RX8Z

Im curious to know if anyone has encounter any problems with Canzoomer Stage 1 mod chip

Being I work at a dealership, I was told that a mod chip will void your warranty

Of course, im sure theres ways around this but Im wondering, if canzoomer has any guarantee or protection for the consumers or if this a Try on your own risk

I dont know canzoomer, but I love the results of this chip and Im thinking of getting one, im just waiting a bit because I am more worried of any negative effects in the long term

P.S. Sorry if this was asked before, but theres just too many threads to filter from the search.. Is there any other mod like canzoomers stage 1 chip?

Thanks for your help guys, Drive safe =)

Z

QuantumTheory08

I've had mine since last Thursday (Jan 29).

....I don't know if others will agree with me or not; my impression is that the ECU does learn as it gets use to the chip. I have 16,000 miles on my car now. The first time I started it with the chip it was like the engine dropped in rpm for a slight milli second and then ran normal; sort of like it was thinking: "What's this?".

That first night for about 20 minutes, it seemed like the ECU was adjusting. Since then, it's a whole new car; way fun!!!!

There have been no problems on my car; just a big silly grin.

Thanks Maurice for a superb job.

-jcs-

RX-Nut

Someone should start a Stage 1 Ongoing Owners Thread.. all the owners can post experiences, good, none, or bad.

rotarygod

Fist of all, RX8Z this is in no way an attack against you so don't take it this way. But...

Here's my take with dealerships. They all will look for any excuse they can to not warranty a product. They make more money this way. Their primary job is to sell, not fix cars. Dealerships are relatively stupid when it comes to mods. A new intake (filter) isn't going to make a transmission blow up and neither is a cat back system. Different mods can void certain parts of a warranty. Dealerships like to claim a total void on anything they find. I've seen dealerships try to void warranties over stereos, alarms, filters, etc and every excuse is crap. If you have a mod and need service, remove it before you take it in. Simple really. If they ask you if you had anything done to the car just say no. They are not going to call you a liar. There would be lawsuit potential in that. What they don't know won't hurt your warranty.

My friend Jim has a 2002 Z-28. He has headers, intake, and nitrous. His transmission has gone out 3 times in one year. That is his fault though and the 125 shot of nitrous didn't help. Before warranty service, he spends an evening putting everything back on the vehicle and removing any tell tale signs they were ever there. Even the stock paper air filter goes back in. There has never been an issue. It is a pain to remove everything and put it all back but the warranty work gets done without any hassel. The stock transmission in those cars sucks anyway but he really abuses them. Anyone who isn't smart enough to return a vehicle to stock before it goes in for warranty work deserves what they have coming. It isn't hard to take everything back off. If it isn't there they can't hassel you for it.

Spin9k

Nice to see honesty, integrity, and taking responsibility for ones actions so obviously missing from your friends (and your) mindset. No wonder car dealers are so suspicious, and rightly so. Just lie and take from the man, right dude?

Genom

Well, considering how most dealerships behave, I have no problem with it. Over here I had my dealer say I voided my entire electronics system by installing a XM commander, that uses a simple antenna passthrough to connect to the stereo.

So thats real honest and fair?

Spin9k

No, YOUR ONE particular dealership's action is NOT! They are wrong, but not ALL dealers are that way! And I doubt Mazda would back that dealer up in refusing service based on that if you pressed it (which you should).

My comment was about rotarygod saying "Here's my take with dealerships." That's global advice to lie and cheat. That is wrong anyway you slice it, IMHO. Period.

RX8Z

My only input is.. just like there are good owners, there are bad owners

Put it this way guys, if someone came up to you and said.. NO no, I swear I didnt do it.

The percentages have shown that the owner was at fault, which is why Dealerships are more weary than you would like it to be.

As a sales consultant, I tell you I am honest and fair. I dont bs, I dont lie, and I dont try to cheat people out of their money, but do you know how many times people come to me, and try to do that to me. Like Lie about a price, or try to negotiate in their favor with ridiculouse figures..

My pt is , Im not saying that dealers cant be wrong, because they can. They are humans just like you and I, but not ALL dealerships run that way..

My dealership, which is run by John Hansen , an ex professional race car driver.. put it this way, you couldnt fool him for sh*t. He knows all the tricks, and everything in and out about your Mazda engines and cars. But hes a fair and straight up guy...

If you tell him you did something wrong, chances are he'll fix it for you free under warranty but if you lie to him, he'll tell you straight up , he can prove that your lying and tell you to take a hike

Im sorry you guys feel this way towards dealserships in general, but try being on our side and you'll see a whole new world.

