Well, of course there are many cars we still love to drive or have, just as that bimmer or the boxster or even the cayenne S that some guy didnt like (I do like it a lot, great amount of power and sporty handling) . But my question was , which vehicle of the actual competition for the cx-9 u would have bought instead?
Impressions of my CX-9 GT on the 1st full day of ownership
- Thread starter ZoomFive
- Start date
Well, of course there are many cars we still love to drive or have, just as that bimmer or the boxster or even the cayenne S that some guy didnt like (I do like it a lot, great amount of power and sporty handling) . But my question was , which vehicle of the actual competition for the cx-9 u would have bought instead?
Indeed the 300C has great 2nd row legroom, at 40.2 inches. Still very amazed at how 39.8 inches of 2nd row legroom of the cx-9 are just called: decent. (strike) Now we can tell that u just didnt wanted something with decent 2nd row legroom and a bigger trunk than of the chrysler, cause many cars like the 7series , buick lucerne, cadillac DTS, lexus LS 460 L, mercedes S550, completely fullfill that criteria, in both 2nd row legroom and more cargo space that the 300C.
So in the end, as said later by you, u were looking for an SUV-like vehicle.
Now of course talking about decent 2nd row legroom and more cargo space than that chrysler, wonder how u dismissed so many vehicles, like a landrover LR3,range rover sport, X5, acura MDX, GL and M class, lexus LX570, buick enclave, lexus GS470, audi Q7, ford expedition, toyota sequoia, escalade, landcruiser, tahoe, yukon, and so on and on. Boy, our 2008 motor trends suv of the year definitely can take away buyers from a lot of brands and models.
Still, what I dont understand is why buy a 7 passenger car when no more than 4 people will ride on it.....and most all, why buy a not luxury SUV when u can buy any car u like? Seems u dont like luxury after all.(cryhard)
For 7 passengers at the $40K price point, the CX9 would still have been my only choice. If I was looking to buy a year later, I probably would consider the new Pilot as well. There is a lot to be said about resale value.
I was giving examples of cars that I would buy at $40K if I did not need all these seats and this size.
Still... it is so much more a joy to get into my older BMW 3-series alone and wind it out. So much more buttoned down and turbine like. Better mileage too.
I am lucky to be able to have both, as both serve their markets well.
ZoomFive
Ah, so you have a 3-series too... Yes, it is a joy to get back in for a sporty drive... but it is also will be a joy for me tomorrow when I load the family into the CX-9 along with luggage and Christmas presents and head 10 hours north to Ottawa Canada to visit the inlaws! I still like driving the CX-9 even though my M3 is in a different world of driving.
Yes, many of us are fortunate... and to the guy who bought the CX-9 after comparing to all the more expensive competition like Landrovers and Cayenne's... like me, you still chose the CX-9! All of us clearly have different motives for choosing the CX-9, and we start with basic assumptions that are obviously biased. I for one was proven wrong for assuming no CX-9 buyers would be single guys... The fact is that the CX-9 is a special vehicle- it is a class-buster. Meaning, it appeals to a much broader spectrum of people than many of us would think. People from all walks- wealthy bachelors, economical family people, sporty-car lovers... all of us chose the CX-9 in the end.
One more point that I will continue to debate- the CX-9 is indeed a luxury car, compared to a Honda Odyssey for example. My CX-9 GT talks to me, remembers my seat position, turns on the lights at night and the wipers in the rain, dims the review mirror by itself, shows me what is behind me on a tv screen, starts up from inside my house and it doesn't even have an ignition key! I can go in and on, but options like these are what makes a car a luxury car, in my opinion, as an economy or base SUV wouldn't have any of these things.
If you are used to more expensive luxury cars, of which there are many, then you notice the few things that are missing. SOme of these missing things can be a little annoying, yes. (When I hear a new song on the radio it would be nice to see who sings it, like cars I have owned since 2001!)
But, I chose the CX-9 anyway because it is a beautiful car and drives pretty darn amazing for a 5,000 pound vehicle!
Merry Christmas everybody. (The CX-9 was my wife and my present to each other)
Yes, many of us are fortunate... and to the guy who bought the CX-9 after comparing to all the more expensive competition like Landrovers and Cayenne's... like me, you still chose the CX-9! All of us clearly have different motives for choosing the CX-9, and we start with basic assumptions that are obviously biased. I for one was proven wrong for assuming no CX-9 buyers would be single guys... The fact is that the CX-9 is a special vehicle- it is a class-buster. Meaning, it appeals to a much broader spectrum of people than many of us would think. People from all walks- wealthy bachelors, economical family people, sporty-car lovers... all of us chose the CX-9 in the end.
