Just took my 04' RX8 into my local Mazda dealer, Keith Hawthorne Mazda for it's first oil change since I bought it used 64k miles.

I've been having trouble with it since I bought it off the lot and explained to the tech during the oil change what was going on.

When I purchased it 2 months ago I noticed it vibrated kinda bad after it warmed up and if I came to a light or stop sign the steering wheel would rattle and the whole car would vibrate. I thought it was the nature of the car never owning one before, previous eclipse owner. Also, I ride around by myself most of the time so the actual first time I had someone in my car I noticed a noise coming from the passenger side rear tire. Sounded like a "thud" whenever I went over any type of bump in the road. All kinds of red flags went off at that point.

Well, this past Saturday I explained all that to the tech at Keith Hawthorne Mazda. He came and got me out of the waiting room and had me come out where they had my car up on a lift. He showed me the rear tire and where there was oil mixed with dust on the spring. The mixture was black. He said my strut has gone bad and needs replacing. He also mentioned 2 of my motor mounts were bad and was the reason for the vibrations that I was experiencing.

When they finished doing their inspections and the oil change they came up with a price for the motor mounts and "both" rear tire struts.

The 2 mounts are going to cost me $424.50
Both rear struts are going to cost me $630.00

I've had this car less than 90 days and I can't believe I've got to sink over a grand in repairs already. My eclipse was paid off so now I have this car with a monthly payment, and repairs already. Not happy.

I love this car and it is so much more fun to drive than my eclipse. I have yet to drive a car that brings a smile to my face everyday like this 8 has.

 

What would you like an opinion on?

 

Do I eat the cost and pay out of pocket

or

Call the dealership and complain why they didn't see this in their 125 point inspection when they sold me the car.

I purchased the car from Keith Hawthorne Ford. He has a few different dealerships.

 

Discuss it with the dealer, i.e. their inspection process, and see what they say.

 

I would first argue with the dealer then if the dealer does not want to help out take it somewhere else completely because I guarentee it will be cheaper that way.

and if you have to pay that much for 2 shocks might as well get a set of koni yellows or something...look in the fs section for a good deal on shocks.

my thoughts on things that break and need repair is that since you got to replace it anyways you might as well upgrade

 

+1 Definitely don't get the stock shocks. Time for an upgrade - konis, tokicos, or bilstein's will all be a step up!

 

Yeah. . . a motor mount might get past the inspection, but a leaky strut is obvious if they looked under the car at all.

But 600 for two struts? Wow, I just sold all 4 struts used to a guy locally for 100 bucks.

I mean, you'd have to install them, but its not that hard. (its also not that easy!)

The motor mounts are a pain to get to and a pain to replace and are known to go bad.


But this car had these issues when you bought it... struts don't go bad overnight, typically its a slow leaking process on each suspension compression.

 

You need to look up your state lemon law and see if you can return the car based on that law. You should have also got the car inspected by someone you trust before purchasing it. You can also threaten the dealership saying that you are going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and you may actually want to. They sold you a car with obvious issues and did not disclose them to you and are now trying to charge you for it. Good luck.

 

I would MUCH rather swap motor mounts than rear dampers. I just replaced my mounts and it took me a little over an hour to do both sides, taking my time. Dampers are no fun.

 

Called Keith Hawthorne Ford today to let them know I took my car to their Mazda dealership to have the oil changed and to let them know what their techs over there found.

When I called I asked to speak to a manager. The lady who answered the phone sent me to the service department. Spoke with a guy there who took down all of my info and the issues I was having. He said he'd pass this along to the used car manager and that I would receive a phone call.

I'll post "when" I receive that call, and the outcome.

 

Take it to Reliable Rotary on Harbor Blvd. AKA Fast Freddies.

http://www.fast-freddies.com/buggy/

Sorry I don't have the link for RR but it is the same shop as FF. ( I just moved)

RR was written up in Road and Track. They will replace those components for alot cheaper. Plus they will get you a good deal on good struts for the rear. Don't go with Stock shocks.

Nothing Wrong with your RX8, it's the fact you did not inspect the car and test it out properly before buying it. So now you have to pay.......Any used car can be bad.

 

The first thing I'd do is ask for the 125 point inspection list. They HAVE to give it to you. If those items are not on the list you have a different issue than if they are on it. If you have to send a friend in there to look for a car and have him/her ask for this list.

Ideally both of these items are on the list and your issue is easier to address. Please think that these items may have been overlooked or poorly executed. If you discover this then the conversation is an easy one.

 

Well, I did get a phone call this morning. Just not from the manager like promised. It was the same tech guy at Keith Hawthorne Ford.

He said the used sales manager said there was nothing they could do for me. He stated the car had a limited warranty after purchase of 2k miles or less and at that point they could have taken a look at it. I'm at about 5k after purchase so apparently that rules me out completely.

So here I am eating the bill.

 

Order a set of after market shocks, have a few guys around you come help....pay them in beer and pizza. It works for me every time, but then again I have access to the lifts on post nad help them when ever im not deployed.

 

Sorry, don't wait when you see problems on your car.