Termite

Well,

I've been a happy RX8 owner since 17/1/04. Had great fun in the car from day 1.

However, after doing the ProDrive test day, and stopping from 70-0 and having the car stop DEAD at this time, then having a 4hr trip with my car on the back of a flat bed *sniff* its gotten worse.

The garage looked at the car and said there were no problems with it, so I went and picked it up (my car was sounding really really bad and wouldn't start when it failed). But she started and off I went, however. . it felt like she was missing some power.

I booked her back in to be told the "catalytic converter was shot to pieces and will be replaced" I pointed out that since the problem she wasn't starting properly either. They agreed to change plugs. Now from day 1 I've had the starting problems, but it was bearable. So they call me up again saying that she still won't start properly. Well 2 weeks, 2 compression tests and a multitude of other tests I've been told that Mazda have now agreed to replace the engine!!!

Now has anyone else experienced this? For a car less than 3 months old, with only 3700 miles on the clock to need a new engine is a little disheartening. Mazda are now replacing it and I have a hire car from Mazda while its in the garage, but I expect to be without the car for 4 weeks in total. So a 1/3 of the time I've owned the car its been in the garage .

Is it worth complaining to Mazda about this? Reckon that I should expect something for the inconvinience?

Termite

IKnowNot'ing

Hi Termite,

Considering you went to the track with it, you should consider yourself happy that they agreed to do all that work under warranty. And they ofering an engine swap, which is the maximum they can do, so why complain?
Now , what exactly happened when the engine stopped dead? Did you lock the rear wheels?
A damaged catalyst can explain the power loss you felt.
Let us know,

IKN

Termite

Ahh forgot to say that this was the Mazda sponsored day to "show you what the car is like" type day

Yes the ABS kicked in, as it was to demonstrate the stopping distance of the RX8. This is done by accelerating to 70mph then "pushing down on the clutch and brakes as hard as you can"

The clutch was down when the engine stalled. From what I've gathered it was due to an oil surge.

Being a mazda sponsored day, with mazda sponsored people telling me what to do and IN the car with me. . .my attitude is that it will definately be fixed under warrenty no arguments

Its still worrying though about the whole thing I mean if hardly any engines go pop, this means that it will probably be the first RX8 engine transfer the guys in the garage have done. . .which means this could just result in problem after problem

Termite

RotorManiac

I agree. You should be thankful for that. A new engine is the best for you, since the engine was the problem of your car. You don't get any handling problems (suspension, brakes) or electronics failing, do you?

Its annoying having your car in garage so long, I sucks but it happens some times... just be patient

IKnowNot'ing

Indeed. Please, forget my initial comment!