Frustrated

[AIM WO4]

Where's the workshop manual? Do they have one posted to RX-8 club, etc? Maybe it's a DIY job.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Aug 8 2008, 12:23 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=59619]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Yup, Mazda customer service was basically the first to bail out, saying it was a dealer's decision and there was nothing they could do. Jimmy/Burt said they wouldn't swap the tranny (district manager's decision), but would look at the transmission once they had a trained tech, which "might" happen in a couple of months, and most likely before my warranty is up next May. Sigh.[/b]

[Huzer21]

Oh, I've got the workshop manual for the car. My point was that it should be covered under warranty. What sucks is finally having 1 Service Manager (out of 3, not counting the previous 2 at Burt) finally drive it, and agree that it wasn't the clutch and that it something that is covered under warranty. Yet, nothing can be done about it at this point. For that matter, I could buy a used or reman tranny (if I wanted to go that far) and swap it myself.

I thought I saw some light at the end of the tunnel in regards to warranty coverage, but not anymore. I know I sound like a whiny crybaby complaining about this, but I'm not nitpicking. When the problem first started, it was only at really high RPMs, now, it's creeped down to anything 4k and higher, until eventually (like Greek) I'll just have to 1-3 shift and forget 2nd altogether. All of the local dealers' lack of action, coupled with Mazda's indifference have really pushed me away from the marque. Which is rather unfortunate, as I really like the cars.

[AIM WO4]

Doesn't sound like whining to me.

I'd be pissed.

[Huzer21]

To add to the drama...Lakewood called me just a few minutes ago to let me know that Mazda had contacted them. Rich/Lakewood is now contacting the District Customer Service Manager as well. So I've got 2 Service Managers, with differing opinions, calling the same DCSM. He said he'll call me back today to let me know where this is going. This should be fun. I say Mazda is going to tell them to just burn my car.

[MazdaTom]

So they agree that it's a warrantable item, but they won't preform the work under warranty based on the district manager's decision. Is that the gist of it?

Have you tried Mazda Corporate?

If you want to keep the car, it sounds like you could have a case against them in the court.

[kingtut]

This sounds like such BS! I'd be completely irrate if I were you, congrats on keeping your composure btw. What the heck is the point in a FACTORY-BACKED warranty if they hold no liability when something goes wrong...and furthermore, address that there is a warrantable problem at hand, yet not do jack to fix it for you-

I've been in similar situations (companies not upholding their end of agreements) and all you can do is make a huge stink, and climb the ladder. No offense to service managers, but generally, they have no power. You need to continually seek higher levels of power.... my .02-

[Huzer21]

Yup, I've called and emailed MNAO (I was actually drafting an email to MNAO when Lakewood called me). They rally behind the dealer 100%. Burt agrees it's a warrantable item, yet does not have the trained personnel to perform the repair. If they refer me to another dealer (which is what happened in the past) that dealership is going to come back and change their diagnosis from being the transmission, to saying it's the clutch. And the vicious circle just repeats.

My guess is that if I did go elsewhere, and that dealership now goes back and says it's the clutch, Mazda will support that decision by saying "Well, Burt Mazda didn't have a certified transmission mechanic, so they were wrong." I guess now I'm just waiting to hear what Rick at Lakewood says today. Seems to me I'm down to my final "yes or no" on this issue.

[MazdaTom]

Tell Lakewood that you don't want to hear their diagnosis until they ACTUALLY drive the car.

[Huzer21]

Yup, I asked him if he drove it (Rich/Lakewood) and after a slight delay, he said yes. I mentioned the tech also drove the car and said it was the syncros. He backpedaled and said the tech that drove my car wasn't experienced enough to make that diagnosis. If, and that's a big if now, as I'm getting worked up again, I go back, I'm making him drive the car with me in it.

[GR-8]

Dude that really sucks.

[kingtut]

Stupid question here, but why doesn't a dealership who is responsible for FULL service of any Mazda/Ford vehicle they sell have a "certified" transmission mechanic?? It's not like you're going to a hospital and need a "specialist" in some rare form of something-rather--- you need an F-ing transmission, which is covered under warranty (not trying to rip on Burt specifically), and the bleep-bleep-bleeping shop's only defense in the matter is, "we don't have a transmission mechanic". Sounds to me like they are in the wrong, by not empoying a vital part of a service dept.- It also sounds to me that this issue alone is a just reason to complain to corporate that one of their "certified dealers" isn't capable of servicing their product! They shouldn't be able to sell Mazda's under the "Burt" name unless they are able to take care of their customers properly. Just doesn't make sense...and more so it doesn't make sense for you to accept that. Secondly, assuming Lakewood Does actually have someone who is capable of doing this type of service on your car and they say its a clutch....then aren't they liable for the costs incurred if indeed they do the clutch work and it is actually the tranney??

[goldrocket]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Jul 28 2008, 10:10 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58453]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Ah, forgot to mention one thing...I was also accused of racing the car, because "that's what the RX-8 is for".[/b]

This cracks me up. If the dealer is claiming that's what the RX-8 is for, then what's the f$#king difference if you were racing it!?!?!?!?
I would certainly have already called the better business bureau. They have no real power, but all your documentatin and a claim from them, coupled with colorado's lemon law, you may have a grounds for a lawsuit. Who did you buy the car from? Sounds like they knew it was jacked up and jut put a band aid on it to sell it.
This whole scenario just makes me snicker, I have yet to have a trans in my 82 without gears 2 and 3 having problems with grinding. Granted, I have twice the horsepower my car came with from the factory, but I am planning on taking my spare blown up trans to a shop and asking them what can be done to make 2nd and 3rd liv e alittle longer.
funny thing about service managers, I was talking to a guy the other night whom I have know for a few years, never knew he was a service manager at Phil Long Ford. He quit because he sadi he could no longer sleep at night. The typical dealer crap, don't fix it under warranty, and tell grandma her car need $7k in repairs when all it really needs in an oil change. Seems like car dealers are getting to be almost as crooked as cops in this state.

[Huzer21]

Update. Lakewood called me back Friday afternoon. Now the situation (and he's changed his tune quite a bit). They'll gladly pull the transmission and check everything out, but if it isn't a warranty covered item (clutch) then I incur the costs. I've agreed to that all along. If it was the clutch, I'll pay for it, move one, and be a happy camper. Quite a change from the "it's your clutch, and we won't work on anything else until that's replaced" stance he took before. The only fear I have is that Lakewood will do everything in their power to prove in some way that it is clutch related.

Doesn't matter too much at this point, I want to keep the car.

[Billman]

Glad to hear it! At least you are getting somewhere with them rather than feeling like you are banging your head against a wall... All be it tentatively.

I have my fingers crossed for ya that they'll see it your way.

[GR-8]

Weee some progress. Hope everything works out fine for you and they admit it's the syncros and get the tranny replaced.