Buying cx7 in two wks. Nav or no-nav?

[schill32]

Hello everyone. I've been clicking around on these forums the past week or so reading up on the cx7 trying to get more information. In about one to two weeks I'm going to be buying one. I just need to sell my other car first.

I've been looking at all the options and whatnot and I know I want the GT in FWD with a sunroof. I just can't decide on the factory navigation. I've read that a lot of people are not happy with it so that has me thinking about going aftermarket for it. The problem though is that I absolutely want a sunroof in the car. So at that point I would have to get the bose setup and rip it all out. Has anybody replaced the factory bose and put in an aftermarket in-dash nav? And with doing so, do you loose any features? Door chimes, compass, or outside temp for example? And what would I need to keep the steering wheel controls and whatnot?

I test drove one the other day and while it's not as quick as my Z24 cavalier (is supercharged, LSD, and many others) it's still very quick and has the room that I desperately need now that we have a 18 month old. I've also read on here that a intake helps it come to life also.

Any guidance you all can give I would greatly appreciate!!! And would there be any advantage to waiting and picking up an 08 since they are suppose to start arriving next month?


-Tim

 

[otnielarencibia]

I have not changed out my navigation system and I won't. I am very happy with it. If you get it I am sure you will be happy too. You just can't be picky about every little detail missed out on the navi.
I know some will disagree, but this is my opinion.

 

[koala]

Nav for sure.

 

[AWmustang]

I'm very happy with the nav. It's not perfect. And I'm still trying to memorize the voice commands. But its always gotten me to where I need to go.

And if you plan to get satellite radio the larger display is much nicer.

Also, the backup camera is a must have once the 18 month old is walking. It's difficult to see any kids when backing.

The advanced key is great with an armload of groceries... I would think it would be even more so with a kid.

 

[jmhumr]

If you want to keep the OEM look of your car, I'd suggest getting the nav. In my opinion, the CX-7 doesn't lend itself well to retaining the OEM look with an aftermarket nav system...unless you trust that some company eventually puts out a piano black kit with a hazard button spot. But I've always been disappointed with aftermarket kits...

 

[azcat]

No nav. A recent issue of "Money" magazine said that it's simply not worth the cost, and I agree. Buy yourself a Garmin StreetPilot or Nuvi or a TomTom and pocket the $1k difference. Yes, you have to use a suction cup or "beanbag" mount sitting on the dash (the corner left of the instrument pod is perfect for this), but you can drop it in the console to hide it when you park, use it in another vehicle, and upgrade it in two or three years when you sell the vehicle or move it to another vehicle. You won't get your money back when you trade, either--would anybody pay extra for a radio with a CB built in? I'm old enough to remember when that was an option on some Fords.

Aftermarket, but not in the dash, is the way to go.

 

[koala]

No nav. A recent issue of "Money" magazine said that it's simply not worth the cost, and I agree.

An individual should be educated well enough that they can determine the value for the money this feature offers, and not count on a finance magazine to dictate this for them.

Personally, the nav has saved me time when I'm driving somewhere I know little about, and the rear view camera has saved me from one incident where I would have hit a little kid backing up had it not been for the camera.

To me, the cost was easily justified, as my time, and the money I would have been out from hitting some kid (not to mention how bad i'd feel), were a hell of a lot more valuable than the cost of this add on.

 

[rishi CX-7]

ditto. The touch screen navi and rear view camera are very valuable add ons, and it is well worth it. I have to admit the camera is very clear and touch screen is really really fun.

 

[koala]

Plus you do get the value back out of it... when I traded in my last vehicle, I received more for it having nav than I would have without (the Canadian blackbook value was higher for the vehicle with nav).

Do you get what you paid for it upfront? Of course not. But you get a proportionate amount to the depreciation of the entire vehicle.

That'd be like making the argument of "well, no one should ever buy a vehicle, EVER, because they just depreciate and you'll never get your money back on your 'investment'"

 

[Jerome Istin]

Hello there,

Mine was just delivered yesterday and I must admit that the most difficult decision I have to make about this car was the same you're asking...

