I've been taking my RX-8 to Jim Ellis Mazda for almost 2 years now. Those guys rock. They've never (!) tried to bullshit me about the flashes, they joke that this board knows more than most Mazda dealers... they've comp'ed things when they were late... they always do what they can to work me in - I usually call and ask if I can get the oil changed right then... 4 out 5 times, they accomodate.

I realize a lot of these things are things that should happen, but we know they don't. Hell, they've even detailed my car a few times - just because "... your RX is badass man".

If you're anywhere near Peachtree and 285, it's worth having these guys be your dealer.

 

They gave me crap about the brake squeal TSB in September (or maybe Oct, don't remember).

First they gave me a lecture about how a TSB isn't a recall and they don't have to perform it. I can understand they need to inform the customer of this, but I told them I was aware that this wasn't a recall and they persisted in giving me a lecture about it anyway.

Then they said "I hear a little bit of a squeal, but it's not a problem". It was a problem. Windows up and music full blast and it was still annoying the hell out of me. Every time I stopped.

Then they said they couldn't find the TSB I was talking about. I had to give them the actual TSB number off the rosenthal site. After that they said "Okay, we'll see if we can find it."

My last oil change (the only one I've had that didn't have warranty work performed at the same time) took an hour and a half.

I also have issues with the finance manager I dealt with when buying the car, but that's not related to maintenance, so I won't go into it.

They did take perform the starter replacement without a hassle though. I complained of having hard starts and they accepted it no problems. But on the service reciept it says that the car arrived flooded (I drove it to dealership, and it was warmed up nicely by the time I got there) and they had to push it into the bay. I'm not sure if they flooded it on purpose (or through carelessness), or just put that there so they could do the warranty work.


I'm not saying I don't like them, just that they're not angels in the form of Mazda technicians.

 

I've heard great things about them from my dealer in Anderson, SC. According to Mazda Fuel magazine (a company publication) Jim Ellis is number 15 out of 25 top dealers as far as quality and service, I believe it said. (Left it out in my car) Anyway, I plan to go see them when the MS3 comes out. Asmoran, I'm sorry about your crappy luck. I sometimes have issues with my dealer as well.

 

I'm going to have to pick a dealer in Atlanta to start going to soon. Five Star Mazda here in Macon is FOR ****. They nitpick every little modification that I have done (whine about them is more accurate, actually) and when I bring the car in for a problem they try to say that one of my modifications caused it. My FAVORITE was when I brought it in for a CEL twice in a week and it turned out to be the same two codes (cam position sensor disagree, and cam timing over-advance). The first time they just cleared the code and told me to see if it happened again (understandable). The second time it happened the asshat of a Service Manager said that my amplifier's power wire coming off the battery was probably causing it and that the repair wouldn't be under warranty (Grade A, 100%, pure copper-bottomed bullshit). So I called Mazda USA, filed a formal complaint and talked to the Area service director and got it straightened out, turns out it was a whole other problem.

Long story short, that is the story for each warranty repair that I have had, including the latest where they are saying that my axle-back exhaust has caused my front exhaust manifold to let go and they won't warranty it (It couldn't POSSIBLY be related to them replacing the engine only 10,000 miles ago, apparantly). So I filed another formal complaint (I have lost count) and now I actively tell everyone I know in town to avoid them like the plague. Any opinions on the better dealers in Atlanta? I've heard good things about Rosenthal and Jim Ellis. Are any of them more friendly to modifications than the others?

 

I take my car to Jim Ellis in Marietta and have had good luck with them so far. I just had the starter, plugs and battery replaced because of hard starts. I told them exactly what was happening and they took care of it. I was expecting to get the run around but instead they gave me 5 additional hp with the new plugs. Two of the service managers there talk to me all the time about the mods I have and tell me of things they hear that work and don't work. They haven't given me any crap for them yet. The only problem I had was a loose sparkplug wire after my spark plugs and starter were changed. It happened about 4 days after they did the work so I guess the wire just worked itself loose. I fixed it myself and haven't had any problems since.

 

Are you talking about Jim Ellis Marietta, or Jim Ellis in Chamblee? On saturday i went to the one in marietta to check out rx-8s. I didnt really see any i liked but the sales guy let me check out an 06 they had in the back, it looked the same except it had aluminum pedals. I dont know if those come with the 05s too or if this was an option for the 06.

 

We've been going to Jim Ellis since August when Stone Mt Mazda closed. We've been very happy with them. They've done everything we asked for without question. Just got a new starter and battery under warranty after I screwed up and flooded the car moving it to make room in the driveway and not taking the time to warm it up.

 

We're talking about the one in Chamblee on PI

 

The one in Marietta has been great for us. I used to take the FD to the one in Chamblee before I knew of Mazcare. It's been going there ever since.

Tim

 

Thanks for the kind words Tim. At this time I am highly recommending the dealership at Mall of Ga. Everyone that has been up there said it was worth the drive and all of their issues were handled with a smile.

 

Wow- I guess we're lucky with our dealership. We're in NE FL, and we don't have a choice, the next closest Mazda dealership is an hour and a half drive away. We use Sandy Sansing Mazda here and their service department is awesome. We never have to make an appointment. If a part we needed comes in, we get a call saying "just come in whenever." They have done every TSB and recall without any complaint, and helped with the little rattles and such like. They're awesome. No probs with the minor mods we have done either. They usually comment on how much they like them! I guess they like to see someone who takes care of their car and really is enthusiastic about it.

I'm going in today with our new one (after the other got wrecked) and having them do the once over on it.

If any of you are stuck down here in FL and need to get something taken care of, these are definitely the guys to go to.

 

Anybody have any experience with Rick Case Mazda in Duluth? I'm new to the area and I'm trying to find a new dealer to go to. I really miss the guys at Bob Moore Mazda in Oklahoma City.

-Gary