Wing

They MUST provide a loaner?? Really? Cause ummm all the dealers I have talked to will give you a ride to where ever you are going. But then they won't pick you up!

It's that bad here!

I work accross town from the dealer, they will give me a ride to work but then I have to find my way back!

Hell they wouldn't even pick me up when I called because I needed a ride to BUY the car. IE, I needed a ride to the dealer to pick up the car after I signed the papers, nope sorry take the bus!

THAT BAD! They won't give you a loaner, if you buy the extended warranty and the car is in the shop for more than 1 day they will provide a RENTAL, but no loaner!

RX-Nut

Hmm.. the Mazda assurance thing supposed to provide a loaner.. hmm

RX-8 Zoomster

They should. It's part of the new car purchase with the RX-8. I assume it's the same way for Canada. Look at your window sticker. See:

eccles

US cars come with Mazda's Service Transportation Solution for the life of the basic warranty. Quoting from their site:(It appears they have not yet updated that page to include 2004 models.)

However, note that it does say "at a participating dealership," so it's apparently not guaranteed everywhere even in the US.

RX-8 Zoomster

Thanks for providing that for everyone to see.

Whether or not the dealer may be aware of it, it should be guaranteed everywhere in the US. Especially for this car. Our window sticker says we paid for it, then the dealer is obligated to provide it. Nuf said.

The same goes for our northern neighbors if it is on their sticker also.

BillK

Get the "details" of the plan from your dealer.

The important part is is that the Mazda loaner program only applies if the dealer feels the repair will take greater than one day. This means no "mandatory" loaners if they believe you will have the car back the same day...

Wing

Hmmm any Canadian window stickers? Mine didn't have one, I have yet to see an 8 with a window sticker. Unlike in the US all our 8's are "sold" so none are on the lots long enough for them to bother with the sticker.

The above quote is the exact issue. They will avoid giving you a loaner at ALL costs.

With my previous car I was told when I purchased one of the benefits of my dealer was the loaners. So I had an issue that they tried to fix 3 times and couldn't get right. So I brought it in and said "Ok, I'm leaving the car take as long as you want with it, I'll take a loaner and be on my way."

So they say SURE, then I bring the car in, and they say the loaner is out, should be back in 15min. Ok, so I wait, about 30 minutes later they come out and say, your car is ready!

Ok great, I say, you better have fixed it.

Take it out, next day SAME ISSUE. Man I was peeved.

It's like pulling teeth in Ottawa for a loaner, if you want one, I believe only a handfull of dealerships provide them, and they are BMW and Audi dealers.

I will try to isolate my rattle this weekend. I don't want to bring it in and have them "fix it" only to have the same problem 15 minutes later!

eccles

Apparently this also depends on the dealer - Mazda South has always offered me a loaner even for same-day service. Note that this plan is only for warranty repairs - it doesn't apply to routine maintenance, though many dealerships have a shuttle service that will take you back to work/home/wherever and pick you up again later in the day.

RX-8 Zoomster

Exactly what eccles has said - depends on your dealer.

Obviously Wing has a problem with his car & it might require for him to leave it overnight. My point was that a free loaner is part of the RX-8 purchase, and he should be intitled to it, especially since it is under warranty - and his problem falls under that criteria.

RX-8 Zoomster

Wing,

I don't know if Canada is required to have a window sticker or not. Maybe someone who works at a dealership can inject some input here, however US cars do have window stickers. Mine came with it. That's what I posted, my scanned window sticker. So you have seen one, mine. There are other pictures on this forum that show the window sticker.

I still know you are entitled to a free loaner, especially if you leave your vehicle there overnight. You have a warranty problem + it is under warranty + may require overnight service + it is included as part of your RX-8 purchase = FREE LOANER

I'm sorry to hear about your shitty dealership. Write Mazda if you have to, maybe take it to another dealership if necessary (which you shouldn't have to).

I would try more persistance with your dealership, and bring a printout of the loaner program statement from the Mazda website that says it is included with the RX-8.

Good luck.

eccles

You're making the false assumption that Mazda Canada offers the same benefits as Mazda USA. Unfortunately for our northern friends, it appears that that is not the case.

The equivalent page on Mazda Canada's site makes no mention of a loaner program - even their optional Mazda Added Protection Plan doesn't provide a loaner!

Maybe that's one reason why Canadian RX-8's are cheaper than equivalent US models. :p

RX-8 Zoomster

You're right, I might have made a false assumption. I didn't bother checking the Mazda Canada site. And unfortunatley Candadian owners, may not have the loaner program. Well, they get the $500 CD changer, so that's worth about 15 Thrifty Car rentals. :D

None-the-less, it's obvious Wing has a shitty dealership, and is brushing him off. They should out of courtesy provide a means for him if he is to bring the car in for warranty period and leave it for any length of time.

