blkcherimika
Member
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- CX-7 FWD, Bose 6CD & MoonRoof, PDS
Our CX-7 Goes to the Ozarks - October, 2007
Narrative, Stats, Observations & Evaluations, and Moments of Note
The Narrative
Our first vacation in more than eighteen months was also our first significant road trip in the CX-7. The first 3800 miles have been primarily in-town commuting with a few short day-trips thrown in for fun. Pleased with it’s performance and utility on an occasional basis, we were both curious as to how the little XUV would serve as a constant companion for a solid week.
Not to worry. Wow! I won’t belabor the point, but suffice it to say that the comfort, performance, precise handling, and, utility of our baby was remarkable! She proved to be the best travel vehicle we’ve ever owned, bar none. And we’ve owned plenty over the years... Lincolns, Audis, Buicks, Toyos, to name a few - and most recently, at least four other Mazdas.
This was a seven-day trip that took us from the flat Red River Delta of Northwest Louisiana to the magnificent Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas. We encountered rain, high winds and extreme temperature swings.
We traveled on roads that were smooth as glass, and others that were rocky and washboard-rough. Some were straight as an arrow for miles and miles, and some were crooked and steep with as many as eight switch-backs in three-quarters of a mile.
Through it all, our 2007 Black Cherry Mica CX-7 Sport adapted like a duck takes to water. She never failed. Never complained.
The Stats (percentages are educated estimates)
Total miles of trip: 1,347
Highway/road type: Interstate/divided roadway - 20%, two-lane asphalt highway - 50%, city streets - 10%, gravel county roads - 10%, single-lane off-road U. S. Forestry Service wilderness and logging roads - 10%
Trip MPG: 22.8 (with a heavy foot)
Highest price per gallon paid for premium: $3.09.9
Days of rain: 2
Temperature extremes: 83 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Altitude extremes: 190 ft. to 3,150 ft above sea level
Tire pressure: Steady, with one no-fault exception (see “Moments of Note”, below)
Total load weight: At departure... approximately 500 lbs. Upon return... app. 575 lbs
Total number of other CX-7s seen on trip: Four... 1 Icy Blue, 2 Copper Reds, 1 Platinum
Total number of mountain ranges traversed: Three... The Ouchitas, The Bostons, and The Ozarks (photos)
Top speed achieved: 105 MPH (on a straight 2-lane asphalt highway, while the wife was asleep) NOTE: This stat was added today (10-29) at the request of "Shaz" who just knew I woulda had to.
The Observations & Evaluations
Drive train
Engine/Power: Flawless! Up hill or down, at low or high cruising speeds... passing was effortless, with instantaneous response, and safely accomplished. We feel that our 22.8 average mileage for the trip was great. The CX-7 was well-loaded, we were in mountains most of the time, and it's much too much fun for me to drive conservatively. The CEL did come on, and then go off, eleven times... seemingly without rhyme or reason. As I write this, it's been OFF for about 150 miles.
Transmission: The most pleasant surprise of all. On steep grades the six-speed always found the right gear. Downhill, a tap on the brakes resulted in a down-shift, helping slow the Mazda. Uphill, she would down-shift until the proper power-to-weight ratio was reached. All without any annoying jerks, strain or frightening noises. Amazing piece of engineering!
Brakes/TCS/ABS
Apply foot-pressure... it will STOP! A panic stop ( I now know the true meaning of the term) from 50 MPH - to avoid rear-ending a crawling eighteen-wheeler as we rounded an uphill curve in the rain - was accomplished with aplomb by the “7". Didn’t seem to phase the car. There was no skid, no loss of control. But it sure scared the crap out of us!
Handling
*Steering is responsive and sure. Just point and shoot. *Under all road conditions suspension was firm but comfortable with no jarring or maxed out travel. There was no significant dive or roll, ever. *We found the Goodyear OEM tires to be well-suited for the varied road conditions we encountered. There was never a sense of unsure footing. AWD must be awesome.