One more point that I will continue to debate- the CX-9 is indeed a luxury car, compared to a Honda Odyssey for example. My CX-9 GT talks to me, remembers my seat position, turns on the lights at night and the wipers in the rain, dims the review mirror by itself, shows me what is behind me on a tv screen, starts up from inside my house and it doesn't even have an ignition key! I can go in and on, but options like these are what makes a car a luxury car, in my opinion, as an economy or base SUV wouldn't have any of these things.
If you are used to more expensive luxury cars, of which there are many, then you notice the few things that are missing. SOme of these missing things can be a little annoying, yes. (When I hear a new song on the radio it would be nice to see who sings it, like cars I have owned since 2001!)
But, I chose the CX-9 anyway because it is a beautiful car and drives pretty darn amazing for a 5,000 pound vehicle!
Merry Christmas everybody. (The CX-9 was my wife and my present to each other)
I certainly enjoy the luxury aspects of the CX-9. I had a chance to take a spirited drive back to my house alone after we arrived at the relatives and realized that we had forgotten a pie. It does keep you comfy and is relatively spirited. However, I put another thread up about how one of the luxury features (keyless) has been acting up. That somehat wavers my hopes of engineering quality and reliability. As I am enjoying the car in general, I will monitor this and any new items.
Merry Christmas !
U see, u have an M3, u are sporty driver, I think we love that aspect of the CX-9 and thats one main criteria that links all together. (drive2)
I join that argument, I think the cx-9 is a luxury vehicle, u have already said many of the features that justify that argument. I like details like the led blue light coming from the roof and on the doors.
By the way, our car weighs in around 4550 pounds....hehehe, 5000 pounds? I bet on the 10 hour trip it weighted more than that !!! (attn)
From what Ive read, the new pilot is gonna on the sporty side (at least on looks). Now, that is something really new from a honda pilot, which we all know is boxy , tall, and very boring. In a few weeks we will know more to see if Honda has followed the Mazda lead.
WHat model is that 3 series? Has it been a reliable car??
Exactly... Actually we are leaving for the trip tomorrow night.
20 gallons gas x 7 pounds/gallon is 140 pounds. 2 adults about 300 pounds. 100 pounds of luggage and gifts = 5100 pounds.
WHich is less actually than if you take 7 people for a drive- that is over 1000 pounds of human mass right there!
It is an e46 325i. Just sufficient in terms of power, but engine/suspension are smooth as silk and the car really does bear down on the road at high speed.
As for reliability... the car is really over-engineered, so there have been some very specific fixes that have been done ocassionally to maintain that engineering. So, that would be on top of your normal car repairs. All in all, I find it reliable. I keep an extended warranty on that car just in case. I would recommend this car.
I second that recommendation. The e46 is an amazing car to drive. My M is the bully brother of your car.
I saw in another post that one of the forum members has a late model vette and another has a miata.
I imagine a lot of people with sports cars chose the CX-9 for their utility/family car because of its zoom-zoom-ness.
(although the acura MDX is supposed to be a bit sportier... I prefer the CX-9 as an overall package, and the MDX is a bit of an ugly duckling)
I saw in another post that one of the forum members has a late model vette and another has a miata.
I imagine a lot of people with sports cars chose the CX-9 for their utility/family car because of its zoom-zoom-ness.
(although the acura MDX is supposed to be a bit sportier... I prefer the CX-9 as an overall package, and the MDX is a bit of an ugly duckling)
Okay, here goes...
Indeed the 300C has great 2nd row legroom, at 40.2 inches. Still very amazed at how 39.8 inches of 2nd row legroom of the cx-9 are just called: decent. Now we can tell that u just didnt wanted something with decent 2nd row legroom and a bigger trunk than of the chrysler, cause many cars like the 7series , buick lucerne, cadillac DTS, lexus LS 460 L, mercedes S550, completely fullfill that criteria, in both 2nd row legroom and more cargo space that the 300C.
Ever try to fit a power washer, 55gal trash can, 4' Christmas wreath or a few bar stools in the trunk of any of these cars? They didn't fit in my Jag and they don't fit in my Infiniti. I own four restaurants and constantly want to carry something from one to another. But I also like to fit four golfers with clubs in something with decent leg room. (PS, I wasn't crticizing the legroom of the CX-9 in comparison to the 300C. I was ruling out vehicles such as the Infiniti EX35 due to their lack of legroom.)
So in the end, as said later by you, u were looking for an SUV-like vehicle.
