I don't usually leave reviews but I have to share my experience I had with Sakebomb Garage/ Miataspeed. It seems like other clients they had are also noticing the lack of quality service. I'm only sharing my experience, yours may vary.
I brought my NB Miata here in May 2023 to get a turbo kit system installed and tuned. Their portfolio online and social media made me feel that I was in the right hands. I made an appointment a month in advance, on the day of the appointment, it was cancelled and moved 2 weeks later. They said they were short staffed and can't get cars done on time. I had no other choice but to agree, things happen. Dropped the car off, was told their "work" would be covered under warranty. Car would be done by the end of next week. They called on the day of expected pickup, and said it would be delayed for another week or two, short staffed etc etc. Car was ready for pickup. Spent $4,200 for labor and tune. (Tune was $1,300). WOOHOO turbo miata!
The following week I took it to Thunderhill for a track day. I did an inspection to make sure I was good to go. Tune was a little wonky, cold and hot starts the car would completely stall, with or without AC running. MS3PRO ecu. Coolant tank was empty, and turbo water line burnt from contact with exhaust manifold. Easy fix, and besides.... WOOHOO TURBO MIATA!!
One morning session was all it took for things to go wrong. Exhaust leak, loss of power. Turns out the turbo to manifold and downpipe bolt/studs came loose. Tightened them and it came loose again second session. Turbo and downpipe were basically hanging on at that time. From all the restarting due to car stalling from tune. The car started having electrical issues. Starter gave out, ground wire melted away, flickering lights. Had to limp it back home. Turbo Miata things I guess?
Made an appointment to bring the car in the following week. Charged $600 for labor, install starter, new ground wire, and install Stage 8 hardware. No manifold bolts hardware installed, only downpipe, because it had to be completely disassembled to get to it. They said it would hold up. I asked why this wasn't covered under warranty or if the tune can be tweaked, they said "it's a common issue with turbo Miatas"... Either way.. Back on the road. WOOHOO turbo Miata!
Over the course of a couple months and track days. Constant issues with hardware coming loose on the manifold. Tighten only for it to come loose again. Having to leave track days after 2 or less sessions, I was pretty much over the turbo miata thing.
I decided to contact Sakebomb for what my options are from preventing the hardware coming loose. Locking hardware all around, kit will need to be disassembled. $1,000 for labor. Ouch. I looked at it as an investment at this point. Got the car, drove home. Took a look at the locking hardware, one of them was loose!
I contacted them about the issue before heading down to SoCal for track events. I went over to the shop, the tech took a look and just shrugged his shoulders and said they can't do anything about it. Will have to schedule another appointment. "It's a common thing with turbo Miatas".
Fast forward to now, again with constant loosening of the hardware, blown gaskets, crazy AFR fluctuations. I decided to contact them again. Took days for a response, phones don't answer. I messaged them through their text message system. I told them the issue, asked for them to make it right or provide a refund for the $1,000 spent.
This is where things get juicy. They weren't too happy with the message. These are bits of their response.
"This is a common problem with this kit and application"
"We installed the parts you provided correct"
"You can kindly take your business elsewhere at this point"
"Probably should have bought a more quality kit"
Ouch... this was how I was treated after spending almost $6,000 in labor at this establishment.
My whole point of this review is to share my experience dealing with this shop. Lack of communication, compassion, and professionalism.
This shop has a great reputation online and in the forums. However I think that was a thing of the past. There's no way that this kind of service is acceptable to the Mazda community in 2024. They are a busy shop, people still take their cars there. I just think it gets to a point where they're so busy, they don't care about providing excellent service to boost business. I hope the owner of this shop can realize their clients aren't satisfied with the service they provide. Hire more competent employees, so the workload and environment will be less stressful for them, which in turn would be better customer satisfaction. read more