Reason for Visit: Sales
I recommend this dealer: No
Employee(s) Dealt With:
My Review of CardinaleWay Mazda:
I purchased a new 2005 Mazda3 at CardinaleWay Mazda, a relatively new dealership (as of summer 2005) located in Mesa, Arizona. I DO NOT recommend this dealership for sales or service for the following reasons:
1) CardinaleWay is the only Mazda dealership in the Phoenix area that installs front license plate brackets on their cars (a front license plate is not required in Arizona, however). On my Mazda3, this required drilling two holes in an otherwise pristine factory-fresh bumper. I had told my salesperson I didn't want the bracket but it was installed anyway. When I complained, the bracket was removed, and the holes were filled and painted by an auto body shop at no charge to me.
2) During my transactions with the finance staff, I was required to sign an agreement waiving my rights to a jury or court trial if I have an unresolved dispute or claim with the dealership. The agreement stipulates that all disputes or claims will be handled by a third-party arbitrator. Of the six Mazda dealerships in the Phoenix area, only CardinaleWay and one other dealership require such an agreement.
3) My transactions with the finance staff were videotaped and recorded.
4) I was overcharged for my vehicle's title and license fees. When I complained, the amount was refunded.
5) I canceled a pre-paid accessory installation before taking delivery of the car. I did not receive a complete refund, however. When I complained, I received a proper refund.
6) My car was not clean nor properly prepped at the time of delivery. The exterior was poorly washed, the engine compartment was very dusty, there was leftover adhesive residue on the car from the shipping covers, and three tires were over-inflated by 7 psi. I also found water spots etched into the roof paint and rear window. I re-washed the car and detailed the engine compartment myself. Because I didn't trust the dealership to do a satisfactory job of removing the water spots, I did it myself, spending two hours in my driveway carefully rubbing out the spots with a special cleaner.
7) FREE OIL CHANGES FOR LIFE: This is CardinaleWay's signature service. I was told by my salesperson that I would be able to have 20 free oil changes for as long as I own my car, and that the 20 oil changes could be done at any time. I asked if I could get a free oil change every 3,000 miles and he answered yes. Apparently my salesperson had briefly stepped out of the dealership’s self-proclaimed “No Lie Zone.” In fact, I signed a form at the time of delivery that limits my free oil changes to Mazda’s maintenance schedule, or every 7,500 miles or six months. I later asked the "Certified Mazda Master Mechanic" service advisor what brand of oil they use. He said he didn't know.
-- Soon after the time of delivery I had to have two items on the car fixed under warranty. Both items were supposedly repaired but each item had to be repaired again (at another dealership) because of either poor workmanship or because the wrong part had been replaced. I found the CardinaleWay service department to be totally inept and have since had my car properly serviced at another dealership (Showcase Mazda, Phoenix).
-- I wrote a letter to the general manager of the dealership, the dealership owners in California and Mazda's corporate office stating the problems with my experience. I received no replies.
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