New CX9 owner

[LawHawk]

I think it's so hilarious that people call the CX-9 sporty and it's marketed that way. I was absolutely not in the market for a sporty car. After spending my teens and 20s drooling over Porsches and Ferraris, I decided I don't care about sporty and what I want is comfortable. I think the CX-9 is has a softer ride, and is more comfortable, quieter, and overall more cushy than the "Mom-mobile" Highlander.

I think what happened is that Mazda just built a better vehicle than the other brands. Everything is better about it. It's better at being sporty and it's better at being cushy. Rather than being placed in a different spot along the sporty-to-cushy spectrum as Highlander, it's just one tier above Highlander.

 

[LawHawk]

We've had a pretty snowy winter in my area. I just got out of a Camry with bald tires, so the brand new AWD CX-9 is like night and day.

On the Chrysler subject, I had a Concorde years ago. It was a huge piece of garbage. That experience, plus consistently awful reliability ratings, means that Chrysler has never even been on my list of cars to consider.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

Funny how it's the Chevy Traverse that shines in this SUV category, according to JD Powers latest. CX-9 did not place in any category, (satisfaction, reliability, etc). Only the Miata and 3 showed.

Same week, I heard a story on the tube saying that one report claims Mazda is now #2 in reliability, right behind lexus. NONE of the BIG 3 made the list.

Go figger,..

 

[LawHawk]

Check this out. Top right of the chart means high test scores and reliable, bottom left means worst in both categories. Who's better than Mazda? Lexus, maybe Subaru, maybe Acura. That's it. If you look at it top down, reliability only, Mazda is #4 behind Scion/Lexus/Toyota.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

That's the one - thanks! Odd and sad to see Ford at the bottom of the barrel.

And just months ago the news was "Satisfaction with Detroit cars at an all time high",.. (confused)

Here's the current automakers rankings:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/04/who-makes-the-best-cars/index.htm

And the current CX-9 review:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/mazda/cx-9.htm

 

[vamontan]

Hi JJ, my husband and I just bought a 2012 cx9 GT AWD. We like it so far, except for the passenger seat. Have you noticed any problems with yours?

Also, just wondering if anyone covers the 2nd row tracks so that dirt/debris can't get inside?

Thanks!

 

[table5511]

vamontan, I also hate the passenger seat. I am 6'1" and the seat height is not adjustable, drives me crazy.

We slide our 2nd row fwd/back all the time. There is really no way to cover the tracks per se, but there is only a tiny slot for cheerios to get in there. Has never been a problem for us except for when my daughter's Leap Pad got wedged under there.... one broken Leap pad screen later....

 

[vamontan]

Hi helbigtw, I find the passenger seat really uncomfortable. It tilts me forward and the headrest pushes my head forward. I can't sit relaxed in the seat at all. I need to find a fix b/c I can't sit in it...which is not an option since we just bought it as our family vehicle.

I am obsessed with trying to figure out how to be comfortable in my new car, without having to sit in back with my daughter.
Oh, and obsessed with keeping it as clean as possible, hence covering the tracks if I can!

Thanks!

 

[table5511]

If my wife drives, I have to lean the passenger seatback way back. The seatbottom does sit slightly leaned forward, which is not comfortable for me either. All you can do is lean the seatback back, and either turn the headrest around or put some kind of pillow between the headrest and the seatback. Amazon sells all sorts of things for the area between the seatback and the headrest.

The only other option would be to install a Ford Edge passenger seat (does the Edge even have height adjustment of the passenger seat?), or possibly a Lincoln MKT passenger seat. That would require some serious know how in order to safely integrate the airbag, seatbelt & pretensioner and any occupant position detection system present which involves weight sensors, etc.

Some day, I might remove the passenger seat entirely and see if there is a way to modify the angle of the seatbottom and height of the seat as well. Can't be too hard. I would love to be the first to post a diy thread for how to accomplish that. My biggest concern would be about the supplemental restraint system being affected.

