Weird "outie" dent straight from the dealer.

[Geostrophic]

I got my new Mazdaspeed3 home on the 17th. The next morning, in the low-angle light of the sunrise, I was able to see what looked like a dent along my front passenger-side door. Upon closer inspection...it wasn't so much a dent, as an elongated bulge outward. ...almost as if a dent was popped out, or the door warped...or something. I know...I know...how did I miss this?! I have no idea. I feel like a world-class fool. ...but I WAS fairly convinced that this was done when they were removing a pinstripe that I didn't like - and it was dark when I picked my car up afterwards. The dealer was pretty cool with it, and has it now, trying to fix it for me. My hopes are not high though, because short of replacing the door, fixing something like this looks very hard, if not impossible.

Why do I doubt the theory that they did this when taking off the pinstripe? Well...I'm in Indiana visiting family now. Yesterday, while driving through Cinci, I spotted a Mazda 3 with the exact same kind of dents on the door! ...on both the rear and front driver's side doors. ...but the shape of the flaw and the fact that they were raised, instead of classic dents - makes it look as though what ever caused them...caused mine as well. I didn't want to flag the lady down, and freak her out - so I wasn't able to confirm how she got them. My fiance snapped a photo of the car with our phone...but you know how the quality of those are.

I'm including a link to the photo of the "dents" on my door. Have any of you heard of or seen similar dents on Mazdaspeed3 or Masda3's?

 

[SPEED305]

well, it seems to be something direct from the factory. i will want to have it changed, however, highly doubt your local dealer is willing to do that.
i would address it to the dealer, tell them that you want it replaced or fixed right away.
eye sore!

 

[Loose]

well, it seems to be something direct from the factory. i will want to have it changed, however, highly doubt your local dealer is willing to do that.
i would address it to the dealer, tell them that you want it replaced or fixed right away.
eye sore!

My drivers side looks as thought it has this same problem just not nearly as bad as yours...I thought I was just hallucinating actually.

 

[Geostrophic]

Well, like I said - they're trying to fix it now, but I have my doubts as to how well they'll be able to do given the type of damage. I get back to it on the 2nd, and I've made clear to my dealer that I won't be driver it away unless it looks right. We'll see how that goes. (sad2)

My drivers side looks as thought it has this same problem just not nearly as bad as yours...I thought I was just hallucinating actually.

REALLY?! Any photos you can share? ...and yeah...I couldn't believe my eyes at first.

 

[ForceFed]

Dude..I the car BAND new..Like you drove it off the lot and noticed this the next day?
IF so..Demand they give you another car....It will never be quite right no matter what they do...and you did just in Fac buy a NEW Car....Not a newly repaired one.

 

[Geostrophic]

Dude..I the car BAND new..Like you drove it off the lot and noticed this the next day?
IF so..Demand they give you another car....It will never be quite right no matter what they do...and you did just in Fac buy a NEW Car....Not a newly repaired one.

Yup...brand new '08.

I can only IMAGINE the fight they'd put up if I demanded a new car. ...all in a sudden, the guy that sold me the car would claim there was no way that dent got there before I left with it.

 

[ForceFed]

Dude..Let me tell you..I bought my MSP on a late evening..and I had my Del sol which I had about $20K into with me...I was an hour away from home..THey said..Hey..do you want to keep your Honda here tonihgt and you can come get it tomorrow..I said no...I'll just come pick up my new car tomorrow..I dont trust ths car anywhere.
They said fine ...we'll have your car cleaned up ,detailed and ready to go tomorrow when you get here....Well needless to say..the detail guy Scrtched the hell out of the door....We went round and round as I saw it while doing my Pre-inspection...I told them I wasnt taking the car like this..they told me they would make it right..They fixed it...but from day one my cars paint was never quite right...Dont budge man..they agreed to fix it is like them Admitting it was there...That was OBVIOUSLY done from the inside...and you havent had the car long enough to have any reason to be in the door panels.

What a run on..so sue me.

 

[Geostrophic]

Thanks ForceFed.

My only worry is, that it'll look great when I get there on the 2nd - then down the road...BOOM: it looks like crap. I think the rules of reasonable expectations would make it difficult for me to demand a new car, if it's nearly impossible to see any problems when I get back. Just suspecting that there will be a problem in the future doesn't seem like much of an argument for me.

How do you guys think a new door would work out should I demand that? Would the paint never match?

Also...if anyone out there does have a similar problem with their doors, photos and accounts would be very helpful.

