well the subject kind of says it. im in the middle of the vacuum line job and unfortunately i had to make a trip the the Mazda parts department... I cringe every time i walk in there. i need a few things for the vacuum job such as 2 light green and 2 dark green check valves, a UIM->LIM gsket, and a few coolant hoses. they told me the price for the check valves were $26... i thought it was a little expensive, then they proceded to tell me that was the price for EACH ONE! these are the size of half my pinky, theyre not even made well out of cheap *** plastic so they WILL split in half in another 2 years, and all they do is make sure air doesnt go back through them. then they wanted another $100 for a few of the coolant lines. they only wanted $16 for the UIM->LIM gasket which is fair, but $216 for parts that will fit in my right hand is price gouging. so i canceled the order and walked out. now what do i do...walk back in with my tail between my legs and say "please mr mazda man, take last months pay check and my first born.... i need those crappy check valves" ? on a side note, the plastic hinge broke on the drivers door compartment thing AGAIN... i just replaced it last year for like $290 or something stupid. sorry about the rant but im really pissed with mazda right now.... if i had a porsche fine but its a freakin mazda

 

Call Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda. He'll hook you up. He's in Alabama, so no tax either.

1-888-533-3400

He offers a discount, and usually knows just the part you are looking for.

 

thanks a ton!

 

Out of curiosity, when you get a price quote from him, post it here. I'm wondering how good his discount really is these days. I've never gone to a local dealer for parts.

 

they're in Woodbridge, Virginia actually, but I agree that Ray will hook you up...

 

Really? I thought the sticker thing he sent me was Alabama. Stupid middle states.

Now I feel like an ***, heh.

 

Hey... Don't bash Alabama.. I like this place..

 

And it's free shipping!!!

 

Ray is a class act. He'll definitely be reasonable.
Mazda parts departments can absolutely be hell. Either they don't know what you're talking about, or when they do, it costs too damn much.
The one near me actually isn't bad. They were sketchy at first, but they've actually gotten better at being more knowledgeable, as well as being more reliable with their special orders.
It was tough for a while though.

 

I recieved the wrong part on Wednesday and he called me back on Thursday because Mazda kept sending him the wrong part that I needed. He asked when I needed it by. I wasn't in a hurry cause I was waiting on Jason at teh rx7 store for parts also. I just said usually I work on the car Sunday and he said ok he will over night me the part so I can have time to work on it on Sunday. I didn't even ask for that and I never even sounded bothered by it and he still went out of his way to make a customer happy. He is always on top of things. (Ray at Malloy)

 

Could have been drop shipped from a mazda warehouse in Al

 

I just recieved my second order and my local dealer quoted me 15.56 for the acv check valve. From Ray it was only 9.79. The UIM gasket you mentioned...I paid 6.34. List is 18.86. Plus he stocks alot of RX7 parts and you can't beat free shipping.

If you have to get new Mazda parts he is probably the cheapest. I doubt I will deal with anyone else.

 

You can get check valves from any auto parts store for much less than $26, I dunno the exact price but My freind works at an exhaust shop and they even have them there...

 

Ray is one of the best. No one here in Richmond knows a bit about FD's anyway and I always have to show up in person to point out the exact part on microfiche. Ray is always cheaper and knows what he's talking about. Thanks again Ray!

 

Be careful with generic check valves -- I tried some $4 HELP! brand check valves on my car and they failed (passed air in bith directions) within 10K miles.

McMaster.com sells some 3/16" plastic check valves with Viton diaphragms for about $10 each that sound like they are worth a try. I haven't tried them, but I would expect that they would be more durable than the HELP! ones.

-Max

 

ok, if i remember correctly ray told me: $7 for UIM->LIM gasket (dealar $16), $18 for dark green check valves (dealar $26), assorted coolant hoses to/from turbos and hoses behind UIM ranged from $3-8 (dealar $13-18), dipstick for dads miata $11 (dealar: i didnt even bother), Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda: Priceless!

 

Gotta love Ray! I got my reman from him for $2240, including gaskets and shipping both ways. Great guy.

 

Im glad the parts guy knows me and put a wholesale tag on my name On a side note... I bought a clutch master cyl from mazda...installed it. I drove the car for one day and noticed the pedal feel wasnt very good anymore like there was slack in it or something. I checked it out and the metal part where one of the studs that goes through the firewall was broken. They were a little sketchy about whether it would be covered by the warrantee but ended up coming through and I had a new one in 2 days at no extra cost.

 

If you are in Bay Area.
Call Almaden Mazda, ask for Ralph Hatley. He is the parts manager, he help me before. Tell him that I send you.
http://www.almadenmazdakia.com
Reza

 

Any good discounters around the Seattle rainclouds?

 

Sign up at mazdamotorsports.com !! and you get factory parts at 40% off and super fast shipping. You need 2 autocross events a year to stay active. They will let you slide first year with no events if you tell they you are building a car. You can order all parts online and get them with in a couple days to your door step.

 

rousu, I've shopped at University Mazda for a long time. Dick Kurtz is the parts manager. He usually gives me wholesale discount, but Ray Crowe manages to beat that price nearly every time. Go in and be personable with Dick, smile, let him answer the phone when it rings while you are there, and mention that Sam said he's a good guy. Might help.

I've split my business 80/20, Malloy/Univ Mazda. The higher the cost, the more likely it's going to Ray.

 

ok parts came today (a day early i might add) i saved a TON of money using ray...he is the man!!! he also send me a free oil filter and drain plug washer... this guy knows how to treat coustomers! i know the oil filter is cheap, but it really made my day not to mention that i havent changed that damn washer for a long time. thanks again ray

 

Hello. May I please speak to Dick Kurtz? Are you joking?

 

Either that is one messed up coincidence or a really great joke that someone was bound to fall for!!