VashGS

Yea contact Mazda USA and tell them you heard of almost all the 04 engines compression loss after you reasearched it "on the web". And hopefully they will make you a happy customer. Tell them you heard that other customers where given the White Glove treatment compared to Nissan and the Rev-Up on 350z. And that you are sure they want to prove to you quality of the engine. lol.. oh boy maybe that's too much lol?

Flashwing

Wow, what a terrible experience!

I think it can be safely assumed that this car was barely (if at all) looked over when it was taken in and as such it's very possible the dealership was interested in shoving it out the door with as little support as possible. Yeah we know that used cars are a bit of a shot in the dark but after briefly working for a Mazda dealer I would expect the following with a used RX8.

1. New tires and perhaps new brake pads if the old ones were over 1/2 way worn
2. New fluids. This means brake, transmission, diff, oil, radiator fluids.

There are a few other things I would ask for but only because I've had experience with this car. Mainly a compression check but also a dealership print out of the car's history.

Issues such as interior scuffs or imperfections, issues with the wheels or what not are mostly cosmetic problems and would be something worked out between you and the dealer. If you were promised certain items and the dealership didn't deliver (in writing or not) I would pursue action against the dealer.

I'm not sure based on your description if the coolant issue was the result of a blown coolant seal or a bad radiator. I'm leaning towards a coolant seal since you mentioned the need for a new motor. If that is the case the dealership should have been able to pressure test the coolant system and discovered it was the engine and not charged $800 for a new radiator. The car should also have been driven by the dealer to ensure the completed work was actually completed.

To me it sounds like the majority of your issues are the result of a poor support from your dealer. I would pursue action to ensure they properly back your car as it sounds to me like you were promised a lot and none of it was delivered.

CanadianRedRicer

tubingchamp: Thanks for the advice... but I can barely get the Canadian version of MNAO to hold back from saying, "You bought it, HAHAHA, your loss buddy... *hang up*"

VashGS: lol true... if I call the Mazda America they will be
"ummm hold on a sec..."

*puts on hold and bursts out laughing* "Retarded Canadian thinks I will give him a new engine /roflpwnzers"

"Umm, yeah, try another country..."

CanadianRedRicer

Flashwing: Thanks for the reply. I think the dealer is doing what they "legally" could do and they are perhaps finding loopholes? Maybe requesting a radiator and them giving me just that, a radiator, installed.... but didn't bother to check anything else because that "isn't their responsibility"? *confused*

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like you got a "problem car" and got it from a shady dealer. You also failed to get anything in writing and clarify all possible points of contention in advance. I'm in no way blaming you, but I am pointing out that these days you have to cover your basis if you expect not to be taken advantage of.

Also, the engine coolant seals were probably on their way out which is why the car was traded in, resulting in random unpredictable overheating. On your drive where the radiator first "exploded" it was likely in fact due to pressure from the engine coolant system overpressurizing. Then the new radiator also busted for the same reason. People often misdiagnose a blown/blowing coolant seal rotary engine for a simple radiator failure.

Not sure how the laws work in your country but you might consult an attorney about the situation. Other than that, chalk it up to a lesson learned, I guess.

The issue with the tires and wheels does not seem right to me. In fact, by taking delivery of the car with the shitty wheels/tires on it that day, you probably screwed yourself on that part of the deal. You could have walked away from the deal and not taken delivery of the car, in spite of the "contract" and most likely been able to legally get out of it, or at least get the dealership to "bend" and give you both sets of wheels/tires.

Flashwing

Any shop is going to seek out other problems with your vehicle. Rarely do shops blindly do what the customer asks because most of the time the customer doesn't know what the problem is.

Shops are going to find other issues because that's how they make money. You go in for an oil change and you leave with a new transmission kind of thing.

If they are throwing the "legal obligation" at you then they are skirting their customer service obligations. Sure, legally they might not have to help you but it's clearly not going to keep you as their customer.

Perhaps talking to the owner of the dealership and simply asking them what they would expect a business to do under those circumstances. I think you've got a story people can sympathize with.

