Potential 2013 CX-9 GT Owner

[chance72]

Hi all. I am in the process of looking to buy a GT with the rear entertainment package, with the DVD player. I don't want a sunroof, so that would be my only tech option.

Here's my question. How good is the nav system? And how good is the DVD player? I read where the nav system isn't the greatest. And I've read where people have had trouble with the DVD player.

In all honesty, I could live without both. But if I can get a great price with it, I'm ok having the nav and DVD player. If they are crap, I might just go look for a GT with no tech package.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[chance72]

Bump. Has no one had experience with one or the other? Preferably both .

 

[ceric]

NAVI is not great but usable.

 

[IgoZoom]

The 2013 touch-screen interface for the audio and navigation system is a significant improvement over 2007-2012 models, but the NAV still isn't the most polished or user-friendly unit. But it gets the job done for those who need NAV.

I have heard nothing about the Rear Entertainment System in the 2013 and the RES in 2012 and earlier models was nothing special. Most auto buying guides online actually advise against buying any new vehicle with a Rear Entertainment System installed. Two iPads/Tablets mounted to the back of the front seats or headrests are a much less expensive, higher quality and more versatile solution and can be easily upgraded when a new version is released.

But there is one feature that you will miss out on if you don't get either the Rear Entertainment or Tech Package- the Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound Audio System! My suggestion would be to go ahead and get a GT with Tech Package. Forget that the sunroof even exists (I forget my 2012 has one) and enjoy the Bose Audio System and SiriusXM sat radio. The lack of a sunroof and Bose Audio (and NAV) will hurt when you decide to sell or trade the vehicle.

BTW, any 2013 CX-9 can have Navigation added to the integrated touchscreen for around $500 at the dealer. Just FYI.

 

[chance72]

The 2013 touch-screen interface for the audio and navigation system is a significant improvement over 2007-2012 models, but the NAV still isn't the most polished or user-friendly unit. But it gets the job done for those who need NAV.

I have heard nothing about the Rear Entertainment System in the 2013 and the RES in 2012 and earlier models was nothing special. Most auto buying guides online actually advise against buying any new vehicle with a Rear Entertainment System installed. Two iPads/Tablets mounted to the back of the front seats or headrests are a much less expensive, higher quality and more versatile solution and can be easily upgraded when a new version is released.

But there is one feature that you will miss out on if you don't get either the Rear Entertainment or Tech Package- the Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound Audio System! My suggestion would be to go ahead and get a GT with Tech Package. Forget that the sunroof even exists (I forget my 2012 has one) and enjoy the Bose Audio System and SiriusXM sat radio. The lack of a sunroof and Bose Audio (and NAV) will hurt when you decide to sell or trade the vehicle.

BTW, any 2013 CX-9 can have Navigation added to the integrated touchscreen for around $500 at the dealer. Just FYI.

Thanks ceric and IgoZoom!!

Terrific insights IgoZoom. I just googled about the value of sunroofs. I had never thought that sunroofs would be something that really would add value at resale. Very good information to know. Out of all the tech stuff, the Bose system is the one thing I did want. Won't use the NAV much, but I can live with it as long as it's usable...when I do have to use it. Good info about DVD players in general. And you know at some point DVD discs will become obsolete . Whatever car we buy we plan to keep for a long time.

I think I shall now modify my search to look for a GT with tech package/sunroof instead. I think I can live with a sunroof that can be used long into the future, rather than a DVD player that might end up breaking...or can't be used with the new fangled disc technology of the future. And that should even save me some money upfront with the price of the car. Win win.

This definitely helps a lot. A very big thank you!

 

[jrgmanict]

I have to agree with IgoZoom and not buy the DVD system but go with a aftermarket one, whether it is a IPAD, Laptops, Headrest DVD players.
The reason for this is that when we bought our Montana Mini-van we had one put in by the dealer and it looked like original Equipment and I was thinking it would help with Trade in when the time came. Well it did not and so I'm looking now when we purchase vehicles to not put that in but do something else if needed. All my kids have Laptops and I can bring Inverters if needed to allow their Laptops to be powered for any trip as needed. Just not worth the cost anymore. I have a 2012 GT with sunroof and it stays closed most of the time. A close friend that I have let drive the CX9 used the Sunroof more then I have. I like the Bose sound system just wish I would have picked up the 6 cd changer instead of the single unit but it is what it is.
I love my CX9 and would have no problem going for another at this time, hopefully Mazda will improve upon it in the future.
John

 

[bob23]

I have a 2013 GT with the NAV and Entertainment system. The NAV hasn't failed me yet and the entertainment system really keeps my kids occupied, but so does the one in my wife's car that hangs on the headrests. I do have to say that movies sound incredible through the Bose system, it also comes with two sets of wireless headphones that so that you and the wife can listen to something else while the kids are watching the movie if you want.

