Need help/advise from the VA RX8ers with 30k service
 

hello guys,

new here. have an 2004 RX8. It's coming up on the 30k miles (yup, don't drive it that much) and is wondering which dealership I should take it to? i know stealerships charge an arm and a leg for these services but anyone has suggestions on where I should take it to (which dealership in VA) and how much is a fair price to pay for this service?

I was thinking about taking it to a shop to do the same service (probably cost less) but since RX8 isn't the normal Honda/Toyota, i want to make sure the tech who works on my car knows what he is doing.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and happy to join the RX family!

thank..

try Rosenthal Mazda in Arlington,VA.

I took mine there for the service and actually they did what it was needed, not the whole thing as the 30K service indicates. Meaninig,in my case I had replaced the air filter, the coolant at 24K so it was just unnecessary to do that when it was recently done.

And everything came up to be about $200 instead of the $500 they were talking about.

If you want the name of the person I see when I take it down there, send a pm and I give it to you.

Hope this helps and give you a better idea.

Oh, one question

Do you have a navigation system ??

thanks for the suggestion. i'll def. call around and see how much it is to do the 30k mile service. i was just thinking that is it necessary to do it or I can most of the service done at a local shop? anyone has some suggestions on that?

btw, my car don't have Navi.

thanks

let's see, for 30,000 miles service, I believe the owner's manual lists these:

oil/filter change
air filter replacement
spark plug replacement
transmission fluid replacement
differential fluid replacement

and a general visual inspection of belts and hoses

I would also do a coolant flush/replacement, but IIRC Mazda factory coolant is the 'long life' type and can last to 60,000 miles, so that could be an optional thing that you can do at a later time.

EDIT: i just noticed you have a 2004, 4 years is a long time for coolant to be sitting in the car, you should have the coolant flushed and changed as well.

I would estimate the dealership will charge you around $500-600 to have all those things done, quite a bit of money there.

and personally, if you're in the northern VA area, if money allows you, i'd take it to a local mazda dealership such as Rosenthal Arlington to get the service done, unless you KNOW a good local shop that have smart technicians that can work on all makes and models.

thanks for the suggestion. It looks like there are a few things that should be done at 30k , and i know it isn't cheap no matter where you take it to for this type of service. however, 500 to 600 is quite steep just for this kind of service.

What does everyone pay for such service? any advise on what i should do or how much i should pay that is "fair"??

thanks

like I said I only paid around $250

but they didn't do coolant and air filter.

BTW, they also did all fluids engine. tranny and differential.

Get them to itemize the service ahead of time then decide what components you want done. The extra costs are dealer added services like a radiator flush and intake cleaning.