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Old 02-23-2005, 09:31 PM
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The 8 is back
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Horror Story

Today was one of those days that you wish you could redo over. I drove into Vacaville mazda for a quick oil change with no appointment. Handed the keys over and checked to find out how long it should take. I thought about 30 min max from the time they pull it in. yeah sure, ended up taking about an hour and 20 to get my car back. While I was waiting the service manager said the tech was taking it on a test drive but it was taking a little long and he had to call him on his cell phone to find out where he was. bla bla bla the tech says he is on his way back and the car is pulls to the right. Sure! I never noticed that. Anyways I get in my car start driving out of the lot to look at my odometer reading 12 miles have been driven since I pulled it in . I thought 12 miles is pretty damn far for an oil change test drive. I made a U and ran back in side to question how his test drive was 12 miles. Service guy goes back and checks with the guy and the guy gives him the story about about how his route is 12 miles. There is no way that route is 12 miles. Anyways I say ok and then I am pretty mad by this time so I get home call up mazda again and ask them to refund my oil change that I just paid for. They did no problem. I end up taking the car down the freeway to my local sponsor shop when I notice the car is riding really rough in the rear on the way there. I look down to see that my EDFC settings are changed. WOW! this guy was having a great time. As I pull into my sponsor shop I quickly get out to check out why it is riding so hard. Turns out a flat tire in the rear. Can you believe that!!!! I have never once heard of a worse Joy/test drive story than this. I call up mazda more pissed off now, They say they are sending out a tech to pick up the wheel and repair the flat. I wait. Guess who shows up, The same guy that test drove the car!Since I think about the future before I do things I didn't talk ****. I let him say his side of the story which is hardly believable so that he could take my wheel and get it fixed. Turns out my 19 inch Tire needs to be shipped over night and they needed to give me a spare. I will be doing all the oil changes and work on the vehicle my self now and I recommend everyone to do the same so you don't end up like me. So as you can see in the picture below the 8 is on temporary injury status. But we are still coming to LA for HIN check it out back to its normal self on March 5th
Attached Thumbnails Horror Story-spare.jpg  
Old 02-23-2005, 09:44 PM
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WTF???? OMG???

Unacceptable. Call Mazda H.O. and complain and demand they give you 2 new tires to match. Check you rim carefully as well. In some way, I think what they did is stealing or illegal joy riding or something to that effect. They don't need to test drive a car for an oil change. All they have to do is check the level. Period.

No way I would let them get away with that. Tell them that you are going to the local paper or the better business bureau or some other media to let everyone know what this crooked dealership is doing and abuses car that come in for maintenance.

If you accept a flat tire fix you've basically accept the risks associated with that tire blowing under stress and the associated consequences. At the very least, have them write down on the bill what they have done and why.

As it is right now, you are running a high risk with your car on a spare. Don't drive it. Its for emergencies only when you have no other choice. Make them give you a loaner with 4 good wheels/tires. Even the thought that they expect you to drive on a spare tire/rim enforces the fact that they don't know what they are doing and are putting you at risk of an accident.
Old 02-23-2005, 09:44 PM
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Funny. I just took my 8 to Jay Marks mazda in Houston for an oil change. Tech took the keys and drove around to the garage, I sat in the lobby with a few other customers and watched tv. About 30 minutes later I hear a deep growl from the back of the lobby outside and it is unmistakeably the growl of an 8 with a Greddy exhaust. So excited that I hear a fellow enthusiest, I race outside to see who else has an 8 with the Greddy installed and low and behold, its winning blue just like mine. A group of techs are kneeling down looking under the car, one driving, and another in the passenger side. As I get closer, the driver is continually gunning the engine, and my 8 screams its song. As I get near, everyone looks at me like "Hey, your not supposed to be back here"
My first words are "You guys work at a Mazda delaership, do you not see RX8's enough on a daily basis that you have to play with mine?"
The techs couldnt argue my point, so they all jut compliment me on a clean 8 and a "Bad ***" exhaust in their words. I took the keys from the tech, drove it back around to the front and told the guy behind the counter.
"I am paying for the oil change, thats not a problem, but after the fiasco back there you lost me as a customer." After this I explained the story and drove off. I mean no harm was done to my car, but I am VERY picky about who plays with my toys, and after 14 months of ownership, I am YET to even let anyone take it for a drive. And only my wife and kids have ever even been for a ride in it. I have no problem with the enthusiasm that the 8 generates(apparentky even amoung those that see them everyday) but I do have a problem with people who touch, stand too closely too, or even look at my 8 the wrong way!!!
Old 02-23-2005, 09:57 PM
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Angry

Well to clarify a little. I have already spoken with Mazda and they are taking care of the issue with that dealership.

