I just got a letter from Mazda saying they wanted to use my car in some emission testing program. The letter went on to say that they would give me a loaner, fill my tank with gas, wash the car and pay me $$$$ for the use of my car. Didn't say how long they were going to keep it, how much $$$$ they were going to pay or what kind of loaner I was going to get.

I don't think I want anybody "testing" my car, even Mazda. What do you think, anybody else get a letter like this

 

I would first call Mazda USA to make sure this is not some kind of scam to steal your car. You would think they have a fleet of test cars running around the USA driven by employees. why would they need yours? But if legit I would hold out for some MazdaSpeed Parts.

 

i'd hit it....

maybe get hooked up in the process.. get a job at mazda r&d

w00t

 

"Scam" was definitely the first thing I thought when I read this story...

 

More details.....the letter is on a very authentic looking letterhead with Mazda North American Operations on the top. Signed by a guy named Rick Hendricks who is supposed to be working for Environmental & Saftey Engineering for Mazda NA Operations. It has a local( to me) address and phone number. On the sheet they want returned it asks the year, model, trans. type and odo reading of my car. It has my correct name and address on it along with the correct VIN for my RX8. Never thought of a scam....guess I'll give the phone number a try in the morning.....

 

i think that info is easy to obtain... better check it out and make sure its not scam

 

If they had your VIN, why would they need all of the other information? I'd be VERY careful w/ this one. Please keep us posted.

 

I think others have recieved this letter and request. Seems to me, that I read about this last spring.

 

Here it that thread:
https://www.rx8club.com/mw-rx-8-forum-31/anyone-want-let-mazda-borrow-their-rx8-58553/

 

You should go for it. I participated in this project with my Mazda3. They are going to test your emissions. On mine they actually wanted to send the cat back to Japan for analysis. So I let them take the cat off. They put a new cat in, replaced all 3 O2 sensors with new ones, washed it and filled it up. Plus they paid me $100 bucks. They gave me a Mazda 6 to drive with a full tank then said bring it back dry. Plus it was fun to do.

 

Sounds like it might be for real, but I would still double-check it. It is certainly *possible* that someone could have heard of the real project and based a scam off of it.

Assuming its for real, I would do it if and only if the loaner car they gave me was a Miata. That's the only thing aside from the 8 that I'd be interested in spending any time with (and if I'm gonna drive an 8, I'd rather drive my own). But that's just me.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

The EPA does "in use testing" to make sure the manufactures are complying to the law. They pick cars somewhat at random (mileage & other factors). So Mazda & all manufactures do the same thing so if there is a problem with a car the EPA tests they have other data and can discuss the issues with the EPA. As long as the request came from Mazda, don't worry. All they do is put the car on a dyno and follow a driving pattern - LA4 - that simulates a drive to work.