My 2008 Mazda6 experience

[kulgan]

I would just like to share my experience with my car, we've gone through a lot these past 4 months.

I got my Mazda 6 from Mazda Quezon Avenue on May 14. The purchase was shall we say... not what I expected. The salesperson was very nice and courteous but lacks knowledge on the Mazda6 that she was selling. The unit is very new so I can forgive her for her shortcomings. The processing of the release was very slow, they cannot meet deadlines that they themselves set. If they say its going to be released at 10am, its going to be released at 6pm, so I spent the whole day waiting.

After the release of the unit, I noticed that there was a very annoying sound coming from the front part of the car when driving below 40km/hr, It sounded like the car was coming apart. Went back and forth from the casa 3 times and they cannot determine it. After 3 weeks, they asked for a meeting to clear things up. The technical people explained to me that the noise was part of the "feature" of the power steering and said that it was natural. I didn't believe them so we drove their testdrive unit and wow, the noise was not present. You really have to convince them that there is something wrong. When I finally got them convinced, they got their instructions from some central Mazda service board and did the adjustments. The noise was gone, but the power steering became pawis steering, it doesn't even return to its original position after making a uturn. How would you feel if you were me at this point. I thought what the heck, I've been to the casa for more than 5 times already, I'll just wait for the 1000km checkup and have them adjust the steering.

On June 11 (almost a month after the release), its time for the 1000km checkup. They did the usual routine plus the adjustment to the steering. The result was ok, but far from perfect, noise still present.

On that same day, 11:30pm, a passenger jeepney was speeding through Aurora Boulevard racing with another PUJ. Upon crossing the intersection of Dona Hemady, he side swiped two cars that were crossing the intersection. The second car that was hit was mine.... Bits and parts of my bumper was found several feet away, it was literally torn into pieces. Again, I was the second car that was hit, first car to get hit was beside me. Imagine the speed of the jeepney. I was really frustrated and anger almost got over me, good thing it did not. We went through the "process" like police report, pictures, etc...

The next day, I'm back to Mazda Quezon Avenue again. They informed me that the repairs will most likely be finished in 3 weeks since collision parts like bumpers comes to the country first before they sell the cars. Hearing that lightened my mood, 3 weeks is bearable. But after three weeks, all they accomplished was the repair estimate, unbelievable. Then they tell me that parts are not available in the country so they have to order it in Japan which will take 1 month to arrive, I am speechless with this one. I try to call them as much as I can to know the status of their repairs. After 7 weeks of "repairs" I called again and they said that parts have arrived, yey! But, there is a but again, the parts aren't complete, other parts has to be ordered in the USA. This means another month. It looks like they have all the time in the world. I don't know where the problem is, the dealer? or Mazda Philippines?

On September 11, exactly 3 months after the accident, my car was released finally!!! Car looks good, they did a good job but not when it comes to timelines. It took them 3 months to repair my bumper, headlights, and hood, simple yet it took that long.

Mazda Quezon Avenue service, to sum it up, 1.) they tell you what you want to hear but lacks action. 2.) timelines are not fulfilled most of the time. 3.) lacks knowledge 4.) slow parts shipment 5.) once you buy the car, they are in charge (very different from when you are still inquiring about their units, they will try to give you whatever you want)

Thank you for reading such a long post, I just wanted to share my story.

Comments and reactions please.

[Gen. Miting]

well, mahirap talaga bumili ng car na hindi gano mainstream or not too many people buy.

we also have the mazda 6 but the previous gen, it's 2007 Mazda 6. kahit ako may apprehensions on this car, kasi I found out only average of 6 units were sold every month nationwide

[cablespy]

What a bad experience bro. Instead of enjoying the car laking hassle.

[kulgan]

Lesson learned, don't buy cars that aren't mainstream. But I would also like to share that my friend's Dodge Durango was repaired less than 2 months. Really big damage pa yan from an accident also. Tanggal 2 gulong, wasak yung ilalim.

[BlueJazz]

This I believe is more on the dealer than the car.

