I think I'm in love... and questions

[sxa]

I am ignorant to any of the 2014 m/y changes, but IIRC, the only items that are exclusive to GT trim is 8-way power driver seat (compared to 6 in Touring), heated leather, dual auto climate, 19" wheels/tires, and true advanced keyless entry. Those are the major items anyway. Can't think of anything else.

It really all boils down to personal preference. I am not a fan of leather seats for cars nor do really have any desire for heated seats (not as long as I am living in Texas). I don't want the expense of 19" wheels (though they are nice).

The only two features I will miss getting Touring w/ Bose and Tech packages is the dual auto climate and the true advanced keyless entry.

This isn't to say if I could get a 2013 GT for a good price I wouldn't consider it, because if I got a good price the extra tire expense might look like less of an issue and I don't have to use the heated seats. Not a huge fan of the leather but could learn to be happy with it.

 

[CX-SV]

Be careful once you get use to all the goodies there's no going back.

Yes, and much of it is recovered in resale value as the loaded versions tend to have highest demand. Used car buyers are more likely to splurge for top of the line versions, because the price spread isn't so huge between strippo and loaded versions.

 

[Buger]

Yes, and much of it is recovered in resale value as the loaded versions tend to have highest demand. Used car buyers are more likely to splurge for top of the line versions, because the price spread isn't so huge between strippo and loaded versions.

I'm not sure how much of the cost is recovered on resale as you just agreed that the price spread isn't so huge between strippo and loaded versions.

 

[CX-SV]

I'm not sure how much of the cost is recovered on resale as you just agreed that the price spread isn't so huge between strippo and loaded versions.

3 years old, very roughly 60%. Therefore, the price spread (in terms of absolute $ amount) between strippo and loaded versions isn't so huge for the used CX-5 buyer, which makes it an easier decision for this kind of buyer.

 

[MikeM.]

a big fan of leather, but if the additional options are incredible I can of course handle it. Another question is how much difference do the 19in wheels vs the 17 inch wheels matter to ground clearance, mpg, and traction?

The 17" wheels have the same ground clearance as the 19" wheels. The 19" wheel/tire combos are heavier and they carry their weight further from the axle so they will have significantly more rotational momentum. This results in slightly slower acceleration and slightly worse city mpg (but not enough to show up in EPA estimates). The highway mpg will be about the same between the 17" and 19's (but this depends upon the rolling resistance of the specific tires). Traction is generally about even in terms of stopping and starting but the shorter sidewalls of the 19" setup can provide a little advantage in terms of cornering traction on smooth, high traction pavement. Again, this quality is more dependent upon the specific tires more than the size. Modern radials of good quality have excellent cornering traction even with the taller profile of the 225/65 17's and of course are better for dirt roads, pot holes, etc. because the taller sidewall has more compliance with irregular road surfaces.

The biggest difference between the two sizes is selection and cost of replacement tires (less selection and considerably higher cost for the 19" tires).

I wanted the heated leather seats of the GT model but didn't want to bother negotiating a wheel swap to get the 17's that I wanted for the taller sidewall and decided I could live without the heated leather seats that I enjoyed in my previous car so I went for a Touring model with tech and Bose packages.

Good luck with your purchase whatever you settle on!

 

[Jarpee28]

Thanks for all the replies guys and gals, I really appreciate it. I think I am going to shoot for the GT and offer about 1500 below invoice. We will see how it goes.

 

[Jarpee28]

Just purchased the AWD GT with tech for 1200 below invoice, I am very happy!!! Now I only hope that transmission problem from the other thread doesn't happen to me.

 

[MikeM.]

Just purchased the AWD GT with tech for 1200 below invoice, I am very happy!!! Now I only hope that transmission problem from the other thread doesn't happen to me.

Congrats! What is your build date?

I wouldn't worry about the transmission, the few issues so far appear to be very isolated. I save worrying for things that have a statistically high chance of actually happening to me.

 

[sxa]

The 17" wheels have the same ground clearance as the 19" wheels......

Thanks for the input on the tires. This is one factor that makes me just want to go for the touring. The cost of the 19-inch tires is a lot more, Sam's Club which is where I usually get my tires don't even offer that size in special order at this time. Again the two things I will miss is the Advanced Keyless Entry and the Auto Climate control but I really don't think I will miss them that much.