Sorry guys...need to rant!
Thread Starter
Not the company
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 9
From: United States
Originally Posted by bajaman
Aw come on now....where's the love? 
Okay, I think I stated earlier that I didn't mean my original reply to be taken as harshly as it was. Let's put all that behind us. I really AM impressed that you are taking the time and obviously the money to fix the car right. Hopefully you and your dad have learned a lot from the responses you have received here. There is a tried and true adage that says that more FDs have been killed by dealership service than anything else, and it sounds like your experiences confirm that. It is unfortunate that there are few if any repercussions for poor service from these dealers....but they really don't care.
It sounds like there are a lot of qualified and experienced people in your area that would do you a MUCH better job than the dealership you are going to. Hang in there and keep asking those questions. You've got tough skin, kid. You put up with a lot of **** here and didn't get too shitty in response.
Okay, I think I stated earlier that I didn't mean my original reply to be taken as harshly as it was. Let's put all that behind us. I really AM impressed that you are taking the time and obviously the money to fix the car right. Hopefully you and your dad have learned a lot from the responses you have received here. There is a tried and true adage that says that more FDs have been killed by dealership service than anything else, and it sounds like your experiences confirm that. It is unfortunate that there are few if any repercussions for poor service from these dealers....but they really don't care.
It sounds like there are a lot of qualified and experienced people in your area that would do you a MUCH better job than the dealership you are going to. Hang in there and keep asking those questions. You've got tough skin, kid. You put up with a lot of **** here and didn't get too shitty in response.
at you, but yes, you weren't the only one. I'm just really upset over the whole incident, and i feel that i'm not really a noob and i take things like that personally. No hard feelings....i remember you being a help to some of my other questions in the past, no joke (i remember things like that).
Thread Starter
Not the company
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 9
From: United States
Originally Posted by jpandes
I'm not gonna bash you anymore. You've been raked over the coals enough.
I trully feel for you. Have you told us what is wrong with your car yet? I didn't read all three pages of the post. I didn;pt have the heart. Are your turbos really toast? Engine gone? What. Chances are you may be able to get away with less than 5k for a used set of turbos($150-500), Mazda REMAN engine($2,200-2900), Removal & Reinstallation ($1,500+/-).
And if your car engien is really toast, I doubt that you will be able to sell it for much more than $6-7k. So it might be best to just fix it right and get a better job to pay for mods that you will undoubtedly want to buy once she's back on the road.
Good Luck.
I trully feel for you. Have you told us what is wrong with your car yet? I didn't read all three pages of the post. I didn;pt have the heart. Are your turbos really toast? Engine gone? What. Chances are you may be able to get away with less than 5k for a used set of turbos($150-500), Mazda REMAN engine($2,200-2900), Removal & Reinstallation ($1,500+/-).
And if your car engien is really toast, I doubt that you will be able to sell it for much more than $6-7k. So it might be best to just fix it right and get a better job to pay for mods that you will undoubtedly want to buy once she's back on the road.
Good Luck.
Again, i really appreciate the support from you guys on this forum, and i'm really sorry for my responses to some of you....mainly bajaman.
Just remember...the 7 can't lose!!!
Thread Starter
Not the company
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 9
From: United States
Allright, i wasn't going to spend the time doing this tonight, but here you go guys:
1. Gasket hanging from turbo-installed missing stud and nut:$107.14
2. Vehicle leaking gasoline-Gas tank has hole, replaced gas tank:$900.55
3. Repair sunroof switch-replaced sunroof switch assembly:$352.36
4. A/C inop-check system and A/C operates to man. Specifications:$89.95
5. Reattach front chin spoiler:$62.48
6. Attach front license plate-installed tag bracket and Mazda Emblem:$129.45
7. Oil pan leaking-replaced oil pan gasket:$401.92
8. Completed power steering flush:$117.20
9. Completed brake fluid flush:$106.83
10. Completed 4-wheel alignment:$79.95
11. Replaced heater temp. hose for aftermarket exhaust:$59.93
12. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $2,503.96
1. Perform VA emissions:$28
2. Passenger side door lock broken-replaced lock cylinder:$171.60
3. Replaced fuse cover:$28.38
4. Replaced rear brake pads and calipers:$902.18
5. Rear windshield wiper inop-replaced rear wiper motor:$454.83
6. Replace all pulleys to have air pump operable to pass emissions:$1071.68
7. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $2,782.75
1. Completed 75,000 mile service:$220.74
2. Repair door handle:$89.95
3. Remove turbo timer:$116.94
4. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $462.54
Door handle: $260.90
Ornament? : $141.46
-That’s the $6,151.61 I was talking about since Aug.