Comfort/Convenience
*Our manual climate control was easily adjusted for comfort... we alternately used the AC and heat with more than satisfactory results. *Cruise Control was intuitive and performed reliably under constant changes in load. However, the on/off function does seems like overkill. *The Bose Premium Sound system performed better than any other we’ve had. We like both the Centerpoint and Audio Pilot functions. The 6-disc changer got a work-out with no problems. *While the power driver’s seat kept me relaxed and ache-less, it is a disappointment that the front passenger seat is not fully adjustable. Even a height-only adjust would be welcome. *The center console is cavernous and held every thing from a dozen CDs, camera and binoculars, to maps and an umbrella. *Cup-holders and other storage compartments were more than enough for the two of us, but it’s easy to see how this area might be a deficiency for our daughter's family of five. *The flip-over cargo floor is an ingenious and practical feature that kept our carpet side clean under some pretty nasty conditions. Too bad the tray doesn’t come standard. We could have used it. *Cargo capacity was ample for us (and I have a wife who packs three weeks worth of stuff for a one week trip). Behind the second seat we stored two suitcases, two overnight bags, two hanging bags (flat), an ice chest, 2 camping chairs, two cartons of soft drinks and a large box of groceries (we lodged in housekeeping cabins). All fit below the rear-view sight line (photo). No kidding! On the return, I had to lower the second row to accommodate the various “necessary purchases”.
Design
It will come as no surprise to any of you that this car drew attention wherever we went. Unsolicited positive comments were numerous, and looks of admiration (and envy from those driving you-know-whats) were not uncommon. Lexus owners seemed especially annoyed.
What’s remarkable to me is that while cutting-edge in design, the CX-7 is extremely user-friendly and practical. The only significant design flaw I found is that the driver’s side A-pillar arrangement creates a forward blind spot in left-hand curves. At speed on a two-lane road, this can be a little unnerving if not downright dangerous. I learned to compensate, but it was awkward and distracting to do so. And, I had to slow down!
The Moments of Note
Sweeping panoramic views from atop White Rock Mountain in the Ozark National Forest (photo). We made it, safely, up the most deplorable logging road I’ve ever driven.
A near-flat tire (roofing nail) fixed immediately by a Mom & Pop service center in Fayettevill, AR who put us ahead of about a dozen other jobs and had us out in fifteen minutes for ten bucks (photo). This after Firestone and Pep Boys each said “two hours”. Love that low-pressure indicator light!
Encounter with the Hot Springs Corvette Club on their monthly cruise. There were about a dozen late-model Corvette’s, all roadsters. While I was in the restroom one of their members asked Kay if he could drive the CX-7. She said “YES”!!!!!!!!!!! (well, it is her car). I come out and the guy’s wife is laughing her ass off and says that my wife and her husband have left with the Mazda, but she’s got a yellow Corvette I can drive (she didn’t hand me the keys). Upon their return he announced to his fellow members that it was what driving a ‘Vette SUV would probably be like! I’m pretty sure that was a complement! Of course that’s the photo I didn’t get - “A CX-7 among the ‘Vettes”. After a head-slap we went back, but they were gone (no photo).
Stunning fall foliage - scarlets, purples and golds - at War Eagle Mill, along Highway 12 in the Ozark Mountains. That expansive windshield and the moon roof made it a show in Cinemax.
Learning that unlike our home-town of Shreveport, some cities (like Fayetteville, AR) boast of two Dillards Department Stores in one mall. One is for men and children, and the other, for women. Guess which one we spent our time (and money) in.
Quiet solitude, with my darling wife of forty-two years, holding hands, in front of a roaring fire, in a restored 1930s WPA cabin, in the Lee Creek Valley, at Devil’s Den State Park Wilderness Area, twenty miles west of Winslow, AR. And, oh yeah... with the CX-7 parked just up the hill (photos).
