Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
Seems like Ford makes at least half decent cars when they use Mazda designs......too bad they don't let them design the whole car, Ford would have much better cars and might not be in the financial shape they're in.
Mazda is borrowing the engine from Ford and the anti-roll over system from Volvo. Everything else is Mazda designed in Japan.
And the Mazda3 shares its underpinnings with the Volvo S40. Your point is what? Albook was making the case that the CX-9 is simply a rebadged Edge. You agree with that? There's a difference between sharing some components and chassis vs. old-fashioned badge engineering.
I don't think Ford needs to turn to Japan for design help. Every time I go to an auto show, I see concept cars from Ford that match or exceed Japanese designs. Obviously, they have good designers. The problem then must be either management or their process or both. More manufacturers are using concepts as a testing forum for designs intended to go on the road. Chrysler has had success with this process. The 300C and Dodge Nitro are very close to their concept origins. GM on the other hand has finally responded to the criticism that most of their brands look alike. Ironically, they hired the ex-chief from Chrysler to lead this effort and it's starting to pay off. My hunch is Ford listens to it's marketing data and not it's gut instincts (or it's designers). It also hurt they rode an old design (ford explorer) for too long. They did the same with the Taurus.
I think we'll start seeing bolder designs. I believe the 'blade' grill is an example of this. It's just too bad nice hard working folks lose jobs because waited until they were backed into a corner. In the end, smaller may end up working for Ford. They should dump their Mercury brand and sell Jaguar and a few others. Brand focus and aggressiveness is key.
I believe I said earlier in this forum (although it may have been in the CX-9 forum) that despite any they share a similar chassis that the engine is retuned by Mazda, the suspension is quite different, and the CX-9 uses an Aisin transmission. The CX-9 is also assembled at an entirely different facility... in Japan.
No- what I was saying was that the Edge and CX9 xhare underpinnings and a lot of components. I would bet if you drive them both, you'll think you're having Deja Vu. i bet this is just a little more than the difference betweenthe Enclave and Acadia. These are two badge engineered CUV's I'd rather have in my garage then the CX9 and Edge.
You dont have to wait for the Pilot, the '08 pilot and the current MDX xhare underpinnings and a lot of components. I would bet if you drive them both, you'll think you're having Deja Vu. By your definition, I guess we can call them badge engineered vehicles. :confuse: (see why we should not make assumption when we dont have all our facts?)
I was about to jump in and correct you, and then the sarcasm hit me. I think you win "funniest post in the thread" so far.
We were honestly leaning towards the PAC (There's a $2K rebate and our dealer is offering invoice plus $100.00) but the CX-9 appeals to us middle-aged boomers on an emotional level. The Enclave appears to be a very close 2nd place. Since, very nicely equipped the AWD version is ~$37K, I predict it'll be a winner, too.
Your thoughts, gang?
Jay
Good Luck!
Though by true definition (Colbalt vs G5) we can't call them badge engineered. My fault- I guess I did misword. But my main point still stands. Edge and CX9 are not two totally different vehicles.
If that was truly your point and you had more clearly articulated it in the first place, it would have saved us all some arguing. :P
2> Based on some post, CX-9 uses Ford's engine same as Edge's. Tranny is Mazda's own tune. Platform is Ford as well. But many others are different. I don't think Ford just own 30% to be the a parent.
Since an engine is a car's heart, not sure if I should give them the money for only 5 years. Consumer Reports ranked Mazda pretty high in 5-yr reliability, I think it's the fifth, even before Nissan.
3> Since Vera claims they do offer a driver adaptive 6-sp, I asked my dealer, the mgr came up said yes, but he wasn't sure for how long it would change. Say after being driven by me for 2 months, my wife wants it, CX-9 may not change the way it reacts and coops after just a day.
And, it is not tied to any seating memory.
4> Is that 20" a low-profile? No, he said it's not. Speed6's are low-profile. LP does not move even equip w/ AWD in snow, CX-9 are definitely not. But wait a min, the brochure says so. Umm. So, I checked BridgeStone's site, one of theirs for Mazda, P245R50/20 is especially for winter. Can anyone tell us more on this? I don't want a high performance but expensive and hard to find replacement.
5> Driver's seat is firm but comfortable.
6> 2nd row has 3 position for back and forth.
Anxious to see Veracruz.
Can you please confirm that you have sat in the third seat at least a dozen times? Why? :confuse:
Can we simply stipulate that both of you have sat back there but disagree on comfort -- and then just move on?
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
As I have posted before, you can install a car seat on a second row seat of the CX9 and slide it forward to gain entry into the third row. That way, you can have two car seats installed in the second row whereas only one car seat can be installed in the second row of the Acadia (thus, need two kids in the third row and one kid in the second row). Can't install two car seats in the second row with the Acadia because the second folds into itself as you begin to slide it forward. So two kids in third row of Acadia and one kid in the 2nd row.
In addition, how much bigger is the third row of the Acadia versus the CX9? - I believe the Acadia's third row is built for three whereas the CX9 is designed for two people.
Finally, third row seats drops into floor for Acadia whereas CX9 does not. But I guess that doesn't matter much if I'm going to have two car seats in the third row.
