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SUVs Mazda CX-9 2008 Mazda CX-9
69 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2009 at 10:20 AM
You are in the Mazda CX-9 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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The CX-9 has won the 2008 North American Truck of the Year, beating out the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid for the award. This will be the second major award after winning the Motor Trend's 2008 sport utility of the year. I'm sure it will displace the 2008 Honda Pilot in this year's Car and Driver 5 best Truck award. Below is the link. AP News Link |
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Replying to: kbedwards (Nov 06, 2007 7:22 pm) Because this is my work vehicle, I opted to get the Sport AWD model for cost savings. There were a few things that the Touring/GT models offered that I wished I had, but nothing I can't live without. Wind Noise: Because of the comment made above by 'kbedwards', I specifically looked for a model without the Roof Rails. I knew I would never use them, and if they are perhaps the source of some of the wind noise that he refers to, I'd rather not have them. The roof CROSS rails were definitely the source of a LOT of wind noise on my Subaru wagon, so I decided not to take the chance with the CX9 - my roof is bare and the wind noise from this vehicle is not an issue for me. I just can't say whether not having the rails on my car makes it any quieter. Sound System: At the last minute, I also decided against the Bose / Moonroof package - not only to save myself the extra $1800, but because the standard stereo sounded fine enough for me. And I've never been a fan of Moonroofs, so this was a good economics move for me....but if this was to be my wife's vehicle, I could never convince her NOT to get the Moonroof.....to each his/her own. Gas Mileage: I rack up most of my mileage on the highway, so my local driving is very limited. Highway mileage has been consistently between 21 and 23 MPG. I do notice a significant drop in mileage when I am 'in-town'. I purchased a Trip Computer for the CX9 which gives me accurate, real-time gas mileage, and I can see how those who spend most of their time on city streets might be less than thrilled with their mileage. Fit / Finish: I've been very happy overall with the F & F. As 'kbedwards' mentioned, the floor mats are cheap, but I've see worse - my wife's Ford Explorer as an example - now those are REALLY cheap. I don't think I've read any complaints about the interior door handles on the CX9, but having known about the poor job Ford did with the door handles in the '06 Explorer (which is why we got the '07) I do think the front door handles could have been designed better. When the front doors are fully open, it's a long stretch to reach the handles. A recessed (hand-grab) area further back in the arm rest probably would have helped here. The 2nd row doors are Big. I have to be very careful when I'm getting items out of the rear passenger area. I can just imagine what it would be like to have kids back there - swinging open those doors and hitting the cars parked next to them - yikes! Some type of protection for your doors (and for the cars next to you) would seem to be almost a necessity. Driving Experience: Overall, I'm pleased with how this handles for such a large vehicle. HOWEVER, I'm very disappointed in the ride. 'kbedwards' indicated that he wished he had gotten the 18" wheels over the 20". I have the 18" wheels and I have a feeling there wouldn't be much of a difference with the 20". I even bought new tires, thinking it was the Bridgestone tires that were part of the problem - the new Continentals, which had terrific reviews for quiet/comfortable ride, are really no better. I think the issue, therefore, is the overall suspension of this vehicle and not really related to the wheels/tires. If you want to call it a "Sport" ride, go ahead.... I will just call it simply UNCOMFORTABLE when hitting bumps, potholes, expansion joints, etc. The jolts come right through. When cruising on a highway with good road conditions, it rides great. But then you hit a bump and it reminds you how stiff the ride can be. ***I do carry about 150 pounds of equipment in the cargo area......whether that contributes to the overall ride, I don't know. (I would think the extra weight in the rear would help dampen the bumps..?) I don't remember the test drives being so 'bumpy'. Had I known this was the way it would ride, I may not have purchased this vehicle. I find the seats to be very supportive and comfortable. I've been on a few long drives (3~4 hours, one-way) and feel good throughout the ride....it's a nice "Cruiser". Acceleration is okay, but you can hear the engine when you put your foot down and I'd rather have a quiet car all the time. Since I can visually see how accelerating affects the gas mileage, I now accelerate only moderately to acheive the desired speed. No issues with the transmission, it shifts smoothly. I wish the turning radius was a little tighter - it's pretty good, it's just not as tight as my wife's Explorer. Coming from 3 VW Passats and a Subaru, I was worried about parking this 'monster', but it hasn't been too bad. I do find myself being more choosey about my parking spots - looking for the wider ones. Miscellaneous: Other than the pulling to left, which was corrected, I have had no issues so far. I just brought it in for it's first Oil Change. I brought my own Mobil-1 0W20 full synthetic oil to be used. I don't know if that will have any affect on the gas mileage, but I'll find out. I asked them to re-program the door locks; so that they all lock after putting the vehicle in Drive, but they said it was not available......what??? I think I have read where others have had this done, so I may end up taking it to another dealer. I also asked them to have all the doors Unlock when I put the car in Park/or removed the key - again, they said this was not something they could program. If anyone knows for sure, I'd appreciate knowing. I'm still getting used to the controls - on the dash and on the steering wheel. It will likely take my some time before I'm real comfortable (used to) with the layout. Not that it's bad, it's just very different than my previous cars. The interior color choices are crappy (IMHO). Especially if you get the Sport model, your cloth color choices are; Black - with no other 'accent' color so it will show absolutely everything that sticks to it - unless it's also black, or, this odd shade of Gray/Taupe(?), that is so light, I'm afraid of what my seats will look like a year from now. In leather, these colors look much better....but they're not a good choice for fabric colors....and I prefer cloth interior. With the light interior, they did a good thing by making the top of the dashboard Black, to minimize reflections, however, they should have carried the black color further down in the dash area. As I look out at my side mirror, I can always see the reflection of my interior side vent in the mirror. If this area was black, I probably wouldn't even notice it in the mirror. (The reflection is actually off the window) - minor, but annoying. I really like the vehicle, but the ride on rough roads is really spoiling it for me. As time goes by, I hope I get m |
