I've been in my s2000 for 5 years and nearly 120K miles but the need for a back seat and a bit of practicality keeps coming up. I'm looking at either a g35 coupe or an rx8 as a replacement. I prefer the rx8 because it is as near my s2k as I can find with seating for 4. I love the fact that Mazda appears to back their product so well (bumping engine warranty out to 8yr/100K) but am curious about what owners drive during work on their cars. Does Mazda provide? Is the owner out rental expense during warranty work?

 

Just from what I'd believe would be the best possible answer - due to the fact that I do not own an 8 yet - is that, you would either have to take public transportation or get another car payed from your own pocket while the car is at the dealer or whatever.

I mean... I highly doubt the dealer is going to let you take one of their cars while your car is in the shop. I think it works just like as if you were doing something without warranty.

 

When my car was under warranty, Mazda would give me an in house loaner. Now that my warranty is up, i borrow one of my brothers cars whenever i need a car to get around in its a lexus is250

 

The Bumper-to-Bumper and Powertrain Warranty can provide for a rental car (rentals seem to be outsourced at dealers around here). The engine warranty extension does not cover a rental, so beyond the 5YR/60K Powertrain, you'd have to provide for alternative transportion on your own (rental or borrow a relative's car, etc.). There are some third-party warranties that cover rentals though, and I'm not sure about Mazda's own extended warranty.

 

They had the loan-a-car program when my car was in for warranty work. I got a Chevy Cobalt for my first warranty work (forgot what I was in for), a CX-7 when my alternator took a dump, and then lastely, an MPV (this thing was horrid) when I was in there for a stuck seat belt.

 

MPV

 

Yep... well, look at my now, I drive a Toyota Camry. This thing is a boat, lol.

 

As a couple of others have said, there's a free loaner during bumper-to-bumper. What you get depends on the dealer. Some have loaners, most farm out rentals. My dealer has an Enterprise on-site, which sets the bar pretty low. The one time I had a loaner (4206f recall) it was a Chevy Aveo.

Ken

 

I should have gotten a loaner, but the one car was out and I didn't need it bad enough to go back. At home I just use my Squareback, in San Diego I take the trolley... Under 21, so I can't use the dealer's Enterprise rentals.

 

If you own a Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle they will cover rentals too once you are out of bumper to bumper warranty, and roadside assistance is still usable as well, free of charge.

I just had my 8 towed to the dealer the other day and got a nice new 2010 F150 crew cab rental (outsourced to Enterprise). I'm use to a car that's 3" off the ground, not 3'. I'm not going to complain though, a free car is a free car.

 

Ken you use Arlington mazda right? I had warranty work done there to. The enterprise people let me grab the mazda3

Wasn't so bad at all haha

 

My dealer likes to put me in a Legacy or an Outback...I think they do it on purpose...finding something as far from a sports car as possible just to irk me more about my car being in the shop...they also have an agreement with Enterprise but they don't cover a penny of an Enterprise car because Mazda doesn't pay for rentals anymore. But I'm under warranty for another year so I don't care

 

For me it depends on witch dealership I take it to. for example, I live in L.A. since my warranty is up and I'm over 60k miles, Galpin Mazda will not give me a loner. However Mazda of Alhambrah will. I just had my engine replaced and that didn't qualify for a loner. WTF!!! is that.

 

Not quite Arlington. Rosenthal Mazda, but the one at Tyson's Corner.

I don't bring my car in for service early in the morning, so when I got the Aveo that's probably all that was left. But I had no idea that Enterprise actually has nice cars.

Ken

 

they used to have a good program here with a loaner but not anymore i just have someone drive up there with me and i drive back and use my camaro

 

Saturn Sky Red Line

 

When my rear window was reset under warranty this Summer, due to a latent factory defect (they left in a temporary alignment block), O'Hara Mazda gave me a base trim 2008 Mazda6 for the day (made me more appreciate my daughter's loaded '6).

Other times they have paid for an Enterprise rental for the day. I don't know about long term.

^ Saturn is history.

 

+1 to the Enterprise rental. My dealership has the Enterprise attached to the building.

oh god, here goes the list:
- Chevy 1500 4 door
- 2008 CX-7
- Chevy Impala
- Hyundai POS
- Mazda 3
- Mazda 6
- Ford Taurus
- Mazda MPV
- Mazda Tribute
- Ford Mustang

 

LOL Don't EVER take the tribute, that's what they gave me once and I nearly rolled it on the first corner going about 10 mph, traction control kicked on and was like "WHOAHHH soldier...this is a Ford replica not an RX-8!!!!"

I'd take the 6 outta that list.

 

I just ride around in the chairs in the lobby.....

 

dont hate on the mazda6... it's not bad

 

the need for a back seat and a bit of practicality keeps coming up. I'm looking at an rx8 as a replacement
Hahahaha
You are joking right?
The 8 might have 4 doors and a back seat but I doubt u will fit 4 large Americans in there.
Maybe 4 small Asians or midgets.

As for what one drives while in warranty
Only been in twice. bought the 8 used, took it to have the TSBs done. Dealer offered me a rental. I declined. I have a MX-3 at home and do not use a DD so why get a FREE rental? Told them to just shuttle me home. Picked me up when the car was ready.

 

Not hatin'. I got one for my daughter because it had some very nice features (loaded) for the money and even the 4-banger cruises very nicely.

But the base trim model leaves allot to be desired!