Now of course talking about decent 2nd row legroom and more cargo space than that chrysler, wonder how u dismissed so many vehicles, like a landrover LR3 (Unappealing.),range rover sport (Test drove: too stiff a ride), X5 (Test drove: did not like the interior and I felt like I was riding on the seat instead of in it.), acura MDX(Test drove: loved the vehicle and would have purchased one but I just couldn't stand the wide black plastic faux wood that wrapped around the dash, ugh!), GL (Best friend has one and I didn't want to have the same vehicle.) and M class (Don't especially like the exterior lines), lexus LX570 (Too large.), buick enclave (Test drove: the quietest ride of anything I testdrove, the second row seats were pitiful in comparison to the second row seats in the similarly sized Escalade and no second row center is available yet), lexus GS470 (Test drove: sweet, a bit tall and a bit too top heavy on corners; I liked the ride of the RX better, but it's tired and ready for new styling), audi Q7 (Test drove: was not in love with the front end, but might have purchased one if there were no CX-9), ford expedition (Not a big Ford fan), toyota sequoia (Would buy a Lexus instead if I'd wanted that styling), escalade (Been there, owned that... too big.), landcruiser (See LX570), tahoe (Too big.), yukon (Too big.), and so on and on. Boy, our 2008 motor trends suv of the year definitely can take away buyers from a lot of brands and models.
Still, what I dont understand is why buy a 7 passenger car when no more than 4 people will ride on it.....and most all, why buy a not luxury SUV when u can buy any car u like? (If Escalades were 10% smaller and not as ugly as the SRX, that would probably be my first choice. I considered waiting for the redesigned '09 FX45 but I wanted something now.) Seems u dont like luxury after all. (Huh? Did you come to that conclusion all by yourself or did you get help from someone else who also had no clue as to why I didn't buy the vehicles you listed?)
PS. The Chrysler Aspen's leather was like hard plastic. The Outlook and Acadia drove just like the Enclave but were not as quiet, not as elegant and had the same second row seating. The FX-45 was nice, but I prefer vehicles in their first few years of design, not their last year. The Santa Fe drove well but was very limited on options. And finally, the Grand Cherokee SRT was a fun rocket but the interior was not plush and the wind noise was even louder than the exhaust.
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The MDX was just too small for me. You know how it goes... if you are going to drive something bigger, it better meet your needs. In the case of the MDX, the 3rd row was too small. The headroom made me slouch, but slouching I could not pull the 2nd row seat back into position.
Really like your explanation. Lovely. Buddy, u know, about the luxury thing, u said this car wasnt luxury, so if u still choose it, I must rephrase it and say that luxury wasnt your top priority.
couple of questions... how about the GL if your best friend didnt own one??
ANd about the Q7 , what trim level u would have bought if there was no cx-9 and...what model did u test drove? how it felt? what made u choose the cx-9 over the Q7 in the end...?!
By the way I agree on many of the reviews u said about each vehicle....heck, wonder why we both ended up with a cx-9 hahaha!?
And finally, what meals of your restaurants would u recommend to us?
+100!
A hyundai wasnt even considered it, not because the veracruz isnt bad, but still, the reputation that brand had still makes it very undesireable for me. Maybe in 10 years?!
Sometimes I just don't understand the continued, perceived bad reputation of Hyundai. They produced the most leaders in the Strategic Vision 2007 Total Quality Awards.
As for me, I wouldnt be proud to own a Hyundai. (usa)
It took Toyota and Honda 20+ years to go from a reputation of crappy cars to high quality machines. The cars got good much, much before their reputation did. It's no surprise the same thing is happening with Hyundai, and in 10 years will likely start happening with Chinese manufacturers. The fact is, even if you want to buy a vehicle objectively without worrying about a perhaps undeserved reputation; that reputation directly affects resale value, and therefore the total cost of ownership. Hyundai makes Mazda resale values look good.
It took Toyota and Honda 20+ years to go from a reputation of crappy cars to high quality machines. The cars got good much, much before their reputation did. It's no surprise the same thing is happening with Hyundai, and in 10 years will likely start happening with Chinese manufacturers. The fact is, even if you want to buy a vehicle objectively without worrying about a perhaps undeserved reputation; that reputation directly affects resale value, and therefore the total cost of ownership. Hyundai makes Mazda resale values look good.
That resale value is amplified in Canada where Mazda is considered top of the heap and has excellent resale value. Hyundai resale is terrible. Locally it seems the only people who can sell them is the Hyundai dealer. Most of the other dealers cringe at taking Hyundai's on trade, because they know the car will sit there forever before they can dump it.
I personally don't put much value in these initial quality tests and feel that Hyundai's quality improvement is exgagerrated, but its not my opinion that matters. The general public here still feels Hyundai is crap which reflects in the horrible resale value. It will take many years of quality vehicles before I will even step foot on a Hyundai lot to see what they have.
