2013 CX-9 GT owner

[Greg K]

Hi guys and girls,

Just thought id introduce myself. After test driving the Toyota Kluger (Highlander) and Toyota Prado, the wife and I decided that the CX-9 ticked the most boxes. We had been driving a 2007 Mazda 3 SP23 for a few years, so we were familiar and quite happy with Mazda in general.

We scored a barely second hand 2013 GT which come standard with nav, auto tailgate, bi-xenons and sunroof here in Oz, but also had genuine front parking sensors, mats, rear sunshades, cargo liner, cargo organiser and towbar fitted by the previous owner, all with 2,000k in the clock, for $15k less than brand new!

Needless to say, it was too good a deal to walk away from.

Has anyone tuned the motor of their CX-9? A tuner who has tuned my previous cars, says he can dyno tune the car to improve fuel efficiency and driveability. The car performs great as it is, but im keen to see what its like with a bit more zoom zoom!




Thanks
Greg K

 

[SBAnt13]

Welcome Greg, and it sounds like a great deal on the 9. When I read through your post, at first I thought there was a typo, but you really get Front Parking sensors in AUS (seen in photo 2). Funny that they don't offer them here. As for tuning, since it's a Mazda modified Ford Duratec, that might be a good starting point for any tune, but there's only so much better MPG (or KPL for you, I guess) you can achieve with a big vehicle and no forced air. The 3.7 is pulling around ~4500 pounds (2000 kilos, I think) and is based on an older Ford design. I haven't read about anybody having a good dyno tune done, but maybe I didn't go back enough pages. Good luck, and let us know how the tuning turns out.

 

[table5511]

Congrats on the purchase! I've looked around and haven't found any tuning info on the CX-9 motor. As far as tuning stuff for the 3.7 Ford Mustang, I'm not sure things like a software flash would be equally compatible, as the mustang's computer is tuned differently by ford. As far as things like a supercharger or custom header or intake, etc, that stuff likely would not be plug & play either. I think the only things that WOULD be plug & play would be internal motor parts (cams / crank, etc) which would require a computer reflash, which again, there are none that I know of specifically for the CX-9.

I don't even know of any exhaust out there for our cars.

Do like me, have 2 airboxes. 1 factory and 1 modded. I swiss cheesed the lower airbox and put in a K&N.

Good luck though if you find anything out there. Let me know if you do.

 

[cjc]

Welcome Greg, and it sounds like a great deal on the 9. When I read through your post, at first I thought there was a typo, but you really get Front Parking sensors in AUS (seen in photo 2). Funny that they don't offer them here. As for tuning, since it's a Mazda modified Ford Duratec, that might be a good starting point for any tune, but there's only so much better MPG (or KPL for you, I guess) you can achieve with a big vehicle and no forced air. The 3.7 is pulling around ~4500 pounds (2000 kilos, I think) and is based on an older Ford design. I haven't read about anybody having a good dyno tune done, but maybe I didn't go back enough pages. Good luck, and let us know how the tuning turns out.

Rear sunshades are not offered as well.

 

[table5511]

Bi-Xenon?? I don't think the GT's in the US market with hid's have any bi-xenon option. Have to buy a Cadillac or a Beamer for that here.

 

[ceric]

Welcome, Greg.

 

[chance72]

Bi-Xenon?? I don't think the GT's in the US market with hid's have any bi-xenon option. Have to buy a Cadillac or a Beamer for that here.

Mine does have the bi-xenon HID headlights. That's what the specs say anyway. I've never had HID lights before my 9.

Nice looking black one you got there Greg.

 

[tex2670]

Mine does have the bi-xenon HID headlights. That's what the specs say anyway. I've never had HID lights before my 9.

Nice looking black one you got there Greg.

HID is xenon, but not necessarily bi-xenon. Bi-xenon means that there are xenon lights for low beam and high beam. My '12 is definitely not bi-xenon. If you park in front of a glass storefront, if they are bi-xenon, and you park in front of a glass storefront, you will see what looks like a little shade over the top half of the HID projector lifting up.

