Finally reasonably happy with my CX-7

[koala]

I've had my CX-7 since early December 06, and pretty much from day one I've had many issues with this vehicle that contributed to me really not having too many kind words for Mazda. (Traditionally I've mostly owned Hondas/Acuras, but I liked the apparent value shown by the CX-7 so I leased one).

I think that after getting my CX-7 back from the dealer today I can say it's finally performing the way I would have expected it to from day 1.

Here is a re-cap of what I've been experiencing with my CX-7, first batch of items have (apparently) been addressed properly, and the second group of items are still outstanding, but in my opinion not nearly as important.

CEL - off and on for 4 months/7,500 KM. Finally fixed back in April.

Valve-train noise - probably needs a valve adjustment, but since its only a 2 year lease I'm not going to worry about this.

Leaking front transfer case/diff case, whatever you call it - Seals finally replaced yesterday. Burnt diff. fluid smell has not completely gone away but I suspect this is because a lot of fluid is still baked on the casing. I'll have to try and clean it off now.

Turbo lag under 2k rpm - After the ECU reflash this seems to be gone. Of course now you're "tricked" into thinking there is less power, but this is only because the power comes on much smoother.

Clunking noise going from P to R, or from P to D - Gone, as far as I can tell.

Lurching/uneasy feeling at highway speeds - Didn't notice it nearly as much on my 200+ km highway trip today as I had up until this point.


Stuff that still isn't "fixed"

Driver door rattles quite a bit at certain speeds. This is a tough one to have a dealer fix... it's not really annoying otherwise I'd probably just take off the door panel myself and try to figure out whats up.

Driver seat belt release rattles/squeaks off and on. Seems to be worse when its cold outside (I don't notice it much at all now that winter is over).

There are a few other things I'm forgetting, but they're all fairly minor.

Long story short... more problems with this vehicle than all of my previous vehicles combined (including two F-150's, lol), but driving it home today I really enjoyed it, and it finally seems to drive the way it should have from day 1.

I'll chalk this all up to first model year problems

 

[mmolenda06]

Here's my story...I had a small, but noticeable, scratch above the passenger side front door. On April 30, the general manager, Michael, came and inspected the scratch and said he would have his paint tech fix it. I dropped my car off on May 15, to have the windows tinted and the paint fixed. I picked my car up on May 17, and I found buffing compound still left on the back door as well as places where there was not enough clearcoat on the vehicle. Also, there were several small indentations (i.e., “fish-eyes”) in the paint. On May 18, I went to have the car detailed and to have the buffing compound buffed out, but the small indentations were still present and Michael assured me that on the following Monday, he would have his paint tech paint the car again. I dropped the car off again on May 21 to have the paint fixed. On May 24, I went to view the car again. The small indentations were still present in the paint. Michael stated that this time the car would be sent to a professional paint shop to be painted. On May 30, I called Mazda to check the status of the car and the service manager, Paul, stated the car was being picked up that day to be taken to the professional shop. On June 8, I was called and told the car was ready. On June 9, I went to Duval Mazda and viewed the car. Again, the small indentations are still present and Michael stated that he saw them and the car was being sent back to have those buffed out. On June 11, I drove back to Duval Mazda and the small indentations are still present, but Michael is out of town and I was told by Paul, the service manager, that if I was still unhappy with the paint on the car I would have to wait a week until Michael returns. I left the car there and filed a BBB complaint the next morning. After calling Mazda Corporate 3 times, I finally got to the District Manager and he met me that afternoon. My car was sent to real professionals. The old crew was fired. Several thousand dollars poorer (the final paint job topped $4K) and four weeks later, I have my car. I love my CX-7...I hate my dealership. Yes, they are paying my car note for the month they've had it. They messed up my financing, sold me a GT with the rubber steering wheel which was replaced for the leather-wrapped as soon as I noticed. Terrible place...problems from day 1. Everything is perfect now and I am never taking my car there again.

 

[Grantman]

goddddammmm ive had my share of issues but not like you guys....the first weekend i had my car someone backed into the front left side 600 bucksto fix...hit and run just messed up my fog but my hids were ok then the next weekend some kids from down the street or something decided it would be cool to egg my car ...no stains just a circular scatch from where and egg hit on the right door just pisses me off ...

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

I am glad you are happy again. Nothing will ever compare to the issues I had with my RX-8 though, so I am super happy with my CX-7.

 

[cruzdreamer]

Yea...bummer having those issues....me too on my RX 8 Diane....many issues with mine too....so this is like a dream come true...they still have work to do on the rotary engine but it's not far off.
Me....so far stereo system goes out for a few seconds every so often....heard clunking noise going from park to reverse a few times, doors get dirty inside so probably need a fix on that otherwise it's been great so far! Again, first year cars will have bugs no matter what brand you buy! Love Mazda's!

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

You know I thought I have had my stereo go out a few times...but just 3 of the 4 speakers. *shrugs*

 

[mmolenda06]

Unfortunately, after I got my car back there are still lots of issues going on. The front bumper is duill like they didn't put enough clear coat on it. I have yet to get my promised check for the month they had my car. They lost my hitch cover thingy (no biggie). My biggest complaint is becasue they had to paint, buff and rebuff (at least 5 or 6 times) they buffed scratches into the black part between the windows (for lack of a more specific term) and the black plastic molding on the bottom of the doors. Not only that, when they replaced my steering wheel (I had the base steering wheel and not the leather-wrapped that my GT was supposed to have in the first place) they scratched the plastic cover for the gear gauges and the lining around the gear shifter. I know they did it because I SURELY DIDN'T!!! Isn't the whole point of getting the dealer to install things because supposedly they would do a better job than I could do...??? Then again, it is under warranty. Again I love my Mazda CX-7 and I absolutely detest the dealership!!!

 

[koala]

I take back what I said... I'm not reasonably happy. haha..

Damn front diff is leaking still, and it absolutely wreaks like burnt fluid every time you come to a stop after a long drive on the highway.