Is my car a lemon?!
Discussion
In September 2007 I ordered a brand new Mazda MX5 Icon 2.0i with a few optional extras. By 29th April 2008 the car had to be returned due to a faulty handbrake and the bottom of the seat had become loose. In June 2008 it was returned for the same issue, it has since been returned 14 (fourteen!)times for various problems, including: handbrake, seats, stereo, demister, speakers, water retention in boot and under seats (in the car!) and the car icing up inside in cold weather. The water retention has been for approximately 12 months, already I have electrical issues as a result... So far I have been told I should 'cut my loses and sell it auction' or 'trade it in and cut my losses'. Does anyone else think I have been mugged up and taken for a ride?! Does anyone has any pearls of wisdom that may help me make the dealer and the manufacturer understand that this isn't acceptable and to keep repairing it instead of replacing it is unfair?
Think you are stuck with it tbh.
Have you considered learning about the car and trying to sort its issues yourself, i.e. work out where the water is coming in, read forums and try stuff ?
My elderly 944 was leaking, an application of hood treatment appears to have sorted it out.
Nothing on your car is insurmountable, learn about it and have a go, if you fix it you get the satisfaction, I suspect it is just a car with a few minor issues.
Have you considered learning about the car and trying to sort its issues yourself, i.e. work out where the water is coming in, read forums and try stuff ?
My elderly 944 was leaking, an application of hood treatment appears to have sorted it out.
Nothing on your car is insurmountable, learn about it and have a go, if you fix it you get the satisfaction, I suspect it is just a car with a few minor issues.
This is where some daft idiot comes in and says something along the lines of...
'yes, your car must be a lemon, it was probably made on a friday afternoon, when the staff were just thinking about the weekend and cutting corners, eagar to get home'.
Some people get unlucky I guess. If the fault is persistent, then they must not be sorting it out properly...
'yes, your car must be a lemon, it was probably made on a friday afternoon, when the staff were just thinking about the weekend and cutting corners, eagar to get home'.
Some people get unlucky I guess. If the fault is persistent, then they must not be sorting it out properly...
"Water Retention" is what older ladies get, what you have is a leak, rain lands on the car and is getting in somewhere, spray a hose at the car and try and identify where, either a part is broken, a seal has a gap or something isn't mating together, it isn't rocket science, it isn't mysterious and it will not be impossible to sort, a lot of open cars (and some tin tops) do leak water in, try this if it is coming through the fabric hood, mine was coming in and running down the A pillar and dropping off the dash and dropping onto the carpet, one application has stopped that, still get a bit in the boot but thats one for the summer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WIF4NI/ref=asc_df_B...
The seat coming loose is probably either the frame cracking or the bolts that fix it to the car coming loose, one will require the seat to be taken apart and welded, the other the bolts tightening, perhaps using some "Thread Lock" or Nyloc bolts, have you actually had a look at any of these issues or do you just get despondent or take it to the dealers, fair play if its in warranty but if not it is your problem so a quick look with a torch will let you see what is happening and understand what the problem is.
The car shouldnt have these faults, but sometimes cars do and it is amazing how simple some of the issues actually are.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WIF4NI/ref=asc_df_B...
The seat coming loose is probably either the frame cracking or the bolts that fix it to the car coming loose, one will require the seat to be taken apart and welded, the other the bolts tightening, perhaps using some "Thread Lock" or Nyloc bolts, have you actually had a look at any of these issues or do you just get despondent or take it to the dealers, fair play if its in warranty but if not it is your problem so a quick look with a torch will let you see what is happening and understand what the problem is.
The car shouldnt have these faults, but sometimes cars do and it is amazing how simple some of the issues actually are.
Edited by J4CKO on Sunday 11th March 22:17
Thank you all for your comments...
I always try and locate the fault and have a go at resolving the issue before returning it to the dealer. However, stripping out an interior is beyond me, and to be honest, I really shouldn't have to when the is so new - it should not be holding water in the boot or anywhere else really.
I am shocked at the quality, given that it is a Mazda, and that I did my research before buying it, which is what led me to buy it!
I was really hoping to find out whether I am expecting too much or whether it is acceptable to have such continual issues from when the car was just 6 months old?
I always try and locate the fault and have a go at resolving the issue before returning it to the dealer. However, stripping out an interior is beyond me, and to be honest, I really shouldn't have to when the is so new - it should not be holding water in the boot or anywhere else really.
I am shocked at the quality, given that it is a Mazda, and that I did my research before buying it, which is what led me to buy it!
I was really hoping to find out whether I am expecting too much or whether it is acceptable to have such continual issues from when the car was just 6 months old?
mstet said:
Thank you all for your comments...
I always try and locate the fault and have a go at resolving the issue before returning it to the dealer. However, stripping out an interior is beyond me, and to be honest, I really shouldn't have to when the is so new - it should not be holding water in the boot or anywhere else really.
I am shocked at the quality, given that it is a Mazda, and that I did my research before buying it, which is what led me to buy it!
I was really hoping to find out whether I am expecting too much or whether it is acceptable to have such continual issues from when the car was just 6 months old?
No you shouldn't have to put up with that but it isn't new any more, its five years old. I cant imagine you would need to strip the interior to trace a leak, sit in it and get someone to squirt the car, if its in the boot, dust something around as a tell tale to show where any water has run down, post on MX5Nutz or the MX5 Owners Club and they will no doubt know the potential leaks in the Mk3 MX5, your car wont be unique with these faults, forums are great for finding out what is going on.I always try and locate the fault and have a go at resolving the issue before returning it to the dealer. However, stripping out an interior is beyond me, and to be honest, I really shouldn't have to when the is so new - it should not be holding water in the boot or anywhere else really.
I am shocked at the quality, given that it is a Mazda, and that I did my research before buying it, which is what led me to buy it!
I was really hoping to find out whether I am expecting too much or whether it is acceptable to have such continual issues from when the car was just 6 months old?
Andy665 said:
I may be wrong but the right to return is based on the premise (broadly speaking) of the dealer having three unsuccessful attempts to cure the same fault
A number of different problems over 5 years you probably have a weak case.
You should have hit them harder and earlier
I agree fully with what Andy has said. Three attempts to fix a fault. With a variety of faults, that's just a nightmare to manage. A number of different problems over 5 years you probably have a weak case.
You should have hit them harder and earlier
There is no easy win choice for you - keep it and some of the problems you've had may contribute to further problems (like rust with the water leaks) or sell it and take a financial hit on replacing it with another car.
I'm not sure what trade-in values are like but it's a popular / desirable car and should sell well. Most reviews are favourable, you've just been really unlucky.
If you are having to pay for these repairs, maybe see if Mazda can offer an extended warranty or something (chargeable) or an independent warranty if you are worried about further expense.
If a representative of Mazda has reccomended you 'cut your losses' then in a way they have acknowledged that your car is a lemon - i.e. a loss. I agree it is too late for a replacement car or full compensation, but the least they might do is offer partial compensation or at least a very good discount on a new car or a very good trade in price.
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