TrochoidMagic

so its used, not certified, and bought from a small independent (car pawn shop) where service history is nil...

all put together, this is a recipe for disaster!

you do know that mazda isn't reaponsible for an engine on a car that isn't properly maintained, right? so they threw the pitch to you for the 100k factory powertrain warranty knowing THEY weren't going to be the ones responsible for that warranty...

small independent dealers aren't responsible for upkeeping cars they sell... that would be the owners job. more people fare better off buying from private parties that show all receipts for the maintainance services. so all a car pawn shop's job IS, is to simply sell off for more, whatever car that gets left off to them.

in this case, i would get a lawyer and attack the business that swindled you out of your money. because mazda isn't responsible for owners who trashed their cars and dump it at a used car dealer's lot!

get the law on your side, and NEVER buy your car from a car pawn shop, again!

try BBB (better business bureau) or a canada equivalent to help you on this.

good luck buddy. i hope you get back on track and have some fun with us on this forum.

LifeAfterRx8

iTrader: (17)

Sorry to hear about your experience with your rx8.
With costumer service like that, I'm surprised they haven't been sued yet.

I had a shitty experience getting my rx8 too. The car was "certified" but the first day I bought my car, 30 minutes from the dealership, I had a blow out going 75 MPH because of not only bad tires, but a bent rim. When I was looking at the car, the dealership put brand new tires, and when I went to pickup the car a week later, after they were "detailing it" they switched the tires and put these dry rotted tires on it. I called a lawyer and talked to him about it, and they lied to him saying they told me the tires needed to be changed. There was a Tire Kingdom literally 5 minutes from the dealership, I would have purchased the tires right then and there if that was the case. But of course, I couldn't do anything.

Just goes to show how sneaky and dishonest some people can be.

I hope everything works out for you and you either get your car fixed or your money back, because that's truly not fair. A new rx8 Sport is about $26,000 I think, and if you paid $20,000 + about $10,000 fixing it, you could have gotten a new rx8 for that price.

TrochoidMagic

^^exactly!

and thats my feeling for alot of small car lots...shady.

CanadianRedRicer

Thanks for all the replies!

Flashwing: I was thinking along the lines of, *Rad goes boom* Mazda repairs Rad knowing it will go boom again.... *rad goes boom again, and so does engine* Mazda claims neglect on my part and there we go a pocket $800 extra because I will need yet another new Rad...

TrochoidMagic: True, if I bought it from a used car dealer... I would never buy a car from a used car dealer. EVER. You ask them if the car has ever been in an accident, and they say no, but the bumper is clearly a different colour and they didn't even attempt to even try to align it at all... lmao

LifeAfterRX8: A new RX-8 in Canada, fully loaded, is about $55,000 after tax, pdi, freight, and all that other nonsense... I'm sorry that you got a dishonest dealer aswell. The governments really need to start pushing out huge fines for this type of stuff. It's really getting ridiculous... I'm talking about thousands of dollars for a single person...

Krazed_Rx8

iTrader: (5)

This really sucks dude, GL!

eMpTy265

FYI, here's a link to the extended warranty that MNAO offered for failed engines, which supposedly covers all North American vehicles

http://www.racingbeat.com/pdf/rx8warranty.pdf


The problem I suppose would be how you can convince the dealer that there was no neglect on your part, and that the damage to the vehicle was due to the stealership. Then again it shouldn't be hard to do if you the dealership just performed a 'repair' to your vehicle prior to it blowing up.
(If your radiator was just installed, then it should be in working condition and shouldn't blow your engine up. The fact that your engine blew up 'because of the radiator' (as they claim) indicates that there was a problem with the install/repair.)

I don't know how your purchase terms were, but if the dealership offers the vehicle as a 'certified' Mazda vehicle, then it should have been update with regards to routine services. Not to mention that you should have a copy of the 'Certified vehicle checklist (or whatever they call it)'.

Unfortunately, it may take more than phoning MNAO to fix up your problems, but hopefully if you play your cards right you should be able to get something back.

