Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

No it hasn't been to long. And I would look to see who has the biggest ad in the Yellow Pages. Don't let them get away with this.

Bastage

iTrader: (1)

Sorry about your car man.

Definitely get a lawsuit going. Don't even talk to the dealer since you've tried that and got the cold shoulder. Get a lawyer, have them talk to your insurance company, and sue the crap out of that dealership. You could have died, and you lost your car; they at least owe you a brand new one.

Myriad

iTrader: (2)

Please sue these guys...your car lit on fire on the highway ffs.

Good luck, and sorry about your baby, but at least you're ok (it could have been much worse)

Socket7

never a bad idea to write a letter to the attorney general.

Tekne3k

Wait isn't this the 2nd car it happens to on this forum? There's a gray RX8 that got his engine changed by the dealer and the same thing happened
I just bought his doors :S

First off Yes your insurance will cover the whole thing, but that is not good in your favor because it will show you as responsible and will haunt you with higher insurance rates for a very long time




Here's what you do, first get a written statement from your insurance with the details of the inspection.

Second if they sold you the car get their warranty papers and also get the repair warranty paper.

Third if you have the contact of the drivers who helped you that would also be useful just in case the dealer tries to use the "was racing/not using the car properly before the event" line. So they could prove that you were driving normally

Take all this and go see a lawyer and sue their ***, you will get a new car + money for alternate transport, days that you had to miss work, troubles cause, hell even mental stress

User24

iTrader: (1)

Good contribution, and one of the more positive things to happen on rx8clubs. I don't mean rx8 catching fire, of course, but something to be wary of so we know the hazards, and who did it.

Like the famous actor said, in the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious 3: Rx7 Tokyo Drift, playing an rx8 driver talking to his local dealership, "One of us is in deep trouble!"

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

fight The Hell Out Of This!

Musker

Dude, this is your case, quite honestly. You just need to step up! =]

Deathwatch

I'd SUE their *** !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Consumers should not have to pay for dealers mistakes, thats un american.

Deathwatch

SHOULD TEAM UP AND DO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. CONTACT MAZDA AT THE CORPRATE LEVEL. THEY CLAIM THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS.

Deathwatch

DON'T FORGET TO KEEP RECORDS, DATES AND TIMES WHEN YOU HAD CONTACT THE DEALER.

CyberPitz

Don't skimp on a lawyer either. You don't wanna lose because the guy doesn't care enough! *thought it will be hard to lose*

RK

iTrader: (1)

Easy on the caps lock, dude. Mazda's product is absolutely not at fault here. However he should continue to contact Mazda and push them to deauthorize this dealer's service department.

And he should definitely get an attorney and sue the dealership. They performed a service so badly that it caused his car to catch fire with him in it. The only way this is a more sure-fire case in a jury trial would be if there was pictures of a burned baby seat in the back.

simplyphp

Give me a pic of the back seat and I can photoshop...

Machiavelli

This is true. It called "subrogation," and your insurance policy gives them the right to "step into your shoes" and recoup what they paid you from an at fault party. Often they will let you know they are doing this, because if they don't and proceed independently they might prejudice (screw up) your individual claim. If you got fair market value for your car there may not be much else you're entitled to, but it's certainly worth looking into. You should at a minimum be able to recover any un-reimbursed out of pockets.

Start by contacting your State Farm claims rep and ask if they intend to "pursue subrogation" against the dealer. If so, ask what new claims rep and/or lawyer they are sending it to. Some insurance companies are very aggressive in pursuing subro, while others are not. You should be able to piggy back on their suit as to a deductible (if any), but you may need to get your own lawyer to pursue anything above and beyond this. You'll want to coordinate with each other so as to not prejudice each other's claims.