Take care

Z

Sea Ray

Anyone ever heard "good help is hard to find?" I believe that is what many are up against. If they don't have a good service writer up front, chances are the whole experience is off to a bad start.

I did not buy my 8 from my local dealer I hate to say now. The sales dept there didn't do much for me in several ways but so far the service guys are outstanding. And as for understanding mods, mine knows more than most because he is into them as well. I think being honest up front with them is the only way to go. Like RX8Z says, they weren't born yesterday and most have seen it all before, and then some.

If anyone has the option of going to a different dealer, try it, if not happy with the one you use now. There is another thread going on about a clutch issue and how the service guys won't cover it under warranty. I'm just guessing here but sounds like they must feel it has been abused or I would certainly expect it to be covered.

Anyways just my 2 cents and experience with my dealer, your mileage may vary.

mdw33333

Car dealerships lie and cheat to sell cars, parts, service, etc. Why shouldn't we "even the score?" What would be wrong is to allow those certain dealerships to keep doing it.

RX8Z

Lets rephrase that.. Car dealerships are out to make money. They have bills to pay and they have a right to earn profit. Its the method that some may feel its unmoral or not fair , but theres two sides to every story.

Nowadays, people are much better shoppers and more aware of the pricing which is great. It makes it much easier for me to sell a car to someone, because I know they know what the bottom line price is and I know what my bottom line price is. I rarely negotiate, and I hate negotiating because I dont feel that its the way to sell. Everyone should get the same price regardless...

MDW.. I respect your opinion, but obviously you must not be aware of business mgmt as a whole. Everything you buy has a markup, from clothes to food. Its a profit margin that companies set in place so they can stay in business. Cars are no different, just higher price which makes is more drastic. However coming from your statement, its no wonder why dealers are more on the defensive side. What score are you talking about? My guys here are not out to burn you, in fact most of the mechanics have rides of their own, and love the whole world of performance and mods. Try being honest and perhaps they'll be honest back to you...

I believe in the past, car salesman always got a bad rep because typically they present that image no better of a lawyer, or like cops.

Back to the topic though about the "warranties", all manufacturers have it in writing . It is a legal contract that says specifically what is covered or not. This document is available for you prior to any purchase. In my lifetime working at my company, I have yet to experience a customer who never was denied a warranty repair.

I can assure you, if any of you's are in my are and you encounter a situation regarding warranty. Come speak to me, and I will make sure you get full analysis and diagnostic on your problem that will show whether or not, it is a fault with the car or by you.

Now, can we go back to the original topic please =)

mdw33333

RX8Z, let me fill you in. I am GM of a 4 million dollar a year custom auto trim company in Northeast, Ohio. 65% of our overall business is done with and through car dealerships. My statement above were vague, but let me be more specific by giving you an example.

Servicing car dealerships is my "bread and butter," if you will. However, they often (not always) find ways to "stick it to me." They are quick to make a buck at the point of sale, but quick to "throw my company under the bus" when there's service issue or warranty dispute. At the point of sale the dealerships "hype" our product and claim they back it as though it were factory. Nothing could be further from the truth. We could install a set of mud flaps on a car and in the turn signal bulb goes out a week later, "oh, it must have been the mud flaps." It's something my company obviously has to accept, but sometimes it's tough to swallow.

Now, I like to think that after 10 ten years managing this compant that I do know a few things about business practices. Hell, we all want to make a buck. Ethicle boundries are crossed every day, everwhere, in the business world. My statements above referring to car dealerships practicing unethically are based on my and my company's personal experiences. Car dealerships happen to have these reputations for a reason. Most of them, not all, cross ethical boundries in order to remain competive in their market. It's understandable, I guess, but not completely justifiable.

By, the way "evening the score," represents just what rotary god stated previously. We can choose make ECU upgrades and "not" tell the dealer. With the Stage 1 we are fortunate to have that luxery. I don't see anything "wrong" with that. Now if my Stage 1 created a legitiment problem with the vehicle I competlely understand a dealerships refusal to warranty that particluar problem. But if I have and issue with my radio or my headlights I don't want to get "shafted" on my warranty.

RX8Z

MDW, whats the name of your company?

since your the GM , you understand the concept of the business and the warranty practices.

Pt being, Ive never said that dealers wont ever shaft you cuz I am aware some do, however not all does.

You have warranties on your trims , Im sure of it. You have it in writing , clear and concise of what is covered and what is not.

