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SUVs Mazda CX-7 Mazda CX-7 v Toyota RAV4 v Honda CR-V
47 messages, Last post on Oct 06, 2009 at 7:23 AM
You are in the Mazda CX-7 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: lilarry (Apr 18, 2006 9:46 pm) "What car to get for the kid" is a question I've discussed at length with my wife, friends, relatives and associates. The comment universally offered is one that is nice, safe, but is either a "hand-me-down", or a small car, or an otherwise "lesser" car than that of the parents. While this at first seems logical, it is actually quite illogical, thoughtless and even selfish. Most parents think that their children should not have cars nicer or more expensive than theirs. But who's more likely to get into an accident?, parent or child? Child, obviously. That having been said, my first concern is the safety of my child which overrides any premise of buying them a small Mazda 3 (as nice as it is), or an older car lacking safety features. When I buy or contribute to buying a car for my child, you'd better believe it will be midsize or larger, it'll be new or nearly new with excellent braking, handling, and all the safety features available that day that I/we can afford. If one can afford to buy their child either a 3 or a CX-7, which one makes more sense once the priorities are rearranged? Teaching a child about money and working for what one has are things a child should learn long before they're old enough to have a car, so the arguement that buying or subsidizing a relatively expensive car for child spoils them, is a weak one - especially if it places such teachings above their own safety. Consider this. Like most parents, I value my children far more than I do myself. The CX-7 will provide comparable or better handling, and with nearly a thousand more pounds of steel, airbags and VSC between the driver and outside world, and the CX-7 will be (should be - we'll see when it's tested) a lot safer in a crash. Remember, the highway safety geeks agree that higher vehicle weight is the number one factor in determining safety in a crash. Happily, if not miraculously, despite the extra weight, the CX-7 has shorter braking distances from 60mph than the 3 or almost any other car on the road today (read all the current articles out there - it's true). Think about it. I know there are other factors not discussed, but gas mileage, resale value, etc are non-issues when weighed against safety. Theoretically, if a parent has a fixed $$$ amount to spend, get a larger, slightly used but heavier and safer midsize car than the new compact/subcompact or 7 year-old "hand me down". There's probably lots more to say, but that what forums are for aren't they? So go ahead and say. let's talk. Regards, Deanie |
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Replying to: deanie (May 08, 2006 10:11 pm) One quibble with your comments is when you state that the CX-7 will provide comparable or better handling than the Mazda3. I love the CX-7, but I wonder how you define "handling?" Edmunds rates the handling of the 3 as Excellent, and it scored 69.0 in the slalom test. I can assure you, it handles curves like it is riding on rails. I can appreciate the "bulk is better" view once a crash occurs, but I don't think any SUV (I've owned three) handles as well as the 3 or many other cars.
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I also considered the CX-7, but the cargo area is significantly smaller. Coupled with the split sliding second row seats, the cargo area meets my needs for a work vehicle far better than that of the CX-7. The RAV4 uses regular fuel, adding to the savings over the CX-7. The CX-7 does offer a factory navigation system, something Toyota does not yet offer. I'll bet that Toyota is being surprised by the number of people who want Limited V6 four wheel drive versions of the RAV4. Perhaps they will add a navigation system option when they see the demand for the fancer models. The dealers here (southern CA) are already adding Sirius radio for about $100 (totally integrated, not aftermarket). Of course, Toyota would probably prefer that people buy a Highlander or 4Runner for $10,000 more than a RAV4, so they may be slow to adjust to reality. I owned a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, and it is interesting to note that the RAV4 V6 is faster to 60 MPH and seems to handle as very well, or even better, than the Impala. |
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Replying to: richml (May 09, 2006 9:29 am) Your're right, I was going from memory and didn't check the 3's stats. The 3 handily outslaloms the CX-7, but the 1000lbs of steel, better braking #'s and VSC make the CX-7 a safer overall choice than a 3. CX-7 aside, the 3 is a great car and though a few years old, still rests at or near the top of the heap of the compact/subcompact world. With the upcoming Mazaspeed 3 arriving with the same (similar) engine as that in the Speed6 and CX-7, that'll be a car to watch. Thanks for your reply! If I talk to my wife or even my friends about cars for more than a sentence or two, their eyes glaze over. I'm glad this place exists. Regards, Deanie P.S. I just got out of an 05 Avalon (that's another story) and the constraints of family require a compromise. I want a G35 (way too narrow - only seats two in the rear), but now I'm considering a CX-7, 07 Avalon Touring, or a Honda Odyssey. I'll be able to discuss these choices further when I've driven a CX-7. I'm in Montgomery County, Maryland, and they aren't expected in until the end of May.
