Hi,

I recently purchased a used 2004 rx8 6mt base model with the performance package. The car car faxed clean with no issues or accidents reported. It only had 8800 miles and I paid $14,599.00 which is a pretty good deal for a car with only mild scratches. Its still under its bumper to bumper for another year and a half and its power train was extended like most of the 04s.

I just took it to the dealer for some warranty issues. I had them check on a rough idle and power loss etc. In there inspection of the car they found that the AC condenser was crushed in and the car had "been in an accident". My undertray was cracked (not badly) when I bought the car. The car doesn't appear to have had any body work done. Is it possible that damage like this could result from just running something over? Should I make the dealer buy my car back?

Also, there is a vaccum leak issue. The intake pipe was improperly repaired with tape and the dealer is saying they won't fix the pipe under warranty because of that. Is that BS?

Thanks for the help, I'm pretty pissed off right now so any advice would be welcome.

Thank You

 

Yes, running into something like a curb stop could cause that kind of damage.
The Dealer doesn't have to fix someone else hack repair job unless you can prove another Mazda dealer did the tape job.
Be nice and you might get some of the issues fixed. The dealer will not be paid by Mazda to fix the damage to the condenser so your people skills will have to be used to work out some deal.

 

It doesn't take much to crunch the condenser.
I took a rock through mine earlier this year.
It was about 750 to replace and recharge.

 

a possum or squirrel took mine out earlier this year despite the RB screens. There was no damage to the bumper, but the undercarriage was toast. sounds like something similar happened to you. my comprehensive insurance covered it.

 

It happened to the previous owner. It looks like he/she ran over something like a stump or some protrusion in the road. I went to the dealer and looked at the car on the lift. The condensor is bent up from the bottom. The radiator is fine surprisingly. Its not leaking from the AC yet and I have used it and it works so hopefully I got lucky. None of the suspension or subframe components look damaged and as far as the body shop techs could tell only the lower facia had been replaced. So it looks like not really a big deal. I am going to keep it and not do a buy back.

The other issue is that the Intake connector tube (N3H1-12-221D) is cracked and leaking. The previous owner attempted to tape and silicone the leak. This voided the replacement warranty on the intake tube. My local stealership wants 288.71 for the part, shipping and installation. Should I just switch to an aftermarket intake?? Thoughts?