What I am trying to point out is that dealerships have to abide by the warranty contract. If any owner feels cheated wutsoeva, get a lawyer, a certified mechanic and sue their *** if it comes down to it . As simple as that.

But as we all know, owners are just as dishonest as you say dealers are. Do you know how many times, guys come in here with the Civic SI, S2k's and claim their cluth burnt out ? Meanwhile we know for a fact, its because they dont know how to drive but dont you see thats the problem right there..

What we know, is what poeple dont want to think. People dont always admit to fault, and nothing they do would never be a problem. Lets be frank, you and I know that nowadays, alot of inexperience owners are doing stuff to their cars, that they know well aware that it voids their warranties.

MDW, you never had a customer claim that their trim was cracked, but you know he hit something ? What do you do in that case? Fix it? I highly doubt it, but of course if you dont.. the owner comes on a forum and says, Damn that Auto Trim company, the installed a cracked trim and it fell off ,and now they wont warranty it !! SCAM !!!

This is the dilemna we are faced with, everyday as Im sure you are.

Again, Im not saying that dealerships are not capable of doing shady ****, but that makes the difference between your dealership and my dealership. We have one of the top best service shops in the state of New Jersey, our customers constantly come back for little things that they could get elsewhere like oil changes. Forget anyting I said, customers speak for themselves.

anyways, there really is no argument here. There is good and bad like I said. warranties are in writing, if you can prove it.. go to your local district and file a claim, thats the way our legal justice wants us to do.. and yes its unfortunate dealerships put you through this, but dealerships are no different from any other legititimate businesses. Sometimes you jsut have to do what you gotta do...

Nice talking to you, and please lets get back to the subject

bureau13

Its very easy for you to say "If they don't cover something they should, just sue them." Well, that's not such a painless process for most people, which is why in many cases dealers (hell, business in general) will do something like deny coverage even if they have no case because probably 9 times out of 10 the individual consumer will bend over and take it.

The fact is, dealers have this reputation because a significant number of them have earned it. It sounds from your description that your place is not like that, and if so...I salute you. However, you have only those other dealers to blame for people playing a defensive game. If I get a Stage 1 and have some warranty issue that is not obviously related to it am I going to take it out? You're damn right I will, and I don't consider it unethical at all...its just good defense. Why give the dealer an opportunity to hose me when I know for a fact many of them will do just that?

jds

mdw33333

Exactly.

RX8Z

Yeah I understand completely, but you must know that a dealership has two major divisions

Sales and Service, please dont get them confused

Where as a Salesman may be known to try to steal your money, I dont see service guys trying to sell you reasons.

It is quite unfortunate that so many dealerships have been hurting the honest and good dealerships, but thats life. Just like bad cops ruin it for good cops, and just like one waiter ruins it for the entire chain, see what im getting at?

Truth is, you should judge everyone fair and dont make pre assumptions. The problem in this world is that, we all categorize and generalize everyone and everything.

Like i said, there are good and bad.. owners are no different than dealers, some lie, some are honest, some cheat, some are fair , some steal.. and on and on and on..

I would hope to think no one should ever get cheated out.. but thats not reality =/

Z

Speed Racer

RX8Z,

I don't agree with your take on the dealership/warranty scenario. It has so far been my experience with about a dozen different dealerships that included Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Ford. All of them gave me a hard time on anything that involved warranty work (Note: at the time of warranty service all of my cars were completely stock). Regardless each dealership either acted completely ignorant or disrespectful for the issues at hand. Examples:

1. I had a Honda del Sol and when it rained, water would leak into the car by the windows. The dealership ignored the issue for months before I walked in with a TSB in my hand that proved that it was a known problem and that new window gaskets were available.

2. My last car was a Toyota Celica and after 10k miles the pulley on the belt tensioner started to make a horrible racket. After the 3rd or 4th time I complained about it they tried tightening the belt and also tried belt dressing. The extra tension on the belt didn't stop the noise but it did ruin the belt and they tried to get me to pay for its replacement! Once again they didn't fix the problem until I walked in with a TSB that proved that the problem existed and that a new pulley was available.

3. More recently I had my clutch fail in my RX-8 at 7,500 miles. This is absurd, I've driven other cars much harder and have had the clutch last at least 60k miles or more. When I brought the car in to be looked at the dealer took it for a test drive and said that I burned out the clutch and that it would not be covered under warranty. This really pissed me off and I did not have a TSB to back me up this time because I was one of the first to have this problem but if you look around the forum you will see a trend that a few of the early cars are having problems right around 7k miles so my car has not been an isolated case. Anyways the dealership refused to budge on the matter and the situation was passed to the district rep. Who then agreed to replace it under warranty.

