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2008 MDX (Tech/Ent) vs 2008 Mazda CX9 (Grand Touring AWD)

19 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2008 at 1:58 PM

You are in the Acura MDX Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Acura MDX, Mazda CX-9, Car Comparisons, SUV


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#3 of 19
Re: 2008 MDX (Tech/Ent) vs 2008 Mazda CX9 (Grand Touring AWD) [magesh] by 99zoomr
Dec 05, 2007 (7:48 am)
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Replying to: magesh (Dec 03, 2007 1:42 pm)

"However the wife hated the safety belt that comes across the view for the middle 2nd row passenger in the CX9"
 
If you are not using the middle seat in the second row, there's a small slot in the seatbelt latch. You can use a key or anything that will fit in the slot to unlatch it, then the seatbelt rolls up into a slot in the roof and is no longer in your view. Have fun shopping!
#4 of 19
Re: 2008 MDX (Tech/Ent) vs 2008 Mazda CX9 (Grand Touring AWD) [magesh] by pei4life
Dec 05, 2007 (9:25 pm)
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Replying to: magesh (Dec 03, 2007 1:42 pm)

I was in the same boat as you were...looking for a 7 passenger with the luxury feel. I had 3 suv in mind...mdx, highlander, and cx9. I waited for the 08 highlander to come out...but once i saw the body style and the price you get...i nixed it. for about 40k for limited..it wasn't worth it. I was set on mdx until i saw that cx9 got suv of the year. It really didn't mean much because a few top luxury suv were not in the test. But nonetheless...i figure i stop by to test drive since Mazda was next door to Acura. I test drove the cx9 and was surprised how great it felt (driving wise). The salesman was really good..he let me do all sorts of stop and go, twist and turn on the road and very quick sharp turn. I was very surprised how great it handled. Yes you are right...all the features were the same on a GT CX-9 and MDX tech/ent. The price was was less on the mazda...like 8,000 difference for the same type of car. Especially given that the cx9 had more cargo and easier third row access. I wanted my wife to test drive it with me but she didn't want anything to do with a Mazda product. I was a previous RL owner and saw the reliability of it. In the end, i purchased a 08 mdx tech/ent. My main reason is that i am not sure about Mazda's reliability and value. I know they have improved over the last feel years...also i noticed that the CX9 is based on a Ford Edge. So i was terrified. I am happy with my MDX. I could have gone with a MDX tech package but i talked myself into the entertainment package because of the power liftgate. Yes, i know i spent more than i should but hopefully it will last me for a long time. I hope this helps in your decision.
#5 of 19
Dilemma by bill124
Dec 06, 2007 (1:30 pm)
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I went through this and had 2 Mazda MPVs -- both reliable. Made mistake of thinking about MDX and let wife test drive it and when she compared to CX-9 she said it was night and day. MDX heavier, more solid ride, etc. Don't not go with CX-9 because it's a Mazda and you have quality concerns. Do it for some other reason. CX-9 I think allows reg. gas -- not sure about grand touring but definitely other models. I know it's not that much but it all adds up. I really liked CX-9 but wife wanted MDX and I have mercedes convertible so it was hard to convince her that for her and kids they get Mazda. Acura is simply higher end. Compared to minivan, MDX gave up a lot of space and my mileage per gallon for all local is like 12.5 -- not good but only 750 miles to date.
#6 of 19
Re: Dilemma [bill124] by magesh
Dec 06, 2007 (2:02 pm)
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Replying to: bill124 (Dec 06, 2007 1:30 pm)

Made the decision: We are buying the MDX.
 
As pei4life & bill124 indicated, my 'decision' ( ) was made by my wife. My wife, a conservative lady, did not want anything to do with Mazda & as previous owners of Acuras & Mazdas, she knows first hand that Acuras are more reliable. And better resale value. Hence the MDX.
 
We are getting the black/blacl with roof rails & Xbars and running boards.
 
So atleast for the next 2 years, the MDX is 'it'.
 
Thanks again to edmunds.com forum members. Always helpful.
#7 of 19
Re: Dilemma [magesh] by waverley
Dec 19, 2007 (8:41 am)
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Replying to: magesh (Dec 06, 2007 2:02 pm)

Congratulations on your decision. I am facing the same decision.
 
We are looking for an SUV for our second home in Colorado to replace our Subaru impreza WRX. ( waaaaaay too small and the stick shift is annoying for me and impossible for our sons. Younger son has not yet learned to drive stick shift. Older son, who learned under duress, reckoned he would rather sit at home and starve to death than have to drive the stick shift out to get sustenance.)
 
