CX-9ing again

[legandrex]

Just leased a 2012 GT for my wife a few days ago. We had a 2010 CX-9 and loved it, but at the time the almost fully financed payment was taking a toll on us. We got out of it and got a Subaru Outback...it was fine and reliable but not much fun. Gas mileage was nice and will be missed but we both missed how the CX-9 drove in comparison. It was hard to pass up the hot deal on the remaining 12's. Dealer had a white GT with nav, power liftgate, and a few other little things. We got them to throw in mud flaps and roof/cross bars. I still have a FL400 Motorcraft filter too. Wish I wouldn't have sold our Weather Tech winter mat package however. Look forward to hopefully many trouble free miles.

 

[c4racer]

Wait - are you saying the bigger CX9 is more fun to drive than an Outback?

Seems strange to me. I've driven both and neither one is fun to drive in any stretch of the imagination to me.

We have a 2011 touring AWD for 1.5 years now and 23K miles. It's a very nice luxury type of SUV, for a Japanese car anyway.
But it's not what I would call fun. Interesting perspective.. Seems they are similar end price points outback vs. CX9 too.
I would think outback would compare more with a CX7 too btw. CX9 is a pretty big SUV.

 

[tex2670]

Wait - are you saying the bigger CX9 is more fun to drive than an Outback?

Seems strange to me. I've driven both and neither one is fun to drive in any stretch of the imagination to me.

We have a 2011 touring AWD for 1.5 years now and 23K miles. It's a very nice luxury type of SUV, for a Japanese car anyway.
But it's not what I would call fun. Interesting perspective.. Seems they are similar end price points outback vs. CX9 too.
I would think outback would compare more with a CX7 too btw. CX9 is a pretty big SUV.

I'm guessing its fun in a "relative" sense. I replaced a Honda Pilot--compared to the Pilot, the CX-9 is fun to drive. Compared to a 335i, not so much.

 

[legandrex]

I should correct myself...the CX-9 is more engaging and rewarding. Fun was the wrong word. Our previous Subaru station wagon was fun...2005 Legacy GT with stick shift. Wish I still had that thing. And in our current stable, fun ratings as follows: 04 Mach 1 Mustang>2012 GTI>2012 CX-9.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

I would give the Mazda props for it's handling at higher speeds.

It's a fairly nimble tank on city roads, but the faster and curvier the road gets, the more it rewards you, (compared to other 7-man tanks).

Zoom-Zoom Ya'll!

 

[c4racer]

I should correct myself...the CX-9 is more engaging and rewarding. Fun was the wrong word. Our previous Subaru station wagon was fun...2005 Legacy GT with stick shift. Wish I still had that thing. And in our current stable, fun ratings as follows: 04 Mach 1 Mustang>2012 GTI>2012 CX-9.

Yes - now see, that makes a lot more sense!! I came very close to buying a 05 Leg GT wagon w/ stick when they first came out. Really neat cars. I still like them. Almost bought a few used ones over the years since then too. CX9 is the least fun in our 4 car line up too. M5>Mini Cooper S>Protege5>CX9

And I agree CX9 is much more engaging and fun to drive than a Pilot or even MDX, and pretty much all other 3-row units other than an X5. That's why I bought one.

 

[legandrex]

Yes - now see, that makes a lot more sense!! I came very close to buying a 05 Leg GT wagon w/ stick when they first came out. Really neat cars. I still like them. Almost bought a few used ones over the years since then too. CX9 is the least fun in our 4 car line up too. M5>Mini Cooper S>Protege5>CX9

And I agree CX9 is much more engaging and fun to drive than a Pilot or even MDX, and pretty much all other 3-row units other than an X5. That's why I bought one.

I'm with you there...my only driving gripe about the CX-9 is the steering is too light for my tastes. I too occasionally still look for 05 GT wagons but they aren't many to start with and most have high miles. That engine was known not to make it too long either. 7,500 mile recommended oil changes and not requiring synthetic didn't help. Is your M5 a V8 or the v10?

 

[c4racer]

I'm with you there...my only driving gripe about the CX-9 is the steering is too light for my tastes. I too occasionally still look for 05 GT wagons but they aren't many to start with and most have high miles. That engine was known not to make it too long either. 7,500 mile recommended oil changes and not requiring synthetic didn't help. Is your M5 a V8 or the v10?

V8 - last of the E39 models, an 03. Great drivers car. I am with you on the steering - sure wish it was heavier and gave anything resembling feedback. That was the strong suit of the X5 that we had before. It's as bad as lexus or acura steering which is equally horrible to me.

We took the CX9 on a road trip to Sonoma this past weekend - normally a trip I would make in the M5, but with all the rain I didn't want that one on the roads. I must admit the CX9 is a pretty nice road trip vehicle. It's interesting how I can get 1-2 better mpg in the M5 though, 400hp, wide tires, performance gearing and all!! CX9 is no gas sipper, that's for sure. But I guess for a large SUV it does OK on the road. We got 21mpg overall for the trip which was 85% highway and 15% country roads and city. AWD did great even in some pouring rain that creates lots of standing water on the roads.

 

[legandrex]

V8 - last of the E39 models, an 03. Great drivers car. I am with you on the steering - sure wish it was heavier and gave anything resembling feedback. That was the strong suit of the X5 that we had before. It's as bad as lexus or acura steering which is equally horrible to me.

We took the CX9 on a road trip to Sonoma this past weekend - normally a trip I would make in the M5, but with all the rain I didn't want that one on the roads. I must admit the CX9 is a pretty nice road trip vehicle. It's interesting how I can get 1-2 better mpg in the M5 though, 400hp, wide tires, performance gearing and all!! CX9 is no gas sipper, that's for sure. But I guess for a large SUV it does OK on the road. We got 21mpg overall for the trip which was 85% highway and 15% country roads and city. AWD did great even in some pouring rain that creates lots of standing water on the roads.

My buddy had a E39 M5 too. Not only is the steering feel light, but the steering wheel feels too small in my hands. The Outback wheel was perfect sized and my GTI has one of the best wheels out there. I actually looked at those awful steering wheel covers at Menards the other day. I am sure I will get used to it soon enough.

Yeah mileage is no strong suit on the CX-9. You would think it would do better with sleek shape and 6 speed transmission...might just have to max out the tire pressures to help.