-I have NOT included the most recent services completed, or the tires I bought for the car the same week
1. Gasket hanging from turbo-installed missing stud and nut:$107.14
2. Vehicle leaking gasoline-Gas tank has hole, replaced gas tank:$900.55
3. Repair sunroof switch-replaced sunroof switch assembly:$352.36
4. A/C inop-check system and A/C operates to man. Specifications:$89.95
5. Reattach front chin spoiler:$62.48
6. Attach front license plate-installed tag bracket and Mazda Emblem:$129.45
7. Oil pan leaking-replaced oil pan gasket:$401.92
8. Completed power steering flush:$117.20
9. Completed brake fluid flush:$106.83
10. Completed 4-wheel alignment:$79.95
11. Replaced heater temp. hose for aftermarket exhaust:$59.93
12. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $2,503.96
1. Perform VA emissions:$28
2. Passenger side door lock broken-replaced lock cylinder:$171.60
3. Replaced fuse cover:$28.38
4. Replaced rear brake pads and calipers:$902.18
5. Rear windshield wiper inop-replaced rear wiper motor:$454.83
6. Replace all pulleys to have air pump operable to pass emissions:$1071.68
7. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $2,782.75
1. Completed 75,000 mile service:$220.74
2. Repair door handle:$89.95
3. Remove turbo timer:$116.94
4. Hazard material and shop supplies:$31.45
TTL Service bill: $462.54
Door handle: $260.90
Ornament? : $141.46
-That’s the $6,151.61 I was talking about since Aug.
-I have NOT included the most recent services completed, or the tires I bought for the car the same week
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 10
From: Dallas, Texas
OH crap! Please have your dad call one of the senior members. I'm still a novice at these cars but have had the car for a long time....enough to look at your repairs and EASY see that you got bent over backwards.
I'm not a young kid and in fact a physician. Maybe your dad would listen to me and bring your car somewhere else to get fixed.
Also, looking at most of your list....you could have gotten quality used parts from Fritzflynn and installed them all yourself.
For that price you paid you could have had a pristine rebuilt, ported engine.
I'm not a young kid and in fact a physician. Maybe your dad would listen to me and bring your car somewhere else to get fixed.
Also, looking at most of your list....you could have gotten quality used parts from Fritzflynn and installed them all yourself.
For that price you paid you could have had a pristine rebuilt, ported engine.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Originally Posted by rx7twinturboboy
Thanks guys for all the comments. Yeah, i plan on showing my dad some stuff, but it's kinda hard to get things across to him (military officer).
Anyway, next post will be the service costs:
Anyway, next post will be the service costs:
I resent that!!
I'm a retired military offier (LTC, SF), and am a hell of a lot more flexible than that. I have never relied on a dealer for any of my cars. In addition to those noted in my sig, I've had Jags, Sterlings (yeah, I know), Chevys, and most of the other makes. NEVER use a dealer except for required warranty work.He must be a Marine!
Cheese
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood, WA
My god, I cant even begin to express how badly I feel for you.... What you should do, seeing as what you have done cannot be undone, is spend a few hundred to a thousand dollars on tools (assuming you dont have any yet), buy a service manual (100 or less), and take some time researching. Working on this car is not that difficult.
I bought mine a year and a half ago, basically ignorant. Got home from where I bought it from, and found out it had a fuel leak in the engine bay. It took me a week or so to diagnose the problem (incorrectly the first time), then another week to fix what I thought was wrong (replaced fuel lines, new FPD, vac hoses etc...). A couple days later I smelled the fuel again, took it all apart AGAIN, and found out that it was actually a leaky Primary fuel injector. Fixed it and put it back together. Total cost: 300-400 (for everything, fuel lines, FPD, vac hoses, primary injector, coolant hoses) and about 3 weeks of down time because I took my time.