 

[ForceFed]

The paint will NEVER..EVER be 100% right.....And you cant just "Order" a new door in your color..it would have to be poainted as well.
IOts up to you..But If I had to do it all over again..I would threaten to return the car if they wont give me another one..I wouldnt want a damaged car that been repaired before the damn thing is even out of its break in period..especially if you didnt have anything to do with it.

I would settle for nothing less then a HUGE discount for your troubles..if its repaired satisfactorily..Or another exact model.
If there repair is that good..they should have no trouble selling it to the next guy who will know no different...but you will always know its been repaired and if you are like me..will haunt you day in and day out until the day the car is sold.

 

[JoseloSpeed3]

I used to work at a dealership and what you have my friend is a dent somebody put on that car!! Your dealer probably noticed that the dent was there and they called a dentless removal guy, which removed it and that's why it looks like a crumple or like it warped! Just tell them that they have 2 options.
1.Get a completely new door and paint it for you.
2.Replace that car with a new one (I recomend going this route, paint is never the same once is outside of the factory).
You bought it 2 days ago so you can always return it , and yes you can return it don't let them tell you that you bought it because the paperwork has not been procesed by the bank yet.

 

[Craighjr]

Yeah try for a different car seriously. Paint will never be the same. Mine had a few small scratches and I have to live with it because I know any bodyshop will overspray the crap out of everything. You have 30 days by law most likely to do it but I would call them and show them immediately.

 

[Geostrophic]

Yeah try for a different car seriously. Paint will never be the same. Mine had a few small scratches and I have to live with it because I know any bodyshop will overspray the crap out of everything. You have 30 days by law most likely to do it but I would call them and show them immediately.

Since I'm away form my car on this trip...and thus away from where I keep my contract (in my apartment), I'm not sure exactly what the return agreement was. But...I bought it on the 17th...13 days ago. Here's what I've found on line regarding TX laws:

In Texas, you can not return a new vehicle to the dealership, unless they came out to your house for you to sign the contract, but even then, the dealership will tell you that it doesn't matter. Texas does not have the 3 day period for returning anew car. In fact, the only way you can do this is by using the anti-lemon law in Texas. If you sign it at the dealership you are stuck. The only other way is to contact the finance company and convince them it is best to back out of the deal.​

So...a new door is probably the best I'll get out of the deal. I'll let you know how this turns out after I get back home (on the 2nd of Jan.).

Thanks for the help and encouragement.

 

[Craighjr]

Well I guess thats why you don't mess with Texas. Big business is protected and the everyday guy takes a shot in the wallet. I guess it only makes sence in the home of G.W.B.

 

[fourthmeal]

It makes me wonder if someone (dealer or factory in-house) modded the door to install a protective plate regarding the theft issue with our car. It matches the location.

 

[jville]

When i lived in Buffalo i was a tech at a chevrolet dealership. A vehicle could have up to 1000$ in damage done to it b4 they have to disclose it to the customer. There is no telling what happened to your door. and i have seen a brand new vette come in with a broken winshield and once an impala with a railroad spike in the door.

 

[Craighjr]

The armor door upgrade is for the older 3's. I think this one is a 08 so it should have the fix build in.

 

[Powerslave]

man in the pic it looks like a vercose vein..

 

[Vengure]

I would personally start up a big nasty stink reguardless of what TX laws state clearly a nasty defect like that was not your fault if you have to call mazdausa and get them into it..

 

[builthatch]

When i lived in Buffalo i was a tech at a chevrolet dealership. A vehicle could have up to 1000$ in damage done to it b4 they have to disclose it to the customer. There is no telling what happened to your door. and i have seen a brand new vette come in with a broken winshield and once an impala with a railroad spike in the door.

ha-

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1919266

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1957856

OP, there are a few means of recourse here, independent of state law. while there might be something in the state law regarding misrepresenting a sold item as 'new and undamaged', i am unsure of that and can offer this advice-

you can get a lawyer; what will happen in the end is the lawyer will arrange for a settlement that is probably just enough to cover the legal fees, and you will get the car repaired satisfactorily. i know someone who had to do this with a brand new 4runner. the downside to this is it takes a long time.

you can approach mazda usa corporate, and consult a district rep. if you do that, you most likely will get some sort of complete repair action out of it. a new car?, potentially....but not probable!

 

[ForceFed]

Hey bought a new car...and one waas not delivered in New car condition. I would expect nothing less if I bought a new car.