We purchased 2007 MDX with navigation for our primary residence about 6 months ago. I am pretty happy with it. Overall I like it, but there are minor things that annoy me.
 
The car in Colorado, while not being used every day, needs to fulfill a lot of different needs and functions. It will be doing a lot of highway driving between Denver and the mountains. It needs to handle well in snow. It needs to be cool enough to fit the image of my son, the CU college student. It needs to be big enough to haul disparate groups of people and baggage, boxes, furniture etc as well as all his college possessions when moving.
 
I had not originally wanted to spend over $40 000 on a car which is used only occasionally so had not included the MDX in my research. Looked at Hyundai Veracruz, Subaru Tribeca, Toyota highlander and settled on Mazda Grand Touring CX9. Liked the looks, interior volume, legroom, ease of accessing 3rd row of seats, blue tooth. I LOVED the keyless start and power liftgate trunk. ( That was one of the things I had compromised on when buying the Acura.)
 
My husband wanted to revisit our decision regarding the Acura and rightly pointed out that if we forego the nav package ( which I don't want anyway) it brings the cost down to about $37 000, which is still about $5000 more than what we would pay for the GT with the features we want.
 
Admittedly, I have only briefly test driven the mazda so I don't know if there will be minor things that annoy me about it.
 
I want to buy something this weekend as I can't take another week of having my knees up to my chin while my son's knees poke me in the back in the Subaru.
 
Any input will be appreciated.
#8 of 19
Re: Dilemma [waverley] by nxs138
Dec 19, 2007 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: waverley (Dec 19, 2007 8:41 am)

if we forego the nav package ( which I don't want anyway) it brings the cost down to about $37 000, which is still about $5000 more than what we would pay for the GT with the features we want.
 
The base model Acura MDX, which does not include NAV, starts at $40k. How do you get to $37k--are you talking about invoice price?
 
The CX-9 is nice and sporty, and is one of my top choices. You might want to take a look at the GMC Acadia if you want something that is slightly bigger, and is probably a bit more easier to get into the third row if you get captains chairs. The CX-9 feels more nimble than the Acadia, though.
#9 of 19
Re: Dilemma [nxs138] by waverley
Dec 19, 2007 (12:12 pm)
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Replying to: nxs138 (Dec 19, 2007 11:27 am)

Sorry, I was looking at the wrong quote. I was given a price of around $38 500 before taxes and fees.
Yes, did look at Acadia also before settling on Mazda.
Thanks
#10 of 19
Re: Dilemma [waverley] by magesh
Dec 19, 2007 (12:24 pm)
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Replying to: waverley (Dec 19, 2007 8:41 am)

The one good thing is the timing of your purchase. This is one of the best times to buy your car.
 
My needs were very specific. We looked at a wide range & ended up with the MDX. Plus it was the wife's decision ...
 
After driving the MDX for a week, I like it. I still think about the CX9 in relation to the keyless entry & the blind spot monitoring system. I do miss those two things.
 
CX9 is a good car; but I doubt if it has the same road handling skills/ability has the MDX.
 
Since you have the MDX, try the CX9. You'll notice that the build quality is not in the same league as the MDX. Plus the CX9 is based on the Ford Edge/Lincoln MK platform.
 
On the CX9 the dashboard will look 'cheap' compared to the MDX. ANother thing: you cannot enter destination address in the nav system while driving on the CX9. In the MDX you can.
 
Another suggestion: See if there is a rental place that will allow you to rent the CX9 for a week. Compare it.
 
Good luck.
#11 of 19
Re: Dilemma [magesh] by waverley
Dec 19, 2007 (2:19 pm)
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Replying to: magesh (Dec 19, 2007 12:24 pm)

You raise a lot of good points. Good idea about renting the CX9. However, I have found in the past, that most of the car rental companies seem to have only American products.
#12 of 19
Re: Dilemma [magesh] by pei4life
Dec 20, 2007 (9:53 pm)
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Replying to: magesh (Dec 19, 2007 12:24 pm)

the mazda dealer here in the Dallas area will actually let you take the cx-9 home for a day to try it out. that's a really good option since you can try it at your own leisure without a salesman behind your back. go see if your dealer will allow this. I recently bought an 08 mdx...like it very much but still think about the cx9 sometimes because of the low price.

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