CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

first time posting so please be gentle. i searched and read as much as i could for the last two weeks and haven't seen this answer but i'm sure it's already out there. i just bought an '04 MT w/ 39K miles from a private seller and have had it almost two weeks now. the other day i went to start my baby and it took three tries before she turned over. i called the local dealer to have them look at it and they scheduled an appointment for today. when i took it there i had a list of other small items as well and when i started discussing it with the service manager he started tallying how much he would be charging me. my list was:

engine had trouble starting (described in detail for him)
brakes are squeeking
sunroof squeeks at highway speeds when open
moisture in the brake light

i asked if this was covered by the bumper to bumper warranty and he said that these are likely all just maintenance issues and after the first 12 months/10K miles the only thing that is covered are parts issues. he only ended up typing up the first three items on the list and it came to $207.50 + tax ($83/hr) as an estimate. he said it could be more if they get in there and find issues but if it is a part issue it would be covered under warranty. these were just the diagnostic costs. i had him take off the 1 hour sunroof diagnostic b/c i can live with that but does all of this sound right?

the previous owner hadn't taken her in to get an updated flash or new battery/plugs so i was hoping to get that out of them but i doubt it with these guys. i have printed the TSBs that relate to it and if he wants to charge me i'll show up with the paper but i hate to go that route. am i just being cheap not wanting to spend $200 on items that are known problems? i'm just asking to be flamed by that last question.

thanks,

expo1

Find a new dealer and call Mazda about this. Even if he backpedals from trying to charge you for warrenty work I wouldn't trust them to clean your ashtray.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

a big 10-4 and thanks for the help. it sounded a bit strange to me that he would charge me anything at all. i went in there thinking it would just be a quick drop off of the car and list of the problems. it caught me off guard to have to sign anything saying that he would be charging me for the work. i should have had a clue b/c when i asked if they did a loaner car his response was that "some mazda dealerships offer a reimbursement at a rental agency..." and at that point i just cut him off. it wasn't worth my time to hear another excuse.

there is another dealership about 15 minutes away that i have heard does good work but this one was right around the corner and my boss and his boss both get their volvos serviced at this one and said they are pretty stand up so i gave it a shot. i'll see what the results are when i pick up the car after work and if they try charging me i'll be on the phone with mazda to ensure they say i don't. i just didn't get the right vibe from this guy and wanted to make sure i wasn't just being cheap (which i will admit i can be when i truly don't think i should be paying for something).

also, is moisture in the brake light something easy to fix and/or under warranty that they can/should fix?

poolsidenaz

Don't pay them a dime.

For the moisture in the brake light issue, they'll replace the entire brake light harness. It's likely they need to order one first.

RotrDoc

Everything you mention are common issues that some people have gotten repaired under warranty. I'd say that your vibes were accurate, this guy will not give you satisfactory service, and you should find a more accommodating dealer.

My dealer rarely has a Mazda loaner available, but they make arrangements with the Enterprise agent up the road to provide a satisfactory ('though rarely exciting) rental at their expense, as conveniently as practicable. Providing a replacement vehicle during warranty repairs is required (not optional).

expo1

Most dealers need to see the moisture before they order the part so don't go show them on a nice sunny day.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

looks like this is the only good thing coming out of all of this rain we have been getting in new england the last few days. there's no mistaking the moisture in it today (or for the next few days if they put it off). you all have been really great and i'm glad i finally joined the forum instead of just being an onlooker. this is a good group here - thanks for the help. again, i'll post results once i get my car back.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

an update to the situation. after speaking to the service manager about not feeling i should pay for it he suddenly had an update on my car. he said that he would do the new battery, plugs, and starter for me at no cost but....drumroll please....the squeeking brakes came from the pads being worn down to just over the 3mm mark to replace and that the pads had actually worn a groove into the rotors that could not be machined out and would have to be replaced at $700...tada...because it is not a warranty item the brake inspection would be $83 but as a favor he would apply the brake inspection charge to the price of the rotors if i had it done today. if i just replace the pads it would be $130. at this point i'm not even going to have him look at the sunroof or risk being hosed even worse. what a bad way to start the week.

dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

My dealer does a brake inspection every time I bring it in for warranty work. For free. They give me this little sheet with all sorts of checks that they did.