The service manager notified me not to drive on the spare and just to use it to get home. I don't hold him or the Service rep responsible because they did not know this guy would joy ride like that. But I do find it insane that they would send the same guy that test drove the car to help me with the flat.


They are purchasing me a brand new 19 inch tire which will be coming tomorrow. In the mean time I am going to get a loaner car tomorrow since they did not even offer me one today.




Originally Posted by Shamblerock
WTF???? OMG???

Unacceptable. Call Mazda H.O. and complain and demand they give you 2 new tires to match. Check you rim carefully as well. In some way, I think what they did is stealing or illegal joy riding or something to that effect. They don't need to test drive a car for an oil change. All they have to do is check the level. Period.

No way I would let them get away with that. Tell them that you are going to the local paper or the better business bureau or some other media to let everyone know what this crooked dealership is doing and abuses car that come in for maintenance.

If you accept a flat tire fix you've basically accept the risks associated with that tire blowing under stress and the associated consequences. At the very least, have them write down on the bill what they have done and why.

As it is right now, you are running a high risk with your car on a spare. Don't drive it. Its for emergencies only when you have no other choice. Make them give you a loaner with 4 good wheels/tires. Even the thought that they expect you to drive on a spare tire/rim enforces the fact that they don't know what they are doing and are putting you at risk of an accident.
Old 02-23-2005, 10:05 PM
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I do my own oil changes from now on also. First one in, 18 miles driven. Did not get the filter on right and leaked oil everywhere. Took over a week to get it to stop leaking excess oil that they didn't clean up properly. Once I noticed the 18 miles driven I went back and made them put gas in it. I am sure they take cars and abuse the hell out of them and try to pass it off as testing the vehicle. Like someone posted, there is no need to drive the car after a oil change. Check the level and leaks letting the car idle. Bunch of fools.
Old 02-23-2005, 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by theCATALYST
Funny. I just took my 8 to Jay Marks mazda in Houston for an oil change. Tech took the keys and drove around to the garage, I sat in the lobby with a few other customers and watched tv. About 30 minutes later I hear a deep growl from the back of the lobby outside and it is unmistakeably the growl of an 8 with a Greddy exhaust. So excited that I hear a fellow enthusiest, I race outside to see who else has an 8 with the Greddy installed and low and behold, its winning blue just like mine. A group of techs are kneeling down looking under the car, one driving, and another in the passenger side. As I get closer, the driver is continually gunning the engine, and my 8 screams its song. As I get near, everyone looks at me like "Hey, your not supposed to be back here"
My first words are "You guys work at a Mazda delaership, do you not see RX8's enough on a daily basis that you have to play with mine?"
The techs couldnt argue my point, so they all jut compliment me on a clean 8 and a "Bad ***" exhaust in their words. I took the keys from the tech, drove it back around to the front and told the guy behind the counter.
"I am paying for the oil change, thats not a problem, but after the fiasco back there you lost me as a customer." After this I explained the story and drove off. I mean no harm was done to my car, but I am VERY picky about who plays with my toys, and after 14 months of ownership, I am YET to even let anyone take it for a drive. And only my wife and kids have ever even been for a ride in it. I have no problem with the enthusiasm that the 8 generates(apparentky even amoung those that see them everyday) but I do have a problem with people who touch, stand too closely too, or even look at my 8 the wrong way!!!
Maybe you're being a little hard on these working guys. I'd be flattered that they seemed impressed by the work I'd done on my car. I don't see that any harm was done.
Old 02-23-2005, 10:52 PM
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High reving your car, and screwing around with it is considered Flattery? Let me flatter you by test driving your car like that then... Everyone, call r2s2 and flatter him by gunning his engine non stop and see how far the Renesis can take it.
Old 02-23-2005, 11:08 PM
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I had some curiosity problems with mine when I took it in the first time with the midpipe and exaust. I made it very clear that they were not to test drive it without me there, that they were not to wash it uner any circumstances...and that I wouldn't tolerate any BS addons to my bill. Since that day, they have been really nice to me. They know I am serious about my car. It also helps when I take them donuts :D
Old 02-23-2005, 11:23 PM
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....I give. What's a EDFC? ....do all *8's have them? Is yours special...I mean did you order it or did it come with the car? ...or some thing that's been handed down in the family or something?
Old 02-23-2005, 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by r2s2
Maybe you're being a little hard on these working guys. I'd be flattered that they seemed impressed by the work I'd done on my car. I don't see that any harm was done.
I dont think I was hard on them in the least bit. I paid for my oil change, I didnt try to get the techs into any trouble, I just simply let the service manager know that I didnt appreciate the treatment of my 8, and didnt think that their behavior was professional.