Mazda Quezon Avenue has a reputation of not keeping their word. They promise the world really. But even if everything is delayed, to be fair, they do a good job.

But I rather go to the Makati dealership since they have better customer service, and they do keep their word which is important to me.

[kyle618]

im so sad to hear that because i expected mazda philippines to be improving through out these years (well since it's under ford na) we have the 07 mazda 6 and aside from a few kinks here and there like loose things which they did fix :D ive had no problem with it. We bought it in Mazda GH and we always have it serviced there. Ive heard some bad things din from mazda gh but not as much as i heard from mazda quezon ave. if i were you id move to mazda gh or makati since ive heard better results there. But for your steering wheel i think you got a lemon kasi i test drove the 08 mazda 6 and it was so quiet (wayy quieter than our 07). i cant even hear the engine rev haha. We've had our 07 for over a year now and it still makes me smile everytime i drive it :D kaya for me mainstream or not, the important thing is that it should make you smile everytime you sit in the driver's seat :D

[coiter]

wow that really sucks. contrary to the thought of it 'not being mainstream', mazda should offer the best sales and after sales services to attract more customers. i really think that's a dealer problem. go find another dealer or write ford philippines about it. just to let them know what's happening. IMO

gustong gusto ko pa naman mga mazda cars. tsk tsk. but in fairness, all makers are not spared from lemon units.

[kulgan]

im so sad to hear that because i expected mazda philippines to be improving through out these years (well since it's under ford na) we have the 07 mazda 6 and aside from a few kinks here and there like loose things which they did fix :D ive had no problem with it. We bought it in Mazda GH and we always have it serviced there. Ive heard some bad things din from mazda gh but not as much as i heard from mazda quezon ave. if i were you id move to mazda gh or makati since ive heard better results there. But for your steering wheel i think you got a lemon kasi i test drove the 08 mazda 6 and it was so quiet (wayy quieter than our 07). i cant even hear the engine rev haha. We've had our 07 for over a year now and it still makes me smile everytime i drive it :D kaya for me mainstream or not, the important thing is that it should make you smile everytime you sit in the driver's seat :D

Yup, I do believe I got a lemon car. But as I said, once the unit is paid, they're the boss and you can't do anything about it. I've got nothing against the car, its really great, the design, features, interior etc. It's just that I was unlucky to get that particular unit with the strange noise from the steering. I agree that there should be very minimal noise when driving the new mazda6, the test drive unit was perfect. I really wish it could make me smile when I drive it, but it keeps reminding me of my experience with mazda quezon avenue.

[kulgan]

Mazda makes great cars but they really do have to improve their customer service, especially on their dealers. Attitude should not change from before purchase and after purchase.

[Biggs]

Yup, I do believe I got a lemon car. But as I said, once the unit is paid, they're the boss and you can't do anything about it. I've got nothing against the car, its really great, the design, features, interior etc. It's just that I was unlucky to get that particular unit with the strange noise from the steering. I agree that there should be very minimal noise when driving the new mazda6, the test drive unit was perfect. I really wish it could make me smile when I drive it, but it keeps reminding me of my experience with mazda quezon avenue.

Makes you wonder about the term, "CBU from Japan".

[AG4]

But, there is a but again, the parts aren't complete, other parts has to be ordered in the USA.

Hmmm... the Mazda 6 in the RP is the global model which is CBU from Japan (not the larger USDM 6), so why are they getting parts from the USA? Hmmm...

[empy]

wow that's just not acceptable. even if the car is not 'mainstream', if an automaker is going to go in to a market and offer the car, they should at least have the expertise, infrastructure and parts supply to get even basic things like bumper repairs completed in a timely manner.

you have been much more patient with your car than i would ever have been. you should ask Mazda if their marketing people ever sit around the table and wonder why Honda and Toyota are kicking their collective asses...if they do you might be able to give them the answer they've been looking for :bwahaha:

[empy]

wow that's just not acceptable. even if the car is not 'mainstream', if an automaker is going to go in to a market and offer the car, they should at least have the expertise, infrastructure and parts supply to get even basic things like bumper repairs completed in a timely manner.

you have been much more patient with your car than i would ever have been. you should ask Mazda if their marketing people ever sit around the table and wonder why Honda and Toyota are kicking their collective asses...if they do you might be able to give them the answer they've been looking for :bwahaha:

[wakin]

The processing of the release was very slow, they cannot meet deadlines that they themselves set. If they say its going to be released at 10am, its going to be released at 6pm, so I spent the whole day waiting.

