Am I getting screwed by my dealer?
 

Friday my transmission went out, a bad pilot bearing that finally gave way. Was having a hard time getting in gear and there was some tranny whine in 2nd and 3rd. The car was stuck in gear and immovable so I had it towed to the dealer, not many options were I live. I actually was prepared to get it fixed this week and had already ordered a clutch kit.

Today I get a call saying that I need a new tranny ($2500) because mine is stuck in two gears (something maybe shatted, splintered) , and that it was real low on tranny fluid. Well I take a buddy of mine to the dealer to see the tranny, and the damn thing is still on the car, so unless they put it back together, then took the cat back off how in the hell could they diagnose the tranny. I also asked them about wear on the clutch and they said it was pretty bad, again unless they took it apart and put it back together, how would they know.

Unfortunately I don't have many options unless I take it to an independent transmission shop that will know absolutely nothing about RX7s. As if the Mazda dealer does!

Re: Am I getting screwed by my dealer?
 

Unless it's someplace like Malloy Mazda, that basically goes without saying....

yeah but a trans shop doesn't need to know about rotaries, just about transmissions, and with luck they'll underestimate their time and you'll come off cheaper... You can't do worse than the dealer... unless you get a warrenty from the dealer that's nationwide mazda... and you're planning on moving... then count in it going and getting it fixed in a bigger city with hopefully more skilled mechanics... :D

I say take it out yourself . .. its not that difficult. Just
remeber its a pull clutch type. And once out, you car
just bring the trans over to a shop to rebuild! Much
easier. My trans got rebuilt for $800! New 5th gear,
all new bearings, etc (maintance stuff).

It will save you a hell of a lot of money!

JP

take the car home quick befor they tell you that you need new turbos too. or maybe your diff is bad.

get the car out of there. i bet you the guy on the corner would do a better job.

pull the tranny out or have someone pull it out, send it some place reputable for a rebuild for 1/3 the dealer price and have the same person put it back.

also check the regional forums for anyone close to you that might be able to do this.

get your car and run as fast as you can. Luckily I have a very good tranny shop a few blocks from my house. Total bill for full rebuild and new clutch installed. $638.00They replaced 2nd,3rd,and 5th gears and fixed a few other things as well.

As stated by DCrosby, a tranny is a tranny. Take it to a transmission shop in your area. Let them look at it and see what the problem is... If you REALLY do need a new tranny (which I doubt), you will only be out the tow and diagnostic fee to the tranny shop. However, I'm betting that it's going to be money WELL spent in this case.

The transmission is almost identical to the MPV minivan. It's really a no-brainer, but like others suggested, don't let them upsell you.

I dont know where you live, but i think everyone will agree. Mazda tech;s had no clue how to work on these cars in 93 and 94 when people started blowing engines and turbos left and right. They most certainly dont know how to work on them now. Except for the rare few like Malloy Mazda, you are better off doing any work yourself. Honestly. If you know how to turn a socket wrench and can read a manual you are a certified mazda rx7 tech.

And frankly, since you have owned a car that most of the mazda techs only dream about, you are probably more skilled to work on it than them.

my tranny was rebuilt for 450.00

i pulled it myself on my back in the garage. a royal pain...but doable.

your dealer is an idiot. dont ever go there again.

they will rake you over the coals. how could they know whats wrong without pulling it...the easiest thing to them is to just replace the whole thing...and its also the most expensive. beware.

call malloy...im sure they can give you a more accurate price. however you could rebuild and have it done for less.


j

You got a good deal on your tranny rebuild, artguy. I pulled mine myself and took it to a local AAMCO and they quoted my like $900 just to replace the bearings and syncros.

jxc-rex: If you do have shattered pieces of gears and things inside your tranny, be prepared to pay out the ass to get it fixed. Tranny parts are not cheap... it may be cheaper to find a good used one somewhere.

my car was stuck in the mazda dealer for 6 freaknnnn bloody months!! they told me to change this, and change that... still the problem was not solved!! do yourself a favor and go to a reputable transmission shop...

Good luck...

The responses to your original post are unanimous and the answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY YES, you are about to get screwed by your dealer!

Your options are:

1. Learn to work on your own car, now is a good time to start.

2. Find a friend or trustworthy mechanic to work on your car.

3. Learn how to bend over and take it from behind because this could just be the beginning if you continue to rely on dealers or unfamiliar mechanics!

i agree w/ wut everyone said...BEWARE OF THE DEALER! lol

u guys just forgot one MINOR detail. twenty bucks says if u keep it there, not only will they change ur tranny and clutch, but they'll call u after they're done with that and say "Mr. X, apparently the tranny wasn't the part that failed. The XXX also failed, and we're going to have to replace it. Unfortunately, we had no way of knowing that until we replaced the transmission and clutch..."

...dont get me started....:mad:

I normally do work on my own car, but lately haven't had the time and like ya'll said a transmission is pretty standard issue and figure they really can't screw it up. I was having them install the clutch for that very reason. I could have bought a used one for $1200 but it had 83,000 miles on it with no rebuild so the new one is a gift from the wife. I figure I'll have a new car sooner or later, once the engine and turbos go.
There is no core on the tranny I bought so I'm going to take the old one, and sell it. It's gotta be worth something!