Multiple problems. Don't know what to do anymore.
 

So I just bought my Rx-8 from Carmax about two months ago. The Rx-8 has been one of my dream cars since its came out and I've always wanted a rotory engine. But within these past two months, I've probably only driven the car 5 days total. It has literally been worked on 9 times, and in the shop somewhere in the teens. I just got the car back yesterday after getting a new transmission and now the check engine and airbag light are on. Is this just a coincidence or is it typical to have multiple problems like this? I need to know if i just bought a lemon or if i should always expect stuff like this down the road.

heres a list of the stuff they have fixed/worked on.

-Clutch adjusted
-New clutch
-New sway bar link
-New synchronizers in the transmission
-New starter (after I was supposed to get something fixed that day, the car wouldn't start and had to get towed...)
-New transmission (if you haven't noticed yet its had never ending problems in that department.)
-Check engine light has been on 3 times now since I've bought it and now also the airbag light.


Might i mention I only had a 30 day warranty. That ran out. They keep wanting to help and fix it for free but I'm now debating on talking to a lawyer. Do I have a lemon??

what problem were you experiencing?
dealers would rape anyone if they think the customer knows nothing about the car.
engine light and airbag codes could be read at local autozone for free.

No you should not always expect stuff like this. Whats the Year? Mileage? Engine? AT/MT?

What did they say is wrong and why did you need the transmission worked on? Did you inspect that parts they took off?

Just a word of advice when someone says it needs replaced ask why. IF they replace it ask for the old part back so you can inspect it. Before they do the work have a written contract with the service writer that if the part is removed and upon inspection has no defects and did not need to be replaced that the shop will cover the cost.

Well a week before I bought the car I went in to test drive and buy it but was in service for the check engine light so i had to wait. Went back the week after and took it for a spin and bought it after I searched around a little (I had just sold my old car so I had nothing to drive and was in a bit of a hurry). Well a day or two after I bought it, I had realized the transmission was grinding when it was cold. After a few times in and out of the shop, a new clutch, synthetic transmission fluid, synchronizers, and in the end a new transmission they got that right. Somewhere in between all this the starter went out and they also saw the sway bar link was broken and replaced both. The check engine light was on once before and I took it up to autozone and they said it was the fuel cap so they reset the light. Well i just got the car back yesterday, took it to autozone, and its the same problem. Funny thing is, I just filled it up yesterday to and made sure the cap clicked a few times. The airbag light is another story. I checked all the connections and nothing. Its giving me code 23 then stays on.

They know that I know all about this car and I think they are now becoming frustrated themselves. Spoke to someone really high up today and they said to call their boss tomorrow. The man I talked to today sounded like they want to help but may just want to fix what wrong again this time. Im just a little frustrated because I've barley gotten to drive the car under warranty and was begging them to extend it incase anything else goes why i actually start driving it...

Its the 2004 6 speed MT. About 56,000 miles.

The transmission kept having problems every time I drove it and turned right back around to get fixed. They ended up driving the car with me in it after i kept taking it up and they couldn't even get it into gear the last few times. I finally suggested a new transmission because I got sick of going in every time i got it back. I have all the paper work from the dealer since they started working on anything EXCEPT the very last one when they gave me a new transmission. They said the transmission mechanic paid for it. Im going to still try and get paper work next time i go up, but I can see that the transmission is brand new and boy its shift smooth as butter.

Its just now that I got the car back yesterday I've got even more problems and Im scared to death of this car now.

Could they have done something on purpose to make these lights come on? I kind of feel like they honestly DO want to fix it so they dont have to see me again haha.

we need the code to tell the problem. the cap could be leaking get a new cap if thats what the code says.

Not sure what the code number was for the check engine light. They did tell me but I cant remember off the top of my head. They said it was the gas cap tho.

As for the airbag it flashes twice then pauses then flashes three times. This only happens when first started a few times then stays lit after I start driving it.

Do you work for them or something? That would be amazing haha.

I have to wonder how a sway bar link just breaks. That, combined with the airbag light.... Wonder if the car was previously wrecked.

Did you get a CarFax and have a mechanic check the car prior to purchase?

