Bought an 04 GT - Need advice on repairs!

[colinchrisc]

Hey guys, so I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 GT GFX Automatic Sedan with 85,000 KMs for $7000.
Anyway, there's some work that needs to be done and I need some advice.

1. Rust Proofing - My first thought was to take it into Krown. Makes sense right? There's some minor rust spots around the body and I don't think Mazda will fix this despite discussions I've read here.

2. Calipers / Disc Brakes - Now here's the biggest one. The calipers and disk brakes have rust on them, quite a lot. Would Street Performance or any service place be able to remove the rust off the calipers and disc brakes or would it make more sense to just replace them?

Like always, your help is appreciated!

[TokyoKiller]

1. I am pretty sure Mazda is still doing rust work on all models until the end of 2010 and I would do the rust proofing to prevent any other rust from developing.

2. I would replace the discs for sure, I don't know about the calipers though.

[colinchrisc]

1. I am pretty sure Mazda is still doing rust work on all models until the end of 2010 and I would do the rust proofing to prevent any other rust from developing.

2. I would replace the discs for sure, I don't know about the calipers though.

Hey thanks. I've been doing a lot of research but it seems theres no fine line to whether or not Mazda will fix the rust on 2004s. I'm gonna call MOT on Monday but has Mazda officially offered to fix rust on 04s?

[S.F.W.]

Hey thanks. I've been doing a lot of research but it seems theres no fine line to whether or not Mazda will fix the rust on 2004s. I'm gonna call MOT on Monday but has Mazda officially offered to fix rust on 04s?

Within 6 years they will fix rust around the wheel wells, and pillars.

[S.F.W.]

Hey guys, so I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 GT GFX Automatic Sedan with 85,000 KMs for $7000.
Anyway, there's some work that needs to be done and I need some advice.

1. Rust Proofing - My first thought was to take it into Krown. Makes sense right? There's some minor rust spots around the body and I don't think Mazda will fix this despite discussions I've read here.

2. Calipers / Disc Brakes - Now here's the biggest one. The calipers and disk brakes have rust on them, quite a lot. Would Street Performance or any service place be able to remove the rust off the calipers and disc brakes or would it make more sense to just replace them?

Like always, your help is appreciated!

1) Krown will not be able to repair rust, only prevent more rust. To repair the rust you need a body shop
2) Rotors and calipers often have rust on them. That said, going to a shop like street performance, they call tell you if everything is in good working order, or needs replacement.

Really though, you should have done this investigation prior to purchasing the car.

[colinchrisc]

Within 6 years they will fix rust around the wheel wells, and pillars.

Oh really, it's an 04 which means it was manufactured in 03. I guess it would be passed the 6 year mark.

[S.F.W.]

Oh really, it's an 04 which means it was manufactured in 03. I guess it would be passed the 6 year mark.
still worthwhile to go to a dealer, and inquire. No point in trying over the phone, as they will need to send pictures for approval.

[zoso]

still worthwhile to go to a dealer, and inquire. No point in trying over the phone, as they will need to send pictures for approval.

Does it go by when it was made or sold

[Thrizzl3]

Does it go by when it was made or sold

pretty sure it was the date it was made.

[Noisy Crow]

Warranty starts when the car is sold. Sooner you go to a dealer the better.... it would be really irritating to find you had run out of warranty by only a few days.

[stevenma188]

I can confirm that warranty for Mazda is based on the date the car was purchased originally, not when it was made. You might be lucky with your car, or you might not, but you won't know for sure unless you try by going to the dealer. Service managers are the only people that can approve rust repairs.

[colinchrisc]

Warranty starts when the car is sold. Sooner you go to a dealer the better.... it would be really irritating to find you had run out of warranty by only a few days.

So the only way the rust on my car would be covered is if it was purchased between September - December 2004. This is highly unlikely since next year's model would have been released already. Anyway, I'll bring it in and give it a shot. The only thing that really bothers me is that the calipers have a LOT of rust on them but apparently this is normal...

[zoso]

Yea same with my calipers i took a steel brush and rust paint to them to cover them

Plus any advised which dealership to go to and who to talk to? i'm getting some on my 04

[S.F.W.]

So the only way the rust on my car would be covered is if it was purchased between September - December 2004. This is highly unlikely since next year's model would have been released already..
That is where you are wrong. 2004 was the first model year for the Mazda3. The '04 model was sold until very late in the year.

[poke65]

So the only way the rust on my car would be covered is if it was purchased between September - December 2004. This is highly unlikely since next year's model would have been released already. Anyway, I'll bring it in and give it a shot. The only thing that really bothers me is that the calipers have a LOT of rust on them but apparently this is normal...

Look inside your drivers door on the body frame for the build date. Mine is an 04 built may 04 not OTR untill Aug. and was covered by mazda this month for rust.

[colinchrisc]

Street Performance it is!
I can't find their website, are they open on the weekends?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Look inside your drivers door on the body frame for the build date. Mine is an 04 built may 04 not OTR untill Aug. and was covered by mazda this month for rust.

+1

Shoot me the VIN and I can tell you the warranty start date.

[colinchrisc]

Is it ok to post the VIN # right here or should I PM?

[S.F.W.]

Street Performance it is!
I can't find their website, are they open on the weekends?
You can get an appointment on a Saturday if you book several weeks ahead. Look in the shop/service review section for street performance, first post has their contact info.

[poke65]

Is it ok to post the VIN # right here or should I PM?

PM jeff-thebiz DON'T post it

[colinchrisc]

PM jeff-thebiz DON'T post it

Done!
Thanks.

[Jackal]

Street Performance it is!
I can't find their website, are they open on the weekends?

From what I read in posts they sometimes don't answer the phone because they are so busy. Let us know if it's easy to make an appt. and how far ahead you had to book.

[colinchrisc]

From what I read in posts they sometimes don't answer the phone because they are so busy. Let us know if it's easy to make an appt. and how far ahead you had to book.

I just called them. Regarding weekends, they're not open on Sundays, just Saturdays so they told me to just leave my car overnight on Friday and they'd let me know Saturday what work needs to be done. I'm assuming you can also bring it in Saturdays if you know exactly what needs to be done.