My engine's busted
 

Here's what happened to me:

A week or two after my 7500 mile service, I was cruising in my RX8 (as you do) and started to notice a slight muffled rumble-like sound coming from the exhaust. Although it sounded mean and cool, over the next few days it became more pronounced until one morning I decided to turn around on my way to work and take it in to Mazda.

Mazda said that it sounded like an exhaust problem and they kept it for 2 days. Over that time plus a few more days they tried to identify the cause, but matters got worse and finally I got a call saying "we are now going to replace the engine"!

I went in to talk to Service and I am assured that once the engine is replaced, it should all be good. I will need to break it in again (read "feed it oil again") for 600miles. Of course this is really annoying, but I feel there is no choice given that the warranty is covering all the work etc.

My question: What kind of compensation can I claim for this? Mazda provided me with a rental (my car is still being fixed). In all, it will have taken 15-20 days, and the fact that I have to break the engine in again is VERY annoying given that I have only done 8k miles on it.

Anyone have any thoughts?
Kev

None....they gave you a rental car.

What kind of compensation are you looking for? They are fixing it for free and giving you a car...

Ask for a million dollars.

Let's see... They identified the problem without giving you a runaround. You didn't have to yell at them or or call the regional rep. They're giving you a rental car. Is it a nice rental car?

I can think of only two things:

1. If they did not cover the rental car for those two days of diagnosis, they should.

2. If most of the 15-20 days is ahead of you, and the rental car is a junker from Enterprise, they should give you something nicer.

Who is your dealer? They sound like good folks.

Ken

tell them you want a new car. when they tell you no, tell them to keep it, and that you arent paying for it anymore

you show them

They are following their warranty and providing you a loaner. They have met their obligation. Now if the engine replacement drags on over a couple of weeks then that is another story.

April Fools!

Right?

Have you tried holding your breath till they buy you the GI Joe with the kung fu grip?

Agreed, for the pain and suffering he deserves at least this much.

You'll get nothing and like it!!!

Had you not taken the loaner car they probably would either pay you for your payment (assuming it is financed) or maybe offered you credit towards parts or accessories. My car needed a new clutch when my engine was replaced under warranty and althought he clutch was out fo warranty, they covered it since I did not accept the loaner.

I think they have done everything right in your case and they owe you nothing else.

Bob

Just out of curiosity, my car is also getting an engine replacement at the moment. When the new engine is in, do I get another warranty just on the engine, or does it still expire after 60,000 miles.

nope, warranty is still up at 60K miles even if your motor was replaced at 59,999 miles.

Bob

what kind of loaner did you get? If it is something like a neon or aveo, I would complain, that car is no where near what your car is worth.

If it is in the dealership for more than 20 days and gets close to that month mark, look into having them pay your car payment for that month. I don't know if mazda does this or not, but I know when I had bought my G6, it said in the warranty that if the dealer or GM had my car in for warranty work more than a month, I believe they either would have reimbursed me for the payment, or the warranty would have been extended for another month/set amount of miles. (plus I had a really good dealership, so they explained it fully to me when I bought it and would have actually taken care of it)

I'm not sure if mazda does anything like that, but it'd be something to look into. Personally, if my car was in for that long and I was stuck driving the taurus I had for a one day repair, i'd be pissed and would fight for something better.

Hmm ... just what I thought: can't really claim anything!

The rental car I have is a Lancer, which is ok. More than anything I'm just bummed about having to break the new engine in and since I don't have a high daily commute, it means it will take a good few weeks.

... I feel like a nice long roadtrip coming up soon!

Thanks all,
Kev

whats going to be funny is that it probably was the cat that was bad the engine replacement won't work and they'll refuse to check the cat until the end of the earth.

Um.. post was posted today, Snizzle.

Sounds a little odd for 7500 miles. The motor shouldn't just mess up out of the blue. Any past issues?

*warning* Earlier post contained sarcasm.

Wrt past issues, I've not really had anything major'ish ... just some clutch bits and bobs replaced (not the whole thing) and 1 recall.

In all the whining ... I forgot to mention that so far my dealership has been really good with the whole process and in explaining the issues along the way!

Kev

That is def. a plus.

I would check with dealer on that. 12mo/12k mile extension is what I understood.

As for the downtime on the car, Lemon laws don't usually kick in till in the shop 3 times and or more than 30 days. So start documenting.

would u mind sharing which dealer u went to and which city/ state? they sound like they are pretty good.

hope u get your car back soon. the re-break in won't be that bad. just think of it as getting a new car :)