2009 RX-8/ 8yr or 100k Warranty extension Press Release and Q&A with Jeremy Barnes
 

Copying this over from the Discussion section thread concerning the new Warrenty extension - https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...54#post2495854

okay so its Wednesday night and i've got the news i promised.

First is Monday Night i got an email from Jeremy Barnes who is the Director, Corporate & Product Communications Mazda North American Operations saying that he was going to be announcing the Warranty extension on Thursday morning but since he saw that the news was out here already he wanted to get the press release to us early.

So attached here is the press release which goes to the media tomorrow morning. It includes the info about 2009 RX-8s arriving at dealers , that they get the 8yr/100k engine warranty and that the extension is retroactive for all RX-8s.

I want to thank Jeremy for sending it to us early. He very much wanted us to hear it from Mazda direct before hearing it in the media. Im sure he will tell you himself but he has read the comments here and sent many of them up the chain. Mazda is very psyched to be able to provide this and put their wallet behind the Rotary and they are very grateful for the appreciation you guys are showing.


You may have just noticed i said Jeremy will say so himself. He'll be posting most likely Friday morning, and will answer as many questions as he has time for and is able to.


So as i said yesterday get your questions and your feedback ready because you'll get the opportunity Friday to basically ask/tell Mazda directly.

I hope it goes with out saying that i wish everyone to be polite with our guest- and remember he wont answer any questions about future product;)

Well I guess I'll be the first to ask a question:

Does the same warranty apply to Canadian RX-8's (8 yr/160,000km) or will there be different coverage for us north of the border?

I just wanted to comment that Mazda has done very well by their customer base to offer this excellent extended warranty, and to make it retroactive.

In contrast to some other automakers who either rightly or wrongly had developed perceptions of having problems with specific models and components, Mazda has shown it is a cut above and really deserves praise.

My better half and I were shopping for cars for her recently, and it now looks as if a new '09 Mazda 6 will be in her near future, while I keep enjoying my 8 for years to come. :naughty:

I Received a mailing two days ago.
 

I got a package from Mazda containing the info regarding the 100 k engine extension and a DVD educating owners about the unique care for the rotary.

^ i got that package in the mail too... but im keeping my extended warranty that i bought for the tranny issues....lol

Hi, Jeremy.

What's the perspective of Mazda's best rotary engineers on some of the hot topics being discussed here by some extremely knowledgeable rotary enthusiasts and rebuilders:

1. Recommendations for heavier oil by very experienced rotary engine rebuilders seeing early bearing wear. Most here assume lighter weight oil recommendation in US is only due to CAFE legislation.

2. Premix to better lubricate the center apex seals. This seems like a wise precaution given the extra two oil 'injectors' on the 2009 RX-8 rotary engine and, again, some of the wear being seen by rebuilders.

3. Sohn adapter and/or use of synthetic oil.

Some here may avoid extra warranty expense to Mazda by taking exceptionally good care of their rotary engines by practices that some dealers would actually claim void or put our warranty coverage at risk.

If some Mazda rotary engineers could discuss these issues with us here that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

^ +1

Which warranty needs to be active to get the new SSP16(Reflash/engine decarbing) done? ie. bumper-to-bumper?(4/48) Drivetrain? (5/60) Engine? (8/100)

Jeremy's supposed to be posting on Friday morning. I'm guessing it will be in his own thread, perhaps? Anyhow, yours may be the best and most technical questions but if they get answered in any way other than what we know to be legally expedient I'd be shocked. He is a PR man after all (Director of Product, Corporate Communications). We'll see. :)

Paul.

Hello Jeremy.

For many of us who own 04's, it is nearly 4-5 years later now since our cars were introduced. If anything why increase the warranty now in 2008.5? Is it because more or less mazda had its guard up due to the factors with the early 90's 13b rotary and questioned the renesis? Was Mazda questioning the publics view of the rotary engine's reliablity and to boost sales of the current models this action has been taken?

Obviously increasing the warranty for all and not just the newer models shows extreme company awareness of it's current customers, as many of once would indeed feel betrayed if only the 09's or 08's received the extention. But with Oil prices soaring and the Rx8 showing low MPG I believe is it a two sided coin, to show the company's faith it should have put into the engine from the beginning and also increase sales of the current lot.



