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SUBURBAN MAZDA OF FARMING 37911 GRAND RIVER AVENUE FARMINGTON H, MI 48335 248-471-0800
MARTY SUSSMAN MAZDA 1601-31 EASTON ROAD WILLOW GROVE, PA 19090 215-887-1800
PINNACLE MAZDA 101 SW GRADY WAY. RENTON , WA 98055 425-271-2700
GARCIA MAZDA 8603 LOMAS BLVD. NE ALBUQUERQUE , NM 87112 505-294-1455
PERRY MAZDA 440 HITCHCOCK WAY SANTA BARBAR, CA 93105 805-682-2411
I'm a grown-up now and can lock my own doors when I feel it's warranted.
Some day we'll be able to easily connect to our cars with a laptop and configure all this. When you get a new car, you'll just load your saved settings into it.
What really surprises me is that is an option to be configure bu the dealer rather than having it from factory,looking at it on the bright side thsi is better since you and I can both have our individual ways...another thing to consider (for me) still undicide if I am going with the CX 9 or the EDGE....
Also - is it possible to easily get the second row to automatically return to the furthest back position after sliding it up to get in the third row? Right now I have to reach under the seat and pull the lever to get it to slide back to the furthest position. I recall reading somewhere here that this might just be the way it is, but I’ve had no luck searching the old posts to find out.
Thanks - and I apologize if some of this is written somewhere in the manual. I've looked, and have not found answers - seems most efficient to just ask here.
Concerning the seats, just slide them back before you move the backrest upright. As long as the backrest is forward, the seat should slide freely.
qTransferring a call
Transferring a call from the Hands-
Free system to a mobile phone
Communication between the hands-free
unit and a mobile phone is canceled, and
the line can be switched to a standard call
using a mobile phone.
1. Press the phone button (Short press).
2. Say: [Beep] “Transfer call”
3. Prompt: “Transferred call to phone”
Transferring a call from a mobile
phone to the Hands-Free system
Communication between mobile phones
can be switched to the Bluetooth Hands-
Free system.
1. Press the phone button (Short press).
2. Say: [Beep] “Transfer call”
3. Prompt: “Transferred call to Hands
Free system”
(http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com).
I paid $114.78 and shipping was free.
Thanks
I took my in and had them check it because mine was pulling pretty bad (AWD - 20 inches).
They aligned it, and it is better, but it still seems to bias to the left, especially during braking.
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
- "Newly Recommended" - and - "No Longer Recommended" -
Under each of these, they break it down to 'Improved Reliability' and 'Enough reliability data to recommend' and the other column is 'Worse reliability' and 'Enough data to say they're unreliable'.
The CX-9 was listed under the last heading mentioned above.
I know CR/CU has it's fans and foes, but I usually trust their information. As someone in the final stages of negotiating a purchase of a 2008 CX-9, it does give me some pause. Unfortunately, it doesn't get into any detail on any vehicle in particular, except for a few models in the main body of the article.
Knowing they get the bulk of their reliability information from the subscribers of CR through a once a year survey, I'm wondering where they are getting this new reliability data from...? I could be mistaken, but I thought I received and sent in my auto survey back in the early Spring. I can't imagine there would be all that much data available on the CX-9 since it was released less than a year ago...I think...?? :confuse:
Not only that, but if you scan these forums, there really are not a lot of issues posted about the CX-9. Issues with the CX-7 were immediate and annoyed owners were vocal about it on CarSpace.
I always take CR with a grain of salt and just roll their take in with everything else I see and hear... I guess how much pause it causes you just really depends on how much you really want to rely on them.
-c92
So I researched it more: Mazda does have some technical service bulletins out there, but they are mostly about stains on wheels, or pulling a bit to the left or right (this might be the "drive system" CR is referring to), and a coolant tank replacement. Nothing all that serious, but annoying.
The Acadia has many more issues, from transmission software issues to door leaks, batteries dying, drivetrain bolts coming loose, defective seat tracks. Another website has reliability data on 74 Acadias, and statistically nearly every one of them has been in the shop once for an issue. This website does not yet have data on the CX-9.
