Westowne Mazda

[OnkelHans]

I bought my 2007 ms3 new from a broker and have only ever had it dealer serviced other than tires. Since I live in Etobicoke I started going to Westowne and although not impressed with the level of service and even after a couple of issues in the past - lithium grease on my leather seats and impact gun scars on my wheels - continued to go for convenience. About a month ago the car started making a noise in the back when going over bumps so I took it in to Westowne and they said one of the shocks was shot. I asked them to replace both rears as I don't like replacing just one side. The work was done but the car continued to make the noise. I took it back in and they reported back that one of the springs in my brake had broken and that's what was making the noise. I didn't think too much of it until they mentioned that I should stop using cheap aftermarket parts in my car. The issue is they are the only people who have done any work on my car so if there are cheap non-mazda parts they put them in there. When I questioned this they said it wasn't them - that was the end of it.
I can say I will definately not being going back there but I'm wondering if I should take this up with Mazda.
Now I also find myself looking to start a service relationship with a new dealership. I live in Etobicoke and work downtown and need somewhere that's either convienent to those locations, easliy accessible to the subway or open after hours. Does anyone have any recommendations on a dealership that's trustworthy and meets one of those requirements?

I need to get it serviced soon and the first thing I'm going to ask for is a complete once over of all previous work done.

Thanks

[Jenuine]

To be honest, all of the dealerships that I know of that are convenient for you, I've been told to stay away from them. I think you'd be happy with Prima Mazda but it's in Woodbridge. I live in west Toronto and it's worth the drive for me though.

[Jsquared]

I would call the dealership and ask to speak with Rob. He is one of the owners sons and is very good at taking care of situations as mentioned above. I would at least give the owners and or manager a shout before you pack up and move to another dealership that is out of your way that may also provide its own set of issues.

If not, let us know where you're off to and provide some feedback of the new location.

[Jackal]

Maybe the previous owner put aftermarket parts? Could it be possible that there was a previous owner before you bought it new from the broker? How many kms did it have when you bought it?

[OnkelHans]

Maybe the previous owner put aftermarket parts? Could it be possible that there was a previous owner before you bought it new from the broker? How many kms did it have when you bought it?

I wish that were the case but it had 12km on it when I picked it up. Westowne however has done a brake job to it.

[Jackal]

I would call the dealership and ask to speak with Rob. He is one of the owners sons and is very good at taking care of situations as mentioned above. I would at least give the owners and or manager a shout before you pack up and move to another dealership that is out of your way that may also provide its own set of issues.

If not, let us know where you're off to and provide some feedback of the new location.

Then this advice seems reasonable. Explain to them what happened, give them a chance to take a look at the car and records and hopefully they can make things right. Bring up your other issues too. If this doesn't work run for the hills and go to another mechanic or dealership.

[actonmx5]

Had a major issue with my car this week (tranny). Roberto and the team did a great job. They stepped up and got me back on the road. Had about 800 km of warranty left, have a new 5th and 6th gear now.

Thanks for the great work.!!

[OnkelHans]

I took your advice and called Rob. He seems to think they used the wrong term to describe the springs and doesn't think they have touched them based on my service record - they have only serviced the brakes, didn't replace them. They are a cheap part from Mazda so he doesn't see why anyone would use an aftermarket part. However they will replace them at their cost. I've decided to give them another chance and will drop the car off on Thursday. We'll see how it goes.

[Jsquared]

Glad you decided to call Rob and give them another chance. I think its safe to say that all dealerships have horror stories and glory stories so you just have to find a place that you like.

End result?

[Maz3Dan]

An hour and a half oil change??? At 9:30 in the morning!!! I guess mazda of Toronto's 45 minutes is looking good right now!

[Jsquared]

An hour and a half oil change??? At 9:30 in the morning!!! I guess mazda of Toronto's 45 minutes is looking good right now!

They are renovating in the garage area right now...I think its a 5 week project that started last week. They are down to half the service bays the would normally have. I just did my oil change right before the break, before construction had started and I was in and out in 40 min.

[Maz3Dan]

Was back in there yesterday to change vbelt and ac belt. Maryam, at the service counter, was nice enough to warn me of the one hour wait, so i took my niece to Swiss Chalet for a nice lunch. We got back within 45 minutes, so we waited in the lounge area. My niece, who is 5, was more than entertained playing in the kids section.

Very nice experience, and it has left my niece excited about the next visit to the "guy who fixes your car."

[Captain Mazda]

I had a pretty awful experience at Westowne when I was shopping for my 3. I don't know if things have changed in the last 2.5 years, but I definitely would recommend staying away from there.

[Maz3Dan]

I had a pretty awful experience at Westowne when I was shopping for my 3. I don't know if things have changed in the last 2.5 years, but I definitely would recommend staying away from there.

I've been there twice. The second time was much more enjoyable. The first time annoyed me because of the hour and a half wait time for an oil change. And they also brought me a list of 2000 dollars worth of things that seemed like they were trying to yank my chain. I politely declined all except the belt changes in my engine.

The discounts we receive are for everything, which is pleasing.

[mazda3t]

Didn't like westowne so much either. But then again most dealerships pretend to care up until you buy their car

[LexaTm3]

Didn't like westowne so much either. But then again most dealerships pretend to care up until you buy their car

Very true.

[stefanb]

Any more experiences? This is the closest mazda dealer to me now....Budds is just a tad far

[actonmx5]

I have dealt with them since 1988. Always have found service to be fair. First Pat, then Vince and now Roberto.

[shopgirl1]

I have dealt with them since 1988. Always have found service to be fair. First Pat, then Vince and now Roberto.

I have found that at Westowne, if they don't know you, they will try to upsell you on any service you do. Haven't had an occasion when they have 'found' stuff while performing service, like I used to hear when I had my car served at another dealer that shall remain anonymous but is located in Toronto.

So the guys will try to upsell you on something your car obviously doesn't need. My examples: wheel alignment when my car was at 11K. Yes, 11K. Yesterday, asked me if my winter tires needed balancing. They are on their own rims. Why would I pay for balancing? WTF. I usually make fun of them, and the upselling stops.

Nice lounge, free wifi, free giant candy bowl. Fancy coffee machine. Clearly someone has to be paying for all that.