And if your dad has a problem with it, show him what Mazda wants to charge, then show him what the people here can quote you to do it yourself, then ask him if he wants to pay the difference. If he starts being an *** about it, tell him to choke on a ****....
I bought mine a year and a half ago, basically ignorant. Got home from where I bought it from, and found out it had a fuel leak in the engine bay. It took me a week or so to diagnose the problem (incorrectly the first time), then another week to fix what I thought was wrong (replaced fuel lines, new FPD, vac hoses etc...). A couple days later I smelled the fuel again, took it all apart AGAIN, and found out that it was actually a leaky Primary fuel injector. Fixed it and put it back together. Total cost: 300-400 (for everything, fuel lines, FPD, vac hoses, primary injector, coolant hoses) and about 3 weeks of down time because I took my time.
And if your dad has a problem with it, show him what Mazda wants to charge, then show him what the people here can quote you to do it yourself, then ask him if he wants to pay the difference. If he starts being an *** about it, tell him to choke on a ****....
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,678
Likes: 97
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by rynberg
Oh my god. You have been ROYALLY tooled!
Pretty much every month I have a friend or coworker describe how they dropped $1-$2k at some dealer. Looking at their receipts, I usually find that I could have done the work myself for 10-20% of the total cost (including parts).
Someone hanging out on this board should know better, but if his father is going to be boneheaded about going to a dealer (and way too many people are), he is - well - royally tooled.
Personally, I do not think anyone should buy one of these cars unless they either have a huge disposable income or can work on the car themselves (actually, both would be best).
Oh SHIET... You just got raped for real. brake pad and calipers for 900.00?
fawk, I could get two brand new aftermarket rear Big Brake set for that amount. HOLLY SHIET... TOO bad you just didn't know they were ripping you off. And I have a perfectly nice fuse cover for 5.00. Like new.... And removed the turbo timer too... lord have mercy on you... again, sorry for your loss. I guess you just didn't know any better.
fawk, I could get two brand new aftermarket rear Big Brake set for that amount. HOLLY SHIET... TOO bad you just didn't know they were ripping you off. And I have a perfectly nice fuse cover for 5.00. Like new.... And removed the turbo timer too... lord have mercy on you... again, sorry for your loss. I guess you just didn't know any better.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 27
From: Morristown, TN (east of Knoxville)
That is possibly the dumbest thing I have ever read with my own eyes. It definitely tops the kid who built the engine in the basement and couldn't get it through the doorway out.
No offense intended.
I am just...speechless.
No offense intended.
I am just...speechless.
Kinda reminds me of when I owned an f-body and had the popup light problem.
The dealership wanted $450 per headlight motor. After reading some forums online, I just took them out, rotated them a bit, and put them back in. They never acted up again.
$0 fix.
The dealership wanted $450 per headlight motor. After reading some forums online, I just took them out, rotated them a bit, and put them back in. They never acted up again.
$0 fix.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: lalala
><
lol
~Taking your FD for full engine rebuild to PFsupercars-$5200.00
~Taking your car to a Mazda Dealership-"PRICELESS!"
Dude, I know how you feel, in the past 1.5years I have spent alot too.
One dumbass mechanic ended up charging me 80$an hour and it would take him 10 times as long as other rotary mechanics(I was paying him to tinker w/ my car)
Basically I spent $14,000.00 on my car almost 2 years ago.
~price of car-$14,000.00
~4 new tires-$850.00
~Various Vacuum Hose pop offs-$550.00(I was being insanely stupid)
~Cheapass radiator because I didnt know any better-$275.00
~Install for radiator-$375.00(I got ripped off)
~New stud on rear rotor-$110.00
~Radiator Hose replacement-$96.00
~The dumbass ******* mechanic couldnt find suspension bushings so he bought the whole arms w/ the bushings-$1200.00
~Changing brake pads-$110.00
~Oil Change-$45.00 (WTF?!?!?!)
~Flushing Coolant-$135.00
~Tags/title- $995.00
~Replacing 2 Soleniods for turbos-$473.00
~Inspection-$75.00
TOTAL- $19289.00
All of this was before I wisened up and took it to PFsupercars. Mind you all this **** broke again>< rather alot of it.