I'm usually a defender of CR, but in this case I don't understand why the CX-9 survey, which looks better than that of the Acadia, gets a "not recommended" nod. The forums out there certainly seem to show that the CX-9 has few issues, while the Acadia has many, many minor issues that will send you to the shop more often.
(note: I'm only using the Acadia as an example, since it is a direct competitor to the CX-9)
Does any CX9 owner out there know and trust a Mazda service manager enough to ask him (or her) their unbiased opinion of what the drive train and audio problems are (or were), and what Mazda has done to fix them in the current model? I assume that most of the problems were in the 2007 model.
Someone in the CR forums did ask a dealer about the CR report, and the only answer was that everything had been taken care of in the 2008 model. To tell the truth, I have scoured the forums looking for this "drive systems" issue, and have found nothing. After doing some digging in the CR website, here is what constitutes "drive systems":
Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, wheel bearing(s), differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, stability control, electrical failure.
Again, searching the web for any of these issues related to the CX-9 comes out empty. The only thing that comes up is the car pulling to the left or right (alignment issue, I think)...maybe some owners lumped that under "drive systems" in the CR survey?
By the way the deal they offered was good only for that day, so I walked away. The CX9 is still on my list, but I'm having second thoughts.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
2008:
16/22 18 combined is listed for FWD.
15/21 17 combined for AWD.
Sounds like they simply had a sticker for the old way the EPA used to rate MPG, has nothing to do with reprogram, they are feeding you a load of crap sounds like to me.
I love everything about this vehicle except the mpg seems quite poor.
B.
Mazda: 15/21 for AWD
Acadia: 16/22 for AWD
Veracruz: 15/22 for AWD
Highlander: 17/23 for AWD
Pilot: 15/20 for AWD
So the CX-9 is nothing special, but isn't that far off from the others. I'm actually surprised how low the Pilot gets. I guess a hybrid (or diesel) is the only way to get better mpg in this crossover segment...
I do appreciate sharing what you have found. None of it sounds all that alarming to me. Historically, almost all first year vehicles experience some 'bugs' that need to be worked out. And it sounds like these 'bugs' were annoying but nothing that proved to be too major.
We're going for our last test drive right now. I will try not to put too much emphasis on the CR article and let the experience drive my decision.
Thanks again to all who responded!
Good luck! My wife and I enjoyed the CX-9 test drive, we liked it better than the Acadia or Highlander.
I suspected that the 17/24 MPG sticker was applied before the EPA changed their calculations and that the most current number should be 16/22. The answer that I got was just the opposite and implied that I WOULD GET 17/24 AFTER THE CAR WAS "REPROGRAMED".
martin_m, "Mazda CX-9 Real World MPG" #23, 5 Nov 2007 6:37 am
Just wondering where to post impressions of my 08 CX-9 after several months of driving, to help anyone looking at buying. I sure found a lot of value here when I was trying to decide, would like to add to the information.
Strange I have never seen any other way to post then at the end, it make sense to me and I post at a dozen other forums. Anyhow would love to hear your impressions, post them here please.
Thanks,
B.
So the fact that I am posting some negative issues should not really sway anyone since out of all the models I looked at and considered, the CX9 still won out - i.e. every vehicle has flaws and negatives to go with the good stuff of course (and I would buy it again today if that helps).
I have the 08 CX9 GT, FWD with all the goodies.
Interior space:
Space has not yet been an issue, and my wife's aunt and brother are visiting our house for more than 2 weeks, so it has been tested multiple times, and vigorously in this dept.
We have EASILY packed the following into the CX9 (at the same time):
Mom
Dad
Uncle (3rd row)
Aunt (center 2nd row)
3 yr old in booster (2nd row)
6 mos old in carseat (2nd row)
85lb dog in back
stroller
Now granted, there was not much room for anything else, but the entry and exit times for all those beings/things was pretty impressive imo.
This is exactly why I bought the vehicle, and was pleased to find out that it delivered on that front.
Now if I had those two extra adults to fit on a daily or even continual basis, I would have bought a minivan, no question, but this was a once a year, maybe once every 2 yrs thing, so no big deal.
