Mazda Fesses Up!
08-31-2003, 06:35 PM
#61
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 13
Got my letter two days ago from Mazda. Spoke to a customer service representative to see if there was any hope of getting a fix for the decreased horsepower and was told no, only the buy back offer or the $500 and service.
I am returning the car for these reasons.
1. Mazda does not intend to fix the problem.
2. I had to pay $3,185 over the MSRP (because it was such a hot sports car, and so much in demand)
This car is just not what it was advertised to be. I ended up paying $36,285 before tax title and licence for a car that had a msrp of $33,100. I did this at the time thinking that I was getting a 247hp car that at the time I calculated would be putting down around 200 to the rear wheels. The $500 and free maintenance does not add up to the price I had to pay over msrp.
I think I will be looking for another FD with low miles, 1995 R2 hopefully. I bought the RX8 to be a daily driver so I could keep my modified FD for just occasional use. After spending time with the RX8, I think I would be better off with a stock FD as a daily driver. That car truly delivers as a sports car.
During this decision making process, I looked at and test drove a Nissan 350Z. At the end of a long test drive with the Z, I got back to the dealership and looked at the RX-8 next to the Z. Looks wise IMO the RX8 wins hands down. As I left the Nissan dealer in the RX-8 I have to say, overall in driving experience, the RX-8 wins again (not in terms of raw power, but it was a much smoother delivery of that power) and it felt better on the road. Maybe that is just my preference for those high reving rotary engines.
Too bad Mazda can't produce the numbers the originally advertised with the car. I like the car enough that if the dealer had not charged a markup, I would probably be keeping it even with the reduced numbers, but the combination of the over charge, and the lack of ability or willingness by Mazda to fix the problem was enough to make my decision.
I still think this car is going to do good for Mazda and I know from my research on these forums that alot of people love the car. I am one of those who does still love the car, but not enough to keep it at the price I had to pay.
I am returning the car for these reasons.
1. Mazda does not intend to fix the problem.
2. I had to pay $3,185 over the MSRP (because it was such a hot sports car, and so much in demand)
This car is just not what it was advertised to be. I ended up paying $36,285 before tax title and licence for a car that had a msrp of $33,100. I did this at the time thinking that I was getting a 247hp car that at the time I calculated would be putting down around 200 to the rear wheels. The $500 and free maintenance does not add up to the price I had to pay over msrp.
I think I will be looking for another FD with low miles, 1995 R2 hopefully. I bought the RX8 to be a daily driver so I could keep my modified FD for just occasional use. After spending time with the RX8, I think I would be better off with a stock FD as a daily driver. That car truly delivers as a sports car.
During this decision making process, I looked at and test drove a Nissan 350Z. At the end of a long test drive with the Z, I got back to the dealership and looked at the RX-8 next to the Z. Looks wise IMO the RX8 wins hands down. As I left the Nissan dealer in the RX-8 I have to say, overall in driving experience, the RX-8 wins again (not in terms of raw power, but it was a much smoother delivery of that power) and it felt better on the road. Maybe that is just my preference for those high reving rotary engines.
Too bad Mazda can't produce the numbers the originally advertised with the car. I like the car enough that if the dealer had not charged a markup, I would probably be keeping it even with the reduced numbers, but the combination of the over charge, and the lack of ability or willingness by Mazda to fix the problem was enough to make my decision.
I still think this car is going to do good for Mazda and I know from my research on these forums that alot of people love the car. I am one of those who does still love the car, but not enough to keep it at the price I had to pay.
08-31-2003, 08:38 PM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jensen Beach, FL / Sylva, NC
Posts: 2,934
Let me make one thing clear. If you are a member here and a RX-8 owner it is obvious that you are aware of the HP problem and WANT the power.
I am amazed at the RX-8 owners on the RX-8 Forum that just dont care about "the numbers". These people have no clue what a 250HP car shoufl feel like. That is my only quam with them over there. So many of them are posting up that their car is still the same even after the letter. The bottom line is you have a 220 HP car not a 250. People KILL for another 30 HP!! Just like Mazda said Engineers kill for 90 lbs.
I am amazed at the RX-8 owners on the RX-8 Forum that just dont care about "the numbers". These people have no clue what a 250HP car shoufl feel like. That is my only quam with them over there. So many of them are posting up that their car is still the same even after the letter. The bottom line is you have a 220 HP car not a 250. People KILL for another 30 HP!! Just like Mazda said Engineers kill for 90 lbs.
08-31-2003, 10:16 PM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 787
I agree Jim, I want the HP! Most of the 8 owners on the RX8 forum don't care about what they spent their money on, they just want to make sure that their egos are intact, hence all of the rationalization (AKA BS). I bet if the 8 owners banded together we could get the HP back.