After the release of the unit, I noticed that there was a very annoying sound coming from the front part of the car when driving below 40km/hr, It sounded like the car was coming apart. .

Im a bit wary of this scenario. Should be released by 10am but you got it by 6pm? If you test drive the unit that you will be receiving at 10am then chances are you will not be driving a "lemon car". Since you received the car by 6pm then you are obliged to take the car as it is. Uwian na by that time and lahat nagmamadali na.

[coiter]

Im a bit wary of this scenario. Should be released by 10am but you got it by 6pm? If you test drive the unit that you will be receiving at 10am then chances are you will not be driving a "lemon car". Since you received the car by 6pm then you are obliged to take the car as it is. Uwian na by that time and lahat nagmamadali na.

oo nga. parang sinadya nilang painipin ka para paglabas ng unit, sobrang inis ka na at di mo na ichecheck ng maigi. dagdag mo pa, by 6pm medyo padilim na yun. so it would be harder to see scratches or dents sa body. very dubious talaga.

dapat siguro nung nagpalusot sila na kumukuha pa sa US ng part e tinawagan mo na ang Ford Phils mismo at tinanong kung magkano at gaano katagal makukuha yung specific part na yun para lang mahuling nagsisinungaling ang SA.

[jeDi13]

thanks for sharing your story. makes me think twice in buying a car from dealers. during these hard times in the country, you will really see people who'll do something to take advantage just to survive. though your case might really be an honest mistake from the manufacturer or the dealer.

[parakitoJDM]

i feel bad about your experience...i think the 2008 Mazda6 is a great car. i've test driven and have nothing but praise for it...

anyway i think we shouldn't let lousy dealer service ruin your ownership experience. let Mazda/ Ford Philippines know about your Mazda QA poor service , and ask them to inform u of the status of their improvement plans...

for the meantime, if u are able to...avoid that dealership for service, since all service & warranty claims are trasferable to any dealership.

[kulgan]

Im a bit wary of this scenario. Should be released by 10am but you got it by 6pm? If you test drive the unit that you will be receiving at 10am then chances are you will not be driving a "lemon car". Since you received the car by 6pm then you are obliged to take the car as it is. Uwian na by that time and lahat nagmamadali na.

That is exactly what happened. Lahat ng tao nagmamadali na umuwi. After the release of the unit, close na sila agad. I can't take the car back anymore.
This was what happened why they took that long, the unit was supposed to be released at 10am but when I got there, the unit does not have tint and backup sensor yet, they told me to come back at 1pm, I did and still no work was done. I waited until 6pm for them to finish installing the accessories and the release papers. Btw, the sensor does not work after the release.

i feel bad about your experience...i think the 2008 Mazda6 is a great car. i've test driven and have nothing but praise for it...

anyway i think we shouldn't let lousy dealer service ruin your ownership experience. let Mazda/ Ford Philippines know about your Mazda QA poor service , and ask them to inform u of the status of their improvement plans...

for the meantime, if u are able to...avoid that dealership for service, since all service & warranty claims are trasferable to any dealership.

Sayang talaga, they are selling great cars but they are ruining the customer's experience with their dealers. I have no plans of going back to Mazda Quezon Ave, maybe I'll get the services done at greenhills. I hope they can do a better job.

When you buy a Mazda or Ford, someone from a company called Sinovate (don't know how to spell this one) will call you. Its like a third party that will ask your experience with your purchase. I told them my "Mazda experience". I hope it will reach Ford's upper management and do something about it.