DRIVING:
Continues to impress. Handling is superb for a vehicle this size. Acceleration is decent. Transmission is butter smooth.
I have been wavering about the ride though. At first I posted a comment about how I thought people who decried the 20" wheels ride as too rough were being overly sensitive, but I can see the point now after some time.
Let's just say, in hindsight, if I had had a choice to choose the GT model with 18" wheels instead of 20" I would have done so. Not only because I imagine the cost to replace those things will be insane, but also for ride comfort of passengers. It is very European, in that you definitely feel the road more, which has positives and negatives. You get better feedback when driving, but you also get "feedback" when you hit a pothole. I will say when you do encounter a pothole, it recovers VERY quickly, but there is a pretty big jolt probably due to the low profile of the tires.
Road noise. Not as quiet as I had hoped on the interstate. More wind noise than anything else, as the cabin itself seems pretty well insulated. But like my Passat wagon, when you hit cruising speeds on the interstate, the wind hitting (side view mirror is what it sounds like) obstructions can really start to whistle. But again, this IS a Mazda, and not a Lexus, so there ya go (though they are pricing this model like it was a Lexus!) Not really a big issue or a dealbreaker at all, just a note.
FIT/FINISH:
The floor mats are the worst I have ever seen in any car I have bought. Just awful. I would probably go ahead and plan to buy some 3rd party (like Weathertech) or even Mazda's own all weather mats, even if you don't live in a climate that needs that, because the default ones are sooooo cheap looking - they are so lightweight and cheap that mine are already starting to pull off the floor at some of the corners. Real shoddy, Mazda, does not at all go with high quality material used in the rest of the cabin.
OPTIONS:
Sound:
I have barked about this already, but I am even more down on the sound system than I was previously. The Bose system they have with the "premium" audio package (I got the RSE) is pure crap, no other way to put it. Not sure if it's the head unit or the speakers, (I think the unit), but normal CD's (even after I have spent MUCH time tweaking audio settings) sounds just terrible. Overly boomy bass, NO mid range, ack. I can't say enough about how disappointed I am considering the extra cost.
OTOH, the sound of the DVD system is phenomenol. Surround is incredible and believable, so I tried some CD's in the DVD player and it seems to be somewhat better (because I have more options I think, to tweak). Still testing this.
Video on DVD is mediocre at best.
Have not tested headphones that come with it yet.
Locking/opening:
This still baffles me. Not sure why, but after many months, I still can't seem to get "the system" (and yes I have read the ENTIRE manual). The memory seats only work if you click the LOCK button on the remote entry key. If you use the button on the door, this does NOT work, so it kinda defeats the purpose of a keycard (not having to pull out the card when you want to open or start car).
I just think the whole system could be better, or better integrated at least.
Maybe I will try having the dealer reprogram to do the auto locking and unlocking thing. that would probably help out (it's off by default).
Mileage:
Wow, it's horrible! I mean, maybe not relatively, but for us, coming from 2 VW's (4 cylinder Passat and even a V6 GTI) we have to fill up the tank ALL the time. Not so much concerned about that as I wish they would have used a larger tank...just a pain to have to constantly stop for gas.
Climate control works great.
Bluetooth works great
Nav system itself is awful RELATIVE to personal units you can buy like Garmin, but will get you where you want to go (if you have a specific address). I would consider the NAV as just the MOST basic GPS you could find on the market - i.e it does the bare minimum (which is really all I need, so not really that much of a complaint from me)
It is not friendly to use, the interface is plain bad, the graphics are worse (though if you are just listening this should not be a problem). They should completely overhaul the NAV for 09 imo.
Love the adjustable headlights.
Love the quality of the leather.
Love the overall look, except for the chrome, which is completely cheesy imo (which is why I got a platinum one which contrasts with the chrome the least, so much less noticeable than say on the blue). That is completely subjective though, some probably like chrome everything.
Rearview camera - I use it a LOT more than I thought I would. Glad to have it.
Power liftgate: I thought I would use this a LOT more...but I find myself almost never using it. Maybe the wife does, not sure.
