1st timer

[The-9]

Hi Everyone,

I have been a Chrysler product owner since the early 80s and while I never experienced problems with any of their vehicles that would prevent me from buying their product again, I have finally had it with their non existent customer service. (bang)

With Chrysler going bankrupt and my dealer disappearing from the face of the Earth and Chrysler not alerting me or helping me find a new servicing dealer, it was time for a new vehicle.

I looked at other American companies and again, with a negative customer service attitude by the dealers made me ill to even think I should buy American, (what is American today???) because of how the majority of dealers treat you at these auto franchises. Nothing wrong with their product, just how you get treated from the dealer to the top. (now that that is off my chest.. (blah)

Saturday I decided to go shopping for a replacement for my wife's Jeep. I have always admired the look of the CX-9 as it is the sportiest looking of all the manufacturers in my opinion.

We stopped in the local Mazda dealership and was met by a salesman who was very nice and helpful. We test drove a CX-9 and I liked the performance of it and it even out powered my 4.7L V8 Jeep with what felt like ease.

The fit and finish of the test mule was very nice and the engine was extremely quiet. The tire noise was kind of crappy on some roads but on the highway (good pavement) it was a pleasure to drive. I am sure it is because of the OEM Bridgestone tires being used as they are not know for being real quiet like Dunlop or Pirelli. The handling was what I expected for a cruiser and was happy. The interior room is B-I-G ... Did I say B-I-G??? I am 6'2 and 300lbs and easily enjoy the spaciousness of the driver's cockpit.

Now to the experience of buying.. (the numbers game) I cam prepared with my Galves trade in value. the invoice price of the vehicle (I asked to see it but knew what it was within a few hundred) and any rebates and special financing. After a little nudging and back and forth (seems like the sales people are demanded by their boss to do it but who cares, I think it is fun to see them run back and forth (naughty). So I paid invoice, got special financing and the 1500 cash back plus my trade in value I wanted. I was very happy..... and with the 5/60 Mazda Total Care I am still $15/mo cheaper then my Jeep. So again, I was happy.

They prepped the vehicle, went over the gadgets (damn there are alot of them) and we left with a Brand new 2009 Black CX-9 AWD Grand Touring with all options.. (2 miles on the odometer and off the truck last week (mfg 4/23/09) )

My wife and I love this vehicle. From the cool advanced keyless keyfob to the dual bright exhaust tips. There is so much to learn with all the electronics I am sure we will continue to find new things for weeks to come.

I am sure I will have questions and I am looking forward to participating in the forum!

Mark

 

[The-9]

Nice upgrade. even if you didn't have problems before, you will notice a lot more thought and care put into your Mazda vs the Jeep. The better power with less engine is a good example.

Some Mazda dealers can have their own issues with service, like all dealers, but Mazda is pretty good about making sure you're taken care of, if needed.

I'd suggest shopping around for a shop that will trade the tires for something better. Particularly if you get ice.

Have fun.

I will see how they fair come winter in NJ. If bad, I will get a new set from tire rack. Yokahama rated excellent and not a bad price. Not much choice out there for the 20" tire size but I will deal with it when it comes.

P.S. The Wrangler HP on my Jeep stunk

 

[vikefan7]

Welcome and hope you enjoy your CX-9 as much as most of us here do.

 

[ceric]

Welcome, The-9.
The stock Duellers are OK on light snow only.

 

[The-9]

I can tell you I am impressed with the quality (so far) of the fit and finish over any Chrysler product. I even showed my wife the cup holder door last night. on the Jeep there is a flimsy cover about 1.5mm thick and on the 9 the cover is boxed and looks to be 5mm thick. Boxing the cover like that is serious detail and makes for a more sturdy look and feel and I am finding new things such as that each time I get in the 9.

While felling a little regret every so often (abandoning Chrysler) that totally goes away when I drive the CX-9. I love it so far.

 

[DaddyD]

Welcome, new 9 owner.
I kinda know how you feel. I had only ever owned Hondas, Subarus and Hyundais, and was really set on getting a Chevy Traverse.
But the combination of the attitude of most Chevy dealers I went to and the realization of indisputable value of the CX-9 Sport vs. any other competitor -- foreign or domestic -- made me end up a happy (so far) Mazda fanboy. lol

 

[DaddyD]

Hey, since I'm a new owner also, this is as good a place as any to ask a couple of newbie questions:

1. to make sure the alarm is set when I lock the car, do I have to hit the lock button twice (to hear the horn blast)? or does one click (just the lights blink) do it? (if so, is the horn blast just an option to help me find the car if I forgot exactly where I parked?)

2. i'm right about at 1,000 miles, so will take it in soon for the first check -- LOS? is that what you vets call it? i have no clue.
Happy to say I have no issues (except for maybe trying to see if i can get service to program the locks to lock when i start driving -- if that's not an urban myth. lol)
but IS there anything i should consider bringing up?
and how much am i likely to be paying for whatever it is they do (oil change?, etc.)

thanks!

 

[wontonjon]

i think that first oil change is free... course, this is coming from someone who hasn't broken 500miles yet...but that's what they did for our mazda6 when we bought it 3 years ago.

 

[DaddyD]

i think that first oil change is free... course, this is coming from someone who hasn't broken 500miles yet...but that's what they did for our mazda6 when we bought it 3 years ago.

That would be nice, Wonton.
Have you in the past, or are you going to now switch to synthetic oil? If so, why?

 

[ceric]

In old days, machining technology wasn't as good as what we have today, there was a need for a 1st oil change at 1000 miles to remove the debris shed from moving parts. Nowadays, that need is much less critical. Most cylinders today were silicon-coated.

