Purpleorchid
Member
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- 2012 CX-9 GT AWD Crystal White Pearl Mica
You could always buy a second one, so you can have his/hers CX-9s!!!
New owner of 2012 CX-9!
- Thread starter Purpleorchid
- Start date
SupaDave03
Member
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- 2011 Mazda CX9 Touring
Congrats! On a side note did they make any changes to the 2012 from the 2011.
Purpleorchid
Member
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- 2012 CX-9 GT AWD Crystal White Pearl Mica
I'm not sure. The 2012 accessories I've encountered/researched so far are the same as the 2011 accessories (chrome bumper guard, floor mats). I'm going to hold off on any tow hitches until 2012 compatible ones come out (in case there are any bolt hole differences).
Just make sure you don't put a class III hitch on your CX-9. CX-9 is only rated for 3500lbs due to the construction and thickness of the rear body side rails, the suspension and radiator rating. If you have tow prep, then your radiator can handle the 3500lb rating, but technically, without the towprep, your tow rating would be less than 3500lbs. I saw a CX-9 the other day with a class III hitch which the receiver went under the bottom of the bumper, and not through the cutout. First off, big mistake with the 5,000lb hitch, and secondly, under the bumper is too low, you need the cutout. (even with a tow package by mazda, they still cut your bumper with a saw. the prep is factory and the hitch is done by the dealer). I would highly recommend you buy an oem hitch and have Mazda install it.
Congrats, and nice choice! My wife test drove a Highlander first, and wanted to come home so we can work out the numbers, so she could buy it. I told her to swing by the Mazda dealership and test drive the CX-9. The search was over. I'm a Toyota man, but dollar for dollar, the CX-9 killed the Highlander. CX-9 was Edmunds editor's top pick, and all the reviews we read pretty much put us in that direction. Initially, we had it narrowed down to 3 choices: Chevy Travers, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9. Chevy didn't even make it to the test drive phase, due to pricing for options, and other reasons. Very happy with our CX-9 so far. Welcome to the forum!
Purpleorchid
Member
- :
- 2012 CX-9 GT AWD Crystal White Pearl Mica
We don't have a boat/motorcycle/popup camper trailer, so we would never be towing anything close to 3500lbs. The only thing we'd be "towing" is a hitch bike rack (which we don't own yet and our son is too small to ride a bike anyway) and maybe the once a year UHaul trailer rental if we want to go to the nursery for plants.
I am pretty sure I have the tow prep since I have the Grand Touring AWD...which I believe gives you the tow prep as standard.
rickmillertx
Member
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- Mazda CX9 Grand Touring 2012
I too just purchased the 2012 White Mica FWD Grand Touring. I guess I screwed up by putting on a Curt Class 3 hitch. I will not be towing anything near 3500 pounds.
RobertinMD
Member
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- 2011 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD
Congratulations!
Got a 2011 GT AWD in White Pearl Mica -- and I could not be any happier. What a home run for Mazda with the CX-9. The professional reviewers love it, but most importantly *I* love it. LOL!
I really truly just love getting in it and just GOING, no matter where...down the street, to the mall, to the commuter rail station, or on a 3-hour drive to the Jersey shore on vacation!
Have fun with an absolute gem of a vehicle for your family.
Got a 2011 GT AWD in White Pearl Mica -- and I could not be any happier. What a home run for Mazda with the CX-9. The professional reviewers love it, but most importantly *I* love it. LOL!
I really truly just love getting in it and just GOING, no matter where...down the street, to the mall, to the commuter rail station, or on a 3-hour drive to the Jersey shore on vacation!
Have fun with an absolute gem of a vehicle for your family.
Z-Thrizzle
Member
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- Mazda CX-9, BMW MZ3 Roadster
The only incentive mentioned was 1.9% financing for the 2012. The 2011s have 0% financing. Seeing as how they just got the 2012s in last week, I got $1000 over invoice. I know in general, car dealerships try to suck as much money from buyers, but I enjoyed the dealership and they were not sleazy, so I didn't bother haggling too much. If I was going to buy a 2011, I would have haggled more.
I brought my CX9 to the dealer yesterday to get my roof rails, front matching tint and paint protection installed (licensed 3M installer, plus saves me from having to make a separate appointment at a third party place even though it costs a little more...the last thing I want is a rock chip before I can get it installed). I won't get my car back for another 1.5 days.I miss it already!
How much was it to get matching tints? I think it looks odd without it. Great idea in getting the 3M since the car is brand new. It really sucks getting the 1st paint chip on a new car. Is the dealer installing a 3M kit or is it custom?
This shop by me does really good custom 3M work. Basically they wrap 3M around the body panels.
http://detailingdynamics.com/detailing-services/paint-protection-film/1145
Purpleorchid
Member
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- 2012 CX-9 GT AWD Crystal White Pearl Mica
I can't remember how much it cost at the dealer, but it seemed like it was in the ballpark of the 3rd party place we normally use...a little extra of course, but it was a "convenience fee" for me, LOL.