Good luck, and hope to see you back on the road with your 8.



P.S. You might also want to check this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-years-100-000-mi-extended-warranty-147287/

laythor

I hope some people read this thread before buying a used car. If you're thinking about buying a used car make sure you take it to a mechanic you trust before buying it. The dealer will pressure you to "just sign" and offer all kinds of sugar to make you do it.

Take your time and protect yourself. Any good dealer will understand this and have no problem with it. If they raise a stink... walk out.

Remember, a car is usually the second most expensive thing you will ever buy in your life, treat it as such.

To the OP, i'm really sorry you had to go through this and hope you catch some luck on this one.

MazdaRX-8SPEED

damn... you have patience my friend... if this was me, they would be flying in that place to get my car fixed. haha.

obviously they knew that something is wrong with your car and unless you signed some paper stating that for the next lest say 3 months they cover anything that is wrong with the car, then you are SOL. This is why we call them the stealership, they dont car if your car is about to blow up, as long as they get it off their lot for a price they want they are happy and dont care about you anymore. samething with oil changes... unless your there watching them do it, how the hell do you know that they even changed the oil? you might have just paid them for 1/4 of added oil nothing more.

anyway im sorry, hope you get better luck with another car.

edit: above post^^. so true, im learning the hard way righ now too, i bought my 8 used and now im paying for it, not as bad as op but idk if the car will run any longer. =/

RedRenisis

after owning my 8 for 6 years now, i would have to say, there are 2 things you should never buy used, underwear and an Rx8

Lunacy

Why? I have a used 8 and it runs like a champ. It all has to do with the previous owners.

silverkillrx8

iTrader: (1)

i agree mine runs like a champ since the day i got it , its all about the dealerships because i had to get a new engine for mine about 3 weeks ago and they asked for proof of my oil changes and i gave them like 3 reciepts and told them i did the rest myself which i did and they didnt have a prob with it so i would just keep giving the dealership **** everyday and email them everyday untill they solve the problem thats what i would do...

Mazurfer

This fails in quite a few ways.

Mazurfer

Good post, but it might be hoping for a little much given that some can't seem to figure out he's in Canada!

Footman

iTrader: (2)

What dealer was this? You should link this thread to the Canada section of the forum.

CanadianRedRicer

Thanks for the replies!

Footman: I don't want to give out the dealership name or anybody involved for legal reasons. Since mostly everything agreed to was verbal, they could lie through their teeth and sue me for slander. I mean, they are already seeping through the cracks and loopholes to get out of paying for anything, thus it seems like they know what they are doing legally.

jrbirch

Document the whole experience as impartially as you can (naming every name you can) and write a letter to the Mazda Ombudsman. Make sure you are clear with your "ask" (ie// what you want them to do and why they should do it) and send it off via registered mail.

Once they've had it in their hands for a few weeks, give them a call and ask for the status. If you still haven't heard a response that you're satisfied with, document THAT and send the letter off to the BBB, the consumer advocacy guys at CITY, CBC, Global, Ministry of Transportation, your local Alderman (if you're in a city), MPP and MP (and anyone else you can think of).

Letters are much more powerful then the web or the phone when dealing with the old school companies. I've got some experience with this and if you do it right, it really works.

Best of luck!

jrbirch

And they can't sue you for slander so long as you stick to the facts as you see them. Do they really want to shell out $100,000 for a dubious court case on a $2000 grievence?

Nah. Don't be afraid of saying what you perceive to be the truth. If you're lying, that's another story. *grin*

Best of luck!

CanadianRedRicer

jrbirch: Thanks for the responce! Read my update! from the Original Post.

Mazurfer

^..................okay, I read your update!
I hope all goes well.
Stick to your guns, you may have finally got their attention, but as you've already noted........watchout for more little games they might try. Don't play the "I will be going to OMVIC and the Press about this" card unless they try to dick with you again, then make sure they understand that you will be doing so, follow through, and do it. Good luck!