I have had this car about 1 year & 3 months and have never driven such a good looking, fun car. However, I have had to sit around for 45 days for an engine replacement, then I have had it back 1 day, then the AC quits working. My patience has run its course and I am going to contact a lemon law attorney. I hate to say goodbye to the 8, but when you spend 35K on a car you expect it to be reliable and the 8 is not.

The 8 reminds me of the girlfriend that you had that was really, really cute & great in bed, but was a total head case that everyone told you to dump, but you could'nt. I guess I will try to find a car with some of the good points of the 8 but in a more proven, reliable platform. Pending the outcome of my claim, I will look at the Acura TL, G35 Coupe, Volvo S40 Turbo & Audi A4 (2.0T). None of these cars compare to the 8 in my opinion but I just cannot face anymore down time with this car.

Sorry if this is long but I am just venting!!!

 

Have heard there have been numerous engine failures in the southwest---through this forum---have you had any overheating problems?

 

No I did not ever have an overheating problem. Even when the temp hit 120 deg in the summer my temp needle was always at 1/2 way or lower.

 

I understand your frustration... But...
Think about it -- the car had its entire engine replaced. The timing of the AC not working (one day after getting the car back) leads me to think that something wasn't done correctly when it was re-installed. While it is unfortunate, I don't think you should blame the car or Mazda for that -- yet.

Take the car back to the dealer and tell them what happened. You'll get the A/C fixed, hopefully the same day.
Maybe. Or maybe it reminds us of the wife that just needs to be understood and will be there for you forever if you treat her right.

Again, I totally understand your frustration... But unless there's lots more to the story, I think you're overreacting.

 

The coolant gauge is a dummy gauge. It only moves if the car is about to explode from a major overheating problem.

Current dummy gauges have about a 60-80F dead range, where they will stay in the middle range, where they won't move a bit.

Aka the car could be 20F out of spec, and the temp gauge still reads normal . The gauge in the 6 doesn't even start moving till around 220-230F. (Normal coolant temp is sub 200F)

 

So how do you get the gauge to read correctly?

 

Get new gauges. I've not been able to find gauges that match the stock ones and are true gauges and additionally I do not like the look of gauge pods sticking up so I'm stuck with the stock ones.

UK Black must be new to the desert. Since I've lived here for 40 years, my first mods were the transmission cooler and a second oil cooler. I had the dealer install both with full notation on the work orders that my warranty was safe.

 

Wow, I never even thought about installing those items. How much do they cost to buy & install. I think I will get this done.

 

I am over-reacting. The frustration level is very high right now. I will see what they have to say today and hopefully it will be a quick fix then I can go on my way and get the oil / radiator cooler mods & upgrade to Sirrius Sat Radio.

 

After that lower the car and you will have one sirrius drop. Just had to say that.

 

I think racing beat also pointed out that the car pulls 10% timing when the engine reaches 200F coolant temps...

So cooling mods don't only increase longevity, but keep you from losing power as well.

 

Now you're talkin'! At least that way, when you break down in the middle of the desert, you can listen to some great music! :p

Glad to see that sleeping on it had some effect. Or maybe it was just me slapping you around a bit that did the trick. :D

--Keith

 

Wow -- I'm very intrigued!

Can you elaborate on exactly what you got installed? I found this post of yours, but there aren't many details there... Perhaps it's in a thread that I'm missing...? Or maybe you can start a new thread about it so that it will be easier to find (and so we don't totally hijack this one :p )?

Thanks! :D

 

UK BLACK . Hi there. Can you tell me what sort of mileage your 8 had covered when the motor let go? Mine has got 22500 on it and its 1 & 1/2 years old.

TBH, here in the UK we don't have too many deserts to worry about bit I had heard about some UK owners fitting the extra oil cooler.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

I'm old, lazy and not as agle as I used to be so I had the dealer install both the transmission cooler ($100.00 complete) and the second oil cooler ($145.00) but if you can do the work yourself (easy if your young and a little mechaniclly inclined as there are printed instruction with the coolers) my guess would be both for $100.00. The dealer also installed some RB grills while he had the frt end off (free).

I think the Air Conditioner has a little problem but since they fixed mine (it quit blowing cold air) it has worked exceptionlly well.

 

A quick answer so we don't hyjack. Being the lazy old bastard that I am I knew what had to be done and had a general idea of costs. So when I was setting up a service appointment I had the service manager give me a firm price on an trans cooler install and the second oil cooler install (had trouble understanding why the m/t had two and not us). I have had none of the other problems that my breathern in Las Vegas have had. Oh, forgot to say that the RPM limit buzzer and I are on a first name basis. If you want to know any thing else just PM me and we can start a new thread.

Phil

 

I am from the UK originally too. (Bournemouth) now in Las Vegas. The car had 20,000 miles and is just under 1-1/2 years old.

 

I know just how you feel. I felt exactly the same way with my '93 RX-7, bought new in '93 for about what you paid for your 8. It was the least reliable car I had ever owned, was always in the shop for one thing or another. My love/hate relationship lasted 5 years before I finally parted with her. (But I never had to replace the engine, that's probably one of the worst issues to have, so I feel your pain.)

In retrospect now, I long for my old FD RX-7, almost ache to have her back sometimes. However, (knock on wood), luckily my 8 has had zero problems to date and keeps me very satisfied. To me, my 8 is like the 3rd gen 7's younger sister. Almost as sexy looking, almost as good in bed, but she cleans house, cooks great meals, takes care of the kids and does lots of other stuff the older sister never did.

Anyway, good luck with finding your next car.

 

Update to my situation..

I took my car in on Monday morning after having it back for 1 full day (after a 45 day engine replacement) due to the AC failing. The SA called me today and told me that the condenser was damaged (maybe by a rock) and that it was going to be replaced under warranty. I can believe that it was damaged by a rock, but I have had the car on the road for ONE day, more likely damaged during engine replacement. I am glad he is replacing it under warrnty and thanked him as I have seen other posts claiming that they had to pay $300 plus for the same repair.

I am going to soldier on with this car against my better judgement, but one more MAJOR repair in the next couple of months and I am going to consult a lemon law attorney. I have now been without my car for 50 days in total in the last 60.

 

Sorry you have to go through the hassle; however, I am sure the G35c will suit you well. Great car...