Sprockett

What's up everyone -
God damn it! The dealership is not done with my car yet! If you are confused, look at this:
Dealership thread part I

It was supposed to be ready two weeks ago, and it took them until today to finally get everything back together. The new engine is in, and they got it started. Everything seemed to be going fine, and it looked as if the end was near. He only had to test drive it to make sure everything was OK, and then he would release it to me. After 4 months of agony, I thought it was almost over. I then got a phone call around 11:00 this morning, one hour before I had to leave to come back to school (I was on Spring Break). They told me that it was not running right at all, and there was absolutely no acceleration. They told me I would not be able to pick it up today, so it looks like it's going to be another 2 weeks (at least) before I can get behind the wheel of my FD again.

One thing that I was thinking about - he drove it for like an hour, and if there was no acceleration, wouldn't it have hurt the engine to drive it that much?

Second, what could the problem be? I thought "turbo" right away - anyone agree?


On a side note, to put the time into consideration:
When I took the car to them, I had owned the car for 5 months. They have now had it for over 4 months - almost as long as I have had it.
I took it in to be serviced before Thanksgiving - and it was PROMISED to me by November 29th last year.
Since it has been there, I have:
- Had to research about a problem they were having and tell them how to do their job
- had to deal with someone breaking into my car and stealing $1000 worth of stereo equipment
- driven the car four times in four months
- gone through 2 engines (on my third right now) and a water pump housing
- gone through more stress than I have ever gone through in my life
- been depressed almost every day for the last 2 months
- **realized dealerships are gay and can't be trusted to do anything
- decided that only the people at Banzai racing will touch my car from now on

LAracer

Why are you still letting the dealership touch your car? After all you've been through (and all the advice you got last time), I figured you'd have it somewhere else by now.

Sorry, not much sympathy anymore.

Sprockett

Because they are doing the work under warrantee (i.e. I'm not paying them **** to work on my car right now). I am a student and don't have the extra $1000 lying around to pay someone else to redo the work. If I could get Thelen to pay someone else to do the work, I would take it somewhere else.

And I don't want your sympathy - I am just trying to tell my story so that other "newbies" like myself will think twice before they take their cars to their local dealerships

LAracer

Point taken.

But if I were you I would get the money to take it somewhere else (sell a kidney or something). The fact that they are doing the work for "free" would not be enough for me to leave it there. Cut your losses now and take it somewhere reputable.

zyounker

Actually, at this point you should just pick up your car, and send them the bill to get it fixed at your place of choice.. IF they don't like that tell them you will take them to court.. They should have no problem either paying for ANY other place to fix it right, or give you a 100% refund.

But it is up to you. Did you call Mazda yet about this? have they opened an investigation yet? what was the outcome? what did they tell you to do? what have they offered you?


-Zach

Sprockett

Yes, I filed a formal complaint with Mazda. I have no idea if there is an investigation or not. I don't know how Mazda deals with the complaints they recieve. Nothing has been offered to me at all concerning the matter, and the dealership has not offered anything either.

My mother called the owner personally (client of her store) and told him that they would have to pay for the parking ticket I got (I got a temporary permit up to one of the promised dates, but it went past that [obviously] - I had a $25 parking ticket because I was parked with an expired permit - now $35 because I haven't paid it yet) and the new parking permit I had to buy for the Jeep (after I realized it would take longer than the time limit for temporary permits). He told her that those were charges that they WOULD NOT pay for. Basically, they are ***-holes.

If I get the car back in sub-perfect condition this time, I will take them to court and sue for the cost of having someone else do it.

Street King

I know a dealer or 2 here that have very good rotary techs and there is always a line of 7's getting checked and repaired by them. You should call around to see if any dealers have a rotary tech and have them do the warranty work.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You need to follow up with Mazda USA on this. They aren't going to call you back (unfortunately). Since you are still without a car, you need to be a thorn in their side until you get it back.

Get on the line with Mazda USA again, tell them the updated situation and ask them how they are going to make it right.

Sprockett

Supposedly, the mechanic who is working on my car has been working on rotory engines for 30 years. I think he's lying

Street King

Yup that is BS. The rotary mechanics here have been here lessthan 30 years and can tell you whats wrong with your car when you pull in, yes they are that good!

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

He has been working on the SAME ENGINE for 30 years is what he meant to tell you.

artguy

mazda keeps track of the dealer complaints...they get less perks and such from the manufacturer if they have them.

i had to file complaints too...i was a noob four years ago and took it in for the sunroof switch to be fixed under warrantee...they called to let me know that my turbos needed to be replaced as well...funny...cuz the car was fast as stink and there were no leaks...i had a warrantee so i said go ahead...fix it....well the dealer tried to charge my warrantee company 7000 dollars for the parts...my warr comp then came out and found my upgraded suspension and voided the warrantee. **** irvine mazda!!! **** irvine mazda. Anaheim mazda can take it up the *** too. anaheim charges the local rx7 guys 4800 dollars for a 2100 dollar reman because they can!

