canzoomer

I am not cynical. I am honest. I expect others to be as well.
Anyway, my problem is now officially solved.
I just put a deposit on an Audi TT Turbo.
19,000km.
It has 19 months of original warranty on it ( Audi warranty includes oil changes, tires, wipers, brakes, all service items and costs).
I paid to extend that warranty by two years, so I am getting 43 months in total.
My cost, out the door, all taxes and costs in is exactly what I will get back from Mazda.

It has all the same toys, gizmos and features as the RX-8.
They are throwing in 16" winter steel wheels and winter tires, new. It DOES come with a BLOCK HEATER.
It comes with the 3M vinyl already applied to the whole nose.
This is something I was going to do to my 8, at a cost of around $600

What I am giving up: Useful rear seats.

What I gain in return:
4 wheel drive Quattro
Better performance. 1.8 litre turbo, 225HP, 207 ft/lbs of torque.
Winter driving capability.
At least 30% better gas mileage.
That should save me about $500 a year, or $1,500 over the 4 years I intended to own my 8.
Rear seats that are split, fold-down, so I can carry some stuff.
The "free service" that Mazda offered, but included as standat\rd warranty.
The Aluminum gas cap cover I was going to buy.
Integrity

And yes, I DO believe that Mazda is intentionally trying to screw us.
Why else would they pull this same **** two times in 3 years?

So, I am getting the best of both deals, the money back, thte free service, and a better sports car. This is called doing something about the problem.

If enough people did this, then Mazda would not be so eager to try it again.

Enough bitching from me folks!
Have fun with your 8's, those of you that keep them..

f1michel

You say "So, I am getting the best of both deals, the money back, thte free service, and a better sports car. This is called doing something about the problem."

Well that's in YOUR opinion. I, personally don't care for the TT in any shape or form. Never liked the look of it. I don't think it's "a better sports car", just one you maybe always wanted?

So, if you are happy to drive it then everything works out great for you. I just wish Audi Canada good luck because i'm pretty sure they haven't heard the last of you.

This is not a flaming but from what i read you sound like you are basically impossible to satisfy.

good luck.

Gord96BRG

Speaking of reading the fine print - better double check that Audi warranty. Tires are not included in the free maintenance. (I own a 2002 Audi allroad 2.7T)

Quote:

So, I am getting the best of both deals, the money back, thte free service, and a better sports car. This is called doing something about the problem.

I will gladly debate the "better sports car" claim for the Audi TT over the RX-8, but that doesn't detract from the TT being a fine car. I hope you enjoy it and are happy with it.

Regards,
Gordon

PS - it's got the same engine as in the Golf 1.8T that beat you yesterday, just you've got more (stock) boost.

canzoomer

You are right, I misread it.
It does include wipers, brakepads, etc., but not tires.

That is fair comment. It is certainly subject to debate.
Skid pad numbers i have read are similar, power is higher, suspension characteristics are quite a bit different.
I took it for a test drive and to ive the salesman credit, he diod not wt himslef when I turned off the traction control and did some 4 wheel drifts.
It feels like about the same level of stiction as the RX-8 by my butt dyno.

On smooth pavement it is certainly a close call. On rough stuff the Quattro certainly will give it the edge.

Power to weight and power it wins hands down. The dyno charts on this model/year I have found show that Audi's claims are pretty darned conservative. Just a cursory check so far, but it appears to put down around 205 to 210 to the wheels. Considering they rate it at 225 at the engine, at least they are more conservative with their claims.
Also, if power is the issue the cure is cheap and easy. I have found 4 companies so far that have plug-in replacement ECUs that perk up the HP and torque and redline quite a bit. Claims are in the 40+HP range for gains for around $600.
Even if they are 50% optimistic, it still ends up in 350Z territory for horsepower, and not that far off for torque. Stock it has about 70% more torque than the RX-8.
Drove it today, and I can testify that it would walk all over my RX-8 for power.
You are quite right. I do have to admit that thought crossed my mind today.. <grin> And these engines have developed a rep for being bulletproof. BTW, i read that the version in the TT is equipped with bigger main bearings and forged rods, to make it safe to boost to the power it has.

Big difference for me, more than almost anything else is the winter driving capabilities.
With the revelation about the block heater, and the trials and tribulations about winter wheels and tires, this was the big deciding factor.
Heck, the dealer even threw in some 16" steel winter wheels for me.

canzoomer

Fair comment. I really hate to sell it. It feels really good at most things, and is quite comfortable.
But getting my *** kicked by a VW is painful.
And knowing htat winter driving is questionable pretty well clinched it.

I would have kept the car and been basically happy if they had not lied.

I just can not tolerate that kind of behaviour.