Yeah, my '04 consistently has hard starts. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone's had any luck getting the new battery, new starter, and sparkplugs fix for their RX-8 in Ottawa.

Last time I was at my dealer (after being towed!!! ) I asked about getting the replacements. No one seemed to know anything about it and said any replacements would have to come at my expense.

Anyone get better service in Ottawa? If so, who'd you deal with?

 

Ask them to call kramer Mazda in Calgary

 

who is ur dealer? steven the manager at carling seems to be updated about my mazda 3 so u may try your luck with him

 

Don't even bother with Bank Street Mazda - if you are using them I recommend that you stop immediately! You wont get any help from them at all. If you are lucky, you will get your car back without them damaging it.

I know some Ottawa RX8 owners have had trouble with Carling Mazda, but my experience with them has been quite positive so far. Though after my experiences with Bank St., just about any dealer would look good.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I've been warned to stay away from Bank Street before... seems like the general consensus is that their service center is lousy.
I currently go to Carling and find them so-so. They try, but they're not willing to go the extra mile. Like to find out about the Engine crank, no start fix

Anyhow, does anyone have experience with Performance Mazda?

 

My experience:
- Bank Street blew me off and wouldn't to a fash update for which I got a card in the mail from Mazda . .
- Carling wouldn't fix my squeaky brakes for which there was a TSB and new pads and they fed me a big bunch of BS on some other stuff . . .
- Argus wouldn't answer the phone, that just annoys me . . .
- Performance tries harder, did all the required work but they seem a little disorganized and their communications with the customer is weak . . .

In summary, best of all evils is Performance and I drive clear across town just to take the car there just because they stay moderately informed and will actually do the work that is required. I don't get it, it's almost like Mazda has some sort of hidden incentive program for dealers that do the least warranty work. My Subaru dealer is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum . . .

Thank goodness the car has been reliable and required very little work . . . For what it is worth the Canadian cars ship with a large battery already, there is maybe only 1.5cm of empty space at the end of the box. In the US they skimped out and put a much smaller battery in. There is a high speed starter fix though, Danielson had it put in his car at the Bellville dealer but that dealer even follows the TSBs and places all of the appropriate modification stickers on the car, something that none of the dealers here have done. Yep, you loose marks for attention to detail in my book.

You think you have starting problems, well mine hasn't started all winter . . . or maybe it's meant to be that way :-)

 

Carling is the best dealer for service in Ottawa... sometimes.

I learned (luckily before I bought my '8') that the head mechanic at that dealer is one of the best in Canada. He has his hoist right behind the window you see from the service desk.

Never do I leave my car out of sight and when I book it (the service) I request his schedule and require he do all work on my car.

Couldn't be happier, he even has let me sit with him while the car is being worked on.

If you want his name, let me know and I'll find out.

 

Bay Mazda in Belleville is the place to go, They guys area awesome, All you have to do in mention that your car is having problems staring and you'll have a new starter in no time!