Finally, I didn't bought the NAV for two main reasons:

- A TomTom Rider can offer you NAV + Bluetooth Integration + Be used on my bike and in my car for a little less than $600

- Impossible to connect an iPod with the NAV System

Plus: well, the rear camera is nice but I never have one before and I have survived without it. Nice plus, for sure. Same thing for the Keyless Entry...

And, to be honest, I have to choose between AWD and the NAV and I chose AWD!

Hope this helps!

 

[schill32]

Thanks for all of the opinions. I'm pretty much sold on the nav I think. I just can't stand the thought of wires laying around in the car. We've had an XM radio like that and it drives me nuts.

I can see some other people's opinions about the nav not being a good investment. But on the other hand, it's a car, they never are! Kind of goes back to what the wife says I guess. If you have to worry about the cost, you probably shouldn't buy it in the first place.


-Tim

 

[ColoradoX-7]

Tim,
Go navi. My factory system plays my zune and displays album covers when it does. It also now plays videos on the factory screen. Keep in mind the navi package includes the Bose/moon package, camera, and key. Well worth it.
-CoX-7

 

[koala]

Tim,
Go navi. My factory system plays my zune and displays album covers when it does. It also now plays videos on the factory screen. Keep in mind the navi package includes the Bose/moon package, camera, and key. Well worth it.
-CoX-7

Can you please tell me how you're playing video on the factory screen?

 

[vbbuilt01]

You're forgetting one small detail about the NAV...

YOU GET THE 9 SPEAKER BOSE WITH IT !!! Doh! To me, that sound system is like icing on the tech package. For an OEM sound system, I'm absolutely satisfied. It rocks. Crank up the volume and you blow out the windows. Thunderous bass. CenterPoint Surround Sound. (cabpatch)

Yes, you can opt for Garvin or Tom-Tom, but you end up sacrificing a whole lot more. For lots of people, lack of iPOD compatibility is a show-stopper. For me, I don't own iPOD, but I have tremendous flexibility, using MP3 disks and SIRIUS radio.

As for the NAV itself, it works quite well. My only complaint is that the manufacturer hasn't put out an updated map disk and lord know when that'll happen!

Vince.

 

[koala]

vbbuilt... to be fair you can get the 9 speaker bose system without nav. (at least you can in canada, anyway).

 

[vbbuilt01]

vbbuilt... to be fair you can get the 9 speaker bose system without nav. (at least you can in canada, anyway).

You're correct, but there are people, like me, who don't like the appearance of a "thing" stuck to the windshield, with wires dangling everywhere. Additionally, the screen sizes on those aftermarket units are smaller than the Mazda NAV. In the demo's I've seen, the resolution is subpar, as well.

For me, the money I spent on the Tech package was worth every penny.

Vince.

 

[koala]

You're correct, but there are people, like me, who don't like the appearance of a "thing" stuck to the windshield, with wires dangling everywhere. Additionally, the screen sizes on those aftermarket units are smaller than the Mazda NAV. In the demo's I've seen, the resolution is subpar, as well.

For me, the money I spent on the Tech package was worth every penny.

Vince.

I was just clarifying being able to get bose separate from the nav...

believe me, I'm not a fan of aftermarket nav in any sense!

 

[tdf2001]

I would not get NAV. Where I live, I know where to go. It's when I travel that I need the NAV. This is often by plane and car rental, so I have a portable one with me. The few times I needed it at home, it served me just as well.

 

[stick]

we opted not to get the navi, tech package, since we couldnt justify the cost but we did get the moonroof/bose/ six disc option.

i have OEM factory nav in my acura TL Type S and I hardly use it too.

 

[tree20s25]

after market nav

when i got my cx-7, i decided not to get the factory nav unit, since an aftermarket one has more options, and is a better built unit. I decided to go with the pioneer avic d3, i know that people were saying that the kit is not piano black, but this navi unit is. With this unit I can play, and controll my Ipod right through the unit itself, and it also charges it. it is bluetooth capable, and can play dvd's, and a back up camera, for only a 1,000 dollars. Aftermarket is the way to go.