I'd call Mazda North America and tell them about this dealer. He's screwing you every which way. Checking your brakes like he did is literally a 2 minute job if the tires are off the car, and from the paperwork I've recieved it's a required step in warranty work.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

called mazda north america and they said that the dealer can charge a diagnostic fee if they want to since it was determined to be a maintenance issue. not a happy camper right now but do like the fact that my baby starts up so nicely now that i have a new battery, starter, and plugs. oh, and they also took care of the moisture in my brake light as a 'courtesy' to me. i have the full service report card and as you said it has that as part of their service. i guess if i had gone in there for just the crank no start and not mentioned the brakes i would have saved myself the $83.

two rotors

Yes,well the brake issue is a bit dicey.If your pads actually are worn down to almost nothing,then it is a maintenance issue.If you have buddy who can check them for you and find if they are worn down to 3mm.At 39k miles,they well be worn out --depends on the previous driver.
If they lied to you --take pictures and nail em to the cross!

Razz1

Everything you mentioned is TSB and covered under warrenty except..........

You have two problems..

Too many miles for sqeeky brakes.

It's too old for battery replacement.

Well it looks like u got the battery. $83 is a fair price for brake inspection.

Since the brake didn't pulsate and shudder the car when stopping, they are not warpped.

Just get new pads and the hell out of Dodge......

Your not going to get out of the $83 so might as well put it to pads.
Brakes are expensive, I would have brought it in to someone else that is good and cheaper.
Like I said learn a lesson and get the hell out of the dealerdhip before you pay more big bucks.

A new TSB came out on Sun roof and they have to fix it.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

^^ like he said

All the issues that you've mention should be covered under warranty, well except for Brakes. 39K miles ahh ur pads should be worn out.

but I gotta tell you this my friend. After you're done with this, I suggest you to STAY AWAY from this dealership.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

lesson well learned. i was expecting to pay at least partial for the battery so i feel i at least got something out of the deal (or at least that's what i told myself so i could sleep last night). last time at this dealership though. it's a shame that they couldn't be trusted but i guess that's the world we live in with some good people and some that are looking to take advantage any way they can.

TopTrainer

Don't be so sure about the brakes. the first Mazda dealership I took my 8 to said the same crap, brakes sqeak due to the pads and rotors being shot and it would cost $350 to replace the fronts. I refused and took it to another dealer who told me the brakes were fine and replaced the pads under warranty per the TSB. Mine has 32k miles on it.

Also the diagnostic fee is B.S. your car is under warranty, there is no diagnostic fee for anything. The first and second dealerships tried to tell me the same crap and I refused. Their excuse was that they don't know what the service record is on the car because I purchased it used, so it's my dime to have the problem inspected. I said no, the car is under new car warranty doesn't matter if I am the second, third or tenth owner of the car.

I, too, have had new started, battery, and plugs ( 2nd dealer ), new brake pads ( 2nd dealer ) and new tail light ( 2nd dealer ). First dealership would do nothing. I wouldn't pay the diagnostic fee and I would have another dealership or Midas check out the brakes. They're probably ok.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

it's like looking in the mirror only i should have been a little more forceful about things. i actually got a call today from the service manager saying that he wanted to see how things were going and make sure i was happy. he said surveys are sometimes sent out to customers and that anything short of very satisfied (including just putting satisfied) would be a black eye on them. i had to literally laugh out loud at the guy which didn't seem to make him happy. i said, how could i possibly feel happy? i was charged a fee that i don't feel i should have to pay and now you want me to say i'm completely satisfied? he wanted me to elaborate and he probably regretted it the second he asked. he said that we could probably work something out with the fee that was charged but he would have to talk to his boss.

why do i feel like i'm being jerked around? oh yeah, because i am.

otherside

$83.00 for a brake inspection is a flat out rip off. The brake inspection should have been free under the Mazda Full Circle Inspection program.

Aratinga

That dealer is so stupid he doesn't even realize that Mazda's not dinging him when any RX-8 owner gives an unsatisfactory survey rating! What a dolt.

Yes, you heard right. Mazda dealers are not getting in trouble if an RX-8 owner is unhappy with the service they receive. In case you missed that thread, it's here:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...mulligan+video

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

i do remember reading that now that you remind me. what he doesn't know can hurt him then. i got the call yesterday evening from mazda but of course was having dinner with the in-laws so i had to ask them to call back later when i could speak more freely. even if it doesn't hurt their score i think it should still be documented by them. maybe i could get this guy to cooperate a little more knowing that i have received the call and will be speaking to them on tuesday.

Phantom Menace

I've less than 1k mi. and my brakes are just now starting to squeak...what's up with that?