Prior to me knowing about this great website/club, I bought my 8 just this month. The last 5 digits of my VIN are 12402, which means I'm screwed as far as issues.

I feel sick about this!!! If only I would have known, I could have gotten the exact 8 I wanted but built in late 2004 and a VIN over 35000 to be safe. I feel almost ripped off and wish I could return it to the dealer to exchange it.

Again, I just bought it on August 14, do you think I should raise hell about all the recalls, reflashes, bad AC, terrible gas mileage, and old Navigation system on my "new" car and demand an exchange? I honestly believe I should have been told about all that has to be done to my "older" new car...it's not fair. It should have been disclosed to me!!

I can tell you one thing, I would have NEVER bought it if I knew all this. I love my 8 but would have wanted a later VIN, who the hell wouldn't!

Your opinions about the reality of returning the car would be great. I'm up for trying it if you guys think it will fly.

RKM

 

It won't fly.

 

it wont fly but your car should be up to date

 

not all of the older cars had problems. Also some of the newer ones may have problems... so enjoy your car, don't worry about it unless you have issues, then you can bring the problems to mazda's attention.

Really the only thing you should worry about is getting one of the rx-8s that can only get 13 mpg... if your first tank is 16+, you're safe.

 

WTF are you ranting about? How in the hell do you figure you're screwed???? There are no significant differences between the mid-series cars like yours and the later ones. Hell, there are no significant differences between the early cars like mine (VIN somewhere around 01700) and the late ones. Yeah, I've had two recalls performed - my car now has the exact same parts as the later ones. If there's service issues like the AC, they install the later parts - then they're exactly the same. The PCM flash and Nav are just software updates - simple to perform, absolutely NO physical, functional differences once done.

Quit worrying about NOTHING, and enjoy your car. You have absolutely zero reason to worry, so stop trying to create problems and issues where none exist. Very few of the early cars experienced the problems you list - my early car, for example, gets normal mileage, the AC works fine, and has zero problems.

Since those are NON-EXISTENT concerns or problems, there is ZERO chance that Mazda will care at all about what your VIN is.

Regards,
Gordon

 

According to the law, it won't hold. You signed and bought the car. They are not whatsoever obligated in taking the car back based only on assumptions. Any demands on your side should of been made prior to the agreement of the contract/purchase.
Beside, all you have to do is to get all of the recalls perform by service, and you should be fine.

 

your fine.. I have an early VIN I have had to have th AC fixed and it reflashed .. So what !

The only thing i would like is the newer software in my nav and Head unit.

But It still goes in excess of 140 mph like a bat out of hell..

ohh yea.. I get 18 mpg to

 

^^^^^^^^^

ditto

 

Thanks for the blunt response Gordon. Yes, I was pissed when I posted my concern. When you spend $30+ for a new car, it's a bit discouraging to have to follow up w/ recalls and other issues you had no idea about. It seems the posts about earlier VIN numbers began to brain wash me to the point where I was making no sense.

I love my 8 and my AC Amp is on order. Once I get that installed, I should be okay.

 

THE only THING TO GET UPSET ABOUT HERE IS RECALLS. IF THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ISSUE ON YOUR CAR THEN YOU SHOULD BE PISSED OFF. no car that has a recall notice is allowed to be sold until the work has been completed. there wer 2 recalls- airbag wiring harness and transmission dampner bracket. if thos earent doen start jumping on someone.

 

I agree with the masses here. You have no reason to be upset unless the recalls were not performed prior to delivery, if they were not then you need to contact the NHTSA immediately and file a formal complaint. That is the only thing you can complain about.

My VIN is 07079, I have had the recalls done and the only issue I have is the AC and that has not been fixed to my satisfaction since I have been in the desert since May. Enjoy the car and simmer down a bit.