Here are the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/blkcherimika/sets/72157602758928176/
Narrative, Stats, Observations & Evaluations, and Moments of Note
The Narrative
Our first vacation in more than eighteen months was also our first significant road trip in the CX-7. The first 3800 miles have been primarily in-town commuting with a few short day-trips thrown in for fun. Pleased with it’s performance and utility on an occasional basis, we were both curious as to how the little XUV would serve as a constant companion for a solid week.
Not to worry. Wow! I won’t belabor the point, but suffice it to say that the comfort, performance, precise handling, and, utility of our baby was remarkable! She proved to be the best travel vehicle we’ve ever owned, bar none. And we’ve owned plenty over the years... Lincolns, Audis, Buicks, Toyos, to name a few - and most recently, at least four other Mazdas.
This was a seven-day trip that took us from the flat Red River Delta of Northwest Louisiana to the magnificent Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas. We encountered rain, high winds and extreme temperature swings.
We traveled on roads that were smooth as glass, and others that were rocky and washboard-rough. Some were straight as an arrow for miles and miles, and some were crooked and steep with as many as eight switch-backs in three-quarters of a mile.
Through it all, our 2007 Black Cherry Mica CX-7 Sport adapted like a duck takes to water. She never failed. Never complained.
The Stats (percentages are educated estimates)
Total miles of trip: 1,347
Highway/road type: Interstate/divided roadway - 20%, two-lane asphalt highway - 50%, city streets - 10%, gravel county roads - 10%, single-lane off-road U. S. Forestry Service wilderness and logging roads - 10%
Trip MPG: 22.8 (with a heavy foot)
Highest price per gallon paid for premium: $3.09.9
Days of rain: 2
Temperature extremes: 83 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Altitude extremes: 190 ft. to 3,150 ft above sea level
Tire pressure: Steady, with one no-fault exception (see “Moments of Note”, below)
Total load weight: At departure... approximately 500 lbs. Upon return... app. 575 lbs
Total number of other CX-7s seen on trip: Four... 1 Icy Blue, 2 Copper Reds, 1 Platinum
Total number of mountain ranges traversed: Three... The Ouchitas, The Bostons, and The Ozarks (photos)
Top speed achieved: 105 MPH (on a straight 2-lane asphalt highway, while the wife was asleep) NOTE: This stat was added today (10-29) at the request of "Shaz" who just knew I woulda had to.
The Observations & Evaluations
Drive train
Engine/Power: Flawless! Up hill or down, at low or high cruising speeds... passing was effortless, with instantaneous response, and safely accomplished. We feel that our 22.8 average mileage for the trip was great. The CX-7 was well-loaded, we were in mountains most of the time, and it's much too much fun for me to drive conservatively. The CEL did come on, and then go off, eleven times... seemingly without rhyme or reason. As I write this, it's been OFF for about 150 miles.
Transmission: The most pleasant surprise of all. On steep grades the six-speed always found the right gear. Downhill, a tap on the brakes resulted in a down-shift, helping slow the Mazda. Uphill, she would down-shift until the proper power-to-weight ratio was reached. All without any annoying jerks, strain or frightening noises. Amazing piece of engineering!
Brakes/TCS/ABS
Apply foot-pressure... it will STOP! A panic stop ( I now know the true meaning of the term) from 50 MPH - to avoid rear-ending a crawling eighteen-wheeler as we rounded an uphill curve in the rain - was accomplished with aplomb by the “7". Didn’t seem to phase the car. There was no skid, no loss of control. But it sure scared the crap out of us!
Handling
*Steering is responsive and sure. Just point and shoot. *Under all road conditions suspension was firm but comfortable with no jarring or maxed out travel. There was no significant dive or roll, ever. *We found the Goodyear OEM tires to be well-suited for the varied road conditions we encountered. There was never a sense of unsure footing. AWD must be awesome.