Thoughts?
As I have posted before, you can install a car seat on a second row seat of the CX9 and slide it forward to gain entry into the third row. That way, you can have two car seats installed in the second row whereas only one car seat can be installed in the second row of the Acadia (thus, need two kids in the third row and one kid in the second row). Can't install two car seats in the second row with the Acadia because the second folds into itself as you begin to slide it forward. So two kids in third row of Acadia and one kid in the 2nd row.
Actually, one of the big selling points of the Acadia etc. is the second row captain's chairs which allow you to get to the back row without moving the seats at all. I actually tried this in an Acadia and it was fairly easy to do, even easier for kids so putting two car seats in the captains chairs doesn't really prevent you from getting to the third row.
In addition, how much bigger is the third row of the Acadia versus the CX9? - I believe the Acadia's third row is built for three whereas the CX9 is designed for two people.
The Acadia's third row seats 3 (has 3 seat belts). I'm sure it's very cramped back there with three and probably impossible to fit a third (even if it's a child) if you already have 2 car seats back there.
Finally, third row seats drops into floor for Acadia whereas CX9 does not. But I guess that doesn't matter much if I'm going to have two car seats in the third row.
This is not true unless I'm misunderstanding what you are saying. The third row of the CX-9 does fold flat. It's a 50/50 split vs. a 60/40 split for the Acadia.
1. If you go with the middle row bucket seats in the Acadia, you can install 2 car seats in that row and just let the 3rd (probably oldest) kid walk between the bucket seats to the 3rd row. That way you need not slide the seats forward to access the 3rd row. Of course, that 3rd kid would probably need to be able to buckle themselves in.
2. The Acadia 3rd row doesn't really "drop into the floor". It just folds flat.
3. I sat in the 3rd row of the Acadia at the local auto show with my wife, who's 5' 3" and my 8 year old son. I'm 6'0" and we were relatively comfortable. You could not put 3 of my size folks back there comfortably for a longer distance. The 3rd row of the CX-9 is designed for two and felt cramped to me for leg room.
I go to auto shows and I always sit in it- for some reason. Someone was saying in an earlier post that I didnt' know what i was talking about because I'd never sat in it. But i have the experience.
What do you mean by this? YOu can slide both seats forward in Acadia on bith sides. and you ca gwet row 2 bench instead of captains.
You can buy a crossover after your kids are done with the car seats.
As you are fond of saying, "where have you been?" The Edge and CX-9 are different sized vehicles with different transmissions and built on different continents. The Acadia and Enclave are the same size with the same transmission and are built at the same plant.
Actually, the Acadia/Enclave have the same transmission as the Edge. Does that mean they are "basically the same vehicle as the Edge?"
That almost make sense... might as well get rid of the FS then. You can't tell me it wouldn't be more comfortable in the FS for 5 people....with 6/7 seats available.
THis is off subsect, but I think the platform was developed by ford.
Yes, the FS will be going back at lease end. But don't know what will replace it, I'll worry about that next year. The FS was a replacement for the Volvo as the kids got bigger but that never happened even after almost two years in.
Other than the FS DVD system the kids have no problems with comfort in the Volvo but not sure if that will change when they grow a bit - and for the driver and front seat passenger, the Volvo wins out here with more comfortable seats.
Don't get me wrong, I think the FS is a great vehicle, mine has been very reliable and well put together, it just didn't take over from the 7 yr old wagon like I thought it should.
And we'll know the discussion has really tanked when we start talking about those three teenagers in car seats... :surprise:
"As a parent with three kids, you need to keep (if you have one) or purchase a mini-van!
You can buy a crossover after your kids are done with the car seats."
Try to read back a bit farther before you post. :P
Dynamic differences are significant enough that the CX-9 is seen as the superior vehicle. But if you don't want/need 7 passenger room--and you don't like the more nimble dynamics of the 5 passenger CX-7--then the Edge (and its likely price advantage) may appeal to you.
The Acadia, Outlook and Enclave each have a different look and focus, using the same platform underneath. They are not clones. Within the group though, these three are a foot to more than a foot longer than all the others. Parking and maneuverability are factors to consider too. That may not matter to anyone trading from a fullsize SUV, but that extra length means these three are longer than Ford Explorer type vehicles. If a tidier package with nearly the same passenger space is wanted, then one of the others would be more suitable.
Except for the CX-9, which is only an inch and a half shorter than the GMs.
"As a parent with three kids, you need to keep (if you have one) or purchase a mini-van!
You can buy a crossover after your kids are done with the car seats."
Try to read back a bit farther before you post."
I had read the original posts. You might try checking with your funny bone before posting as well, since I was making a joke... :surprise:
"Well, the Acadia is my husband's work car, so he wanted to have room for cargo and that was a car for when we drive up to the cabin in the summer.
I loved the Mazda CX-9 because it is sporty and is comfy for the kids, plus it has bluetooth and a great dvd player. You're right, we may be the only ones with both! I also didnt want a minivan or a tahoe type suv, so the Mazda was perfect"
Except they are (CX-9, Edge, MKX) - all sit on the Mazda6 platform, and more than minor structures are shared.