Mazda CX series questions

Wife's minivan is kaput. She wants to get a CX-7 or CX-9. I want CX-5 but it's kinda small IMHO for a family of 5. Anyone here own one or have experience with one? Never owned a Mazda but of course it shares the platform with various models from Ford, Correct? She really wants a crossover with good gas mileage and seats 5/6 comfortably. Why she wants 3rd row seat is beyond me. Must have rear camera she says. Safe bet for her is a Toyota Highlander. I have 2 friends that owns one and loves it. Nobody I know has a Mazda. Go figure.

I've heard there were significant issues with the CX-7, but I don't know details. Definitely do research into it before buying that.

I've ridden in a CX-5, and IMHO it's way too small to be a family-of-5 vehicle.

I'm impressed with what I've seen of the CX-9 on paper, and when it comes time to replace our Odyssey (probably next year) it's on the short list to check out.

Mazda shared platforms with Ford for a long time, but Ford sold their shares a few years ago and AFAIK everything Mazda makes now is uniquely theirs.

I thought about the Odyssey too but I have heard/seen all the transmission horror stories so that one is out.

We have a 2012 CX-9. Only had it for a few months but it's been great so far. Tons of room in a reasonably sized wrapper, good power from the v6, Mazda handling, comfy leather on the touring.

The way back is definitely more kid sized than large adult sized for longer trips but it's good for around town with the whole fam-damily.

All my kids are from 3-7 in age so kinda small kids still.

The "issues" with the CX-7s were with the turbocharged ones. The NA ones are fine. That said, a CX-5 uses it's interior volume better so that despite smaller external dimensions it's practically the same as the 7 inside.

For a family of 5, I'd say to go with the 9 six days a week and twice on Sundays. Our 7 is just enough for the three of us plus junk.

My sister has had a cx9 for several years. Loves it.

I have really not compared it much to my mazda5 so I don't know how they compare, I am guessing the cx9 had more room behind the 3rd row for sure. The 5 is almost useless with the 3rd row up

Just bought a 16.6 CX5 Touring w/Bose, sunroof, heated seats. Been a Mazda owner (Courier, 323, 626, Protege5, 3, NA, NB) for many years. More room than the 3 it replaced. Just 2 of us and 2 grand children (5&7) occasionally. There is room for another child. Good handling, quieter and better ride than 3, (tires are 225 65R 17) yet it steers/stops like the 3. Very large backup screen and great infotainment/GPS unit. More electronic nannies than I require but SWMBO loves it. Son has owned a 14 CX5 Sport (6 speed manual) 2 years and loves it. No electrical/mechanical issues. Rated #1 in Car and Driver comparison.

My parents have the previous generation of FWD CX-5. Overall the car is quite pleasant to drive, points exactly where you want it, and feels very nimble. The moonroof in the car is a nice little bonus and there's enough room for two adults in the back. Everything about the car is pretty fantastic even on snow tires.

That said if full car seats are involved in any way shape or form its pretty cramped back there with two adults. For reference my daughter is housed in a Recaro Performance Ride.

My only experience with a CX-9 was also the previous generation and in the back being shuttled around Bahrain. Honestly middle row is a pretty nice place to be as a 5'11" 240lb guy and car rode well in the insanity that they call traffic there. The floor for the back seats however are a bit raised so being an adult in the back there would be uncomfortable.

The previous generation and current generation of CX-5 is all Mazda from my understanding. Skyactive engine and bits sharing the platform of the current generation 3 and 6.

The current generation of the CX-9 platform stands alone. I've looked at them in the dealership and have been heavily considering buying my own wife one. The previous generation shares an engine and suspension bits with the Ford Edge I believe Ford is totally out of the picture now on all of the current lineup.

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: I thought about the Odyssey too but I have heard/seen all the transmission horror stories so that one is out.

Honda basically fixed the transmissions around 2005/2006 by putting in the tranny out of the Ridgeline. If you want a minivan, don't let that stop you from buying an Odyssey of an appropriate year.

codrus wrote:

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: I thought about the Odyssey too but I have heard/seen all the transmission horror stories so that one is out.

Honda basically fixed the transmissions around 2005/2006 by putting in the tranny out of the Ridgeline. If you want a minivan, don't let that stop you from buying an Odyssey of an appropriate year.

2007 was the year of the switch to the Ridgeline transmission. 2005 was a decent improvement over the 1999-2004, but if you're shopping Odysseys, I'd only consider 2007 and up.

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Wife's minivan is kaput. She wants to get a CX-7 or CX-9. I want CX-5 but it's kinda small IMHO for a family of 5. Anyone here own one or have experience with one? Never owned a Mazda but of course it shares the platform with various models from Ford, Correct? She really wants a crossover with good gas mileage and seats 5/6 comfortably. Why she wants 3rd row seat is beyond me. Must have rear camera she says. Safe bet for her is a Toyota Highlander. I have 2 friends that owns one and loves it. Nobody I know has a Mazda. Go figure.

We have 83k on our 2014 CX-5, which we took delivery of in January of 2013. At that time, my two girls were 4 and 6. Now they're a tick away from 7 and 9.

It's been a great vehicle, but I'll stop there: no way is it big enough for 3 kids. Go for the CX-9 if you want a Mazda.

There is not enough room to get 3 car seats in the back. There is a 3rd buckle and middle headrest, but it's a token gesture. The "center" seat area is about 11" wide. My BMW 330i has more rear legroom than the CX5, and the same rear cargo floor space, but obviously less cubic inches due to not being a hatchback.