~Exhaust-$350.00(self installed)
~Downpipe ceramic coated-$225.00)
~Body Work/dent removal-$3200.00
~New Headlight Cover-$79.00
~Painting Headlight Cover-$50.00
~HKS intake-$350.00
~HKS Twin Power/harness-$450.00
~Full Steering Column-$220.00
Now onto stuff from PFSUPERCARS, Ray is awesome, and the work is done right, and stays fixed.
~Inspect for Coolant Leak/ replace Hose-$85.00
~Used Turbo Timer-$90.00
~Install for Turbo Timer-$85.00
~Install of Primary Fuel Injectors/run new wire for knock sensor-$85.00
~Primary Fuel Injectors-$125.00
~Injector O-rings-$4.25
~NEW Koyo Aluminum Radiator-$360.00
~Antifreeze-$6.95
~Pressure test cooling system, replace radiator assembly, install HKS DLI-$85.00
~Replace turn signal assembly switch-$170.00
~Install HKS Intake-$125.00
~PFS Heavy Duty Clutch-$550.00
~Install on Clutch-$425.00
~Diagnose 0-ring failure/replace them-$382.50
~Diagnose Turbo System/replace duty valves/2 couplers-$170.00
~Misc items used-$45.00
~Hose job/other stuff-$818.00
TOTAL- $3101.48(thats all of the bills totals)it has 5%sales tax, I prolly missed something
GRAND TOTAL-$28132.48
I also have a buttload of parts in my room, but I dont wanna add that in.
Basically I dont see how you could have spent that much money in 6months. Especially considering I bought an FD in horrible condition, and I have had to restore it slowly but surely. I've had hell w/ my car, I cant imagine many others have had to spend this much in just restoring/maintaining(not upgrading) in 1.5 years. Take your car to a rotary specialist, and you should be fine!
~Taking your FD for full engine rebuild to PFsupercars-$5200.00
~Taking your car to a Mazda Dealership-"PRICELESS!"
Dude, I know how you feel, in the past 1.5years I have spent alot too.
One dumbass mechanic ended up charging me 80$an hour and it would take him 10 times as long as other rotary mechanics(I was paying him to tinker w/ my car)
Basically I spent $14,000.00 on my car almost 2 years ago.
~price of car-$14,000.00
~4 new tires-$850.00
~Various Vacuum Hose pop offs-$550.00(I was being insanely stupid)
~Cheapass radiator because I didnt know any better-$275.00
~Install for radiator-$375.00(I got ripped off)
~New stud on rear rotor-$110.00
~Radiator Hose replacement-$96.00
~The dumbass ******* mechanic couldnt find suspension bushings so he bought the whole arms w/ the bushings-$1200.00
~Changing brake pads-$110.00
~Oil Change-$45.00 (WTF?!?!?!)
~Flushing Coolant-$135.00
~Tags/title- $995.00
~Replacing 2 Soleniods for turbos-$473.00
~Inspection-$75.00
TOTAL- $19289.00
All of this was before I wisened up and took it to PFsupercars. Mind you all this **** broke again>< rather alot of it.
~Exhaust-$350.00(self installed)
~Downpipe ceramic coated-$225.00)
~Body Work/dent removal-$3200.00
~New Headlight Cover-$79.00
~Painting Headlight Cover-$50.00
~HKS intake-$350.00
~HKS Twin Power/harness-$450.00
~Full Steering Column-$220.00
Now onto stuff from PFSUPERCARS, Ray is awesome, and the work is done right, and stays fixed.
~Inspect for Coolant Leak/ replace Hose-$85.00
~Used Turbo Timer-$90.00
~Install for Turbo Timer-$85.00
~Install of Primary Fuel Injectors/run new wire for knock sensor-$85.00
~Primary Fuel Injectors-$125.00
~Injector O-rings-$4.25
~NEW Koyo Aluminum Radiator-$360.00
~Antifreeze-$6.95
~Pressure test cooling system, replace radiator assembly, install HKS DLI-$85.00
~Replace turn signal assembly switch-$170.00
~Install HKS Intake-$125.00
~PFS Heavy Duty Clutch-$550.00
~Install on Clutch-$425.00
~Diagnose 0-ring failure/replace them-$382.50
~Diagnose Turbo System/replace duty valves/2 couplers-$170.00
~Misc items used-$45.00
~Hose job/other stuff-$818.00
TOTAL- $3101.48(thats all of the bills totals)it has 5%sales tax, I prolly missed something
GRAND TOTAL-$28132.48
I also have a buttload of parts in my room, but I dont wanna add that in.
