Hi Everyone,

I'm in Davis, CA (a little south of sacramento), and was wondering which dealership service centers, everyone in this area takes their Rx-8's to (Sacramento, Vacaville, Fairfield, Vallejo etc...).

I'll start:

Senator Mazda - Sacramento. --> Nice people and "good" service, but they don't seem to know much about Rx-8's.

1. When I went in for an oil change, they filled her with 10w30 synthetic, as opposed to 5w20 nonsynthetic as the manual demands!

2. They are always jammed packed! I had to leave my car there overnight, just to have the 1 rotary specialist take a look at it.

3. All in all, friendly people though. I think they do want to help, it's just that they don't have the experience of staff to help to standards that we demand.

 

Ya, its pretty tough for a service person to open a manual to see what type of oil to put in.

 

Bill Lang - Vallejo

Service 7am - 7pm 7 days a week Beat that!

Rarely have to leave the car.

They have a rotary mechanic that's pretty sharp.

 

I just took my Rx-8 in to Great Valley Mazda in Sacramento; it was such a positive experience, especially in comparison to Senator mazda. They are tremendously staffed - literally, it looked as if there were twice as many technicians. Senator Mazda has 1 part time rotary technician - while Great Valley has 2 fulltime rotary technicians.

I didn't even have to schedule an appointment, I called this afternoon at 1pm, they told me to just drop by, I was there by 2pm, and out by 4pm! --->

In just two hours, they fixed my airbag (per recall), gave me hotter spark plugs (regarding the hard starts), reflashed my PCM to L (the latest update - just because "it's the latest update"), and addressed a CEL (turned out it was a loose o2 sensor..hehe), while simultaneously answering whatever questions I threw at them.

It wasn't as if the service center was empty - it was just that they had more technicians to go around, therefore, work got done faster and more efficiently. Incredibly, I had at one point, both Rotary technicians working on my car at one time...the whole experience was rather enlightening.

The service was quick and concise. Very much recommended if you're in the sacramento area. And please, do not go to senator mazda - they are the ones who put put in 10w30 synthetic oil, when it is clearly stated as requiring 5w20 nonsynthetic, and kept my car overnight to address "oil in the intake manifold" only to return it to me with the oil cleaned out and without an explanation for the problem.

 

I live in Santa Rosa and purchased my 8 from Wood Mazda back in December and had a very pleasant experience. Tuesday I dropped off my car for the obligatory recalls as well as a couple of minor issues. I also had purchased a set of strakes, clear corners,and front mud guards and since I was short of time asked them to quote me to install. Well I just want to say that the whole experience was great! The Service Manager, Dave, treated me with the upmost of respect and was very attentive to my questions, I had printed all the recalls and TSB's that were applicable to the car.

I picked up the car today and everything was installed the car was fully detailed and all issues were resolved. Total cost to install the items was $150 which was well worth it to me. Therefore I just want to send kudos to Wood Mazda! I highly reccommend the dealership to anyone in the North Bay.

 

what about Menlo mazda anyone like it there?

 

I agree that Senator Mazda is slow ( and they put the wrong oil in my car too...) but I had a things stolen from my car at Great Valley. I only choose to go to senator because it is closer to where I live.

 

I purchased my car at Senator Mazda as well. Very nice staff, but seemingly clueless about the RX8. Not very sure I would feel comfortable dropping my RX8 off there.

I live in Stockton however, and there is a Stockton Mazda dealer. Anyone dealt with them? I actually dropped off my '8 there just today, becuase I was unable to shift into 6th. Strangely enough, I called back later and they said they could shift fine. I came back, and sure enough it shifted just fine!

The service department was very friendly, not sure about how knowledgable they were because I didn't really go into anything with them. But their sales staff...well, they could use some work. Which is why I bought in Sac

 

They like you there. They are a decent dealership. I had a complimentary detail done there and they scratched the **** out of my drivers side door edge. It is all good now. Other than that they are good. I'm getting my oil pan changed out due to random low oil lights when there is plenty of oil and I was given no **** for it and I'm getting a rental car. So, it's all good.....

 

Ineed some advice. I bought my RX at Oaktree Mazda, but live in the Oakland Hills. I'm doing my first few services at OT but really want to find a dealer that knows the RX8 closer to Oakland. Any recomendations?

 

I've been going to Menlo. They're ok and open on Sat. BUT...my last visit (I got an '04 and chose the free maint/vs buy back) they printed the maintenance schedule, attached it to the receipt, and circled the 48mo schedule. My car isn't 48mo yet and only an oil change was due and requested.

I asked the older guy who looked to be in charge if this meant this was the last free maint (i knew it wasn't) and he said yes. But when you compare the maintenance schedule and the reciept with actual work performed all they did was change the oil (the 48mo has several other services).

Since I got what I came for didn't feel like arguing with the fellow I left, but to openly try and decieve someone.

Wrong. Just plain wrong...

 

Putnam Mazda(Burlingame) has been pretty damn nice to me... Kinda slow though, but I usually drop it off, and walk a couple blocks towards the downtown area and grab some lunch and back... usually ready by then... plus the service manager(Pine) is pretty chill...

 

Putnam is ok. recv'd a junk mail add and their service dept is now open Sats I think I'll go back to them.

 

I like Putnam in Burlingame, although one of their service writers (Melissa) failed to get back to me several times. Pine is a cool guy to work with though.
So far I was happy with the service I got from them.

 

Took mine to Tracy Mazda to have the rear tailight replaced. They had the part within the week. Set up a apt. I showed up early the car went in early and was done by the time my orginal apt was suposed to start. They werent busy and the coustomer service was fantastic. There is also a place called ricks rotary performance or something to that effect in pleasenton which is 2 min from me. i will have to check them out and let you guys know.