I posted a while back about my engine dying and having to be towed. needless to say i'm beyond pissed. Mazda has really let me down. a near 40k car should be able to make it well past 100k miles without major failure. I guess i will be on the phone with mazda USA fighting this one out. I'm sure i'm screwed though. after spending over 100$ on tune up parts, a new gas cap, a coolant over flow bottle, tires that where over 450$. and now at 106,828 miles the dealer says "sorry bout your luck but you need a new engine." It is terrible that for this same amount of money that mazda sold this car for your in league with 350z, Evo 10, and a host of other amazing vehicles. none of which online i see mass postings that make them notorious for engines not making it to or barely making it to the 100k mile mark. Attached is a segment of the slip showing the compression test results. I guess i should have purchased an RX-7. It speaks numbers that this vehicle is being discontinued. Its been nothing but gremlin prone from the draft board. Mazda you just lost a life customer.

Has anyone had any luck with even a partial warranty claim or help from mazda? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Or should I even consider having another shop do motor replacment?

 

Normally, I would be slightly sympathetic, but you bitched and whined to the point where I have none for you this time around.

Next time you buy a car, do some research.

In fact, you should probably do some research right now to find out about options for replacing the engine.

I just don't get the fact that you complained about the car should be able to hit the 100k mile mark without failure, yet you stated that your car currently has 106k miles on it.

BC.

 

well said BC

 

First of all blade, I have done some research. Second of all if you have nothing to add you certainly didn't have to post a reply. I have helped other members in this forum with ice and other interior concerns in this forum regardless of if they are or are not trivial, warranty, or just personal upgrades. The fact is yes I am upset. And like many other rx8 owners I have a right to be. I do feel that when you purchase what is to be a flagship model from a manufacturer that there should be more accountability when it comes to engine reliability especially when there is tons of proof that there is design flaw. There are other post dealer things I can do but before I go that far on a project I don't want to start for a few years cause of personal choice no one should feel like there being shoved off cause the customer should foot the total bill. I have a hyundai tiburon that I used to drag race and now I tow my track bike with it with plus 150k on the dash. And other than an alternator and 2 clutches have I had to do anything other than regular maintenance.

Yes 106k is over 100k that's basic math but even a partial claim or help on Mazda part would be helpful. Especially when alot of others state 04 and a few other year models had damage that was possibly done before tsb and other updates where available. Just seems like other than loss of power at 42k and then plagued with other issues over and over just are asking a bit much for what should be a premium vehicle.

 

some people have been lucky and have made it over 200k on their ORIGINAL engine.
Mazda already stood by their engine by offering an 8year/100k mile warranty. Unfortunately, you just overshot that mark.
Don't **** on mazda because of this. There are many things that YOU could have done, as well... Why didn't you have your engine checked before the 100k milestone?

 

I did. At 92k and 97k. I Pleaded with dealer. Car is harder and harder ever so offer to start and lose of power. Compression test and all. 100$ here 100$ there. They where like " alot of owners have complained on this issue but sorry sir your vehicle is in Mazda technical spec and tolerances." trust me I cover every base I could. And I wasn't a jerk about it. I'm not poor but I'm certainly not rich other. I feel like the two dealers in my area just kept putting me off cause I was on borderline of warranty and they could fight on not doing the work. The sad part is there is a rotary engine refurb facility not 20 minutes from me but they only work inside the dealer network.

I guess i felt after buying 3 Mazdas from the local dealer I figured they would have looked out for me more but at the end of day their job is to Just sell a car.

If I must eat the entire cost so be it but I won't go through Mazda. There are other nice companies out there that offer beefed up engines and I would like to consider them. But I was hoping to stack my funds back up before going that rout.

 

do you still have the compression test results from the previous times?
If so, and you showed low compression, you will have a fighting chance..

 

Well guys ... I've gotta agree with Mystykallbaby on this one for the most part.

I think Mazda has done a poor job with the RX8 on many fronts.
While they did finally step up to the plate with a pretty damn good warranty (even though many have had problems) its deeply disappointing that they can't make a natural aspirated Wankel motor last a solid 100,000 miles without a monumental effort in preventive maintenance. For NA, like ok ... I've run nitrous and now I'm turbo charged, I change my oil, filter and plugs more than I change my underwear. Not to mention other parts like coils and plug leads, fuel pumps, radiators, water pumps the list goes on. But there are people doing this on NA motors strictly as preventive maintenance measures and improvements of longevity which is to get over 100,000 miles (we are talking miles here right?)

That being said, it's never really bothered me too much as I expect sports car to be temperamental at best and well something as unique and rare as a Wankel engine sports car putting out 200+ hp at the crank...
Well that's like the super hot blonde girlfriend you can't break up with because the sex is so f'n great.

Mmmm maybe a bad analogy but I think you get the idea

Needless to say I am always a bit surprised when people complain about fuel mileage and maintenance costs.

I'm also surprised at how many people get the run around from Mazda on engine replacements. You would think they might lighten up a bit on all the oil/filter receipts, when they have openly admitted the engine has a problem.

I wonder if they would give me a new engine...

 

Just to let you know I tried to fight them with 102,000 miles on it, and guess what? I ended up buying a used engine on ebay for $1100, and installing it myself. It has been great ever since. I called Mazda USA and everything and they were basically like "sorry there is n othing we can do you are past your warranty." I call it bullshit, and never buy a part from mazda unless absolutely necessary. I would rather pay 10% more to someone else, even if it is genuine mazda parts.

 

Thank you rx8, I believe I do. Most of the stuff I have is in my file cabinet. Also I had the car towed to a different dealer about 48 miles away. Alot better treatment. They also where gracious enough to pull Vin report and show all the times I have been to dealer and had service and or updates. Granted I do like my brakes and wheels on my own I don't think that kind of DIY work disqualifies my core engine components. Also one of my complaints about my sever hard to start situations in summertime wasn't even documented at the dealer I went to at time but I have it on my calendar as an appointment. That day I was amazed that the guy just came outside and did the same deflood proceedure to start my car. Took him 3 tries. Which yes my fault for not really pressing the matter of course hindsight is always 20/20.

I guess lesson is don't buy a new car. Wait 5 years to see if there's any major issues.

Sportbike troubles I diagnose and work on those all day long. Unfortunately I'm not that skilled with rotary. They dont make rotary engine bikes. Thanks. I'll know more tommorrow.

 

you can get a used engine with 26,000mi for $1,700 and then take it to non dealer shop to get it swaped out for around $800 (or do it your self) - or try rebuilding yours - proboly will cost more
car-part.com

You should also immediately replace timing belt on your tiburon - recommended avery 60k mi.....really necessary at 120k mi....after that it is a mater of time (usualy tensioner goes and belts jumps).....all parts need can be found for much cheaper on ebay or rockauto - all are OEM
Although low mileage tib engines only go for $400

 

FYI: http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/racing/NRV588/