It was 3M for both tint and paint protection.
It was 3M for both tint and paint protection.
Why do you assume that anyone with a class 3 hitch will be towing 3,500 lbs? I will probably never tow anything with our CX-9, I simply put the 2" receiver on there to better fit our cargo carrier.
I'm curious about why it's such a "big mistake". Many here have installed aftermarket hitches just as I have, without sawing into our bumpers, with no problems whatsoever.
1) I'm just making the point of why would you install a class III hitch on a class II rated vehicle, because now there is the potential for danger.
2) big mistake because your ground clearance is less, meaning you could very easily bottom out the hitch if it is under the bumper.
Geeze.
2) big mistake because your ground clearance is less, meaning you could very easily bottom out the hitch if it is under the bumper.
Geeze.
It is not really a mistake to go with a class 3 hitch below the bumper.
I just bought a 2012 and it had the tow prep but no hitch and as part of the deal I got a hitch installed by the dealer.
The dealer actually recommended the better hitch and they did not cut the bumper but instead installed it under.
Really if you think about it the Receiver is only two inches below were the other hitch is installed. The Hitch itself actually goes up to the side rails that it attaches to.
Most Hitches that I have seen the lowest part is the receiver.
I have plans to tow with the vehicle but not up to the max amount as I will only be towing one or two Street Bikes and the trailer which is less then 2000 pounds as the trailer weighs 400 pounds, one bike ways 500 pounds and the second bike weighs around 700 or 800 pounds. for a total of 1700 pounds.
The nice thing over the stock hitch is that I have more choices for what to use as far as Ball Mounts and other things.
For example I need 21 inches of height so that my trailer sets right and the bikes can be loaded properly (bottom out as it is being loaded).
So I bought a adjustable mount that allows me to raise my ball up to the bumper level.
The issue with bottoming out is more of a issue if you go with a ball mount that has to low of a drop.
As far as over towing with a higher rated hitch is always a issue but it is the fault of the owner not the manufacture as the owner you should know what your max towing ability is and should follow that to a T. That goes for any vehicle out there on the market capable of towing.
It is just overkill to go with a higher rated hitch then a mistake but it is a acceptable choice for someone to make.
Here is a picture of my hitch install and the Ball mount that I have installed.
It is the same ball mount that I had to use with my GMC 1500 truck as the trailer front end set to low on that vehicle too.
When I get the chance I will measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the reciever for each of the three vehicles I have to see were they set.
It has got me curious to see what the difference is between them.
I just bought a 2012 and it had the tow prep but no hitch and as part of the deal I got a hitch installed by the dealer.
The dealer actually recommended the better hitch and they did not cut the bumper but instead installed it under.
Really if you think about it the Receiver is only two inches below were the other hitch is installed. The Hitch itself actually goes up to the side rails that it attaches to.
Most Hitches that I have seen the lowest part is the receiver.
I have plans to tow with the vehicle but not up to the max amount as I will only be towing one or two Street Bikes and the trailer which is less then 2000 pounds as the trailer weighs 400 pounds, one bike ways 500 pounds and the second bike weighs around 700 or 800 pounds. for a total of 1700 pounds.
The nice thing over the stock hitch is that I have more choices for what to use as far as Ball Mounts and other things.
For example I need 21 inches of height so that my trailer sets right and the bikes can be loaded properly (bottom out as it is being loaded).
So I bought a adjustable mount that allows me to raise my ball up to the bumper level.
The issue with bottoming out is more of a issue if you go with a ball mount that has to low of a drop.
As far as over towing with a higher rated hitch is always a issue but it is the fault of the owner not the manufacture as the owner you should know what your max towing ability is and should follow that to a T. That goes for any vehicle out there on the market capable of towing.
It is just overkill to go with a higher rated hitch then a mistake but it is a acceptable choice for someone to make.
Here is a picture of my hitch install and the Ball mount that I have installed.
It is the same ball mount that I had to use with my GMC 1500 truck as the trailer front end set to low on that vehicle too.
When I get the chance I will measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the reciever for each of the three vehicles I have to see were they set.
It has got me curious to see what the difference is between them.
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You may want to get that in writing from the manufacturer; from Mazda corporate.
Congrats on your purchase. I'm looking for a new second car and it has made me realize how many options our two year old cx-9 have that most don't. I have only two real complaints. The wind noise and the biggest NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE NAVI WHILE MOVING! Sorry for yelling but that kills me. There are other small things but you can't beat the price and so far it has been bulletproof.
If Mazda had a issue with Class 3 Hitches being installed in lieu of Class 2 Hitches, then no dealer would sell or install the Class 3 hitch.
Still trying to figure out the danger you see as I'm not seeing it.
If the receiver bottoms out then I will be having more serious problems then just a Class three Hitch as the suspension will be dragging also and a few other parts before the Hitch hits the road.