(i mean no offense to the preceeding, I myself own 2 mazdas and immediate family has 4 mazdas as well, we are loyal :) )

Is there any chance of an integrated Navigation system upgrade (hardware or software) to allow us to use more advanced features, and/or new maps? The current map set is very old (claims to be 2005, and is even older then that.)

Otherwise, I love my RX-8. :)

A somewhat related question. Is there any chance that Mazda will open up some of their technical information (CAN, hardware specs) for the Navigation system so that a third party could build a replacement system? [I can dream...]

I'm so pleased by this and other actions taken by Mazda North American Operations recently. Their new tech center / engine reman plant is another example of what seems to be a real effort to move forward and improve customer retention.

Did I mention that this is the first time I'm really proud to be a Mazda fan in my adult life? :lol:

Paul.

In the news:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/m...to-100k-miles/

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-to...8-engines.html

I second this question. Does this also apply to Canadian RX-8s? If so when will we receive such letters and DVD.
I just told my wife about this and she, never really quite taken to the idea of the rx-8 has now softened her heart. She no longer asks me to trade it in for a family car anymore. :lol2:

Jeremy,

I am a long time rotary owner (owned 3 rx-7's in my lifetime) and am excited to be purchasing my first rx8 this year with the 2009 model refresh.

I am almost 100% sold on getting the new R3, but after reviewing your website, I was troubled at the fact that the in dash navigation will not be offered as an option on the R3. Is there anyway this might be changed? Or can it be installed at the dealer level?

I'd like to second or third (I can't keep track) these very nagging, core questions that 8 owners have sought definitive answers to, Jeremy.

Thanks.

I woud love to have these questions answered by a true expert.

Just wanted to thank Mazda for the warranty extension. It solidifies my faith in Mazda. I currently own 3 rotary powered cars, and hope Mazda will allow me to continue this addiction for many more decades with new exciting rotary products.

I too would be very interested in hearing answers to the oil and premix questions from a Mazda engineer (aka non legal like answers).

Thank you again.

Jeremy,

I just wanted to say Thank You for everything you've done for the rotary community, for the passion you've always shown, and for continuing to lead the way.

Jedi54

I would just like to give a big advance thanks to Jeremy and a big PLUS ONE to issues #1 through 3 that RotoRocket brought up

to hell with all this engine warranty stuff.... give us a factory turbo mazdaspeed RX-8 now!

One question.

Is there more rotary after rx8 09 series.

that's all i need.... if so i am gonna pass on the GTR lol... it's gota be light and a driver car.

also, can't they make a high mpg rotary car utilizing sequential rotary?

PS: Mazda should really cover if anything, all future factory reflash for the car. the dealer ship i service at claim that it is not "covered". if it is what should have been sold to the end user as the car, shoudn't it count as we already bought it? maybe like a mini MSP16 with just the reflash.

Hello Jeremy,

With almost 120,000 miles on my 04 I guess you can say I like my RX-8. While extending the warranty on certain parts will help a lot I feel there is another issue that would help more. Fix the poor service many of us receive from your dealerships. I have written more than once to Mazda USA about my experiences and rarely do I even receive the courtesy of a form letter acknowledging my concerns.

For many owners your 8/100K extension is like getting a free dinner coupon at a restaurant with bad service. Service writers should expect that most RX-8 owners know more about the car than they do. When they don’t know an answer to a question say so, but try and find the right answer. Fix the car right the first time; treat the customer like they are your boss because if more stop buying Mazda’s you will not have one.

On side note why do we still have to buy cars and have them service by dealerships anyway. Dealing with salespersons stink, service writers that jump from dealership to dealership with littler product knowledge and desire to help customers. Why can’t I walk into the ‘Mazda Depot’ and deal with people on salary from Mazda and are accountable to Mazda. It’s 2008 bring the car buying experience out of the 1950’s

EXPO FOR PRESIDENT!

Very good points. Well stated. I look forward to a response from Jeremy. Maybe they need to revise the relationship of the Maufacturer to the dealerships.

Paul.

+1. Maybe something along the lines of "an approved Rotary Specialist", sponsored or recognized by Mazda NA that would have the authority to diagnose problems site unseen and influence service decisions that would take place at your local dealership.