VTLC

Car has been in the shop 13 times for a total of 44 days for all sorts of stuff from engine replacement to broken glove boxes. It is one year old now(13k) and of the 44 days 7 are weekends and 3 are TSB/Recalls. Still leaves 34 days in shop for all other repairs. What now, I live in CA. Advise Please.

Ike

Lemon law, there's no reason a new car should have that manyb problems. I don't know what all is involved in the process but you should try and get a new RX-8, becuase the one you bought obviously has some issues.

RXE16T

You got a dud..... hassle them enough and they will most certainly replace your car,

jowettw

yeah, go for the lemon law thing you guys have! ... and maybe consult a lawyer.

Douglas_Baker

You haven't indicated whether it was different repairs, or the same one, but I can tell you that unless it has been in the shop 3 times for the SAME problem, Lemon Law will not help you.

This should not, however, prevent you from seeking help from your dealer and even local Mazda Rep.

D-

czr

iTrader: (3)

Definately lemon law. Lemon laws differ from state to state. Check with your state's ordinances: http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon.html

I'm not sure what I would do if I got that money. The RX8 has been good to me and other members. Good luck with your decision.

scratchjunkie

welcome to the world of rotaries! hahaha, but really you shouldnt be having that problem. that problem is more of a 3rd gen rx7 issue.

zoom44

list all of the problems- what was done to correct the problem and how long in the shop for that problem. if it was in the shop for several problems at the same time say so. why was the engine replaced?

Red Devil

Welcome to the wonderful world of manufacturing defects that plague all car makers, not rotary engines.

Rennwagen

Lemon law in CA will not help unless your car has been in the shop for the same problem (with the same fix) three times. If it hasn't, you have no recourse under the, "lemon law".

If your dealer isn't willing to do anything (not sure what they can do), contact Mazda directly and calmly (without anger or threats), explain your situation.

Definately keep a list of things that have gone wrong and the time it took to address each issue.

Most of all, be calm and don't claim a bunch of rights that you're not sure you have.

sportscarfreak

Lemon Law states that If you have a Brand new car, and has been more than 30 days in the shop in less than 2 years or 24,000 miles from the date of delivery, you can ask for a Buyback or a replacement. I did it a few years ago with a 1999 Pontiac Trans AM; I would recommend contacting the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and filing a claim with them... DO NOT CONTACT MAZDA DIRECTLY!!!. File a case with the BBB and let them contact Mazda; This will work out quicker for you . Good luck. ; By the way, DO NOT agree to the first deal that Mazda tries to give you, like in all negotiations, try to hold up for your best option.

sportscarfreak

keep all service records and Paper work showing over 30 Days cummulative worth of work from your Local Dealership; this will help your case

VTLC

It all started with:

1. Engine Replacement at 1k miles,
Coolant light on twice/coolant leak 2nd rotor housing, FIXED

2. Sunroof,
Not tilting but does slide, FIXED

3. Lights Dimimg,
Battery Replaced, HalfFixed

4. Ticking when turn,
Clean wheels and studs, FIXED

5. AC,
Vents different temps, FIXED

6. Rough Idle,
Declared Normal, ?

7. AC,
Ineffective to cool in 85* heat, AC amp installed, Improved but NonFixed

8. Aero flares,
Flares comming off, FIXED

9. RR Mirror,
Stoped working and rattles, Replaced/Completely FIXED

10. Spark wires,
Arching with engine block, Replaced Wires/Fixed?

11. Radio,
Poor reception, NonFixed

12. Seat
Seat heater failed, FIXED

13. Glove Box,
Damper Failed, Fixed

14. Glove Box,
Damper Failed, Fixed but now missalligned.

15. Clutch Noise,
Loud chatter and ticking when depress clutch, Declared Normal.

16. Shifter,
Shifter shakes 1/2 inch side to side when AC compressor is on, Declared Normal

17. Brake squeek,
Declared Normal.

This is what happened in the last year I had my 8. (Note)#s don't correspond with event history.

Things such as multiple rattles, scratches, scrape marks and stains made by Service Dept, and other minor damage from having my car in service are not included, if included this would add a few more days to the 44 total.

Not sure what to do, so if anyone has any real life experience on this kind of thing please help. Additional comments welcomed.

I am just FRUSTRATED and Angry, for most people buy new cars to get away from problems, not to seek them.

8's are still the best cars out there for 30K, would buy another in a heartbeat but just not mine.

Zaku-8

unfortunately, many but not all of those issues are things that owners have had but arent necessarily phenomena that constitute mechanical breakdown. Either that or there is a fix.

They just released new brake pads that should fix squeal.

Clutch noise is something many of us have. I think it's said that the noise doesnt indicate a mechanical issue but replacing the throwout bearing may reduce the noise

Rough idle should be fixed with an ECU flash... if it isn't then this is definitely something you should bring up with dealer. However, there is always a little bit of vibration from the engine that can be felt at idle so it may be a question of degree. I have an intermittent rough idle, happens for <2 seconds every once month or so at a stop but the ECU seems to recover. Unfortunately no dealer will find intermittent rough idle a problem, and the car doesn't seem worse off for it.

My sunroof doesnt work half the time, works only when it's at the dealer... As perverse as this may seem, consider yourself fortunate to be able to demonstrate this particular problem to the dealer... otherwise its an exercise in frustration


Multiple AC issues, I dunno. Mazda may have given you a lemon in this regard. There are several TSB or fixes out there but as to whether any of them will help your car who knows. Try getting them to replace the entire system including compressor for warranty, see if that helps eradicate all the issues.

here is a link to all the TSB's http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html

I include it because your dealer should have tried all of these first. If they haven't, find another dealer, or a lawyer

Red Devil

That's a lot of things to go wrong. You've got my sympathy, but I can't offer any practical advice - good luck.

zoom44

so your ac doesnt work like you want it to and your seat heater failed- you have soem extreme temp swings there?

VTLC

I did some test on AC system and here are some numbers,

On a sunny day 65 degrees outside indicated by car, my AC unit at fan 2 and max cold and recrc,

at idle is 52 degrees steady

at speeds of 40mph is 46 degrees

and at freeway speeds is 48 degrees

I use fan setting 2 because at 3 and 4 air temp is hotter then those above.

Anyone get better numbers or is mine normal, cuz at idle it takes 20 mins for the temp to drop from 78 to 74 degrees inside if car is ouside in a parking lot.

BillK

Look inside your owner's manual. There is a definite procedure to be followed when pursuing a buyback, and the first step is often sending a letter to the manufacturer stating your intention to pursue such. If you don't follow the rules to the letter, it will hurt your case.

Your buyback must always be decided by a BBB arbitrator and/or a court, and it always looks better if you follow the instructions in your owner's manual by the letter; filing with the BBB as a first step simply makes it look like buyer's remorse.

truemagellen

GO TO A NEW DEALERSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sheesh

there is your practical advice