I guess if you have a hand free to be able to click on the keycard to close it remotely, or even able to reach up and push the button on the gate itself, you are probably able to just close it with your hand! Not sure why I thought this would be such a great feature, but again, my 5ft tall wife may beg to differ on that point.
Oh, I also had to take it in to dealer because it was pulling to left pretty severely on the interstate.
Overall impression after several months (1-10 scale): 8.5
I was wondering the same thing. We purchased a FWD but the sticker on that said 16/22 while the stickers on the other fwd what we saw said 18/24. When I asked the difference the salesman said "in 2007 the fwd got better mileage than the 2008 because of the emission changes, I guess" So I'm not sure if the two you were looking at were different years or not but that could have something to do with it.
onzie1, "Mazda CX-9 Lease Questions" #240, 29 Nov 2007 12:29 pm
Please report on your buying deals in the Mazda CX-9 Prices Paid and Buying Experience discussion too. Thanks!
Oh, and we'd love to see pics of your new CX-9's - please post them on your CarSpace page in the albums there.
2) were there any warning lights from the car indicating an issue?
3) it's unfortunate ...but even brand new things have issues...
I'm very glad it's working proper now!!!
Mine is a 2007 GT, bought used with 10,000 km (sorry, I'm Canadian!) on the ODO and previously driven ony by a female Mazda Sales Director, so unlike you, there may be other factors involved in the faulty transfer case, like wanting to impress the sales staff...
1) I had a hard time getting up my steep driveway after a good snowstorm (6 inches of fresh snow or more). I had a Rav4 with AWD before the CX-9 and it came through every time. I thought maybe the CX-9 being heavier, and with TCS, it started at a disadvantage in the same conditions, so I didn't give it much thought, especially given that when I turn TCS off and put it in Manual 2nd gear, I always make it up the driveway. BTW, I have brand new winters (Toyo G02) on 18 inch mags, so tires are a moot point.
What sealed the deal was when I got stuck in a 90 degree curve with a 20 degree incline in 8 inches of fresh snow with some ice under it. OK, not an easy test for any vehicle (no FWD that I know has ever made it up this particular section in these conditions, even with winter tires), but that's why I bought the AWD dammit! I tried 3 times, TCS off in 2nd gear, but my new AWD CX-9 felt like a heavy front wheel drive cow! When my father and brothers in law came to help get me up, they noticed that nothing but the front wheels were turning, so that confirmed my feeling. My father in law's AWD Chrysler Minivan was not having the same probems as my CX-9 (yes, very embarassing!) and I thought it was maybe due to a purely mechanical AWD vs the CX-9's electronically enhanced system? Shouldn't it be the other way around?
On the CX-9's AWD in general, I thought that maybe TCS and other electronics were the reason why the rear end didn't come out when I floored it (like my Rav4 used to do), but I suppose that this broken transfer case may be the real reason. I will post something on this once the repairs have been made (still lots of snow and twisty roads to test on!). Meanwhile, for other owners, perhaps this test can help you determine whether your AWD system is working properly or not: in fresh snow, TCS off, manual, 1st gear, drive forward slowly, turn the wheel slightly, floor it, and if the back end doesn't come out, surprise, you're probably not driving an AWD! The 4WD light will probably come on, but unlike the TCS icon, this is not necessarily a good thing (see below).
2) 4WD light flashed, but like TCS icon, I thought it was a good thing when it did, that is until I read the owner's manual and discovered that it could indicate a problem.
those 2nd row seat tracks.
My wife looked at those and has all but thrown the cx-9 out of the running.
She just shook her head and asked "What were they thinking?"
She's expecting them to collect french fries and pennies.
Is it as bad as she thinks.......?
m
I guess one advantage is that they give you a bit more foot room since the seat isn't sitting on long brackets attached to the floor. If you don't move the second row much, a floor mat would probably keep most junk out of the rails.
I just vacuumed the CX-9 the other day and was surprised that the tracks were not worse than they were. there was some light dirt in there, but nothing major. So far, no problems with the seats sliding back and forth.
topneuro, "2008 Mazda CX-9" #49, 30 Jan 2008 1:18 pm