-ream of paper for him to read. That's not an exaggeration.

I'll post here with updates if anyone is interested.

 

-1 No, he his not driving the **** out of it.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/another-100-000-mile-rx-8-road-124921/

 

lick it

 

Picked up the car today... They had to replace the entire rear differential. They said that the fluid was black after only 2,000 miles post-service. When I asked them what would cause that to happen I was told that the fluid may have had water in it. Anyone else with that problem or reason for replacement?

 

No, my car is not a lemon.

 

So I sat down with my complete repair history last night...

I added up the number of visits and total number of days in the shop:

31 visits - 116 days out of service. I've owned the car for almost exactly 36 months. On average, my 8 has been in the shop about 10.5% of the time that I've owned it.

I plan on calling the Mazda NA rep today to schedule a meeting.

 

They said tranny fluid was black? Yeah I'm new to the forum also and I'm trying to find out why my oil is black after about 2000 miles on it after each oil service? My car has been in shop since August 30th, I'm supposed to pick it up today. When I asked the tech about the oil being black & thick after 2000 miles he could only tell me it is because of the rotary engine???

 

WOW, Now I am concerned. My 8 only has 4500 miles and I too get the whistling sound from the rear end. Should I be concerned? I think I will contact the stealership for an appointment.

 

Bad Bob - I had that whistling sound early on and it turned out to be from the rear differential. They never knew exactly what caused it but they replaced it complete. Evidently they don't work on them - just replace them. That was my first replacement diff. My most recent problem and replacement was due to the breakdown of the differential fluid.



WOW, Now I am concerned. My 8 only has 4500 miles and I too get the whistling sound from the rear end. Should I be concerned? I think I will contact the stealership for an appointment.