D
D
09-01-2003, 12:32 AM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Posts: 260
I dunno, when you guys say that you "want the HP back" or to "fix the problem" it almost makes it sound like that they can just magically shell out 30 more HP. To recifty a problem such as this would take some pretty crafty engineering, and all new engines. Unless you mean that they give you some free upgrades to match the 250 mark, just getting the HP back like that is impossible, that's why they chose the buy back or $500 rebate route.
Just think of the 8 as the grocery getter rotary, as we orignally had plans for it to be. ( No offense to the 8 owners here).
Just think of the 8 as the grocery getter rotary, as we orignally had plans for it to be. ( No offense to the 8 owners here).
09-01-2003, 12:47 AM
#65
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by Jims5543' date='Aug 31 2003, 05:38 PM
I am amazed at the RX-8 owners on the RX-8 Forum that just dont care about "the numbers".
I just want to give my point of view on your comment "I am amazed at the RX-8 owners on the RX-8 Forum that just don't care about "the numbers".
I am indeed part of the RX-8 forum, RX-8 Zoomster, and although I am not as fanatical as some, or as critical as others, I must defend my point of view.
I, as an owner, do not care about the restated HP. I bought the car based on it's performance, looks, functionality, price, rotary
Now recent timeslips have been released and we are finding that the RX-8's performance times have not slipped at all. Looks like the pre-production RX-8's were tested based on a 238hp all along. See the Rotary News link, I have posted. Exclusive: Mazda's RX-8 1/4 mile Time Slips. Mid 14 second 1/4 miles are damn good for me. I'm very satisfied.
I am glad to see these information released by Mazda injunction with Rotary News, because it silences some critics that are bashing the RX-8, based on a stated HP number.
As for me, I am keeping my car and taking the $500, plus the free scheduled maintenance. I am thrilled that I am getting the same performance, and Mazda is paying me for just a mistated HP number. For that $500 I can do modifications to the ECU, intake, cat, etc, and will recover those "missing" 9 HP and then some. And Mazda is throwing in free schedule maintenance for my "pain and suffering". I commend Mazda for offering compensation for those that are enjoying the car and want to keep it, and offering a "buyback" for those that are dissapointed in the car based on their hangup of a HP number. I feel sorry for them.
As for the problems some are experiencing with their RX-8. I have not experienced no problems in the areas of AC, performance lag, nor low MPG. Some cars may be having problems, but we must not generalize that all the cars are experiencing the same things.
I appreciate to all members of this forum in allowing me to voice a RX-8 owner's opinion and experience.
Sometime in the future I may be in the market for a used RX-7 and I may be seeking all you members' advise, but I reserve that for another post or thread.
Cheers.
09-01-2003, 07:43 AM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jensen Beach, FL / Sylva, NC
Posts: 2,934
Originally Posted by Streetrally' date='Sep 1 2003, 12:32 AM
I dunno, when you guys say that you "want the HP back" or to "fix the problem" it almost makes it sound like that they can just magically shell out 30 more HP. To recifty a problem such as this would take some pretty crafty engineering, and all new engines. Unless you mean that they give you some free upgrades to match the 250 mark, just getting the HP back like that is impossible, that's why they chose the buy back or $500 rebate route.
Just think of the 8 as the grocery getter rotary, as we orignally had plans for it to be. ( No offense to the 8 owners here).
Just think of the 8 as the grocery getter rotary, as we orignally had plans for it to be. ( No offense to the 8 owners here).
09-02-2003, 07:28 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jensen Beach, FL / Sylva, NC
Posts: 2,934
I got a response from Mazda USA. I was suprised. I suggest more people e-mail them.
Dear Jim,
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.
I am pleased you took the time to bring your comments regarding the
RX-8 to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to
Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments
such as yours help us to achieve that goal.
Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate
record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product
Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality
products to our customers.
Thanks again for contacting Mazda.
Warm regards,
Heather Drake
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Original Message Follows:
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.
I am pleased you took the time to bring your comments regarding the
RX-8 to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to
Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments
such as yours help us to achieve that goal.
Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate
record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product
Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality
products to our customers.
Thanks again for contacting Mazda.
Warm regards,
Heather Drake
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Original Message Follows:
09-02-2003, 07:33 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jensen Beach, FL / Sylva, NC
Posts: 2,934
My message got chopped I will go find it and post it. I didn't say much. Just posted them a link to the thread in the RX-8 forum and no pistons forum about the missing HP and told them that it would be nice if they ofeered to mod the cars to get the 247HP they enticed us with. I said some were not happy with the $500 and service plan.