Wing

Yes, umm we do not get a loaner. Although if we get the MPA we do get a rental as I stated before.

Anyway I found my problem! It shouldn't take them too long to fix, or maybe I can fix it myself. Unless I need a new mirror.

Here's the problem, if I hit bumps I get this rattle on my driver side, finally figured out it was the mirror, which is actually what I originally assumed and told my salesman to make note of.

Of course they ignored it.

Anyway, if I wrap with my hand on the outside of the door, the rattle is there, it's is most definetely the mirror. It seems to be loose from the door frame. This could be as simple as a loose screw to as complex as needing a new mirror.

Now if I could figure out how to remove the plastic covering the mirror area on inside or out (I'll assume inside) then I could probably just tighten the screw and be done with it!

Any help here?

On a side note. Anyone have problems closing the passenger door? We have to SLAM it shut, it seems ok when the windows are down, so I have been brushing it off as the car being so tight. But the drivers door doesn't need to be slammed that hard.

So I'll be VERY happy if I can solve this mirror rattle. The bose speaker on that area seems kind of loose too, but I can't figure out how to get it off!

RX-Nut

Of course if you figure it out, please post here. I think I got the same rattle, but will let my dealer deal with it when I bring it in for the 3000 mile checkup.

As for the door closing, I noticed the same thing. I think its because the cabin is pretty air tight. At least that's what it feels ike when you close it. Strange that only one side does it. I notice mine on either side. I dont think it's a problem. But your case could differ.

Wing

I posted my results in another thread, but basically to remove the mirror you have to remove the entire door panel. I got the bose speaker off by pulling on it, I got most of the door panel off but couldn't get one of the screws out (inside the map pocket). So I gave up.

My mirror isn't loose on the door it seems to be loose at the elbow.

If I bang on the door frame it vibrates, this is the same sound I hear over bumps. The passenger side mirror vibrates but it is a deep sound and you can't hear it, on the driver side it is a resonating pitch and it's annoying.

So far only 1 rattle (and it was like this when I first got it). It looks like they may have to replace the mirror.... If I can convince them to.

The other thing I noticed is the coloured part of the mirrors seems to just pop off.

Parmer8

Under the mirrors are two panels. The panel under the elbow of the mirror contains screws to hold the mirror. Maybe one of them is loose. You will need a very short screwdriver though.

Wing

Parmer, I'll check that tonight, I have a stubby screw driver, if that's it, I'll KISS ya! errr maybe not

Wing

Does the panel pop off?

Parmer8

Yes it does. I tried it last night. Use a small flat head screwdriver. You can see a slight indentation on the panel. If not, use care. Pry out the area closer towards the door. That area contains the "snap type" lock. The outer panel I believe is for the courtesy light, similar to the ones on SUVs. We don't get this option but the Japanese market does. Hopefully we will though.

Wing

Well thanks Parmer, but no go

I popped the cap off with my fingers.

Then I had to find a short screwdriver..... umm yeah SHORT.

I took a bit and I clamped it onto a vice grip. I tighted the 3 screws, 2 seemed less tight.

But nope, that didn't help.

It just occured to me though, maybe they are too tight? And the mirror doesn't bounce free enough? Hmmm I guess I could go back out and try that. Funny thing, just touching (no pressure at all) one of the screws STOPPED the rattle, so I assumed that would fix it.... DARN!


Hmmm but seeing that other thread, maybe Mazda will buy the car back LOL

RX-Nut

Any pics.. or where you able to see what might be causing this rattle?

Wing

I could take pics... or you could just look under your mirror there is a little plastic cap, it pops off and you can see screws.

I can't really figure out the rattle though, I could try loosening the screws.... I go do that now. I was closely following the HP thread.

Wing

Ok, that was ummmm useless.

I removed the mirror and tapped the car, ok no rattle (well squeak from plastic part, but that I don't hear!). So I put in 1 screw loosly..... seems to be gone COOL! So I put in the other screws, damn it's back.

So I loosen the screws and it is still there, so I take it off again and start over. I think it's just too close to the elbow plastic and just rubs EVER so slightly.

I put the screws in again, not too tight, I'm not sure if it is there or not now. I guess I'll find out when I go for a drive.

I think I'll have to get them to replace the "elbow" not the mirror. The part that is attached to the car just doesn't seem like it is on properly or something. On the passenger side it's pretty tight on the driver side it seems easy to bend.

Apparently the mats are shipping to the dealers now, so I'll bring the car in soon for that.