Beats me. I got a full CarFax before I bought it, and didnt find any accidents. The car was leased before me to and got serviced all at the dealer. I didnt even notice a broken sway bar link, but they said they found that broken why they were fixing something else. I never got it checked by a mechanic before I bought it, but I did have to get the oil changed a day or two after buying it because the oil light came on and it was still to the full line on the dipstick. They said the car was in great shape then and looked it all over.

I did call earlier and spoke to the bosses boss and she said they are going to go over all my service records and possibly get me a new car.

Boy am I lost with this poor thing...

I hate to say it but now I'm kind of scared of getting another RX8 :confused:

Huh?

The oil light came on right after I bought the car. I checked the oil level and it was fine so I assumed it needed changed. Haven't seen the oil light since.

I still stand by my idea that you should never buy a previously leased car... If i ever lease i am going to grind the piss out of the car for 2 years, then give it back worry free, im sure thats what the guy before you did lol.

You should read the manual. As far as I know, the RX8 doesn't have a light that comes on when it is time for an oil change.

Certain 04s had an issue with a low oil level light coming on. There is a TSB out there about replacing the oil pan due to this false low level light. 2004 VIN # up to 40111043

Hmmm nope. My vin number is just past that.

A vehicle that continues to have a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety. Generally, if the car has been repaired 4 or more times for the same Defect within the Warranty Period and the Defect has not been fixed, the car qualifies as a Lemon. All States differ so you should consult the Lemon Law Summary and the State Statutes for your particular State. Note that the warranty period may or may not coincide with the Manufacturer's Warranty.

In your case, it depends on the defective parts within the Lemon Law in your state you live in.

While everyone here is actually trying to help, here is the best piece of advice you will get if you haven't already taken him up on it.

Contact Ray(Charles Hill) as he offered....not once, but twice.

He's a busy guy and imagine he won't offer it for long, especially if you treat is offer as real. You can screw around all you want and take months, so what do you have to lose in contacting him when he offered?

After reading everytyhing you've written, I believe I know where Ray would go with each of your issues and even the non-issues(which you have as well), but I'm not gonna jump in this one as I'd probably be wrong and look more stupid than I already am!

The End

make sure your state covers used cars.

http://www.carlemon.com/lemons.html

I took his offer.
Still like reading all my other options just incase :) thank you tho.

Thanks for the link. My state does cover used cars! Hurray! haha and I've had 5 attempts on one of the same issues under 30 days so I guess that makes it a lemon??

WHO WANTS MY CLUTCH AND NEW TRANSMISSION?!?! hahahaha

By the way, I would like to thank everyone for their help and opinions. Keep it coming! Need all the help i can get.

Never buy a car with a check engine light on.
You loose!

Clutch is a normal wear and tear item.
Borken end link can happen.
Transmission,that can happen too.

Sound like the previous owner beat it.

Dropped clutches for burn outs.

He beat the car fried the clutch broke the end link and transmission.

Any used car can be in this condition.

Buyer has to Beware.

Has nothing to do with the car. It's how someone drove it.

Just replied. Sorry about the wait.

Yeah I understand completely. Its just that when I first took it back up, its because the transmission was grinding. Well every time the gave the car back, they said it was fixed. Thats after 5 attempts and finally putting in a new transmission like I first suggested. After the 5th attempt, my 30 day warranty was out. And in between some of those attempts they found the sway bar link and clutch. The starter was another story. One of the days I needed them to work on the transmission again, it wouldnt turn over and I had to get it towed. The link by the way was the front end link. Nothing to do with the end link. How the driver drove the car still has nothing to do with why the airbag light was on after I got the car back either.

hmmmmmmmm....

Not mentioned yet is that these cars have a known problem with the bracket holding the clutch pedal in place can crack and eventually break. A cracked bracket leads to the clutch not fully disengaging during shifts and thereby wrecking the transmission. Presumably a Mazda place would know about the TSB's and now the recall notice on this, but perhaps they don't.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/clutch-pedal-snap-off-8-year-warranty-recall-%7E%7E%7E-132912/

Just wait till the rear shocks blow, the dash rattling drives you insane, and the gas pedal placement causes your right leg to writhe in agony....and I have a new S2!