Irish Mk1 for Mazda Marketing

[Fergus]

I've been away from the forum for a while and just came back now.

1st Fact : Mazda Mx5 = Mazda Eunos Roadster = Mazda Miata => SAME CAR.

Note: Please don't call it just a 'Mazda Eunos' as there are different Mazda Eunos's out there. It is a 'Mazda Eunos Roadster'.

2nd Fact: The 'Mazda Eunos Roadster' IS listed on all laser wheel alignment machines currently in Ireland with up-to-date software......and can also be traced on those machines using the CHASSIS number !).

So, seeing this thread, I think it's fair to say that the majority of Mx5 Ireland car owners (that have Irish/UK and Eunos Roadster versions) are not happy puppies when it comes to Mazda in Ireland - their dealers, getting parts, quality of service etc etc etc.

It's not a surprise to me at all, unfortunately.

Yes, we all know that the Eunos Roadster is a better car, a better buy (even if it is a cheaper buy), better electrics, better paint etc etc.
Hell, it's even possible to get a pristine SH Mk3 from Japan and still save some money.

But yeah, you have to protect Mazda sales in Ireland - no problem. But you have left a LOT of Irish Mazda Mx5 and Irish Mazda Eunos Roadster owners out in the cold and haven't done much 'up to now'.

I never bothered to even TRY to get parts for my car when I got it and when I got it, it needed a LOT of parts. I got everything from outside of Ireland and saved thousands. I work in IT so the internet is the first place I looked, soon everybody in Ireland is going to be doing it (most of them on this forum are already).

But, I still think it IS possible for you to salvage your request from the scrapyard so-to-speak.

I believe in 'Buy Irish' and keep the money in this country. But I think Mazda Ireland will have to take a few notes from this thread and see where they have gone wrong with Mazda owners - not just with the 'Eunos' owners BTW and that's a BIG pointer.

The Eunos Roadster IS an Mx5 (aka Miata in the USA) and IS manufactured better.

The reason it is not 'wanted' in Ireland by Mazda Ireland (dealers, part suppliers etc etc) is because it is an 'import' - they all didn't get their 'cut' of the cash when it was coming to Ireland and when it arrived, no problem MI. Also, it may come with 'after-market' products installed, who knows what those Jap guys would put into it (well I do and it's not a turbo or SC).

So, I would think in order to salvage this thread and your request in order to receive a PRISTINE Mx5 (and yes an Irish one) you will have to consult with your 'quality department' on some of the points raised here in this thread and address them. Heck I think you better by-pass the quality team and go directly to management !

It doesn't make a difference to me BTW as I will continue to get all my Mazda Mx5 parts from outside of Ireland delivered to my door and continue to save some cash each time and no, that cannot be stopped.

Why is it that a UK supplier can sell and ship a GENUINE MAZDA PART (that fits a so-called 'Irish' Mx5 and also a Eunos Roadster) directly to my door in less than 4 days for less money than going down the road to an Irish Mazda Dealer/Supplier ? And perhaps having to wait and wait and then having to pay WAY MORE etc.

The list could go on forever, but it would be good for Mazda Ireland to start with a reply on the 'quality' of customer care towards the Irish Mx5 car owners (we'll leave the Eunos until later ).

Lots for 'Mazda Ireland' to think about in this thread, lots of 'Irish money' to get back in everybodys pockets to

(PS) Please remember this is a Global Mazda Mx5/Eunos Roadster/Miata internet site.

[Fergus]

I think a reply from Niall is pending.....don't worry man, you won't get any hassle.

Oh and about the 'Chassis number' thing, just go in with the exact 'PART NUMBER' (all available online). That's something to think about, make the parts available to Irish buyers by part number !



(or save some cash and get in online )

[BigN]

Hi all,

Richard from Mazda here. Logging onto the forum, I see there are some issues to be address from our request so here goes...