I personally like the fact that instead of being on the top end of the limit of the Hitch, I'm more towards the middle of the limit (3500 lbs vs 5000 lbs).
As long as I do not exceed the max limit set forth from Mazda it should not matter what Hitch I have on there.
I have plans nor would I want to exceed the limit of my vehicle in towing as that can cause some serious problems and I'm not just talking about mechanical failures but other issues that could come up by exceeding those limits. Like I said my limit may be two thousand pounds for the Motorcycles.
This is one of the reasons I chose the CX9 was the fact it had the 3500 lb towing capacity, the other choice I was looking at was the pilot and I already know what and how it can tow.
It has a 4000 lb towing limit (AWD Touring) and it also comes with a Class three hitch at the bottom of the bumper, not below but at the bottom.
Still trying to figure out the danger you see as I'm not seeing it.
If the receiver bottoms out then I will be having more serious problems then just a Class three Hitch as the suspension will be dragging also and a few other parts before the Hitch hits the road.
I personally like the fact that instead of being on the top end of the limit of the Hitch, I'm more towards the middle of the limit (3500 lbs vs 5000 lbs).
As long as I do not exceed the max limit set forth from Mazda it should not matter what Hitch I have on there.
I have plans nor would I want to exceed the limit of my vehicle in towing as that can cause some serious problems and I'm not just talking about mechanical failures but other issues that could come up by exceeding those limits. Like I said my limit may be two thousand pounds for the Motorcycles.
This is one of the reasons I chose the CX9 was the fact it had the 3500 lb towing capacity, the other choice I was looking at was the pilot and I already know what and how it can tow.
It has a 4000 lb towing limit (AWD Touring) and it also comes with a Class three hitch at the bottom of the bumper, not below but at the bottom.
Thanks
Have not really had any issues with wind noise with the CX9 yet but only have a few hundred miles on it so far.
See what happens as it gets broken in and the seals get older.
You wanna talk about wind noise drive a Pilot and there is some wind noise for you. The wife's car is a 2009 Pilot AWD Touring and it is noisy at highway speeds.
I have to agree it surprised me the other day when the wife went to set the Nav unit on the go and it was locked out. That to me is a issue and would love to see Mazda remove that lock. The nav unit on the pilot allows you to make adjustments or program without stopping, we have had a number of times we needed to change the route on the fly.
Good luck on your car search as that is the reason we bought the CX9 as it is my backup transportation since most of my commuting is on two wheels and not four. I would have just stuck with driving the truck but I have one with a learners permit and one coming up in age to get her's so we needed the extra vehicle for those rainy day's I cannot drive the truck to work.
Have not really had any issues with wind noise with the CX9 yet but only have a few hundred miles on it so far.
See what happens as it gets broken in and the seals get older.
You wanna talk about wind noise drive a Pilot and there is some wind noise for you. The wife's car is a 2009 Pilot AWD Touring and it is noisy at highway speeds.
I have to agree it surprised me the other day when the wife went to set the Nav unit on the go and it was locked out. That to me is a issue and would love to see Mazda remove that lock. The nav unit on the pilot allows you to make adjustments or program without stopping, we have had a number of times we needed to change the route on the fly.
Good luck on your car search as that is the reason we bought the CX9 as it is my backup transportation since most of my commuting is on two wheels and not four. I would have just stuck with driving the truck but I have one with a learners permit and one coming up in age to get her's so we needed the extra vehicle for those rainy day's I cannot drive the truck to work.
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- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
There are some functions that are available on the CX 9 Nav that are available during motion. For instance you can set a preset destination. However much of this is directed by lawyers who want to limit the company's liability in case someone kills themselves while futzing with the Nav. Really no different than texting and driving. I will say that it would be nice to enable it if there is a passenger. But that sort of interlock can be easily overridden. So I don't really blame Mazda for this. I blame all those stupid people who aren't accountable for their actions and instead sue the company. Not sure why Honda allows this. Maybe because Mazda believes that you should be paying attention to the road while you're driving.
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- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
Mazda uses NAVI from Denso, which is owned by Toyota. All Toyota/Lexus navi system has the lockout.
Therefore, we have that also.
We Americans are very quick to blame others for our own mistakes. Therefore, lots of lawsuits.
I recall an Infiniti owners suing Infiniti for not making backview camera standard (it was optional and he refused to purchase that option).
He backed up his SUV and injured his own son. He sued Infiniti. I am not aware of the outcome.
Therefore, we have that also.
We Americans are very quick to blame others for our own mistakes. Therefore, lots of lawsuits.
I recall an Infiniti owners suing Infiniti for not making backview camera standard (it was optional and he refused to purchase that option).
He backed up his SUV and injured his own son. He sued Infiniti. I am not aware of the outcome.
How about the guy back in the day in California that killed some folks and he pleaded not guilty because he ate too many twinkies and the twinkies made him do it.
Personal Responsibility, its a real doozy.
