Mazda Cx-9 and Buick Enclave

[coliphage]

I am wondering if anyone cross shopped CX-9 with Enclave? Other than the cost difference, what make you pick cx-9 over enclave?

I have been shopping for 3 row crossover and has narrow down to these two vehicles. Now I can get a 2011 Enclave CXL1 with 29k miles for $29,000 (KBB trade-in for good condition is $28,6xx). There is 21k miles or 2.5 yrs warranty left.

I believe it is reasonal to get a new mazda cx-9 GT FWD with moonroof and power liftgate for about $32,000 (am I too optimistic?).

The wife and I test drove both vehicles and we like them both.

For the Encalve, pros include it is cheaper, the ride is quieter, captain second row seat, slightly roomier third row, and more luxurious interior. Cons include less feature (no moon roof, blind spot warning), less warranty, probably worse long term reliability.

The Cx-9, on the other hand, has better handling, more features, longer warranty, and we can choose our favorite colors.

I'd like ask for you opinions on which you would choose. I understand the opinions is probably biased since this is a Mazda forum but I am asking the same question on the Buick forum as well (idhitit).

Thanks in advance for you inputs.

 

[FlashJim]

I am wondering if anyone cross shopped CX-9 with Enclave? Other than the cost difference, what make you pick cx-9 over enclave?

That's exactly what I just did. If you read the crossover roundups, the Enclave and CX-9 always top the list. To paraphrase one writer, if you are looking for a plush crossover, pick the Enclave. If you are looking to have fun driving, pick the CX-9.

To keep it apples to apples, we looked at 2012 vehicles. Both are very nice. I love the Enclave styling a bit more. The designers nailed it. The problem for me was the price and the "feel" of the whole vehicle. It just felt cheap for what they were asking. The CX-9 just felt rock solid to me and drove almost identical to the Odyssey it replaced.

I believe it is reasonal to get a new mazda cx-9 GT FWD with moonroof and power liftgate for about $32,000 (am I too optimistic?).

Maybe not. I got mine for about that. You might be able to take advantage of the 0% interest rate being offered right now.

Either vehicle will serve you well. They have different personalities, but they are both top notch rides.

 

[grzesiuskow]

CX is narrower, so easier to park, especially in a smaller garages.
Also, i think the rear window view is better while backing up in CX-9

 

[jabba]

We also looked at the Enclave when it first came out. It's a nice car, but had some transmission hesitation that has been somewhat addressed in later models. The turning radius did not seem as good as the CX-9. I also felt it was too expensive for what you got, in my opinion, it seemed to me that it wasn't worth the 5 grand premium over the Acadia.

On a more positive note, the Enclave did feel roomier inside, and it does have a bit more room behind the 3rd row, but that didn't really figure in our decision since we have 2 kids, so don't need a bigger car. In the end we thought the CX-9 drove better and felt more responsive, so that's what we got. And looking at Consumer Reports ratings, it appears that the Enclave reliability has only been Fair, while the CX-9 is Very Good. So all in all, a good choice for our needs.

 

[table5511]

Welcome to the forum. I would point you to truedelta.com which will show you that the Enclave redefines the definition of high maintenance. I considered one of the Lambda platform vehicles for a few minutes as well, but after seeing the reports on truedelta, talking to mechanics who confirmed the high amount of maintenance required and considering the other factors, I quickly de-considered it.
-High maintenance
-Government Motors
-Wheels are ugly looking
-Vehicle is a bit heavy
-Retail value sky dives
-Second row is nice but cockpit is fugly.
-Equivalent options to a CX-9 GT = high price tag for an Enclave

 

[jk240sx]

I drove my neighbor's Enclave. Hellbig & the others nailed the cons. Pros for me, none.

 

[drchuck]

CX/Enclave

I too, looked at the Buick - no doubt its an eye catcher. I chose Mazda for their seeming lack of compromise in the area of maintaing a "drivers car feel" no matter what they surround the drivers seat with. I've had mine two years now, and It's still a rush every time I nose it into traffic. Also at the time GM's fate was up in the air, the Buick actually cost more, and just seemed like a "luxo-soccer-mom-hauler."

Today what would foster my decision most is the You Tube video (see below) of the President of General Motors giving a speech in China, about all the movement of GM operations to China, and the great alliances GM wants in China. If this was some underling, you might blow it off as politics, but this is the president of a company that the American public bailed out with 80 billion bucks - and that's the payback.

Conversely, Mazda replaced my gas cap yesterday under warranty - and the cap says: Made in the USA. GM will think again when Chine nationalizes the auto industry! OK, enough politics, just go buy the CX-9, and go hunting for Enclaves with your zoom - zoom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvl5Gan69Wo&feature=player_embedded

 

[jabba]

Today what would foster my decision most is the You Tube video (see below) of the President of General Motors giving a speech in China, about all the movement of GM operations to China, and the great alliances GM wants in China. If this was some underling, you might blow it off as politics, but this is the president of a company that the American public bailed out with 80 billion bucks - and that's the payback.

A division of the company I work at just moved its HQ to China...apparently that's where most of the growth is, so companies have to demonstrate a tangible presence to the Chinese government so they can have "proper" tax benefits. No other way about it, or else you'll miss the huge growth curve.