That said, the CX-5 has been a fine car otherwise. Zero issues. Zoom Zoom. I was eyeballing the new CX-9s the other day, though.

Edit: And despite not heeding my own advice (this was a mutual decisions since it's her car,) there is no reason for these cute ute things to exist. Everything they do, a minivan or station wagon does better. Pragmatically, a slightly used Caravan is the pinnacle of bang for your buck for a family hauler. The Toyotas and Hondas are nice, but the "I didn't want a domestic " tax on them is ridiculous.

What about a slightly used Mazda 5?

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: What about a slightly used Mazda 5?

Wife thought it was ugly.

We found 2 used one at the dealership. It's a 2013 and a 2014. Both are tourings.

2014 is $17999 with 68k miles. 2013 is $17299 with 62k miles.

What % should I knock the price off from to seal the deal with them making a little bit of money (did I really say that? ). (Both are recently traded in. Almost $2.5k-$3k mark up from trade in to dealership price.) $16k out of line or start lower? TIA.

Tyler H wrote: Edit: And despite not heeding my own advice (this was a mutual decisions since it's her car,) there is no reason for these cute ute things to exist. Everything they do, a minivan or station wagon does better. Pragmatically, a slightly used Caravan is the pinnacle of bang for your buck for a family hauler. The Toyotas and Hondas are nice, but the "I didn't want a domestic " tax on them is ridiculous.

Too bad both are dwindling, especially wagons. We have a Mazda 3 hatch, kids likely soon and I would love to replace it with a wagon but options are few... May have to go VW.

turtl631 wrote:

Tyler H wrote: Edit: And despite not heeding my own advice (this was a mutual decisions since it's her car,) there is no reason for these cute ute things to exist. Everything they do, a minivan or station wagon does better. Pragmatically, a slightly used Caravan is the pinnacle of bang for your buck for a family hauler. The Toyotas and Hondas are nice, but the "I didn't want a domestic " tax on them is ridiculous.

Too bad both are dwindling, especially wagons. We have a Mazda 3 hatch, kids likely soon and I would love to replace it with a wagon but options are few... May have to go VW.

I'd get another Volvo but she said she will divorce/shoot me if I bought it up once or suggested it.

Ha, I've really only driven the modern ones and they feel vault like in a safe but boring way.

Well, that's just went out the window last night. The salesman refused to budge on the price for the used CX-9 after spending a hour at the dealership trying out 3 different suv/crossovers. We showed little interest towards it to get a better deal. In fact, only car he would deal on was a 2014 Toyota Highland for a mere pittance of $150 off. We left and he constantly called my wife by phone to make a deal. I was like berkeley no. He was a DICK towards my family. Now, we are back on the drawing board for something else. Mazda can KISS my ass.

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Well, that's just went out the window last night. The salesman refused to budge on the price for the used CX-9 after spending a hour at the dealership trying out 3 different suv/crossovers. We showed little interest towards it to get a better deal. In fact, only car he would deal on was a 2014 Toyota Highland for a mere pittance of $150 off. We left and he constantly called my wife by phone to make a deal. I was like berkeley no. He was a DICK towards my family. Now, we are back on the drawing board for something else. Mazda can KISS my ass.

I doubt there is manufacturer which is completely free of A-hole sales goons. So you probably should just not buy anything.

In reply to JamesMcD:

You are wrong there. My Honda S2000 purchase was shiny happy person free and it was actually the best one. 2nd best was for a Pontiac and again easy to deal with. I am pretty certain it was the dealership itself. I may had the wrong guy but I ain't stepping foot at the place again.

You might want to look for a "no hassle" purchase program, like carsdirect.com or the one that Costco offers. They offer you a non-negotiable price, you decide to take it or leave it, and you don't even go to the dealership until after the agreement is done. If you're a member of Mazdaspeed Motorsports then you can also do B-plan pricing on many Mazdas, where they'll sell you a car at a certain fixed amount above invoice.

That said, the CX-9 is new (came out a few months ago), and it's possible that it's still selling well enough that MSRP is the going rate for them.

codrus wrote: You might want to look for a "no hassle" purchase program, like carsdirect.com or the one that Costco offers. They offer you a non-negotiable price, you decide to take it or leave it, and you don't even go to the dealership until after the agreement is done. If you're a member of Mazdaspeed Motorsports then you can also do B-plan pricing on many Mazdas, where they'll sell you a car at a certain fixed amount above invoice. That said, the CX-9 is new (came out a few months ago), and it's possible that it's still selling well enough that MSRP is the going rate for them.

I am looking at a 2013 and 2014 which is what they had on their lot. Don't want brand spanking new due to depreciation hit.

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: I am looking at a 2013 and 2014 which is what they had on their lot. Don't want brand spanking new due to depreciation hit.

Ah, I missed that. Yeah, insisting on window price for commodity used cars is strange. Is there another Mazda dealer?

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: In reply to JamesMcD: You are wrong there. My Honda S2000 purchase was shiny happy person free and it was actually the best one. 2nd best was for a Pontiac and again easy to deal with. I am pretty certain it was the dealership itself. I may had the wrong guy but I ain't stepping foot at the place again.

You said "Mazda can kiss my ass," not "Mazda dealer XYZ can kiss my ass." My point was that writing off the entire brand because of one shiny happy person sales guy doesn't make sense. That's what it sounded like you were doing.