Ok... So, I get this letter in the mail Friday that says Mazda USA has asked Boshart Engineering, Inc. to do emissions testing on 2005 Mazda RX-8's with 10K+ miles as part of their "2005 Mazda RX8 R&D|UVP Program." And, "my" vehicle has been ID'd as being falling under this category and they would like me to participate.

What does this mean? Well, in return for graciously allowing them to play with your car for 7 to 14 days, you get a loaner 2008 vehicle (make & model not specified of course) and <hold the applause> $100 for participating in the program...

WOW A FREAKING WHOLE $100 FREAKING U.S. DOLLARS! Sound the bull horn, alert the National Guard, light the fireworks!

Um, what do they think we are... completely F'g stupid?

I am not F'g turning over my car to some co. I've never heard of to do science experiments on my car for a lousy $100 and a loaner F'g Ford Focus, for all I know... Whoever the F over there comes up with these great ideas?

 

sounds kinda Sketchy

 

Some of them are legit , u might wanna ask MNAO.

 

Others have received these letters before and they were legit. I don't think I would participate for $100. I've recieved that much for sitting in a focus group for a couple of hours.

 

You should put a mid pipe on then give it to them.

 

hahahahaha

But seriously, 100 dollars is a joke. Mazda, if you're reading, we value a week with our RX8's way more than 100 bucks.

 

What condition do they promise to give it back in?

 

I lol'd at this

 

fantastic idea!


detrich: some of those letters are legit but no freaking way I'd hand over my car for that long and so little compensation.

 

<insert Sarcasm>
You should be more than willing too! Who doesn't want to drive around for a week to two weeks in a Kia or cobalt? <Remove Sarcasm>

Yeah $100 isn't near enough money to let some people beat the hell and abuse the **** out of my baby.

 

Boshart is legit, but I think Mazda priced it by thinking $100 is about a week's worth of payments for some folks and going from there to give compensation. I'm sure this method might work when doing research on a 3 or 6 (I'd give them my 3 for $100 a week!), but RX-8 owners are quite a bit more **** and I think we value our cars more.

 

Even if they guaranteed an 08 or 09 R3 as a loaner for the 2 weeks I'm not sure that that would be enough for me... Afterall WTF knows what kinda care they would exercise in handling our babies...

What would be everyone's "fair price" for handing over your keys?

Am curious...

 

Contract saying if anything is amiss, they pay for all repairs. A grand as payment as well, per week.

 

For the RX-8? Not at any price. (Okay, maybe $20,000 a week...)

For the 3? $200 a week would clinch it. $100 a week and I'll think about it.

 

id do it if i get to pick the mazda car i get to use in the mean time.