kcott

As per the thread title. Just seeing who people recommend. Don't have the greatest faith in Champion Mazda here in Corpus Christi. I just get a lot of roundabout answers and they always ignore the service bulletin when I bring it up about the lack of power. My car has been stalling, rough idle, and suffering from long starts. I have upgraded the starter, changed the coils, spark plugs, sea foamed the car to no real improvement. Took it in for the lack of power, and they said they won't do anything until I change the cat. They want $1600 to do so. Also said the rough idle is probably do to the motor mounts, but that still doesn't explain the random stalls or long starts. After I fix the cat issue, then they'll go from there, but I'm afraid they'll give me some bullshit response. So I'm taking care of the cat myself, then probably going to take it in for a compression check. Just wanted to see what else is out there in case Champion Mazda lets me down. Thanks!

KWarner04

DO NOT go to Champion in Corpus! Biggest joke a dealership there is. I took it in for a simple oil change when I was home over Christmas (I want as many dealership receipts as possible) and they are completely clueless. I'm amazed my car made it back to Dallas.

Your best bet is probably something in San Antonio. Hopefully some of the SARX guys will chime in and let you know where to go.

kcott

anyone?

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

I have heard good things about Mazda South in Austin as well as the Mazda World Car in New Braunfels, but stay away from IPAC, Legend, and World Car in San Antonio..... North Park in SA is ok, but you have to make sure they don't try to bullshit you. If you go, only deal with Shawn, the other service guys will try to take you.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

Mazda South could probably handle an oil change, anything after that I'd look elsewhere. I've all but abandoned dealerships but if I had to do it again I'd probably go to Mazda Central (?, it's the one located on Burnet Rd.) as our club has ties to the parts manager there who would probably keep an eye out while my car was there. Supposedly Premier in Georgetown is decent, I live south so I've never used them.

kcott

is this the website for Mazda Central that you're talking about? http://www.rogerbeasley.com/

my gf lives in austin, so I'll probably check it out next time I'm up there

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

Yup, that'd be the one. So far I've had good luck with them, mazda south did both of my engine replacements, the last time they completely destroyed my engine bay, scratched my strut bar, tore up my firewall blanket, broke my radiator filler neck which I found out about on accident one day. They're probably okay for normal every day stuff, but I'm not real happy with how they did my car, this was all after I warned them repeatedly how it was a show car and I display it with the hood open etc etc.

jiggawha1

Legend Mazda in New Braunfels is the only dealership I go to after my many bad experiences with the SA dealers. I think the austin ones are a safe bet too

kcott

thanks all

jay524288

That's the Roger Beasley that came close to killing me with their incompetence.

I was in a collision in September and had them do the repairs. They had to replace the lower control arm and steering rod on the passenger side. On the way home I noticed it didn't feel right so I jacked it up and looked underneath.

Some of the bolts weren't even finger tight. The bolt that connects the ball joint to the steering knuckle had almost come off. Every single fastener that was supposed to be secured with a cotter pin was missing the cotter pin.

I fixed their screwups and went back the next day to speak with the manager of their service department - Bill McCrary, I think was his name. He gave me some half assed apology but didn't seem to care that I or someone else on the road could have been killed by their mechanic's incompetence.

There were a lot more problems, like damaging my wheels, trying to charge me for parts they didn't replace, and so on, but that's the worst.

I'd hire a drunken homeless guy before I'd let Roger Beasley touch a car I'll drive or ride in again. It would be safer.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

It's funny how opinions vary.

I lived right behind World Car in NB on Solms Rd. and went to it when it was located on the other side of 35 and they have always sucked. When they built the new place I decided to give them a shot with my RX-8 since it was way more convenient than IPAQ (where I bought the 8) and the service guy told me neither my water in the tail lights issue or my broken visors were covered even though I told him about the TSB. World car on Fred is a whole other story as to what a clusterfuck they are but thats what I get for being too lazy to drive to NP (North Park Mazda). Finally I was referred to NP by RX-Hawk and North Park replaced my visors and tail lights a few times with out issues, not mention two motors, fuel tank, coils a few times, ABS unit, etc., etc., etc.

Ipaq replaced a tail light once I think right after I bought it and it took like a week to get the part but otherwise the service was good the couple of times they did oil changes. But they totally screwed up Hoss-05's engine installation, they didn't tighten one of the AC compressor bolts and it hit the steering rack causing his steering to malfunction. And they did not tighten the oil pressure sending unit causing a massive oil leak. If I remember correctly I think the first engine that went in failed after a week or so as well.

But all in all I can say NP is pretty good and as long as you know the RX8 they won't try and BS you. Not to mention JZ works there as a tech and will watch over your ride. Just make sure they don't try and tell you your clutch blew because your tires were too sticky

But no matter where you look, you will find horror stories about almost every dealer.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

ohhh **** dude, was this the south one or the one on burnet rd? I've been doing all my own repairs for the last 2-3 years now (with the car having car show obligations I just can't afford to have a dealerhsip trash my work anymore) but I was considering the burnet one if anything really major came up, I guess I'll be reconsidering that if this was the case, sure wish I knew how to clear my airbag light though, I've tried just about everything just short of replacing all the plugs and so far nothing.

On another note, if a dealership is out of the question there is a mechanic in georgetown (he used to be in round rock, his partner runs that shop now) by the name of John Long, his shop is called JC Automotive, or JC Automotive Specialists, something to that effect. He was a highly praised Mazda master mechanic and decided that doing dealership work isn't his deal so he opened his own shops etc.

jay524288

It was the place on Burnet Rd. I still get furious when I think about it.

I've heard good things about JC Automotive, but haven't been there.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

that sucks JC did my brakes originally, even installed my rotors and pads bought elsewhere (racingbrake.com) without throwing a fuss, every other place I called was like "we can't do it due to liability", seemed like a cop out to me.

kcott

So try out North Park? 9krpmrx8's post seemed encouraging.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah, ask for Sean as your service rep. He has always treated me okay just don't let him bullshit you.