I'm a new member of this forum. I'm sorry to come bringing sad news, but the nation's first Mazda dealership, University Mazda in Seattle, is closing June 1st. They are on leased land in the middle of the University District, and huge apartment buildings have been sprouting up all around them. An apartment building will be built where the dealership now stands.
I bought my first Mazda there in 2007, a Mazdaspeed 3. I serviced it their regularly and they are the BEST. Last month I bought another Mazda to put in my garage next to old Speedy3, a brand new Soul Red Mazda 6 Signature. Older now, I sometimes need a softer ride...
I heard they were closing when I went in to buy the car from them. I bought from them, anyway, because they're good people. I will find another place to service the two Mazdas, but it won't be the same.

Thanks for the two great cars, U-Mazda, and 14 years of great service. Manager Chris Reeves,, salesperson Hunter Reeves,, finance officer Winnie Lam, Service Rep Brian Said....Everybody,, you're all wonderful people! You're leaving a hole in our city and in my heart.

 

Welcome to the forum. That is unfortunate news you have to share. Hopefully the next nearest dealership is not too far.

As I suspect you know, Mazdas are typically very reliable and should not need much from a dealership. This would be a different story if you bought an Alfa that would be dependent on a dwindling dealer network.

I had a similar story with a purchase of my 04 Mazda6 from what may have been the shortest lived Mazda dealership. I found a row of Mazda at a Dodge dealership and went inside. They said they just got the license to sell Mazdas and had not received the temporary signage yet. A few days later when I went to pick up my Mazda, they had no Mazdas on the lot. They said the Dodge people came in and stopped them from selling Mazdas from a Dodge building.

 

The 2007 'Speed oil suppression rings on the pistons actually failed at 75k. Luckily I'd bought extended warranty because i was concerned about turbo failure. The warranty paid for a new long block $$$. Also, A/C failed at 95k or so; paid with extended warranty...And a window switch....
The turbo is going, now, wobbly axle, but still boosts well for having 130k on it.
Wally Galbraith, the Service Rep at Mazda I worked with then, sorted all that out for me. Then Brian Said, when Wally moved to a Vegas Mazda dealer. Like I said, U-Mazda is tops.
Regardless of the problems, the Speed3 is such a great car, I don't care if stuff breaks once in awhile. Stuff happens and Mazda's overall reliability is purportedly excellent, on average.
I grew up driving 73 and 72 Celicas, a 72 Opel Manta set up for racing, a Lotus Europa (briefly), a 62 Impala SS....The handling and power of the Speed 3 (and now the 6!) is perfect for real-world driving.

But yes, hopefully I won't need much wrenching in the future on either car, knock wood! (And there's real wood to knock in the 6, Japanese Sen wood! How about that!)

 

Update University Mazda to stay open. University Mazda was bought out from another Mazda Dealership in Kirkland. New Owners have signed a lease for 1 year at their current location and will have a new building for University Mazda and to be completed in about a year. Location not known at this time.

 

Wow! Really! That is GREAT news.
Will everyone working there now get to carry on, then?
I hope so!

 

Can I ask where you heard this? Their Facebook page has nothing, nor does their website.

 

I work there. Just found out on friday by our general manager Chris Reeves. There should be some news out soon.

 

Very glad to hear this! I'll be bringing the Speed and the new 6 (which is sweet! Great car, truly!) in soon to visit.

Gordon Macdougall

 

Very glad to hear this! I'll be bringing the Speed and the new 6 (which is sweet! Great car, truly!) in soon to visit.

Gordon Macdougall