On another note, I can appreciate enthusiasm over my car or any car, but they crossed the line when they attempted to jump my *** for being back there. I think that is what really burned me up. To sum up the story, the techs had my car parked behind the shop and where playing with it, rather then driving back up front to me and talking about the exhaust to me. Maybe I was to hard, but I dont think so, I think I was a lot easier on them then some of the other members of rx8club would have been.
Old 02-23-2005, 11:58 PM
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If I remember correctly, the spare is supposed to be used on the front only. There is at least a 1 inch diameter difference between the spare and the stock tires. Enough to be a problem with the LSD. It's noted in the manual.

My car's sitting on the spare right now too.
Old 02-24-2005, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by wht05rx8
....I give. What's a EDFC? ....do all *8's have them? Is yours special...I mean did you order it or did it come with the car? ...or some thing that's been handed down in the family or something?
is a ride control system for suspension...lets you have a firmer ride when you want to ride it hard and a lighter ride for daily stuff...most suspension kits let you control this...but you have to do it manually and it is a pain...EDFC lets you control it from within the car and DAMN is it sweet...but damn expensive :D
Old 02-24-2005, 08:16 AM
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That is absurd!

I have never heard of anything resembline a "test drive" for an oil change. All that they need to do for an oil change is drive it into the garage, and then drive it back out.

Also, go post in the Good guy/Bad guy forum
Old 02-24-2005, 08:42 AM
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wow that would really really **** me off.. Now whenever i bring it in for an oil change i'm gonna watch them instead of the TV.

ShowandDrift: you have a nicely done up 8.. i would have strangled that little bastard, especially if he blew the tire and screwed up the rim.. but at least they're replacing it


MrJynx
Old 02-24-2005, 09:48 AM
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Gosh sorry to hear that, that's why I think I'm going to do ALL my oil changes...I just worry about stuff like this.
Old 02-24-2005, 10:25 AM
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This reminds me of Stangman96...

He worked as a Technician at a Ford dealer and was was bragging on a msg board about joy-riding in some 'dumb lady's' convertible 2003 Mustang SVT...turns out, she was ON the forums, and caught him.

He was fired...etc...etc...


Here's the only source I can find still online:


Joyriding Mechanic Busted via Internet (News)

By nstenz
Fri Sep 27th, 2002 at 04:07:54 PM EST

This week, a Ford service mechanic in San Antonio, TX posted a message admitting to something all car enthusiasts fear- taking a customer's car for a drive and treating it like it was his own personal race car. Unfortunately, this blatant disregard for other people's property happens a lot in today's world, but few offenders get caught. This one did, because he posted about it on the Internet.

