Do you guys know when we get a free courtesy car to drive? If we need warranty work (not recall) done on our vehicle and it takes longer than one day, would we get a free courtesy car?

The reason that I ask is because my car's heater's broken. It can either be really hot, or really cold. Nothing in between. Makes driving kinda annoying, 'cause it's a little too cold to open the windows now.

Anyways, brought my car into Signature Mazda. They said that if they have to order parts, it'll be from Toronto, and it'll take more than one day. So then I asked about a free courtesy car, and he said that they don't provide it. Mazda won't provide it.

Is this true? Does my car have to be absolutely not drivable for them to give me a free courtesy car? Or would they not give me one even then?

I know my mom took her Volvo in one time to get the radio fixed... and they gave her a courtesy car... Do you guys know what the rules are?

 

I always got a courtesy car when my car stayed over night.

 

Mazda dealerships are pretty bad with loaner cars it seems. All kinds of excuses about Mazda Canada not footing the bill, etc. Back when I had an Acura, they offered loaner cars no question asked. Mind you they were used to having cars stay overnight since the TL transmissions were blowing up left and right.

 

From my experience with mazda dealer they never give you a loaner if you want one they go half and half with you but i never got a loaner for free. Even when on my protege mazdaspeed they had to change the turbo they din't give me a loaner. I know that acura has a policy were if a repair take more then a certain hours i think it something like 3 they will give you a free loaner.

 

I have experienced the same problem with Mazda dealers in my area, they offer only a courtesy 'ride' to where ever u need. They will not give out loaner cars.

My last car was a 2003 Nissan Maxima, and I would usually get courtesy cars for it.

However, it is more of a dealer problem than Mazda's fault.

 

Well, ultimately it is Mazda Canada's responsibility to set a policy on loaner cars and incentivize their dealership franchisees to stick to it. Honda/Acura (like most luxury brands) understand that providing loaner cars is the cost of doing business in the $40k+ segment. Unfortunately for us Mazda Canada don't really see themselves as a luxury brand and don't know how to match the expectation of owners who shelled out $40k+ for a car. This will continue to bite them in the *** as they move up-market with the CX-9.

 

Well. Thanks for your input. My car did have to stay overnight.

The service manager phoned and said, "What are the chances you would be able to leave your car here overnight."

Then I replied, "Good, if you can give a courtesy car."

Then he said he'll arrange it for me. I guess he caved in? Are they stumped one what's wrong with my heater? Anyways, they just rented a car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car for me. Chevy Optra....

 

There was two instances where my car needed to stay overnight. Once for recall stuff, no rent-a-racer. The second time they messed up on some warranty stuff and offered a rent-a-car for me to drive (very hard I might add). I got an Impala, real sloppy car if you ask me.

 

Took my 8 to dealer just before Christmas for a cel. Dealer checked it out and said I needed a new intake manifold and they had to order parts. Confirmed it was ok to drive with cel on. Parts came in just after Christmas and when they called said repair would be a couple of days. Told them I was on vacation so needed a loaner. They agreed no problem. Gave me a new Mazda 5 off the lot. Turned out it needed more work than originally thought - new injectors and new heat sensor. They had it for about 3 weeks figuring all that out and ordering the additional parts. Had the loaner for the full 3 weeks at no charge. IMOP great service from North Hill Mazda. However wouldn't have a Mazda 5 if they gave it to me

 

I think it all depends on the dealer, and IMHO we have to ask them for it most times. Can you imagine the cars these people would go through in a day if we all took a courtesy car? The lot would be empty (LOL). If its in for more than a few days, they should be giving us one.. but I would expect that we should ask.. there's no way they'll ask us!
I have not had my Mazda in for a repair yet. Our Nisssan hasnt been in for anything beyond a few hours. My old Chev was in many times, once for a whole MONTH.. and they gave me a car for the entire month even after I told them of my 80km each way commute... newer than mine, not as nice, but hey.. I had a way to get home, and get back to work and they never complained about the mileage (4000km that one month.. yikes!)

 

FYI - I had the same problem last winter with my heater. They replaced the heating unit in a day (guess the part was readily available here in the GTA).

Good luck with your repair.....should be fine once the dealer has the right part.

 

You have to push them to get a loaner car. Usually they don't have many at the dealership so they would have to send you to Enterprise to get a rental.

If my car stays over night I know get a loaner everytime...usually the CX7 but only because of all the problems I've had. As soon as they see me walk in they don;t ask any questions and just start filling out the paper work for the loaner.

 

an acura is considerd an upscale car believe it or not. you only see loaner cars @ high end places BMW,LEXUS,INFINITY ETC

 

Thanks for all your input, guys. Like I said, I did end up getting a loaner car, so I'm happy with that.

And yeah, Chad, you were right. just a heating unit thing. And i guess they do have the part, 'cause it was ready this morning. I guess they just ran out of time last night with all the cars they had there?

I also got them to check on some lights of mine. I think three of them went out. One of my non-xenon headlights, one fog light, and a side marker light. To my surprise, all three were replaced under warranty!? I thought things like lightbulb were considered wear and tear like brake pads and wouldn't be covered under warranty. So, anyways, i'm really happy that i walked out without paying for anything.

 

Any of the dealerships in the Auto Mall are going to get lynched by the mob of low-rate rental places that line the place specifically if someone needs a loaner. Ask the salesperson who sold you the car if they can help you out. Overnight warranty work seems a reasonable reason for the dealership to provide a goodwill gesture like a loaner.

 

yea it all depends on the dealership... I went to Northshore Morrey Mazda and they've given me a mazda protege the first 2 times I brought it in for an oil change but back then RX8s were new so they were trying to get on good terms with the buyers. I assume now that they've been selling them for a while, they don't need to give as much I guess... but Morrey always gives me a ride to anywhere I want in vancouver and back even for an oil change.
In your case, I'd get the dealership to order the part first and let you drive the car while they wait for it and then bring it in so they can install it hopefully within a day!

 

My heater seems to be on the fritz too. For one, it takes awhile to get hot, more so than last year but this winter has been colder and I'm parking in a driveway vs a garage. But worse is once it gets toasty I try to turn it down a bit and it seems to do nothing at like 9 then 8 then all of a sudden at 7 it goes ice colds (keep in mind 7, 6 are clearly in the Red on the dial with 5 sort of being the divider). So then I go to bump it back up and it stays ice cold unless I turn it all the way to 10 (max heat). Then it gets hot again. Repeat. Try to turn it down a bit... ICE cold... turn it up incrementally and nothing until I get to 10. VERY frustrating. This sound like the same problem as those of you who had their heaters replaced?

Oh ya, and to stay on topic. The Mazda dealer on Dundas in Mississauga and the one in London both have only ever offered a courtesy drop off/pickup except the one time for recall work. Including overnight stays. I sort of thought all dealers were moving towards "Courtesy Vans". You see them everywhere...

 

Yup. That's the same problem I had. Except the temperature change is not at the same spot, but same idea.