Spent most of the week driving a 2013 CX-9 Sport

[IgoZoom]

I flew up to Raleigh NC last Sunday to spend a few days with my cousin. Her 9-year old daughter has a rare neurological condition and they flew from L.A. to see the best pediatric neurosurgeon in the country at Duke University. They decided to go ahead and perform surgery on her, so I felt like my cousin definitely use some moral support. (FYI- the surgery went perfectly and they left the hospital yesterday afternoon)!

I live about 400 miles away from Raleigh, so I considered driving. But it takes at least eight hours because of the heavy truck traffic and mostly two-lane interstate. Its a miserable drive...plus a friend of ours works for Delta and let me fly on a Buddy Pass so it was free to fly! =)

I reserved a Full-Size Car with Enterprise. I usually reserve a Full-Size, then find out what they have available when I get to the desk. Even though I occasionally get stuck with an Impala, most of the time I get a free upgrade to a Mid-size SUV/Crossover (Grand Cherokee, Edge/Explorer) or even a Premium Car (Maxima or Taurus Limited).

This trip was no different- they were out of full-size cars and asked if I would mind a mid-size SUV. I asked them what they had available and the agent said that two Dodge Journeys were it. Then she double checked and said or a Mazda CX-9, we just got one in. I told her that I owned a CX-9 and would love to have one as a rental.

Most of the CX-9 rentals Ive seen over the years are Touring models, but this one turned out to be a 2013 CX-9 Sport. But I was suprised to learn that when she said they just got one in, she meant newly delivered, not turned in from another customer! It was brand new and I was the first person to rent it....no freaky/toxic rental car odor- BIG PLUS!!!

Overall, I was impressed with how much I liked the base model compared to my 2012 Grand Touring with Moonroof/Bose. It had the Power Drivers Seat & Heated Front Seats option package, but thats it. It was Silver with Black Cloth and the cloth interior looked nice and durable. The only features that I really missed were the Blind Spot Monitor and Bose Stereo. It didnt have a Back-up Camera either, but to be honest Im not that fond of mine anyway.

With that said, the Touring only stickers for $1755 more than the Sport w/ Power Drivers Seat. It would be worth it for the added features (Leather seats, BSM, power passenger seat, rear-view camera, back-up sensors & misc other items).

But even in its most basic form, the CX-9 is a very impressive vehicle! But we already knew that....

 

[theisen_4]

Glad to hear the surgery went well!

I have a 2010 Sport and I agree that it is very nice for the bottom model. Mine came with a few more options: power driver's seat, heated front seats, heated mirrors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear-view camera, all-weather floor mats, and rear bumper guard. Also, I'm really impressed that the auto climate control is standard on even the Sport model. My first choice was a red Touring with sunroof and Bose, but none could be found in the immediate area. Very happy with the Sport.

 

[IgoZoom]

Glad to hear the surgery went well!

I have a 2010 Sport and I agree that it is very nice for the bottom model. Mine came with a few more options: power driver's seat, heated front seats, heated mirrors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear-view camera, all-weather floor mats, and rear bumper guard. Also, I'm really impressed that the auto climate control is standard on even the Sport model. My first choice was a red Touring with sunroof and Bose, but none could be found in the immediate area. Very happy with the Sport.

When I started shopping for a CX-9 last November, I was considering both Mazda CPO and new (remaining 2012) models. I found several CPO 2010 Touring models that I really liked and they all had the Moonroof/Bose package (the Bose audio is the only part I cared about), so I was seriously considering them. They were all recent lease turn-ins with under 36k miles and in pristine condition.

I couldn't figure out why I liked the older Touring models but not the new 2012 Touring? Then I realized that the 2007-2010 Sport and Touring have very sharp looking 18" alloy wheels. The 2011-present 18" wheels on the Sport and Touring don't look nearly as good, in my opinion. I was surprised that they didn't change the wheel designs with all the other revisions for the 2013 model...

I ended up buying a new 2012 Grand Touring with the Moonroof/Bose Package and Power Liftgate in Crystal White Pearl with Sand Leather. I added the Roof Rack, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray & Cargo Net, All-weather mats and (like you) I also added the stainless steel bumper guard and it looks awesome.

I ended up buying a new 2012 GT for less than the CPO 2010 Touring, so it was a no brainer! My GT stickered for $37,385 and i paid $29,706 plus $66 tag/title fees and 6% Sales Tax! They also gave me $7500 for my '07 Explorer trade-in, which was exactly what Carmax offered for it and within $150 of KBB Trade-In Value! All said and done, I wrote the check for $23,604 and took her home! (BTW, it was the first time I've ever had the pleasure of paying cash for a car and not having a car payment! I wish I could say that I did so because I'm independently wealthy, but I haven't made my millions yet... My grandmother died in February 2012 and, much to our surprise, she divided her estate equally between my father (only child), my sister and myself!

I actually didn't know if she had left me anything until a few weeks before she died. She HATED riding my 2006 Mazda3 Hatchback and she told me that she was leaving me "a little something" and she sure hoped that I would use it to buy a 'grown-up' sized car....I think she would approve of the CX-9! =)