Gents /Ladies

I've had so many problems in the last few months I now have to consider getting rid of this car and it just breaks my heart even thinking about it.

Mine is now a 4 year old and most of those 4 years were completely trouble free, then recently I have had the following costs.

1 - 4 new tyres, ok consumable part but still €1200 where I live
2 - Engine flooded, my bad for not driving it hard, new sparks @ €250 plus tow truck
3 - Down on power, undriveable, smoke everywhere, tow truck plus 2 engine coils @ €230 each
4 - Due to flooding and sparks (see point 2) - new CAT, did ok here and got one for €520 installed - even though Mazda Ireland wanted €1871 for parts only)
5 - Looks like coil 3 and or 4 are gone now, tow truck home today and who knows what else when I get to the garage on Monday !!

I love this car and appart from the modified CAT it's still stock, is there any light at the end of the tunnel for my "money pit" ?

Thanks
Ger

 

how many miles?

 

If you can't do any of your own basic maintenance then you gotta put up with these costs.
BTW, €1200 for 4 tyres is very expensive by any standards, which brand/model tyre? Bridgestone RE050A's are €190 (inclusive) each, delivered to your door, and about €15 each balanced and fitted. (approx. €820 total)
Items like ignition coils, spark plugs etc are very easy to replace with the most basic tools and skills. Ignition coils are cheapest bought from the USA @ $35 each, and spark plugs are about $85 per set. (plus delivery etc)
You need to improve on your own car maintenance skills if you cannot abide the extortionate prices charged by the main dealers.
There is all the information here on this forum if you are prepared to read lots and lots of threads.
Where are you in Ireland? and which main stealer (dealer) are you using?

 

Ya. Taking it to the dealer and having them do work is overall about double what you youself could do it for. Coils and such are a pretty simple install.

I mean it sucks. But You've learned your lesson and got new parts and I can't forsee much trouble in the future. If you think the engine isn't warm enough, either don't turn it off yet, or rev it to 3K let it drop to 2.5K and turn it off. The engine burns off the extra fuel. Will Typically prevent flooding.

 

It's too bad you did not find this Club earlier you could have breezed through most of those problems knowing how do handle it.

 

personally the way i see it, flooding happens to all of us at least once, and spark plugs and coils are a maitenance item. Coils and plugs do go bad, its not like there is a problem with your car, its just time for these items to be replaced. I just replaced my coils and plugs because the coils had not been changed in 35000 miles, and at that mileage they usually start to go bad. I just did everything you did except for the CAT and there is nothing wrong with my car. I say keep it, you will regret getting rid of it.

 

*not me*

 

ALL those problems were avoidable with regular maintainence .... you shoulda changed out all 4 colis and plugs and wires together since you needed 2 ... so if you cant keep up with maintainence sell her but if you can keep it none of the problems are worth getting rid of her for ...

 

Not me...

 

Yeah, those items you replaced will probably last you quite a while, and they're known to go on the 8. Unless you're losing compression, not to much else to poof :P

 

Hi Ger

I live in the north of ireland, so used to uk prices and yes are quite expensive for CATS and ignition coils etc. I ended up paying £77 each for the coils inc VAT, three went on me so just replaced the four, and also the sparkplugs I got for £90 and leads £22.

A local mechanic just charged £20 to fit them, and kept car in his garage for the days while the parts were ordered. The CAT was replaced by my dealership, and its crazy at £1200 yes, but there are CATs on ebay for £300 odd.

What the guys said above goes for this car, but the good news is you have covered the major items, so you should be good to go. I am glad I joined the RAC breakdown recovery people as they towed me to my mechanic and membership only £110. Have used them 3 times as both my rides (mazdas too) fell sick, but they are great for helping you.

My car was like new after the coils/plugs etc. It did bogg down a little a week after in going up the revs, but after running some BP ultimate super unleaded through her, its back to normal. So the spark plugs get fouled up which is why the guys recommend replacing them more often than a regular car.

The only thing I will need in the future are new tyres, the stock potenza's are ok, but want something quieter and good all round.

Any advice there will be great guys???

 

Thank you everyone, I do feel better knowing that the worst is probably behind me.
You have given me a lot to think about and a fair amount of reading to do on here so thanks again.

I don't have time this week to fix it myself as I need to get back on the road so I will have it taken to the garage tomorrow but hopfeully next time you all just saved me a few euro.

To answer some questions

40,000 miles which is low for it's age
Yeah Potenza tyres which cost me near as makes no difference €300 each but I think they are a good all-weather tyre and I find it comforting to know I have them and you can't put a price on that !!

I won't say I am not technical, I have made a career in technology, just a different type of technology and I never really tried to turn my hand to car maintenance but I have a feeling I might now !!

Again - thank you
Ger

 

Sorry, I missed some questions.

I live in Dublin, Ireland and I originally got the car from Belgard Motors. However they are thieving jippos so I now use Phoenix Motors who are actually very good to me, they even got it going when the plugs fouled up and didnt charge me for anything except the parts which is why I go back.