New 09 CX9 GT Owner

[tstex]

Hey Guys,

Bought a new 09 GT w/ Bose, DVD/TV for the girls...my map reading skills and neck are both in good shape, so I passed on the other features.

I really like the drive, feel and look of the CX9 GT as compared to my last 3 SUV's. However, have had it in the dealer for 2.5 of the 5 weeks I owned it to: replace the rear trim around the windows [was spot rusted and they tried to buff it out, only to make it worse - now, to replace the trim, the windows have to go too], fix the emer. flashers, determine why the fuel gauge was not reading properly and a few other exterior things.

The good news is that mechanically everything seems to be doing well. Get her back tomorrow.

Have a good day gentlemen,
tstex

 

[Speedkid]

Nice welcome to the forums.

 

[sjg]

Add me to the list too

Just got a 09 Touring AWD yesterday. Copper Red w/Sand interior. Roof rack, backup camera and moonroof/bose packages.

Initial observations (I knew most of these from research and test drives but some have revealed themselves during the first day with the car):

The car drives great for its size. Relatively flat in corners. Pretty quiet and comfortable but not isolated from the road.

The leather is not particularly luxurious. It is very stiff. A salesman actually responded that "all Japanese cars have stiff leather because it's more durable." My Subaru Legacy GT Limited had much softer leather and it has been durable. The CX-9 leather is a small step above vinyl.

I test drove a Touring without the Bose system and I'm challenged to notice a great difference. I don't have a great ear for this kind of thing but we'll see if this was worth it. I do like the feature that adjusts the volume based on cabin noise and I think that only comes with Bose.

Lots of reflections off the windows up front: Defroster vents reflect off the windshield. Black trim reflects off the side windows (right in front of the side mirrors). This may be reduced over time as things get duller and dirtier but its annoying now.

Backup camera image in rear view mirror is big enough. Sure, the nav screen gives you a bigger picture but the rear view mirror screen lets you see everything you need to see...only smaller.

Blind spots are pretty big. Wish BSM was available on the model I purchased.

A car this big should not have a glove box this small.

Same goes for the center console. The box in the console on the CX-7 seems triple the size of this one. A salesman pointed out that the rear AC takes up the space here which, if true, is the only useful/new information I received from a salesman in this process.

Looking back this list seems negative but they are really only nitpicks. After day one, I am very impressed with the vehicle overall.

 

[tstex]

My comments/Ques bolded - welcome aboard too sjg

.

The leather is not particularly luxurious. It is very stiff. A salesman actually responded that "all Japanese cars have stiff leather because it's more durable." My Subaru Legacy GT Limited had much softer leather and it has been durable. The CX-9 leather is a small step above vinyl.

Question to all, is the leather in the GT of higher quality than the Touring?

I test drove a Touring without the Bose system and I'm challenged to notice a great difference. I don't have a great ear for this kind of thing but we'll see if this was worth it. I do like the feature that adjusts the volume based on cabin noise and I think that only comes with Bose.

I had a loaner CX9 w/out Bose and my CX9 w/ Bose sounds much better than the loaner...also, I was not aware of the "adjusting volume feature" based on cabin noise? How do you initiate this feature?


Lots of reflections off the windows up front: Defroster vents reflect off the windshield. Black trim reflects off the side windows (right in front of the side mirrors). This may be reduced over time as things get duller and dirtier but its annoying now.

Backup camera image in rear view mirror is big enough. Sure, the nav screen gives you a bigger picture but the rear view mirror screen lets you see everything you need to see...only smaller.

Blind spots are pretty big. Wish BSM was available on the model I purchased.

BSM is a great feature !

A car this big should not have a glove box this small.

Agreed, as well as the console is small. The area for my sunglasses is too small also...

Same goes for the center console. The box in the console on the CX-7 seems triple the size of this one. A salesman pointed out that the rear AC takes up the space here which, if true, is the only useful/new information I received from a salesman in this process.

Looking back this list seems negative but they are really only nitpicks. After day one, I am very impressed with the vehicle overall.

 

[sjg]

I believe the GT and Touring have the same leather but one of the upgrades in the 2010 models is supposed to be improved seating surfaces for all trim levels (cloth and leather).

I believe the Bose offers some additional audio features. When you press/rotate the features nob there is something that might be called "audiopilot" or something like that and I think that's how you get the volume to autoadjust.

 

[vikefan7]

To get to the audiopilot on an '08 you have to hit audio and then hit Sound and it takes you to the area to adjust the bass, treble, etc. Then you hit amp and it should be right there.