RULE NUMBER ONE>>>STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THE DEALERS!!!

jason

jd93rx7

LOL, Sad but true....

Sprockett

It made me smile

neevosh

Wow, how the hell did those idiots get jobs as mechanics when they don't even know how to remove an engine. They probably mixed up some solenoid connections and now you're getting no boost. I don't see how they can troubleshoot a FD when they can't even figure out how to take an engine out.

Tomarx7

I need a new engine soon, after reading your story I am going to really consider a V8, if the dealers can't get it right then I am not going to trust anyone. At least with a V8 I could probably get it serviced by any mickey mouse mechanic.

artguy

the above post is ignorant because it discounts the fact that there are a good number of rotary specialists in this country who can take care of your car.


the dealers cant get it right because they dont deal with that car. i dont know how long you have had that car of yours but they havent been able to get it right since the car hit the shores. tis part of the reason that the car failed in the usa. the rotary shops do get it right. there are a list of them on the east coast in the NE forums.

there are plenty of great rotary specialists...including bpr (everyone seems very happy with barry and his crew) here in mass.

get a v8 if you want...but your above post is kind of silly.


jason

PS...im in mass too...and i wouldnt deal with the dealers out here either.

White94RX

Damn, I got lucky I guess. The dealership that replaced my motor 500 miles before I bought the car is one of the few competent dealerships in the Atlanta area. Now I only take it to the experts. Thank God for MAZCARE!!!

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

Tony at BNR in Salem Mass has a 3rd Gen with a T-88 on it and works on 3rd gens all the time. I would trust him to do the work WAY before ever bringing it into one of these HACk Mazda dealers up here.

FormerPorscheGuy

I only go to a dealer for the really obscure and unique parts that I can't find anywhere else in town. I won't let them touch my car, but its funny to watch them stare at it and drool.

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

Hey I meant Barry not Tony.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Actually, for the KCMO area, the dealer on North Oak is actually very good (at least the mechanics they had last year).

FormerPorscheGuy

That is where I go to get the the hard to find parts. Small world. Maybe we will run into each other Mahjik tomarrow if you are going to the get together.

Jason

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Hey Jason,

Just shoot me a PM sometime. My car is still not in a driveable state, but hopefully it will be by next weekend.

Tim McCreary

FYI

Call up Mazda. Tell them your story again. Ask them what is happening. You have waited 4 months and one more day is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Tell them that this is the last straw. They F#$@ the car up and cannot fix it. You want them to pay to have it taken to Chris at Banzai or take it KD Rotary where they know how to fix the thing. It is only going to cost Mazda Corp more money because they are parts replacers instead of troubleshoot and repairers. The owner of KDR used to work for Mazda and train people on how to fix 3rd generation cars. All parts and all expenses will be paid by Mazda. At a minimum, if they do fix it, you will take it to Chris and anything else wrong related to the work they did will have to be paid for and repaired. Remember, Mazda Warranty does not necessarily have to be performed by Mazda. Mazda can and will reimburse other mechanics who have performed work covered under their warranty.

If these demands are not met, You will need to contact the better business bureau, a lawyer, and sue for not only the damage and loss of the car, but lost wages and pain and suffering due to the neglect of the dealership to be able to fix the car. You look a little pale by now and need time off work and school because of all the stress you have endured. This may even traumatize you for life. You cannot focus your thoughts on your studies because every time you do, you dream of the nice car that you bought and asked them to fix. You now envision the mechanic raping the engine and blowing the seals again!!!!

By now, you have realized that the only person you can trust working on your car is a very reputable rotary mechanic or yourself if you choose to learn.

I have removed engines and trannys from cars for years. I have owned several RX7's and worked on them myself. I have never removed a 3rd gen engine until I bought mine. It took me 12 hours to remove it completely. This included taking my time, taking pictures of each step so I had documentation, writing documentation, ziplock bagging parts, and printing out labels for the bags and parts with a label printer. I followed the manual to a tee along with suggestions from the web and forum that I found. If I were a dealer mechanic, I would think that it would take about 6 hours maximum.

One problem with the dealer is that the dealer paid the mechanic his shop rate to replace the engine. He now has to absorb the rest of the excess time wasted fixing it on his own. He is now losing money and does not like it. That is why he is not coming in and is in no hurry to repair it. He is taking other jobs to make his money.

Let us all know how this ends.
Tim