New to forum - Shopping for a CX-7

[Silver Ecstasy]

What's up guys! My name is Mike and I currently have an 05 Pontiac GTO 6-speed. I've been seriously considering a 2007 CX-7 AWD. I test drove one a couple days ago and I absolutely fell in love with it! I originally went to check out a Mazda 6, but decided to curiously sit inside the CX-7 and couldn't believe how "upscale" the car felt. It felt like the design of a Range Rover or something. And the steering felt amazing! The car turns in as if it were a lighter, smaller vehicle. And way better for a "suv".

Anyhow, I subscribed to start gathering some information on the car and start learning as much as I can because I like to make this an educated purchase if I choose to go with the car. My motive is to have a fun, reliable and practical car. My current car is obviously not that, and i've sorta gotten over the lust of speeding all the time. It does nothing but get me in trouble and I'm starting to appreciate something that I will get my money's worth. I'm not willing to waste money anymore on something that I don't entirely get use out of.

I know I remember seeing Z Monster posting at the 350z site about his CX-7 and now I see he's on this forum too. But anyhow, if you guys are able to inform me on anything I should be looking out for, in this car, please let me know!

Issues, common things, hidden features I may not know about? I know i've already seen a couple ECU upgrades that can be done.

My main couple questions are, can you install an aftermarket radio and woofer? I would assume you can, but I always thought that since the HVAC and Radio displays are tied in together towards the top of the dash, that you couldn't remove the radio. Plus in other mazda's, the controls are all built on one face plate, so it'd be impossible to remove the radio (like the RX-8 for example). Also, are there ways to possibly tune or improve on the stock blower? I know my friend had modified the stock wastegate on his WRX STi to amplify a little more sound, like a true Blow off valve. I've been wanting a turbo car for the longest time, so I can't wait if I decide to get this car!

Anyhow, i'm rambling, thanks in advance guys!!

 

[CXRabbit]

I looked into the possiblity of going with the stock radio and having all aftermarket put in. There's a few issues with that at the moment, but I'd guess in the near future at least some of those issues will be resolved.

Right now, no bezel kit is available, so it would all have to be custom. An experienced Audio guy/shop wouldn't have a problem doing so, just make sure they know what they're doing otherwise it'll look like crap.

Double din units WILL fit... you'll get different answers on that... but again, it comes down to the fact that it will be a custom install. There's more than enough room for a double din in there.

From what I know the HVAC and radio systems are not tied together... they just sit inside the same bezel. Again, nothing custom work couldn't take care of.

Radio steering wheel controls shouldn't be an issue. The cable is fairly standard and already available (from what I was told by Crutchfield).

The biggest problem is that above the radio, up on the dashboard, is a separate display that ties into the radio. It shows things like track #, time into a song, which CD is selected, station number, and whether it's FM or AM. I have not yet seen anyone do an aftermarket radio where this was all working properly.

Look at the attachment for speak placement. This applies to the Bose system, but it gives you an idea of where there's room for speakers and what size.

Ultimately, I decided to go with the Tech Package and Bose kit because it all integrates nicely and I'll have less concern about radio theft. Biggest downside is that there's currently no iPod solution if you also want Satellite radio (Bose system only has one input port in the back). I expect there will be a solution in the near future.

(ps. I'm also having a problem with the radio button lights flickering and I'm hoping it's a fluke they can track down and fix quickly. I found one other person online with the same problem that somehow resolved itself - she has no idea how).

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Well, there is a factory iPod interface kit I seen in the Mazda Accessories brochure, that would work right? For stock radio? I am mainly concerned with having my subwoofer's back, but I liked the ability to tune the sound with my radio, and filter out the bass to the door speakers, and let the woofer's do all the work instead.

There are other opportunities too like the JL Cleansweep, its like an adapter for OEM radios that allows you to keep OEM but have aftermarket digital sound going to your speakers. That's an idea too right?

 

[CXRabbit]

Yup... I have a few of those adaptors bookmarked

The Mazda iPod adaptor is supposed to be TERRIBLE... I'd avoid that and go with something like the Neo. The mazda one locks you out of your iPod when it's connected (so you can ONLY control the iPod through the car stereo, and it's not exactly intuitive). Other aftermarket ones at least retain the ability to control the iPod directly.

The Bose system has subs in the doors. Now, they aren't like having a kicker box in the back, but they do sound pretty darn good. It's one of the best factory stereos I've heard. If you want to add more kick though, look at the aftermarket OEM adaptors. As far as compatibility, I'd check with those manufacturers themselves.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Aftermarket OEM adapters? Like the Cleansweep?

