2007 Mazda RX8 Grand Touring Rotary

Summary:

Not worth the money

Faults:

The smart cards that are used to start the car are dead, and my car is now stranded.

Mazda wants to charge me nearly $600 for a new key to start my car, which I own the title to at a price of $33,000.

Mazda will not provide me with a pin number to program a new key - which I can purchase from a key reseller for $80. They are telling me a locksmith needs to use Mazda's online system to obtain one, which is fine, however...

More than one locksmith has told me that they will not use the online Mazda website to purchase a pin number to program keys, because on several occasions the pin numbers didn't work, and Mazda would NOT refund them their money.

Mazda customer service is completely uncooperative and does not care. They have done nothing to help me.

I am disgusted that Mazda is charging nearly $600 to program a key that I can obtain for $80 from a reseller brand new in the packaging - and is making it nearly impossible for me to have it done by a locksmith.

General Comments:

I will never buy this car or any Mazda, ever again.

Mazda customer service has refused to help me with my key problem.

My car is stranded and cannot be started at this point without having it towed to a Mazda dealership, and spending well over $500.

Mazda is effectively preventing me from starting my car that I paid them $33,000 for, without paying them another nearly $600 just for a key.

Mazda never alerted me at the time of purchase that this could be a potential issue in the future.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th October, 2010

14th Dec 2010, 08:44

The smart card has a manual built in key... did you know that? It is to be used if the smart card battery dies. You can pull it out of the card and use it to open the door and start the engine.

18th Mar 2011, 14:31

I would respectfully suggest that the original post be edited to reflect the characteristics of the vehicle.

The review makes very clear points about the seemingly sub-standard levels of service provided by the owner's Mazda dealer, but the car itself seems blameless.

Otherwise good review, states clearly the issues the owner has.

25th Apr 2011, 19:11

I think that the review is legitimate. I have no beef with Mazda and I appreciate the enthusiasts cars that come from them. I would be very disappointed however if Mazda chose not to support me, if I supported them...