Birdie dog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2015
I'm so frustrated right now. I just posted on the budget board about how well I've done paying off debt, but I have a major issue and I don't know what to do.
I have a new-ish 2018 Mazda CX-5 that I bought new. It's (thankfully) still under warranty. I have a 0% car loan. I had my oil changed the week before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my husband and I were doing last minute errands and he was complaining that my car smelled like it was burning- "Look, your oil light is on". I pointed out the sticker and that my car (with 20,000 miles on it) had been serviced only days before. We immediately brought the car to the oil place, which was luckily still open and they checked it out and said indeed, there was an oil leak, but it was "high in the engine" and I needed to take it to my dealership because it had nothing to do with the oil change. I dropped my car off the Monday after Christmas and it's still there.
Apparently, there's a known issue with some Mazda engines (and I'm not a car person so I'm paraphrasing). Apparently oil wasn't distributed evenly, the engine overheated, and my head gasket cracked. Because it was a known issue, and my car still had plenty of warranty left, the engine would be replaced. So, I've been driving a loaner since. First I had to wait for a new engine from Japan, and then for it to be installed. I called to check on my car last week and was told that the new engine was in, "But, there's a little issue with it running". They said they were taking it apart again to figure out the issue and they hoped it would be ready at the end of last week. So far, I have't heard from them again. Add the major mechanical issue to so many people who have told me that after an engine is replaced, "there are always problems with the car". Is that true? No idea, I bought a new car so I wouldn't HAVE to deal with car issues. And now, with the Mazda place not knowing what's wrong..
So, I'm considering trading it in. I DON'T want to. I wanted to be an adult, pay off my zero interest loan and keep my car and have no car payment for a few years. But, I am also not into having a money pit. And I'm an ER nurse who works a lot and my job is 20 miles away, a decent and reliable car is an absolute must.
Has anyone had any experience in engine replacement? Does anyone have any advice? Do I cut my losses and start over with a Toyota or Honda? Or am I being overdramatic? Advice please...
I have a new-ish 2018 Mazda CX-5 that I bought new. It's (thankfully) still under warranty. I have a 0% car loan. I had my oil changed the week before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my husband and I were doing last minute errands and he was complaining that my car smelled like it was burning- "Look, your oil light is on". I pointed out the sticker and that my car (with 20,000 miles on it) had been serviced only days before. We immediately brought the car to the oil place, which was luckily still open and they checked it out and said indeed, there was an oil leak, but it was "high in the engine" and I needed to take it to my dealership because it had nothing to do with the oil change. I dropped my car off the Monday after Christmas and it's still there.
Apparently, there's a known issue with some Mazda engines (and I'm not a car person so I'm paraphrasing). Apparently oil wasn't distributed evenly, the engine overheated, and my head gasket cracked. Because it was a known issue, and my car still had plenty of warranty left, the engine would be replaced. So, I've been driving a loaner since. First I had to wait for a new engine from Japan, and then for it to be installed. I called to check on my car last week and was told that the new engine was in, "But, there's a little issue with it running". They said they were taking it apart again to figure out the issue and they hoped it would be ready at the end of last week. So far, I have't heard from them again. Add the major mechanical issue to so many people who have told me that after an engine is replaced, "there are always problems with the car". Is that true? No idea, I bought a new car so I wouldn't HAVE to deal with car issues. And now, with the Mazda place not knowing what's wrong..
So, I'm considering trading it in. I DON'T want to. I wanted to be an adult, pay off my zero interest loan and keep my car and have no car payment for a few years. But, I am also not into having a money pit. And I'm an ER nurse who works a lot and my job is 20 miles away, a decent and reliable car is an absolute must.
Has anyone had any experience in engine replacement? Does anyone have any advice? Do I cut my losses and start over with a Toyota or Honda? Or am I being overdramatic? Advice please...
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