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Replying to: pulleydog (Jan 18, 2008 7:37 pm) Wind noise: I just can't say whether not having the rails on my car makes it any quieter. You really told us a lot there. Sound system: I also decided against the Bose / Moonroof package Most CX-9 owners will opt for this package, so some information would be helpful. Gas mileage: I do notice a significant drop in mileage when I am 'in-town'. Yup...most cars do that. Fit / Finish: I don't think I've read any complaints about the interior door handles on the CX9, but having known about the poor job Ford did with the door handles in the '06 Explorer (which is why we got the '07) I do think the front door handles could have been designed better. Let's see...no real complaints, but Ford made a bad one at one time, so you found it necessary to offer a fix to a problem that doesn't exist. I can just imagine what it would be like to have kids back there - swinging open those doors and hitting the cars parked next to them - yikes! Some type of protection for your doors (and for the cars next to you) would seem to be almost a necessity. Or you could teach your passengers to be aware of their surroundings and be careful. Driving Experience: I think the issue, therefore, is the overall suspension of this vehicle and not really related to the wheels/tires. If you want to call it a "Sport" ride, go ahead.... I will just call it simply UNCOMFORTABLE when hitting bumps, potholes, expansion joints, etc. The jolts come right through. It IS a "sport" model, just doing what it's supposed to do. I don't remember the test drives being so 'bumpy'. Should have done a better test drive. Acceleration is okay, but you can hear the engine when you put your foot down and I'd rather have a quiet car all the time. Most cars get noiser when they rev higher. Been going on for years. Miscellaneous: I brought my own Mobil-1 0W20 full synthetic oil to be used. Wow! You paid for an oil change AND brought the oil. With the help you're giving the dealer's profit margin, seems they should have tried harder on your programming issues. Keep doing this and you'll erase the $1800 you saved on the Bose/Moonroof package. As I look out at my side mirror, I can always see the reflection of my interior side vent in the mirror. If this area was black, I probably wouldn't even notice it in the mirror. (The reflection is actually off the window) - minor, but annoying. Again, a better test drive would have identified this.
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Replying to: mdhutton (Jan 20, 2008 3:53 pm) Dealers will typically just let you pay labor if you bring in your own oil (i.e. they won't charge you for their oil). I do this all the time with my car, since the grade they use is not what I like. Of course, you do have to be careful with the bill, since they might charge you for their oil anyway! |
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Replying to: pulleydog (Jan 18, 2008 7:37 pm) Great bit of reviewing. Unlike the others, I'll say thank you for investing the time in keeping us informed. Other posters tend to blow hold or cold, so don't understand when a reviewer can find some middle ground, especially one that's an owner. I have a 08 CX-9 GT, its not perfect by a long chalk for instance, there's something about its beautiful svelte like design that attracts mud. Compared to other black cars, mine always looks filthy even after a wash. The mileage is not great, but hey, anyone buying a 4400 lb vehicle shouldn't have any illusions (I haven't even tried to calculate my MPG, as I know as I'll lie in bed at night breaking sweat trying to work out how to increase it). I'd love to see Mazda borrow Land Rover's 3.6 V8 diesel which (top selling Range Rover in Europe) before Ford sells the unit to the Indian's - then we would get performance with economy. Against this are the countless aspects I love. No car is ever going to be perfect but the CX-9 is pretty darn close. On balance, its a great car (so far) . The test of the pudding is my wife likes driving it against her initial prejudices |
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Replying to: pulleydog (Jan 18, 2008 7:37 pm) These are not Ford door handles, so, I don't really follow you there. Mazda uses those door handles on most all Mazda models, with no complaints I can recolect. Remember, the CX-9 was designed by Mazda, built by Mazda in Japan. I brought my own Mobil-1 0W20 full synthetic oil to be used. I don't know if that will have any affect on the gas mileage, but I'll find out. Your salesman / service manager should have told you Mazda does not recommend full synthetic. I think you will be wasting your hard earned money on oil that only benefits Exxon/Mobils bottom line. |
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Overall I am very please with my 2008 CX-9 Grand Touring AWD. I love the blind spot motoring for my wife. I have owned Lexus, Toyota's, and Ford's in the past. I have 3000 on the car without any issues. I was wondering if any other CX-9 owners have experience excessive water coming out of the mirrors after you wash the car. It makes it difficult to dry you car when water splashes down the side after you drive it. I have tried stick paper towel in behind the mirror, folding the mirrors and drying, even an air compressor to blow the mirror out. Any ideas?
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 21, 2008 8:53 am) Do you mind sharing what they do recommend? No synthetic at all? Part synthetic? Thanks
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 21, 2008 8:53 am) In any case, synthetic is probably best on a turbo car since that turbo spins like mad. My car is a twin-turbo, so I use synthetic as "insurance". For non-turbo engines that are driven normally, I would tend to agree that mineral oil is just fine. |
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