 

[CXRabbit]

and Like the Fosgate

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Ohh okay. I'm surprised the doors have woofer's! That is so cool! I have 6" free air woofers in my rear deck of my GTO right now, OEM. They sound like crap.

On the website, it shows that the car has blue illuminated gauges with the GT? Yet no one with the GT pictures on here has those..am I confused?

 

[CXRabbit]

I have the GT and it definitely has blue illumination in the gauges... it's just not obvious because it is also mixed with the red color of the numbers/information. So the actual info lights up in red, but it's all also subtly lit with blue. There's also a tiny overhead light that is blue. This mazda interior shows it pretty accurately

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Ah I see. Cool, thanks for all the info so far!

I'm really diggin the 'turbo' emblem people are putting on, and the chrome accents on the fog lights!

My dad work at an auto body shop and he gets boat loads of HID kits left over from Audi's, Porsche's, BMW's and Benz's. He told me I could have them, but I'm wondering, will the kit fit in the CX's headlamps? Or is it a different type of bulb?

 

[cruzdreamer]

I think the CX 7 is a great transition from your GTO. I had an RX 8 and I am loving this car....I still can't get over the smoothness and yet I still feel it corners and handles much sportier. I like a drivers type car and this has a great mix of what I wanted. I am glad CX Rabbit is helping you on the audio stuff...I am clueless. My RX 8 had hesitation I did not like but this car has about zero....I punch it it goes! I have had her 2 1/2 months and have 4600 miles on it already. Good luck with your car shopping...hope to se you on the forum in the near future too! Zoom, Zoom!!!

 

[CXRabbit]

The Grand Touring comes with HID Headlights.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I think the CX 7 is a great transition from your GTO. I had an RX 8 and I am loving this car....I still can't get over the smoothness and yet I still feel it corners and handles much sportier. I like a drivers type car and this has a great mix of what I wanted. I am glad CX Rabbit is helping you on the audio stuff...I am clueless. My RX 8 had hesitation I did not like but this car has about zero....I punch it it goes! I have had her 2 1/2 months and have 4600 miles on it already. Good luck with your car shopping...hope to se you on the forum in the near future too! Zoom, Zoom!!!

Thanks alot!! Yeah the CX is definitely fast! Its obviously not as fast as my car, but like I said in my first post, I don't even get to go that fast all the time anyhow. And when I do, it costs gas money or tickets heh.

CXRabbit, I'm only going to get the Sport with the moonroof, Bose package. Tryin to keep my lease payment as low as possible, while still leaving room for small mods here and there just to have fun with it.

 

[CXRabbit]

Silver,

Makes sense. Just be aware, because the car is considered so new, a lot of aftermarket stuff isn't readily available yet. It will be soon, and that availability seems to change every day, but you might have to be patient for some stuff

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I'm starting to notice that. I think this will be fun, being able to grow with the car, as it grows in popularity and in aftermarket's sights.

Seen one today on the road and felt like stopping and saying hi lol, i'm not even apart of the group yet!!

 

[CXRabbit]

I haven't seen one yet! I initially thought I saw one around the corner from my house, but it turned out I was wrong (LOL)... after driving by it again the next day (and getting closer) I realized it was another car.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I just love how unique and interesting these cars are. I'm getting more and more anxious by the days. The negative, disappointed posts by other users are a little unnerving, as I have a unreliable car now, so I don't want to get into another car that has problems. But I understand all cars have problems.

I have a friend who knows someone at Mazda, she's going to pull up all the TSB's and service issues so I have it just incase.

 

[CX7andMiata]

I just love how unique and interesting these cars are. I'm getting more and more anxious by the days. The negative, disappointed posts by other users are a little unnerving, as I have a unreliable car now, so I don't want to get into another car that has problems. But I understand all cars have problems.

I have a friend who knows someone at Mazda, she's going to pull up all the TSB's and service issues so I have it just incase.

Hi Silver!

I love my CX-7 and so far have only a couple of small issues. My issues are the MPG (which seems to be getting better as it breaks in, currently have 2K on it and getting about 19city/highway) and the hesitation at 60-70 MPG in 5/6 gear. Other than that and few little annoyances like no auto lock feature after the car starts moving, lack of a real trip computer and lack of IPOD connection, mine is great.

If you are able to get all the service bullentins, would you post them here for the rest of us? I for one would like to see them...

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Well, you guys can complain all you want about MPG, but..

400hp LS2 v8
18.0 gal tank
16 city/26 hwy (I gotta hand it to GM, it gets amazing hwy mileage)

I trust this will be a big improvement for me. May not be drastic, but big enough.

but yeah, I'll definitely do my best. He's not sure entirely what she can get me, but he said it would be along those lines.