Comfort/Convenience
*Our manual climate control was easily adjusted for comfort... we alternately used the AC and heat with more than satisfactory results. *Cruise Control was intuitive and performed reliably under constant changes in load. However, the on/off function does seems like overkill. *The Bose Premium Sound system performed better than any other we’ve had. We like both the Centerpoint and Audio Pilot functions. The 6-disc changer got a work-out with no problems. *While the power driver’s seat kept me relaxed and ache-less, it is a disappointment that the front passenger seat is not fully adjustable. Even a height-only adjust would be welcome. *The center console is cavernous and held every thing from a dozen CDs, camera and binoculars, to maps and an umbrella. *Cup-holders and other storage compartments were more than enough for the two of us, but it’s easy to see how this area might be a deficiency for our daughter's family of five. *The flip-over cargo floor is an ingenious and practical feature that kept our carpet side clean under some pretty nasty conditions. Too bad the tray doesn’t come standard. We could have used it. *Cargo capacity was ample for us (and I have a wife who packs three weeks worth of stuff for a one week trip). Behind the second seat we stored two suitcases, two overnight bags, two hanging bags (flat), an ice chest, 2 camping chairs, two cartons of soft drinks and a large box of groceries (we lodged in housekeeping cabins). All fit below the rear-view sight line (photo). No kidding! On the return, I had to lower the second row to accommodate the various “necessary purchases”.
Design
It will come as no surprise to any of you that this car drew attention wherever we went. Unsolicited positive comments were numerous, and looks of admiration (and envy from those driving you-know-whats) were not uncommon. Lexus owners seemed especially annoyed.
What’s remarkable to me is that while cutting-edge in design, the CX-7 is extremely user-friendly and practical. The only significant design flaw I found is that the driver’s side A-pillar arrangement creates a forward blind spot in left-hand curves. At speed on a two-lane road, this can be a little unnerving if not downright dangerous. I learned to compensate, but it was awkward and distracting to do so. And, I had to slow down!
The Moments of Note
Sweeping panoramic views from atop White Rock Mountain in the Ozark National Forest (photo). We made it, safely, up the most deplorable logging road I’ve ever driven.
A near-flat tire (roofing nail) fixed immediately by a Mom & Pop service center in Fayettevill, AR who put us ahead of about a dozen other jobs and had us out in fifteen minutes for ten bucks (photo). This after Firestone and Pep Boys each said “two hours”. Love that low-pressure indicator light!
Encounter with the Hot Springs Corvette Club on their monthly cruise. There were about a dozen late-model Corvette’s, all roadsters. While I was in the restroom one of their members asked Kay if he could drive the CX-7. She said “YES”!!!!!!!!!!! (well, it is her car). I come out and the guy’s wife is laughing her ass off and says that my wife and her husband have left with the Mazda, but she’s got a yellow Corvette I can drive (she didn’t hand me the keys). Upon their return he announced to his fellow members that it was what driving a ‘Vette SUV would probably be like! I’m pretty sure that was a complement! Of course that’s the photo I didn’t get - “A CX-7 among the ‘Vettes”. After a head-slap we went back, but they were gone (no photo).
Stunning fall foliage - scarlets, purples and golds - at War Eagle Mill, along Highway 12 in the Ozark Mountains. That expansive windshield and the moon roof made it a show in Cinemax.
Learning that unlike our home-town of Shreveport, some cities (like Fayetteville, AR) boast of two Dillards Department Stores in one mall. One is for men and children, and the other, for women. Guess which one we spent our time (and money) in.
Quiet solitude, with my darling wife of forty-two years, holding hands, in front of a roaring fire, in a restored 1930s WPA cabin, in the Lee Creek Valley, at Devil’s Den State Park Wilderness Area, twenty miles west of Winslow, AR. And, oh yeah... with the CX-7 parked just up the hill (photos).
Here are the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/blkcherimika/sets/72157602758928176/
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