jester3681

Welcome to the States!

Complete history with them should mean something. I'd talk with the service manager and tell them that - "Hey, buddy. Bought my car from you guys. Had everything done there. Just want someone to take a drive with me and listen to this noise. If it's the clutch, so be it. If not, you take over from there. I really don't want to pay up front." I bet at the very least the service manager rides with you. And if you're going to a decent dealer, I bet he knows what's going on with it.

Glad to hear both of you are alright (all things considered). Here's to a quick and full recovery. Did Ester have insurance to cover all this damage and related medical bills?

I have to say after working at a dealership, this is pretty much par for the course. Like JPorter said, the tech needs to be paid for his time. If he spends an hour looking at your car and it IS the clutch and you say you don't want it fixed, then he's out that time and money. His kids don't eat. If it is something else, he fixes it under warranty and Mazda pays for everything. Kind of a calculated risk. You can probably bitch to the right people and they'll look at it for free, but now you've got a tech looking at it for free. I know the guys I'd work with would give it about 30 seconds of their time. Right? Wrong? Who knows, but it's human nature. Dealer techs are almost always flat rate and only get paid if they get paid. That being said, I'm not too familiar with Mazda, but with Nissan, if there was an issue, any issue, with the manual transmission, 99.999% of the time it was the clutch. Not that you don't know how to drive stick, but also keep in mind that the Mazda3 is not an RX8. It's not designed for 5000rpm shifts and launches. Is the clutch hosed? Probably not. Might it make a noise you don't like? It might. I'm going to be the voice of reason here, maybe a little Devil's advocate. I know you paid good money for the car, but maybe you're expecting more from it than it can give you. You can have a knock-down, drag out fight with Mazda over it, and you might get some help on the clutch. The people working on the car will be pissed. The people writing you up will be pissed. And given the same treatment, the problem will likely come back in a similar period of time. How much does it bother you - is it worth the grey hairs? You may also get some better treatment if you're a multiple car owner who always has service done at the dealership. If you have a sticker from Jiffy Lube on the windshield that's 1500 miles past due and you go in there banging on the counters talking about what a piece of crap your Mazda is demanding they fix it, you'll be lucky if they don't piss in the gas tank.

I had a "Son of Baconator" at the Wendy's on 64/Granville Rd. in Gahanna, right downtown. I was pretty impressed - we went in and couponed them to death - 4 people ate for $11. Then, the manager saw us sitting there (wife and two small kids) and brought out two kids Frosties for free. My sandwich was pretty good, I'd say. Happy with the service, too. I think it all depends where you go. I always remember the one on campus at Woodruff and High being good too, but that's about the busiest one I've ever seen, so I'm sure everything stays fresh.

Got tired of tripping over this stuff - Goodwill got a nice donation.

No title guys? That's why it's $1000...

If memory serves correctly (it's been 10 years since I sold moto batteries), the 10L is the group number that describes fitment and application. The -A2 and -B2 must differentiate between sub-models. In this case, vent location seems to be the difference. Once again, not going to be an issue for using the battery, just different cosmetically. Some bikes may have a very tight fit for the battery and might require the specific location for the drain?

Well, bump - got some pics of the stuff. Sound system (powered sub not pictured) - $50 obo for everything Craftsman Saw - $50 obo Apex 27" TV - $50 obo Dominion homes 48" passing door shower door missing lower frame - $50 obo

Aaaaand... my wife just quipped over my shoulder - "Those look like Buzz Lightyear's bikes!" So there you have it.

Jealous...

When I broke my phone I bought one of the prepaid phones at Walmart and just threw my SIM card in it. I spent like $60 on a fake Blackberry (Pantech 7050) that is just a regular phone and love it. You can find cheaper ones too- just make sure it takes a SIM and it will work on your plan.

I think I just became a track fan...

July 14th bump.

That looks really good - love the exhaust.

Hey guys - had an unexpected vet visit that cleaned out the motorcycle fund... the only thing I could talk my wife into right now would be my "first love" - Honda CX500. Anyone has one of those for about $500, I'd make it happen. Otherwise, no bike for me right now. Thanks for all the tips though!

PM'd.

This I'd be interested in if the price was right.

Sounds like a fun project but too new for me and a bit out of my budget...

Looking for a new project to fill my empty garage. I'd like to take that basket case or barn find off your hands. Let's face it, you won't ever finish it. Heck, I might not either, but at least it will be in my garage, not yours. Your wife will stop nagging. Mine will start. Really, I'm offering to inherit your headache. All kidding aside, looking for a 70s or 80s bike, condition not an issue, but I have to have a title. My budget is small but my dreams are big! May do partial trade. I have some tools and home theater equipment. PM me or post here - thanks in advance!

Surround Sound still available. Everything else is too. <Bump>