Experience with Irvine Mazda
 

I'm in the process of completing the purchase of an RX 8 from Irvine Mazda. The sales process seems to have gone well, but I'm concerned about some of the indirect negitive comments about Irvine Mazda service. Is there a specific problem with this dealer? Should I look for a different dealer to work with? Thanks for any input.
Soon to be new RX 8 owner.

In my case, my experience with Irvine Mazda went really smooth at the beginning. The difference is because I had all my numbers straight from Edmuds.com and also I just dealt with the internet sales guy; his name is Randy Thompson. Him being an ex-Marine was really courteous and answered my questions started either with “Yes Sir or No Sir”
Kudos for our men and women in the military. :)
The other reason is that I dealt with him over emails before I drove down there. He gave me $400 over invoice which is not really bad deal and all the fees (tax, license, options, etc.) spelled out and the final number out of the door. Other dealers was giving me the run around with the numbers even thought they were offering about $100 less over the invoice in which meant nothing for me since they can sneak a charge somewhere.
Oh, I forgot to mention that because I wanted a spare tire and I got my car on Sunday, the service department was close... So, he even offered dropping my spare tire at my home on the following day. Well, I had my spare tire on Tuesday because he got so busy. At least he called about the change of plans.
My experience went a bit sour with the finance department… yup that guy was rude, but I stood my ground since I have the numbers in front of me spelled out. He even wanted to sell me the extended warranty for 3K which I refused because is a dealer only warranty which means that I have to drive down there (50 miles) just to get my car service. He said “you know the RX8 is a rally sophisticated machine and most of the problems start to show up after the warranty expires an it can cost you a lot of money later on for repair” I thought “are you implying that Mazda vehicles are pieces of junks?”, but I just wanted to get it over and said “I will deal with it when the time comes” Anyway, I kept refusing his extended warranty and he offered me his “cost” of $2000. I kept refusing it… and at the end before signing the final paper he said “how about $1500?” I said NO and he looked at me like he wanted to chew me up but I gave him my “whatever” stare.
Anyway, if you can deal with him and have all the numbers spelled out, you have more control over the situation. But after reading others people post, I will definitely stay away for the service department and other salespeople.

Environphoto, generally you're not going to have any problems with any dealers during the "sales" process. Because they're trying to sell you a car, they'll be as curtious and professional as possible to make the sale. However, beyond the "sales" process is what really defines a "supportive dealership." The experiences we've got (at least most of us) from Irvine Mazda has been a utterly terrible. The service staff are not nearly as professional as the sales staff; they all have this "take it or leave it attitude." The service staff should be knowledgeble in all service aspects regarding Mazda vehicles, but most of them aren't.

As consumers, we have the right to question and research any and every "leads" we find regarding service related issues. The service department can simple accept or dismiss the findings we come across from talking to other Mazda owners, or information we retrieved from the Internet.

When I approached the Irvine Mazda service department regarding the "L" reflash, their reply was, "get off the Internet, period." Then followed up about 30min chewing out on my part. Anyway, I'm this close to drop a bomb on the entire Irvine Mazda dealership, if I had a bomb and a plane.

Anyway, hope this helps. Buy the car from Irvine Mazda if they give you a good deal, but do your service elsewhere. Check the site often and look out for threads where people post positive experience from certain dealerships.

So far, Browning Mazda in Cerritos has been rated Awesome.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the input. I believe it is better to be armed with as much information as possible before I give someone 30K.