In a September 20th post to the Mustang Message Board entitled "It Was Waaaaaaaaaay Cool", user stangman96 detailed his abuse (in all caps) of a customer's 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra convertible brought in for a lack of power and poor gas mileage:
... ME AND ANOTHER TECH TOOK IT OUT AND DROVE IT, DROVE HER HARD, 6 SPEED TRANNY, WE HIT 140 MPH REAL QUICK, TALK ABOUT POWER.
Worse yet, the customer specifically asked the service writer1 to make sure her car was not treated this way:
OH YEAH, SHE EVEN TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER TO MAKE SURE THAT NO "PUNK" DRIVES HER CAR, WELL SINCE I AM THE MUSTANG SPECIALIST HERE AT THE DEALER, I GUESS I AM "THE PUNK", ALL THE MORE TO DRIVE HER '03 COBRA VERT AND SEE WHAT ITS GOT..
When several other users on the message board pointed out how wrong these actions were, many more stepped up in defense of stangman96, saying anyone in his position would do the same thing. The thread quickly degenerated into a flame war between those who would respect other's property above all else, and those who felt owners of fast cars "owed" them a test drive.
Unfortunately for stangman96, the owner of the Cobra ended up reading his message and realized it was her car he was talking about. Five days after stangman96's initial post, she posted this message on SVTPerformance, asking what she should do. Word quickly spread to other car enthusiast boards, and also to tech sites like AnandTech and [H]ard|OCP. People were even popping in from home improvement boards, where other users had posted links to the unfolding saga. Many loyal owners of competing car brands have put their support behind Tracy (the owner), and have promised to do whatever they can to make things right between her and the dealership.

The dealer, Northside Ford, fired the mechanic shortly after being informed of the problem. However, they have refused to offer Tracy any compensation for possible damage done to the internal components of her engine. The car was very new and supposedly not completely broken-in, so the effects of the abuse the car took may be more severe than if it had been broken-in properly. The refusal to even offer her an extended warranty is rather appalling.

The status of the other mechanic in the car at the time is unknown. He does not appear to have been fired.
Old 02-24-2005, 10:37 AM
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They got off lucky and she should have gotten some compensation for sure.

It kind of reminds me when I had a specialist tune mt T.A. 6.6 several years ago. After he did a number of things, he told me that in order to test it out right, he needs to open it up and see how it responded. He invited me to come. I passed because I prefered to watch the car on the move from the outside. He opened it up alright to the point I was getting uncomfortable and then I waived him in. But he obtained my permission first and did his tests right in front of me.

If something would have happened to my car, I wouldn't have blamed him because I gave him the green light. But if he got into an accident with it, different story.
Old 02-24-2005, 01:03 PM
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arg....thank goodness my dealer is reputable...but this stuff scares me

they guys are really nice to me though, they have access to 8s all the time so they wouldn't want to mess around...especially since the service department records your mileage when you drive up and when you leave to make sure nothing bad happens
Old 02-24-2005, 01:04 PM
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I don't hold [the Service Manager] or the Service rep responsible because they did not know this guy would joy ride like that.
Nonsense.

The Service Manager hired them, trained them and assigned them to their duties. The manager and the company are responsible for the work-related actions of their employees - legally and financially.

Whether the manager was watching them is irrelevant at best. He'd be responsible even if he was on vacation at the time. In my industry (financial investments) a manager can be fined, fired, de-licensed or even criminally prosecuted for the actions of a subordinate. Ask Martha Stewart's broker's ex-manager how his career is doing. Hah! Ignorance of employee misbehavior is clear evidence of a failure to supervise. A manager either knows what his employees are doing or he's not doing his job.

Don't let them off too easy. Unless the mileage on your tires was very low they owe you two tires not one. This will **** them off, and they may take it out on the joyriding jerk who decided to do a "test drive" for an oil change. If they do, he'll learn a valuable lesson.

And no, you probably wouldn't want me for your boss! :D
Old 02-24-2005, 01:11 PM
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SpinninAgain

I laughed when I read your response because that is exactly as I feel about the dealership and where their responsibilities/obligations start/stop. Interstingly enough, I am also a banker! I guess financial minds think alike!
Old 02-24-2005, 01:54 PM
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Shamblerock,

Only a banker could laugh at that response!

I'm just the Purchasing Manager, not even on the business side of my firm. But anyone who's been here for a while (26 years for me) knows the drill.

I think car dealers should have Compliance Departments. Can you imagine the first meeting between Compliance and Sales at an auto dealership?! :p
Old 02-24-2005, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by SpinninAgain!
...... Can you imagine the first meeting between Compliance and Sales at an auto dealership?! :p
Right, do that and you'll probably lose 25% of your sales overnight!
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