Bye Bye Honda Fit! Helllllllllooooooooooo Mazdaspeed3!!!!!

I recall an article (WSJ?) on how some car companies (and I think
Mitsubishi was specifically mentioned) would take note of participants
in all racing events down to the autocross level and deny any warranty
claims based on participation.

 

that's fine. I have no money to blow on the track/autocross anyway.
and i haven't heard many horror stories about evo reliability.
do you have links?

 

I'm sure glad I'm not stupid enough to do that.

 

^^^^^^
I think "Impatient" would be more fitting.

 

Well, this is what I found with a Google search:

This is from a defunct web page:

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:lIxAsPWlx3sJ:team3s.com/digests/v02n263.htm+mitsubishi+warranty+racing+denied+OR+deny+OR+void*&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

WARNING WILL ROBINSON!!
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!!

Just got an official reply to my nice little letter to the president
of
Mitsubishi, asking him to honor my warranty claim.

Here's part of the letter from the customer connections manager:

"It is our determination that the damage done to your vehicle was
directly
related to the use of your vehicle for racing. Your website posts
times,
location, and duration of contests."*

I never told them I had a website, so this confirms all the rumors
we've
been hearing that Mitsubishi monitors our activities, at tracks and on
the
Web.

My advice to all of you is:

1. Do not ever buy a new car with a Mitsubishi warranty. If you want
an
Evo or a Lancer or whatever, buy it used from a General Motors dealer,
and
then purchase the GM aftermarket warranty. GM's warranty is the best
in the
business.

2. If you road race, drag race, autocross, or indulge in any other
motorsport, be aware that Mitsubishi observes some of these events in
person, and notes what Mitsu vehicles are competing.

3. If you communicate on our discussion groups, better get an alias.
Big
Brother is watching this forum and all other lists. They identify us
by
name, car, etc., and use the information to deny warranty claims.
Rumors
have been flying that they deny ALL claims, not just on equipment that
could possibly be damaged by racing.

 

I think my next reply to Mitsubishi would be to request their proof that
the car in question was actually involved in racing itself, including
identifiable video or photos showing the VIN plate...

 

Maybe time to use cars for transportation (what they're really all
about) and not racing.

 

they have to prove it. just 'cos you raced a mitsu doesn't mean it's
the same vehicle as affected by a warranty issue. heck, if you're a
mitsu fan, you'll have two or three of them, one for towing the racer to
events, one for the wife, etc. denial based on "inconclusive" web
browsing is a try-on. and they know it. don't take "no" for an answer.
you have rights in this matter. exercise them.

 

Maybe not. But if I were Mitsubishi I would not want to pay for any
repairs on a car that was raced. Racing = rapid wear and tear.
Why should they cover it? I think every car maker has explicit
statements in the warranty saying that racing equals automatic
cancellation of a warranty. If you race $30k car you'd better have
cash to pay for all repairs out of pocket or race something cheaper.
Period.