 

[shbiv]

HID is xenon, but not necessarily bi-xenon. Bi-xenon means that there are xenon lights for low beam and high beam. My '12 is definitely not bi-xenon. If you park in front of a glass storefront, if they are bi-xenon, and you park in front of a glass storefront, you will see what looks like a little shade over the top half of the HID projector lifting up.

The bi-xenon is new for 2013. Per the Mazda USA website ...

AVAILABLE FEATURES
Bi-Xenon High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) headlights with auto on/off

Were not available prior to the 2013s (at least in the USA).

 

[table5511]

Wow. Impressive comparing all the other cost cuts they have done.

 

[ceric]

Mazda try to make CX9 last a couple years longer. That is all.
They won't have time for CX9 until after Miata, Mazda2 and Mazda5 are revamped.
Besides, a new engine is needed for CX9. Outsourcing or supercharging is a question.
Turbo is unlikely for a high compression ratio Skyactiv-G unless the ratio is brought down from 13 to 10.5 (like a 2015 Subaru WRX).

 

[tex2670]

Wow. Impressive comparing all the other cost cuts they have done.

I totally agree--it's actually kind of mind boggling that they add that feature, but delete LED tail lights.

 

[Greg K]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Its now been a few months since we picked up or family rig, and have noticed a few things (both good and not-so-good).

First of the not-so-good:
- a rattle had developed from the butterfly winged arm-rest, that has been rectified by the dealer, believed to be a loose spring.
- when a passenger, my shins rub against the bottom of the glovebox if i have my feet stretched out.
- fuel consumption is pretty poor, but seeing as work pays for my fuel, I dont mind so much.
- leaving the wiper stalk on auto, and starting the car with the door open when its been raining = getting saturated!

Things I love about the car:
- such a hoot to drive for such a big car, and comfortable to drive
- bi-xenon's are amazing.
- I know people have their gripes about the sat-nav unit and the screen size, but I actually find it really intuitive. The screen doesnt need to be any bigger and for me, it just works well.
- with all the sensors and back up camera, its piss easy to park, in fact easier than the Mazda 3 we had.
- for a conventional 6-speed automatic, it feels like a dsg. Silky smooth and doesnt feel the urge to kick down a gear or two if acceleration is required.

In short, we couldnt be happier with our cx-9. We're heading away in a couple of weeks on a short road trip and have been thinking of getting a bonnet protector and headlight protector to help prevent any costly damage from stone chips. Has anyone got a set on their 9, and are they easy to install. My dealer wants $40 to install them, but cant see it taking any longer than 10min.

Thanks again,
Greg

 

[Greg K]

Rear sunshades are not offered as well.

If you want a set, I can get a price for you. PM your details and I can work out shipping, if interested.

 

[Greg K]

I can send the Genuine Mazda rear sunshades (2x rear doors) to the US for $180 USD shipped, if anyone is interested.

 

[ceric]

I can send the Genuine Mazda rear sunshades (2x rear doors) to the US for $180 USD shipped, if anyone is interested.

How do they look like? Pictures?

 

[Greg K]

Please see the link below. There is also a youtube video shown with the sunshades on a cx-5.

I have them on my cx-9 and they look and work fantastic.

http://www.mazda.com.au/vehicles/accessories?cid={01C4B13D-6A70-45E2-9C5C-745CA51213C8}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNxZD5LGoKQ

Cheers
Greg

 

[jrgmanict]

Those look cool.
Still amazes me the different options that are available overseas but not in the states.
John

Please see the link below. There is also a youtube video shown with the sunshades on a cx-5.

I have them on my cx-9 and they look and work fantastic.

http://www.mazda.com.au/vehicles/accessories?cid={01C4B13D-6A70-45E2-9C5C-745CA51213C8}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNxZD5LGoKQ

Cheers
Greg

 

[ceric]

These are on eBay for a while now.

 

[jrgmanict]

From what I seen on EBAY (May have been using wrong search word) they want around 249 for a set but that set includes the third row window and rear window along with the second row.
They do look cool and useful.

These are on eBay for a while now.