1) Reason we asked for an original Irish mark 1 is that is makes sense from a PR perspective for Mazda Ireland . The basis of the story I’m putting together is that the MX-5 has been on sale in Ireland since 1989, and why, over 2 decades, the MX-5 is such a perfect sportscar for Ireland.
Therefore we feel it makes more sense to try and source an ‘Irish’ Mark 1, as some journalists tend to want to write about the history of older cars they drive. Instead of buying a Mark 1, we thought there may be an enthusiast out there who may like their pride-and-joy to be featured in the press coverage of the 20th Anniversary

2) An Official MX-5 Club: We had the opportunity to meet a number of you late last year to discuss the Isle of Man trip. We want to keep dialogue open with you and to build up our relationship over the coming months and we welcome your feedback on our products. We would like the possibility to organise an Irish event/drive this year. As you can understand, we cannot fully explore any possibility of resource/monetary assistance unless we are in partnership with an official MX-5 Group or Club.

3) Re. Parts availability: I must concede, in the past, there seemed to be an unwillingness from some main dealers to supply parts for import cars. However today, all dealers should be looking for any opportunity to increase their business through parts, servicing and sales. Customer service is key for any dealer (regardless of brand) to survive in this difficult market. I would ask you to approach your main Mazda dealer with parts requests.
Our dealers’ primary business is to stock and supply parts for the models we sell in our market and our parts ordering system is designed around same. While there are common parts between Irish spec and an import MX-5, the Dealer is in a position to take the VIN of your car and make a request to check if a more specific part is available to order through Japan. A specific parts request to Japan can take some days to answer. I must caution, delivery time of specific parts from Japan takes longer than normal and availability cannot be always guaranteed.

Many thanks to those who have offered their Mark 1 - we will be in touch with you shorty.

Cheers

Richard

[Fergus]

An excellent reply Richard and thanks very much for it

Just goes to show you and Mazda Ireland are just here for a Mk1 and save your yourself from Mazda JDM.


Yes, I myself have seen things change about the parts issue down here in Cork - never been asked for a number in the last four years etc (but the last part I went to a Mazda dealership was for an oil filter and that was 4 years ago ).

Are you really really sure about the 'getting parts from Japan' bit ?
I mean ARE YOU REALLY REALLY SURE about that ?

(me being 'nasty' on this sorry) so a part for a 'non Irish' Mx5 part will cost more and take longer to get than a standard 'Irish Mx5' part ?

A Mazda dealership will only order parts from Japan due to the car having a Jap number.....but the cars are all the same (except for some 'user' mods and not any engine/system/body etc mods). This is just 'linking' into the Mazda Ireland 'system'.

I can order MAZDA parts myself direct from Japan and have them at my door within 5 working days - why does Mazda Ireland take longer ?

Heck I can get the MAJORITY of Mazda parts from the UK in 3 days !

I mean, why not get those parts direct from Mazda UK ? They DO have them all, why not Mazda Ireland ? Because Mazda UK are not hooked into the Mazda Ireland 'system' (or your getting them from Germany) ?

Go onto any UK Mx5 forum concerning Mazda parts from Mazda UK dealerships etc and they DO NOT have any of the 'issues' Mx5 drivers here in Ireland have since the Mx5 was launched here WAY BACK in 1989.

So it's taken Mazda Ireland what...20 years to actually come talk with the actual drivers of their cars just because it's the Mx5 anniversary ?

To be very very honest (without being anyway rude), I think this is just 'Mazda Ireland' trying to 'save' itself on the anniversary of the Mx5 in Ireland as Mazda's mistakes here concerning the Mx5, and those of it's dealerships, have practically put itself in a grave.

Mazda in Japan will not be happy with that at all (maybe SOMEBODY SHOULD SEND THEM THIS THREAD ).


This Mx5/Eunos Roadster/Mazda Miata club is the biggest in Ireland and the threads are read world wide.

Sponsorship - no, this club will never go for that, it would sort of be like an 'ownership' and that will never happen.

Mazda Ireland really have to get back on the 'Mazda Mx5 Owners' favourite list here in Ireland and that is us, even if you don't like it.

Make a start - Book an 'open day' on the Mondello Track (or something) just for Mx5s (including Eunos Roadsters/Miatas - that are ALL Mx5s), no club afilly etc just Mx5 cars. Would be nice to hear your response on this.

Nope, Mazda Ireland will never do it.

It does not have to be booked for a CLUB run/cars BTW !

But Mazda Ireland will never ever have any type of sponsored control of this club.

It is so very very sad that so many owners here in Ireland of Mk1s etc here in Ireland are so very very happy with their car part suppliers but Mazda Ireland still falls sort....even now.

Get a grip guys, make the MX5/EUNOS ROADSTER/MIATA OWNERS cash stay in Ireland.