Bob

 

[IgoZoom]

I have a 2012 GT with sunroof and it stays closed most of the time. A close friend that I have let drive the CX9 used the Sunroof more then I have. I like the Bose sound system just wish I would have picked up the 6 cd changer instead of the single unit but it is what it is.
I love my CX9 and would have no problem going for another at this time, hopefully Mazda will improve upon it in the future.
John

You have a 2012 with Bose and Sunroof but only a single-CD player? That means you have NAV also, right? I have a 2012 CX-9 GT with the Moonroof/Bose Package which includes a 6-CD changer, but the NAV system drops the Changer and goes back to a single disc.

The Bose system is definitely one of my favorite features, right behind the handling and performance. The Aisin 6-speed automatic is the absolute best automatic transmission I've ever experienced, too.

 

[tex2670]

You have a 2012 with Bose and Sunroof but only a single-CD player? That means you have NAV also, right? I have a 2012 CX-9 GT with the Moonroof/Bose Package which includes a 6-CD changer, but the NAV system drops the Changer and goes back to a single disc.

The Bose system is definitely one of my favorite features, right behind the handling and performance. The Aisin 6-speed automatic is the absolute best automatic transmission I've ever experienced, too.

CDs? What are those?.....

 

[IgoZoom]

CDs? What are those?.....

I'm not sure what they area...all I know is one day I went out to my car and all of my Anne Murray and Juice Newton 8-tracks were gone and these pretty, shiny round discs were in their place....I was amazed! And even more amazing, they have more than eight songs on each one...

 

[jrgmanict]

Yep I have the Nav System, thinking that might be the issue, but still think you could fit both in the area.
Just more of a pain then anything as I use Pandora and the MP3's on my Note more then I actually use the CD player.

You have a 2012 with Bose and Sunroof but only a single-CD player? That means you have NAV also, right? I have a 2012 CX-9 GT with the Moonroof/Bose Package which includes a 6-CD changer, but the NAV system drops the Changer and goes back to a single disc.

The Bose system is definitely one of my favorite features, right behind the handling and performance. The Aisin 6-speed automatic is the absolute best automatic transmission I've ever experienced, too.

 

[jrgmanict]

Eight Track heck I went from Reel to Reel to CD's
I did have a couple of 8 track tapes that got played over and over again....
I'm in the process of moving all my vinyl to MP3's right now, picked up a USB Turntable that will do all three speeds (33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm)

I'm not sure what they area...all I know is one day I went out to my car and all of my Anne Murray and Juice Newton 8-tracks were gone and these pretty, shiny round discs were in their place....I was amazed! And even more amazing, they have more than eight songs on each one...

 

[IgoZoom]

Yep I have the Nav System, thinking that might be the issue, but still think you could fit both in the area.
Just more of a pain then anything as I use Pandora and the MP3's on my Note more then I actually use the CD player.

Mazda struggled a bit with navigation systems and technology until very recently. The CX-9 hit the market in 2007, so the NAV system was designed prior to that. Apparently they needed the space that the CD Changer would occupy to cram it in there.

My 2006 Mazda3 has the world's largest glovebox and, even though I loved the space, I wondered for years why it was so huge. It's deep enough that could put two 15" laptops in there and the owner's manual and still close the door! I finally learned the answer from a Mazda tech I met online. In the 2004-2009 Mazda3, the Nav display popped up from the middle of the dash, but the 'brains' were located in the glovebox. It consumed about 2/3 of that vast space, so it was huge.

Mazda has finally improved their interface on the latest models. But the touchscreen is still smaller than most competitors and most reviews I've read of the 2013 CX-9 and 2014 Mazda3 and Mazda6 mention that it needs to be larger. But it could be MUCH worse- if not for the divorce from Ford, they might have the godawful MyFordTouch system instead!

 

[ceric]

I think the 7" screen on my Mazda3 is big enough.
Unless, of course, someone likes the Tesla way of combining all interface into one big screen.

New might not be better, though.
On my new Mazda3, I feel that the NAVI is not taking the steering angle and vehicle speed into the NAVI system.
Without these two info, the NAVI is as dumb as your hand held GPS. And, it actually feels that way.
However, new Mazda interface on Mazda3 is much better in many ways, but there are some bugs to iron out, still.

 

[chance72]

Just went from potential to real owner. Did end up getting a liquid silver GT with the tech package. Thanks for all the feedback. I might actually enjoy the sunroof...more than I'd ever enjoy with the DVD player. I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with all the tech features. First ever Mazda for this family.

 

[ceric]

Welcome.
I don't have the tech package 2TE or 3TE.
Hope you enjoy it.

 

[table5511]

Congrats!! and they make plenty of aftermarket dvd units that you can attach to the inside of the roof if you wanted that. That was my decision too, sunroof over rear entertainment.