My salesman gave me a sticker to redeem at 1st oil change.
Synthetic or not is a personal choice depending on how much you want to "baby" your CX9.
It is definitely not because there is a need for it. It may bring some fringing benefits but so is regular oil change at 1000 mile interval.

The major benefits of using synthetic oil are
- allows a longer period between oil changes - typically beyond 10,000 miles.
- resists high-temperature breakdown - good for people who visit race tracks often
- keeps a think coat on cylinder walls - better at cold start especially if you don't use vehicle regularly
- reduces friction - potentially save 0.1-0.2 mpg

 

[The-9]

Not sure what silicone treatment is but it could be part of the hypereutectic alloy being used. In any case, I personally change it at 1k no matter what. There is alot more then just wear I worry about such as slag/break-in particles and that is the prime reason I do it. I am not saying anyone HAS to do it, its just what I do just like changing the Mobile 1 0w40 synthetic in my SRT10 every 3k miles.

For normal passenger vehicles, synthetic is not needed and you can take that to the bank. Just change your oil according to your driving habits but to be safe (in case you question your habits), always follow the manufacturer schedule that calls for the least mileage between oil changes.

 

[hamproof]

If you use dino oil and change every 3k and synthetic every 10k, you are saving 1/3 of the cost. Assuming of course dino oil users change every 3k. I'm sure you can go 5k w/o issues.

Anyway, case of Mobil1 5w-30 at Costco runs around $34?? Though recently there was a coupon for $5 off.

So, it essentially cost you $11 plus price of filter (another $4+$4 savings??).

Using synthetic I believe saves you more in the long run, esp if you DIY. Dealers, I'm guessing will want at least $50 to do it vs $12 at any of the quick oil change place?

With my previous cars, I usually get around 28mpg with dino oil. Was like that for almost 3 years. When I switched to Mobil1, I consistently get 30mpg. So, for the last 6 years or so, I've only used Mobil1 purchased from Costco.

 

[The-9]

hamproof,

I cannot see the increase in mileage solely due to going synthetic. I would not contribute anything more then a 1/10-1/5 mpg gain versus dino oil and that is only after 3k or more put on both since the friction modifiers in dino and synthetic are equal at low mileage and when used in comparing the oils for a normal passenger vehicle.


Maybe you switched to Shell gas at the same time (dance) J/K


P.S. Let me know if you find Mobil 1 0W40 in Costco or BJs or where ever at those prices.. Incredible.. I pay 6.50 a quart and my SRT10 needs 9 quarts (headbang)

 

[hamproof]

Maybe you switched to Shell gas t the same time (dance) J/K

For about 3 years, I was pumping gas every 4 days due to the distance I need to drive and I almost always use Costco gas since it was on my way back from work. The last time dino oil was used was a very long time ago. So, my memory might be fuzzy, but I think from 28 to 30, it is just 7% increase.

But even if MPG is not that much, having to change oil every 10k might be an incentive in itself.

I'm not sure what 1/10 - 1/5 means though.

My local Costco only stock 5-30 or 10-30. No 0-40.

 

[The-9]

1/10 to 1/5 of a mpg increase by going synthetic. Oh the wonders of having worked with Mobile engineers and even testing Mobil 1 versus dino, that is why I talk about minimal increases (and none really under 3-4k of oil use) in mileage but on the same token, 15-20k was not unheard of in the testing of mobil 1 before needing to be changed out (oil filter changes every 5k though)

 

[DaddyD]

Good, helpful discussion guys, both on the 1,000 mile first oil change and dino vs. synth.
I've never used synthetic in the past. Have nothing against dino oil, but I like the idea of going longer between changes (even if the oil itself costs a little more).
I also have heard that any boost in mpg is nominal, even though the marketing types of course tout that as a benefit of switching.
All in all, I see no downside to synthetic and quite possibly a couple of upsides, so seems a no-brainer to me.

 

[hamproof]

1/10 to 1/5 of a mpg increase by going synthetic.

1/10 as in 10% and 1/5 as in 20%?? Or do you mean if a car was getting 20mpg, it will get 20.1mpg when switched over to synthetic??

I'm assuming the latter.

Would be good for someone to test it out. I haven't done my oil change yet, but planning on using synthetic. So, I can report back if there's any improvement. Right now, I'm at around 18-19mpg, city driving or even highway.

Drove recently on a 1500 miles road trip, never used cruise control, and maintaining around 80-90mph on the highway. Was still getting 18-19mpg.

 

[ceric]

Usually I don't use synthetic while the vehicle is still under warranty. Dealers can make all kinds of execuses to void your warranty. If you use synthetic but still maintain the 5000 mile interval, there will be no issue with dealer, but that kind of defeats the whole purpose.
Therefore, I change to synthetic only after warranty is out.
Just my 0.02c.

 

[DaddyD]

I don't think they can void the warranty based on using synthetic oil and going longer between changes, although I understand why anyone might be nervous about that happening.
You are still maintaining the vehicle properly using that method.

Hey, still wondering about my alarm question:
Anyone know if I need to click twice (until that startlingly loud) horn blasts to make sure all locks are locked and the alarm is engaged?
Or is the alarm set on the first click, and the horn sound is mainly there if I need it to help guide me to my lost car in some big parking lot?

 

[hamproof]

One click is enough. The horn is just for confirmation. You can also see the flash of lights on the clicks. I don't think the horn confirmation is all that loud. My previous and current Honda products are much louder.

But since the GT has the smart key access which is the shape of a credit card, I never use it as a key per se anymore. It is always in my pocket and I use the lock/unlock buttons on the door handle instead.