Should I buy 2008 cx-9 GT with 60k?...

[nkompare]

Hi All,
I've been shopping for a vehicle for a couple of months and have settled on the cx-9. I had intended to buy a lower milage used model (~20k-30k) but I really like the GT features.

I know with many vehicles (and boats) there are generally a set of repairs an owner can expect to make at certain age/mileage milestones. I am a Honda owner and still feeling the cost of replacing the timing belt.

If I buy the 2008 with 60k (asking price is $18,700) hat can I expect in repairs over the next 50k and 5 years?

Thanks in advance.
-Nick

 

[table5511]

Nick, welcome to the forum!

You will need to drain/refill the trans fluid pretty much as soon as you get it (unless you can find documentation that it has already been done) which will run you about 150 - 200 bucks. If it is all wheel drive, you may want to look at the rear differential to see if the seal is leaking...08's have some rear differential issues so be careful if you get all wheel drive on an 08. You may want to flush the coolant @ 60k, Depending on how the tires are doing, tires for the GT model run about 150 minimum per tire. Make sure you get it out on the interstate to at least 70mph to make sure the wheels are ok, being 20 inch wheels with only a 50 profile tire. If it shakes violently, you may ask them to get the shaking under control before making your purchasing decision. (because if they get a wheel balance and it still shakes, they may have hit some nasty potholes, etc).

Although my CX-9 is an 08' with 54k and I plan on keeping it for a very long time, I would suggest you find one with lower mileage. The reason I say that is because unless the owner is like me and is extremely ANAL about keeping everything documented on the computer and in a file folder and slows down over any bump and keeps the engine bay in like new condition, etc, you just never know what you are buying if there is no documentation about maintenance and you don't know how many owners there have been or if the car was beat like a dog.

Good luck in your search!

 

[nkompare]

Great info! -- Thanks.
This vehicle IS in fact AWD. Can you expand on the rear differential issues? Is that a show stopper or is it resolved by changing fluids?
I'll try to wait for a lower mileage vehicle but there don't seem to be many in the market around me.
This is a dealer who is selling it so perhaps I can negotiate some of those maintenance items pre-purchase.
The other potential "issue" is that although the color is listed Black Cherry Mica, it looked purple to me under the shop lights. I need to look at it again outside.

 

[table5511]

Here is one of the threads on leaking differentials... http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...l-axle-seal-is-leaking&highlight=differential

The other problem a couple people have had is they notice when making a right hand turn that there would be a "grinding" noise. Some of those folks simply needed new brakes, but it was determined that a couple of them that had grinding noises when turning were rear differentials going bad. There is a thread on that here too somewhere I can't find. I stay away from AWD because I don't live in a really snowy area or have many hills, AWD is higher maintenance in general, weighs more, reduces gas mileage, and goes through tires quicker usually. But to each his own.

I drove about 2.5 hours south to get my CX-9, and would have driven further for the right one if I had to.

 

[ceric]

I think it is a good idea to check the wheel bearings also.
If I were you I would spend $100-200 on a full inspection by a Mazda dealer.
This is different from the free full-circle inspection. They know what to do.

 

[jal142]

The factory brakes on these cars have been troublesome for some people. Check their condition.

 

[jabba]

We have a 2008 GT with 56k, and although we haven't had many issues, I'd say that you'd probably have to change most fluids, the battery, brakes, and might start having some issues with AC fan motor if the AC drain is clogged up and water backs up into the motor--you can have the drain cleaned out just to make sure. You might also need to change wheel bearings, one of ours went at 50k.

 

[jb1239]

We've had our 07 GT since July. Has 56K on it now. Couldn't be happier. But, I am a little nervous about impending repairs to the wheel bearings, rear diff, as well as trans and coolant flushes. Just have no way of telling if the bearings and diff need repair. Also unsure about vehicle history.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

Like any other car that age, I would be concerned too. I suggest having it checked thoroughly before the 5yr/60k divetrain warranty expires if that is in effect. Also any emissions control systems that still may be covered. Original Mazda brake pads and shoes are warrantied for life. Replacement batteries for 3 years.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=ownersWarranty

Was it a private sale? Any dealer promises?

 

[table5511]

Nkompare... check out these threads on some AWD issues

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123823315-08-New-Transfer-Case-Any-TSB-s-out-there
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123824970-09-GT-AWD-leaky-PTO(transfer-case)

 

[NWCX9]

I have an 08' AWD Touring with 80K on it and have nothing but good luck with my CX9. Bought it with 20K from a local mazda dealer (was a certified vehicle - 100k warranty on powertrain and engine). Nothing major so far.....just brake pads, tires and tune-ups. No leaking fluids, issues with PTO, etc. Been very happy.......just getting ready to upgrade stock speaker system. Don't let the AWD stories scare you away....if you have a need for it pull the trigger! The AWD system is pretty bad-ass in the snow.