We have 2 carseats in the middle row. Once one of the kids is old enough to sit in the third row with only a booster seat bottom, I will be lounging in the middle row, cuz the middle row bucket seats are reallly comfy.

 

[J&J's Dad]

Hi JJ, my husband and I just bought a 2012 cx9 GT AWD. We like it so far, except for the passenger seat. Have you noticed any problems with yours?

Also, just wondering if anyone covers the 2nd row tracks so that dirt/debris can't get inside?

Thanks!

Interesting, I haven't noticed any issues with the front passenger seat yet. I'm usually the one sitting in it, since my wife wants to drive most of the time since we got the CX-9. I haven't been in it for more than an hour yet though. I'll pay more attention from now on. I was wondering about covering the 2nd row rails also. The WeatherTech floor mats back there seem funny with the slots in them for the rails, but if you do cover them, it'll be a hassle if someone needs to get to the 3rd row.

 

[IgoZoom]

Hey there J&J's dad. May want to consider a 3M clear hood protector on the leading edge of the hood, saves it from rock chips. Mazdas don't have thickest paint.

I have a 2012 CX-9 GT also. I have just started researching the 3M Clear Hood Protector Film. It also appears that you can get the pre-cut film for the entire front bumper, headlights, fender tops and mirrors. I don't think I'll be getting all of those (might as well just wrap the whole car in Bubble Wrap!), but I am curious how 'invisible' the film is once installed? My CX-9 is Crystal White Pearl, if that makes any difference in the appearance.

I also have a 2006 Mazda3 5-door. A few years ago, I noticed the headlight lenses were starting to get 'pitted' and installed a product from WeatherTech called LampGard. I'm very pleased with the performance and look of that product. I would like to install protection on the headlight lenses of my CX-9 in addition to the hood.

Any input will be appreciated! Suggestions on where to purchase the 3M product would also be great!

Thanks!

 

[IgoZoom]

Hi, new to the forum and the CX-9 also. Just traded in my wife's 04 Honda Odyssey EXL RES for a 2012 CX-9 GT yesterday on a bit of an impulse. I love the way the CX-9 drives compared to the Ody! I won't mind driving her car now when were all going somewhere together. Ordered the OEM splash guards and Weather Tech digifit mats for winters here in Chicago land. Anything else to consider right away.

The "Rear Cargo Tray" from Mazda is awesome! It's a three piece rubber mat- one piece covers area behind the 3rd row seat and the other two pieces mount to each side of the 3rd row seat back, so the cargo tray doesn't interfere with using the 3rd row seat, but still covers the entire cargo area when the 3rd row is folded down. I love it! The Cargo Net is also very handy and works well in conjunction with the Cargo Tray. Here's a link- CARGO TRAY

I bought my 2012 CX-9 GT FWD back in November, but I just added the Chrome Rear Bumper Guard and it looks AWESOME!!! Just FYI.

 

[tex2670]

I have the cargo tray--it's awesome. I used to have a cargo tray for my Pilot, and it was a pain having to remove it and store it to put up the rear seats.

 

[IgoZoom]

I have the cargo tray--it's awesome. I used to have a cargo tray for my Pilot, and it was a pain having to remove it and store it to put up the rear seats.

Yeah, I had a one-piece WeatherTech rubber cargo mat in my 2007 Explorer. It had to be removed or awkwardly folded to raise the 3rd row seats. It wasn't an issue for the last two years because the motor failed on one side of the "PowerFold 3rd Row Seat" and it was stuck in the down position permanently...so the 3rd row was useless....and that was just one of the countless problems with that damn thing....I still get goosebumps when I remember the moment that they took it away when I bought my CX-9 back in November...oh happy day!!!

BTW, the other thing I love about the CX-9 Cargo Tray is that it still allows access to the under-floor compartment behind the 3rd row! I have a similar under-floor storage tray in my 2006 Mazda3 Hatchback and it's the perfect place to carry anything that might leak or make a mess when you go shopping. I always put Bleach, cleaners and gallons of Milk in there, just in case something started leaking.