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Replying to: deanie (May 10, 2006 7:18 pm) |
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Replying to: deanie (May 08, 2006 10:11 pm) Do you really think that you CAN'T spoil a teenager? If so, you are sorely mistaken. Teaching children about values and hard work goes way beyond 16 or 17 years old, which is the approx. age they are able to drive. Also, there is an exhaustive list of passenger cars that are safer than SUV's. Just because SUV's are bigger doesn't necessarily mean they are safer. Plus, the best way to survive an accident is to avoid one all together. By my experience, I have noticed that a car's handling and a driver's reflexes are the most important factors in accident avoidance. Having that in mind, the Mazda 3, can handle circles around the CX-7 and thereby increase accident avoidance (and keep a child humbler). Perhaps the CX-7 handles great, but it handles great "FOR AN SUV". The Mazda 3 handles great period. Keep that in mind. In addition, there are many safe, inexpensive cars on the road - and many used cars STILL have great safety features. Children at 17 years old are still children. If they have mommy or daddy buy them a "hot/cool ride" they are most likely going to become cocky, which leads them to be careless, and will think of themselves as superior to others, even if they deny it - it's only human nature, especially when coupled with immaturity. I agree with the other poster, too, that many parents with money buy their children hooked up cars, but not because of safety reasons - And it IS unbelievable to see what some spoiled children are driving these days with no regard for hard work or economical values! Would you also think that them having the latest and best cell phone w/camera/mp3 player/gps navigator is also a safety feature as opposed to getting them a basic cell phone? You probably would. Even if I HAD the money, I would NOT buy my children cars. If they need to use a car SO bad, they can borrow mine. I would make sure MINE is the nicest, safest car I can possibly afford and I would, as I do, keep it properly maintained in order to ensure its safe working order. If, by some chance, they can't borrow the car, then they can take a bus, a train, hitch a ride with a friend, or I will take them. No big deal. When they're older, they can start working and saving up to buy their own wheels, and when they have enough dough to do so, I will surprise them with monetary assistance toward their purchase. THIS would teach them good economical values and make them see that Daddy ISN'T cheap and does want to help out, NOT outright buying them a brand new, just came out, hot/cool ride like a hooked up Mazda CX-7 when they're only teenagers, under the premise of providing safety. Please. Just my two cents. 
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Replying to: nissmazlover (Jun 28, 2006 1:59 pm) It's probably better to talk about the features of the various cars and SUVs out there instead of generalizing about teens and whether someone is spoiling their kid. Check out Insuring teenage drivers for the cost of insurance angle. That's always an eye opener! Steve, Host |
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I copy my writing from Test-Drive Thread because it had my comparison with RAV4. ----------------------------------------------------------- In fact, my brother test drove CX-7, and I was sitting in the back seat with my roommate. Earlier, we test drove Suzuki Grand Vitara and Ford Escape, but I found out that CX-7 belongs to a totally different class. It felt more like Lexus sedan than an affordable SUV. Very quite, couldn't even notice the engine was on! Good acceleration, good handling, decent interior space and finish! Right after test-driving CX-7, we went to Toyota dealer to try RAV4 V6. It had more power (because it was V6? or because it was lighter?), but it was just an SUV with good power. RAV4 had some noise at low gear for quick step on gas, which is normal and also acceptable for an SUV, but CX-7 was better at quiet speeding. A pleasantly quiet zoom zoom! RAV4 lacked the feel of refined vehicle that CX-7 appealed to me with. The exterior and interior of RAV4 was just okay, but far behind Mazda. So, CX-7 beat RAV4 in and out. Cloth seats of CX-7 felt a lot better than RAV4's. I am a big fan of leather seat, but cloth material of CX-7 seemed good enough. RAV4 has more power, better MPG, but today's overall winner was CX-7. To grade 1-10, Suzuki Grand Vitara 5, Ford Escape 7, Toyota RAV4 8, and CX-7 9. To allow myself a little exaggeration, I felt that buying CX-7 will save $10K because it seemed more like one of the SUVs with $10K higher sticker price. |
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I had built my RAV4 on the internet dozens of times, had test driven one, and was getting ready to buy a Limited V6 4WD when the CX-7 started getting advertised. I remembered seeing the CX-7 at the local auto show in April, but you could not touch it or sit in it then. The only other vehicle I was considering was an Acura RDX, but as pictures and specs started to surface, I got more and more turned off by it. The RDX's price was the last straw. My "dream version" RAV4 was optioned out to about $31K. I have since picked up my GT AWD CX-7 (just plain fell in love with its looks) and it was also optioned out to about $31K MSRP. I won't argue about the "intangibles" like how much more sporty the CX-7 may or may not be, but having shopped both, here's my quick summary: CX-7: no third-row seat, slower than a V6 RAV4, delayed DVD availability. RAV4: no HIDs, less sophisticated interior, lower-quality radio, less styling "pizazz," generally more "trucky" in seating position and feel. Okay, so maybe it really DOES come down to intangibles  - IMHO the CX-7 just feels like a Lexus compared to the RAV4, without a significant price premium. Bottom line: to me, the CX-7 is like an RX-8 on stilts,the RAV4 is like a Corolla on stilts. Your choice.
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