So in the last twelve years of buying new cars I have consistently seen dealerships try to weasel their way out of warranty work so that they can try to make an extra buck off of the customer. That's plain wrong and unfortunately it seems to be the norm for this industry. I'm glad that you work at one of the few honest/fair dealerships in the country but you also need to understand that most of us have a hard time finding one. [/end rant]

Genom

And my comment was on his attitude. I never said I was doing anything personally.

I know where he's coming from. Thats all.

And I have had similar experiences with several dealers. My curve is plotted off multiple points. Dont know about yours. Case in point my fiance's 2 year old G20 Infinitti's paint is flaking off big time. Her family has purchased over 400K in cars at the same place. They have never bitched about anything before. Not even those ridiculous service schedules they ask for (services every 3K miles as a minimum). When we took the car in for the paint to be looked at, we where told it was tree sap damage, our fault and we are SOL. I happen to wash the car every weekend, and wax (now Zaino) it every 4 weeks. I KNOW the paint was defective and complained about it early on. Still got shafted.

In the end, it's gonna cost me some money to get the paint fixed, but that dealership lost a huge customer for it. And the sales guys can thank the service department for it.

RX8Z

Guys,

listen.. Im sure you all have your fair share of worst experiences including myself, every story has its sides. I dont know the exact details and I wont speak for it, or even defend you nor the dealer

If you want to be fair, you gotta be fair. Protect yourself but dont attack prematurely. thats my motto, though I completely understand and see where you all coming from, but you know what.. Life is all about experiences.

Now that you know that dealership is not being fair to you, you have many options to no longer do business with them

Btw, Im not sure if you guys know this, (youd be surprised how many dont) but you dont alwayas have to service your car at the dealership that you purcahsed it from

If i was you, go to other dealershops and get second opinions. Have them check it out and get their response. As you know, if you go to 3 reputable dealerships and all tell you the same thing, perhaps it is the honest truth...

But dont just take one service dealer's response and then flame them. As a customer and a consumer you should always do your part and research, and get all the input you can...

RX8Z

Also I would really really like to talk about Canzoomers Stage 1 mod , rather than get into this "Dealers are evil issue " =)

Thanks guys !

Speed Racer

You can accomplish the same thing with a Greddy eManage or similar piggy back computer but this requires that you know what your doing when it comes to installing electronics and tuning an engine's air/fuel ratio. If you are worried about damage to the car from a piggy back ECU then I would tell you to either steer clear of it all together or buy Canzoomer's Stage 1 because it is fairly idiot proof (i.e. plug and play).

I haven't seen a warranty statement from Canzoomer but you can always send him an e-mail and ask him directly instead of getting things second hand.

racerdave

What it boils down to is if you want to mod, there is a risk involved. None of the vendors we are talking about have the resources to warranty your whole car like the factory does.

So you have to weigh that risk.

Canzoomer's mod is pretty benign and can be removed prior to taking the car to a dealership.

So only *you* can make the call whether it's right for you... or not.

JimW

I see your point, kind of like the ripple effect, your good deeds might enact someone else to make good deeds. but where do we start. Unfortunatley Business philosphy has changed and it's no longer "the customer is always right" and like the insurance industry the good drivers and the healthy end up spending much more money because of the unfortunate or bad actions of the minority. I guess it's a question you have to ask youself if you accept this or if your conscious will allow you to do so! I on the other hand have no problem claiming warranty work when it's supposed to be void! Hey are we really getting the 238 H.P. that Mazda told us we were and how about that gas mileage? So take advantage while you still can!

Rotarian_SC

I've bought the CZ mod but hasn't gotten here yet. Never had a dealer refuse me warranty , but this is my 1st time w/ a mazda dealer. I have John Finger Mazda about 40min away, which is twice the distance to the other dealer, but he used 2 race mazdas as well and should not refuse warranty if my 1st dealer does. With and acutal comment on what this thread is about, there is nothing on the board to indicate that there is something wrong w/ CZ ecu that a reset doesn't cure.

Speed Racer

I saw your comments in another thread and I'm a little confused as to why you don't ask your rotary expert to tweak your ECU. It seems like it would be the best of both worlds. You'd get more power, it wouldn't cost you a penny, and you'd keep your warranty intact. So why don't you try it out and let us know how well it works. I'm sure that most people on this forum would like to know more about this.