Basically I dont see how you could have spent that much money in 6months. Especially considering I bought an FD in horrible condition, and I have had to restore it slowly but surely. I've had hell w/ my car, I cant imagine many others have had to spend this much in just restoring/maintaining(not upgrading) in 1.5 years. Take your car to a rotary specialist, and you should be fine!
Last edited by Tenacious; Jan 18, 2006 at 01:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Not the company
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 9
From: United States
Originally Posted by moconnor
Well, he has - but no more than millions of Americans every day. From my experience looking at other people's receipts, nothing on that list is particularly crazy considering MSRP Mazda prices and $70 per hour labour.
Pretty much every month I have a friend or coworker describe how they dropped $1-$2k at some dealer. Looking at their receipts, I usually find that I could have done the work myself for 10-20% of the total cost (including parts).
Someone hanging out on this board should know better, but if his father is going to be boneheaded about going to a dealer (and way too many people are), he is - well - royally tooled.
Personally, I do not think anyone should buy one of these cars unless they either have a huge disposable income or can work on the car themselves (actually, both would be best).
Pretty much every month I have a friend or coworker describe how they dropped $1-$2k at some dealer. Looking at their receipts, I usually find that I could have done the work myself for 10-20% of the total cost (including parts).
Someone hanging out on this board should know better, but if his father is going to be boneheaded about going to a dealer (and way too many people are), he is - well - royally tooled.
Personally, I do not think anyone should buy one of these cars unless they either have a huge disposable income or can work on the car themselves (actually, both would be best).
As for my father, he's a former pilot with the Air Force...but now works for the FBI.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by rx7twinturboboy
No, typically my computer had a low system resource error as i finished typing the whole service history since i had the car, and i couldn't save the document nor recover the data from the clipboard thingie. Well, one of the turbo's is leaking oil, and smoke occasionally (once every two months really) poars through my firewall and smells like oil (that's how i knew something was fishy). The engine is actually brand new (as of 8,000 miles ago) from the previous owner. The service guys did take note of that,(well the other service writers) but claimed that replacing the turbo assembly as well as the turbo, then they would reccommend replacing the engine as well. Really didn't understand that, but whatever.
Again, i really appreciate the support from you guys on this forum, and i'm really sorry for my responses to some of you....mainly bajaman.
Just remember...the 7 can't lose!!!
Again, i really appreciate the support from you guys on this forum, and i'm really sorry for my responses to some of you....mainly bajaman.
Just remember...the 7 can't lose!!!
You don't need a new engine. You need a new mechanic. Your service manager is taking you for a serious ride. Mazda Dealerships would rather replace a whole engine, than troubleshoot a small problem. Your engine is probably fine. If you want to be sure get a compression check.
You could then buy a used set of twins for a few hundred bucks and get them installed and you're back in business.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by rx7twinturboboy
4. Replaced rear brake pads and calipers:$902.18
5. Rear windshield wiper inop-replaced rear wiper motor:$454.83
5. Rear windshield wiper inop-replaced rear wiper motor:$454.83
I just saw these two charges...454 for a rear wiper! Damn!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: ava mo
This is crazy. That’s all I have to say crazy. IF you sell your car and don’t have a clue what is wrong with it then you are indeed stupid. You can find a used pair of twins for now more than 500$. I don’t understand. ARE you sure that the motor is gone? Have you checked the compression? I have great respect for both of my parents but if my dad was telling me were I could and couldn’t take my car to get it worked on knowing that it would cost me twice as much I would tell him to shove it up his *** and take the *** whopping about to come.
never mind this is just stupid.
never mind this is just stupid.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,804
Likes: 646
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Friggin' air force officers. I'm a Captain in the army irr, and can't believe how much cash your dad's inflexibility cost you. I assure you that not all military officers are programmed robots.
How high did he get up in rank? maybe you can have LTC Ramos come to your house and lock your old man's heels
How high did he get up in rank? maybe you can have LTC Ramos come to your house and lock your old man's heels
