Deal (er) or No Deal (er)?

[scnzzz]

Hi all,

Am still relatively new to this forum (and brand new to Mazda), and was wondering what folks' experience has been with their dealers for routine maintenance (as opposed to the always-entertaining ECU reflash debate and other fun recalls).

In the past, I have bought a Maxima SE & a Magnum RT from dealers - and have been thoroughly frustrated and generally disgusted with dealer service. I was wondering what peoples' experience has been with Mazda dealers.

My local dealer is Oak Tree Mazda in San Jose, CA (would really appreciate input from anyone who has used these guys). I guess if I had a more old-school motor (as opposed to the DISI on my MSP6), I'd bypass the dealer automatically and go straight to my old-school, slightly cross-eyed, and bulletproof mechanic, but I'm wondering whether I should stick to the dealer for my MSP6.

Any pointers/suggestions/dealer stories would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wannabe]

it really depends more on your local guys than anything else...in my area there are a couple dealers that are horrible, and a couple that are fine. it really depends..

 

[autoxes]

If your car is under warranty you have to take it to a dealer for maintainence. Otherwise, I would suggest doing it yourself. I am the only one who works on my car, I don't really like someone else screwing with it.

 

[scnzzz]

If your car is under warranty you have to take it to a dealer for maintainence.

Surely that cannot be a legal requirement to maintain the warranty? I've had maintenance work on previous rides done by my mechanic without voiding the warranty.

I guess my real question is this: Is there anything about the DISI motor that would preclude a decent (non-dealer) mechanic from doing a good job on routine maintenance? I would think not, but given what I've read about engine issues with both modded and non-modded MSP6's elsewhere on this forum, I'm a little spooked...

 

[wannabe]

If your car is under warranty you have to take it to a dealer for maintainence.

(scratch) no you don't.

 

[wannabe]

Surely that cannot be a legal requirement to maintain the warranty? I've had maintenance work on previous rides done by my mechanic without voiding the warranty.

I guess my real question is this: Is there anything about the DISI motor that would preclude a decent (non-dealer) mechanic from doing a good job on routine maintenance? I would think not, but given what I've read about engine issues with both modded and non-modded MSP6's elsewhere on this forum, I'm a little spooked...

yeah, thats bs. you can take your car anywhere for maintenance, or do it yourself. I would recommend keeping all reciepts, but as long as you can prove it was maintained, the dealer cannot void warranty.

it really depends on what the mechanic is going to be doing. are you talking routine maintenance, or aftermarket upgrades? routine maintenance can be done anywhere. there is nothing incredibly bizarre about this car, so any knowledgeable mechanic should be fine.

 

[scnzzz]

Right then - thanks all for the input! I'm sticking with my mechanic for the routine stuff. As for the rest - there is a power to be appeased before I can even think about aftermarket upgrades. And I haven't figured out how to convince her that a CAI and some Ultraleggeras are really the bare minimum...