Purchasing a CX-9

[Force-1]

I personally prefer a firm ride in my vehicles--so does my wife. That is one of the reasons I chose the CX-9, drive a Corvette, and always get the sport package on my sedans (such as my Cadillac STS).

 

[DaddyD]

I personally prefer a firm ride in my vehicles--so does my wife. That is one of the reasons I chose the CX-9, drive a Corvette, and always get the sport package on my sedans (such as my Cadillac STS).

Maybe that's my problem -- I gotta figure out what kind of ride I really want! (drive2)

 

[DaddyD]

I ordered the Paradas today. $882 out the door including full replacement warranty. They should be in Monday. Weeeeee!

Lemme ask a silly question [yeah, like it'll be my first - lol]:
Are you driving a Sport, but with 20" rims (or a Touring, which I know has 20" standard)?
I'm asking because at a quick glance looking up specs on the PARADA SPEC-X, I saw only 20" (and up) sizes.
Do they come in 18"?

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

245-60R 18 same as Sport stock. They come in four 18" sizes.

I prefer the look and ride of the 18s on the CX9

 

[vikefan7]

I have to agree with Force-1, I actually prefer a little firmer ride, but trust me it's not that bad. I've got the 20"s and I can't imagine the ride is that much worse than the Traverse.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Try better than the Traverse, which is detached and heavy.

 

[blkcx9]

Change out the Dueller tires before you buy it.....terrible traction in snow!!

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Change out the Dueller tires before you buy it.....terrible traction in snow!!

Amen brother

 

[DaddyD]

Change out the Dueller tires before you buy it.....terrible traction in snow!!

Amen brother

I dig where you're both coming from - reading the reviews on the Duelers is chilling stuff.
But I dunno, the idea that I need to spend $900+ of my own money to replace the new tires on a brand-new car seems, well ... (nuts)
On the plus side, I guess, snow season is over here and I could defer the replacement until next winter.
Oh, but wait, the Duelers are not good in the rain, either. Yikes.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

See if you can trade them for better tires, either at the dealer, or a tire shop.

 

[DaddyD]

Try better than the Traverse, which is detached and heavy.

Actually, as someone who has recently driven the CX-9, then Traverse a short while afterward, I gotta tell ya that the Traverse feels plenty peppy, fairly responsive in both handling and braking, and not too "boaty."

Now I'm not at all saying it's better than the CX-9 (which I'm gonna test drive again to better gauge how much I like it). In fact, I'm sure the Mazda's much better on any kind of road other than maybe your straight freeway.

But the Chevy does alright (for its size). (usa)

 

[DaddyD]

See if you can trade them for better tires, either at the dealer, or a tire shop.

Oh, hey thanks. I'm new to these kinds of things, and hadn't thought of that.
That would reduce at least some of the cost, I can see.

 

[Bajan Loch]

Actually Americans make some really nice cars. The problem is not the people building them, it's the specifications they are given.

Mexico and Canada built 'American' cars suck because the makers don't specify a higher set of standards.

I can't let this go...do you mean the cars made in Mexico and Canada are not made as well as cars made in the USA? Where are you getting your data from? Which vehicles are you referring to?

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

No, I mean cars made by 'American' companies, regardless of where they are made. Lots of 'Import' cars are made in the USA and are great cars.

The problem I have with American cars being made in Canada or Mexico is that the big 3 try to guilt us into buying their cars by saying we should support America, even when they are not. So, I buy the best car, regardless of where it's made.

If they want to cut costs by making cars elsewhere then they need to shut up about "buy American". I can buy a Hyundai Sonata and support American workers more than if I buy a Ford Edge.

No offense against workers in other countries. They just make what they are told.

 

[wontonjon]

I dig where you're both coming from - reading the reviews on the Duelers is chilling stuff.
But I dunno, the idea that I need to spend $900+ of my own money to replace the new tires on a brand-new car seems, well ... (nuts)
On the plus side, I guess, snow season is over here and I could defer the replacement until next winter.
Oh, but wait, the Duelers are not good in the rain, either. Yikes.

Post #1; Excited new owner of CX-9....

Course, after spending an good portion of an hour reading about how horrible the Duellers perform in rain/snow/etc...I freaked out and proceeded to register on Mazdaforums...(having spent 7 years on e46fanatics and getting all the good info out of that, I figured it would be wise for me to find another forum to spend all my "extra" time on -sure the wife will love that).

But on to the important question then - for those owners out there, what has been a good replacement tire? The reviews have scared me so much I'm contemplating buying another set of tires/wheels for the winter.

TIA

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Welcome. The two tires I arrived at after looking at performance, availability, ice traction (we have moderate winters, but enough to be afraid of the Duelers) were the Michelin Latitude Tour HP and the Yokohama Parada Spec X.

Both meet the vehicle load and speed ratings (Don't forget to look for that) and get good owner reviews.

I chose the Paradas because they got better ratings and reviews overall, particularly in snow and ice. Since we don't get a lot of it, but enough, I wanted to get a tire that could handle it without having to invest in a set of snow tires. The Paradas were the best choice from what I've found, and EVERY review said they are also quieter than the tires they replaced.

What are your winters, or winter driving, like?

 

[wontonjon]

live in Colorado - just got through the first winter though it was quite mild. That being said, didn't really venture into the mountains much during winter. Most city driving is light snow/slush/ice (i drive to work on an one lane road that often ices due to crosswinds)...

any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[wontonjon]

also thought (if price is reasonable) getting a set of 18" wheels/tires due to 20" tires costing so much...18" tires seem much more reasonable for winter as well.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

I prefer the 18s over the 20s on the CX9. 20s look slightly too big to me, and you do get a slightly smoother ride with 18s. As you said, wheels and tires are cheaper in 18, too.

 

[wontonjon]

any tire suggestions?