markd

Hey guys. I disappeared for three months and just popped my head in. I've been in Southern Cal all this time, so I was a bit caught off guard when I returned and called my dealer (Stone Mountain (GA) Mazda)) today, only to find out that they are closing shop and shutting down, which means they no longer do warranty-covered service. Does anyone know what happened to them??

davesaunders300

I was just there about 3 weeks ago for the 30k servicing and they didn't say anything about closing. I know that they have never been very busy at that location but I'm disappointed to hear they're shutting down. Any suggestions about where to go now? I live in Lilburn. I guess Rick Case is the next closest but I hate to go into that area around Gwinnett Mall.

markd

I'm disappointed as well because their service and sales departments have been great to me. I'm hoping I just misheard their voicemail and that you are right. The assistant service manager told me, though, that they couldn't service anything that's covered by warranty, and they're recommending people either go to Rick Case, as you mentioned, or to Jim Ellis off Peachtree Industrial. I highly do not recommend Jim Ellis, by the way. I've never had a good experience with their Marietta dealership.

davesaunders300

I had a bad experience with Marietta Jim Ellis also. The service manger in Marietta was a real jerk but this was about 3 years ago. I did go to the Peachtree Blvd location once and everything went OK but both of these were with other vehicles (not the RX8). I also was not happy the one time I went to Rick Case but this was with another vehicle too. I guess I'll probably give Jim Ellis on Peachtree Blvd a try the next time I need something.

starkey

The message was right, they are definitely closed for good. I was pretty pissed too, as I live in Lilburn as well and the next closest Mazda dealership is Rick Case on Satellite and they are a bunch of ******** (charged me $130 to install the strakes and $280 for the strakes themselves) I went to Jim Ellis on Peachtree Industrial and they seemed alright. Daves, where in Lilburn do you live? Maybe we could meet up sometime.

markd

Starkey, were their sales really doing that badly?? I thought they were doing well, but I of course am judging the book by its cover. This news is really unfortunate, as I am really not a fan of Jim Ellis and, from what you're saying about them, will not be much more fond of Rick Case. Wish me luck--I'm heading over to Rick Case in the morning to get some recall work done! *gulp* Hoping for a good experience...

starkey

I bought my 8 from them on Augest 6th, and from what I can tell, it was one of thier last sales. No one was ever there when I went in for service. The Nissan dealership next door (owned by the same people) have taken over the old Mazda building. I had my recall work done at the Jim Ellis on Peachtree and they did a fine job (Steven Dooley took care of me, I highly recommend him). Good luck with Rick Case, I know they will be a last resort for me from now on...

Glyphon

Wow, that's crazy. when i bought my car from them back in march, it was packed both weekends that i was there. Service was pretty slammed then too.

Although, I can't say I'm all that surprised. The admin staff there didn't really seem to have it all together. It took 4 months of me constantly hounding them about my plates before they finally managed to submit the paper work...and each time i called, i was told that the paperwork had just been submitted that week. by the third time, i had pretty much accepted the fact that they were either incompetent or lying to me.

the service dept. there was great, but i still decided that they didn't deserve any more of my money. guess others felt the same.

markd

Crap--my 8 is at Rick Case right now, for the gas tank recall. I hope it comes back in one piece!! All this talk is making me nervous...

starkey

It will come back in one piece fine, don't worry about that. Just don't take your car there for non-warrenty non-recall work. They will charge you out the *** for it.

BANNOR

I really had a great experiance with Stone Mountain. That is a bummer that they are closing.

Glyphon

heh. just got a mailer from St. Mnt. Mazda a day or two ago with coupons for an oil change.

starkey

LMAO, I got mine on the day that they closed It's funny that they are still being sent out...The Nissan dealership next door is owned by the same people so if it has both Stone Mountain Mazda and Stone Mountain Nissan on the coupon the Nissan dealership has to honor them. Thats how I got my windshield...I had a we owe from Stone Mountain Mazda for a new windshield but they kept putting it off (now I know why) but since the people who own the two dealerships tried to save money on the we owe pad by putting both dealership names on there they had to honor it :p Serves them right!

davesaunders300

I tried the Jim Ellis on Peachtree a couple of weeks ago for the 35,000 and I was impressed with their service department. They said the closing at Stone Mt came without warning even to the employees there. They have picked up a couple of their techs.

Now I'm dealing with their collision center and so far they been very helpful. Someone backed into the 8 in a friend's drive-way and damaged the front bumper and hood. At first glance it didn't look like much but the estimate is $4000-5000 and may be more after they get under the hood to see what else may have been damaged.

davesaunders300

We got the 8 back from the collision center on Monday. It took about 2 weeks which is really pretty good for body work. They replaced the front bumper and the hood to the tune of about $5300 but the other driver's insurance covered everything. The headlight alone was $425. As far as I can tell they did a really good job.