So to get back on topic, I hear that people in China love Buicks, I saw tons of them when I went to Shanghai, so you should get on Chinese forums and see what they have to say about the Enclave vs the CX-9!

 

[drchuck]

"So to get back on topic, I hear that people in China love Buicks, I saw tons of them when I went to Shanghai, so you should get on Chinese forums and see what they have to say about the Enclave vs the CX-9!"

I'm glad they like them. First, I would have a time trying to see what they were saying about anything, my Chinese is a little rusty. Second, I'm glad they have some CX-9's to which they can compare their Buicks, I have confidence they'll come around. I don't give a hoot what they, or anyone, drives, here or in China, for that matter. I'm sure from your post that you saw the video. What I have a problem with is the CEO of GM basically speaking about moving the brain-trust of GM out of the USA.

My guess is that Pittsburgh will suffer some loss too, as your company (presumably in the steel industry) moves assets to gain a Chinese tax advantage.

And as a final thought, you're in a great union town. Could the "real" motivation be labor costs? It could.

 

[sts7049]

it's still a buick. no thanks, i'm not 75

 

[jabba]

And as a final thought, you're in a great union town. Could the "real" motivation be labor costs? It could.

Labor cost is part of the motivation. But I think there are also other factors involved in order for a company to be "allowed" to keep expanding in China, and moving a HQ will certainly keep you on the good side of things, if you get the drift. The video hinted at that.

And to add one line to get back on topic, which I forgot to mention before, my wife liked the CX-9 better than the Enclave or the Acadia, she felt it drove like a smaller vehicle as compared to the former. This was a big contributing factor in choosing the CX-9, since it is her daily driver, as well as the main family car for trips.

 

[drchuck]

"my wife liked the CX-9 better than the Enclave or the Acadia, she felt it drove like a smaller vehicle as compared to the former. This was a big contributing factor in choosing the CX-9, since it is her daily driver, as well as the main family car for trips."

Well! Yabadabado! It's because, as mentioned earlier, Mazda puts a drivers car around the drivers seat. Conversely (just to show I'm all heart) My wife has a Prius, and thinks the CX is a monster. But trips, she loves it, drop the passenger seat flat by the time we get to the corner, and taps. She'll sleep until nature wakes her up (always in the absolute middle of nowhere, and there's a lot of nowhere in Texas).

 

[kornholio]

The third row seat is better in the enclave? i went to look at the traverse which is five inches longer than the mazda cx9 and i was wondering where that extra length went. The space behind the third row is the same as the mazda and the second row doesn't slide like the nine does. First chance i get i will be going to a buick dealership to see for myself. As for the design yes it is pretty but so is the nine i have which is 2007. They sell a touring model here with all wheel, leather but no moonroof or bose for under 30 k brand new. The only car that comes close to the 9 as far as the third row that i have seen so far is the audi Q7. That was my first choice but when i was told that there was no extended warranty available i walked out of there.

 

[hugh_dog]

it's still a buick. no thanks, i'm not 75

I was wondering if someone else would say this! My wife and I were looking at the Acadia, Enclave(very briefly), and of course the CX-9. We chose the CX-9 because it was the best value, a better driver, and non-domestic. When we were at a GMC/Buick dealership, we actually heard the line that Buick is the number one brand of car among 20-40 year olds in China. We stated that while we were looking, every driver of an Enclave seemed to be in their waning years, and the salesman, a friend of mine, responded with that tidbit.

We bought the 9 while on a trip and it's been great. It's my wife's daily driver, and she absolutely love it. The only thing that was keeping us from it was the Crystal White Pearl Mica color, but I actually like it, now.

We drove all three, and the mahogany interior was too much for my wife in the Enclave. It was ruled out early. The interior of the Acadia was nice, and the features were kind of ok, but the price was $10K more almost. We also thought the Heads Up Display and other non-important features just felt a bit distracting and lacking of substance.

We are incredibly happy about our decision, and I'm glad to be a part of this community.

 

[jk240sx]

Welcome Hugh. I read up for about 6 months on the 7 passenger vehicles, Motorweek w/cars.com did an excellent shoot out article. I decided on the CX-9 just based on reviews but I wanted to keep an open mind. A few weeks before we made the deal, Utah had the annual car show so we drove the 150 miles to Salt Lake City and drove everything in the same day. I was almost swayed by the MDX but in the end the CX won out for us.

 

[tex2670]

We stated that while we were looking, every driver of an Enclave seemed to be in their waning years, and the salesman, a friend of mine, responded with that tidbit.

I'm not sure where all these retiree Enclave drivers reside. In my area, there are tons of Enclaves, and the drivers are all soccer moms...

 

[mzd]

The only other choice for us if we did not get the '12 CX-9 GT would have been the '13 Acura RDX, priced about the same as the CX-9 (we don't use the third row in our CX-9).

 

[ceric]

RDX with the 3.5L V6 is much faster to 60mph than CX9.

However, even if you don't use the 3rd row, the extra cargo room might come in handy someday...
MPG is worse with CX9, but likely the maintenance cost with Mazda will offset that.

 

[drchuck]

(TEX 2670) I'm not sure where all these retiree Enclave drivers reside. In my area, there are tons of Enclaves, and the drivers are all soccer moms...

(My original) the Buick actually cost more, and just seemed like a "luxo-soccer-mom-hauler."

I rest my case!