Lastly, be aware that the dealership is likely to be insured as well and many insurance companies have inter-company arbitration agreements with each other that let them resolve these matters informally. Ask State Farm about this as well and make sure they don't inadvertently waive any rights you might have. Find out the name of the dealer's insurance company (State Farm may already know this) and file a claim. Someone there will at least pay attention to you, as opposed to at the dealership where their tactic will be to blow you off in the hope you will go away quietly. Blowing up customers' cars isn't good for your insurance premiums.

devildog1679

Definitely talk to a lawyer, the dealerships possible negligence almost cost you your life, and more importantly it destroyed your car. I think you are coming down with a phobia to drive in cars (hint hint). Take them to court, try to ruin their reputation, **** I would even picket outside their dealerships warning people. They will settle in the end.

Socket7

www.consumerist.com might also be interested in your story of nearly being killed by a dealership too.

EdwardsB

I am not a big go get a lawyer person at all, don't really care for them. After the dealer blew you off like that I would def go after them, they could have killed you and they offered no help. Do not use your insurance because you will get screwed over in the end with higher rates, the dealer is responsible. Glad to hear you were not injured and sorry to hear about your car.

deathwatch,

this is not something to go after corporate mazda for. they do stand behind their products (8 year 100k warranty), but this is on the dealers end. However you should keep going to mazda to put pressure on this dealer.

ALSO, if you do go legal I would delete this thread or at least all posts that talk about you installing the coils. Even tho they could not cause the fire it is still something if the dealer finds out he will really try to push against you.

CyberPitz

I'm sorry, this just stood out to me.

Bastage

iTrader: (1)

Definitely try to get the local news involved. Pictures of a burned up sports car will get media attention. If that doesn't make the dealership more open to listening to you, then I don't know what will. They screwed up big time, and they're not taking responsibility for their mistake. They deserve whatever negative publicity they get.

What if you had a disability and it took you longer to get out of the car? I don't think they realize how bad this looks. Definitely take them to task over it.

Davey's RX-8

iTrader: (1)

Dude, I already posted on this. Have the State of California deal with these guys first. http://www.bar.ca.gov/01_ConsumerAct...nts/index.html

I was having a problem with Hine Mazda on warranty for my clogged and burned cat and their claiming my RB intake and non-OEM plugs and wires were responsible. General Manager wouldn't help and MNAO wouldn't listen and my rep all but admitted it was BS. The rep from the state called the shop to let them know I had started a grievance process. Next day my service rep called to let me know Mazda was going to replace the cat under warranty.

Davey's RX-8

iTrader: (1)

Not for fire damage it won't. Theft or vandalism it will but not for fire. I had a fire claim on my RX-8 earlier this year to the tune of $12k in interior wiring and my second renewal since then has come with no increase in premium. Also, if you ask for a rate quote online for any carrier, when they ask for incidents, fire isn't listed.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all the replys. My insurance did not contact Galpin at all. As soon as they found out that I worked on the car after I got it back from the dealer they determined that it wasn't worth the effort.

In fact, my service writer called me 3 weeks ago and left a voicemail asking how the engine is running. So clearly, no body at the dealer even knows. I haven't returned her call. I only called Galpin the first and second day after the fire.

State Farm paid me fair market value for the car and says that it will not affect my rates. My deductable was $100.

Does anyone have recommendations of a good lawyer?

Icemark

why bother now???

They paid you what your car is worth, you will be hard pressed to get any sort of reimbursement for pain and suffering/out of pocket expenses.

At best you can hope to recover the $100... but frankly the lawyers fees will eat that up.

Walk away with the situation being chalked up to a learning experience. I would probably call the service writer back and tell her what a dumbshit mechanic she has, and that you lost your car due to his negligence... maybe they will cut you a good deal on a new car... just stay away from their service department.

And you should probably re-do your signature... Mazda didn't blow up your car... Galpin's lame *** mechanics did.

Icemark

John Hine Mazda's service department is one of the worst in California for 20+ years.

Last time I took a car to them was in the early 90's, when the back up light switch failed on my RX-7. Car was under warranty so I took it in... the mechanic said I needed a new battery and then proceeded to close the hood with his wrench still under it. Had a nice wrench shape pressed up into the hood in the middle of it.

Then their body shop fixed it, but killed the battery playing Mexican radio stations... then I really did need a new battery as well as a back up light switch as well has had to put back all my radio presets.