My weekend with my CX-7 - RI to NH.
First let me say that, i bought my 7 with an open mind and willingness to risk a purchase on a new model/vehicle. Coming from Honda, this was even harder because i had no idea what to expect.
My 7 has over 3k miles on it, bougth it in sept.
The weather on friday heading up was 16 degrees w/windchall in single digits. The engine seemed to handle the temp fine, w/a little more time letting it warm up. I did notice that if the temp was 20 or lower, there was slight vibration into the steering column. This was continuous at these temps - when the temp got to hi 20's and 30's, vibration gone, could just be the harshness of the cold, the newness of the car who knows, nothing major tho came of it.
My ride up was almost me getting aquainted with my 7 on the highway. From my experience so far, the car seems restless at the 60-65 range all the time. I drove up 1/2 way with it in manual 6th and left it there. The hesitation/surge did not happen for me while leaving it in 6. There was enogh power in the engine for me to pass if i had to, i only downshifted a few times when i needed it.
Hesitation/surge not a problem for me after 1 1/2 hrs driving time. - I call this a break in period for me learning the car o nthe highway- i put it back into automatic and the car seemed to do just fine, i did not experience the restlessness somehow from that point on.
The cars handling at 60-80+ is impecable. It was snowing friday morning and there was snow and ice o nthe highway, this got worse as i got further into NH w/more hills and snow terrain. The 7, was actually quite amazing in these conditions, much better than my 06 CRV SE, the traction control i dont even think went on, not sure about the AWD either, the 7 seemed sure footed thru it all and much more secure than the CRV. No sliding, skidding, the abs didnt even engage cuz id didnt have to.
Now for the Ride Home.
Since i grew more confident with my 7, i really REALLLLLLLY got into it on the way home. Single-lane winding hills and highway thru NH i was in the 70-85 range. The 7 from 5-85 is a beast, acceleration, power, breaking, just overall the driving experience is amazing.
Funny story - a guy in a 5 series pissed me off royally. He tried to pass 5 CARS all in a row, (single lane highway) and almost caused a major accident. So i got on his ass a bit. we get to a toll, him on the left, me on the right. IT WAS ON. We both floored it, i put it in stick - I HAD HIM TILL 75 (NO LIE) after 75 of course he then killed me - but man this mazda for its low and mid end power is a HULK. So, we get about 3 miles more down the road, what do u know there is a state trooper pulling us both over for RACING (LOL) no i am not pround of this story but it brings me to my point that my gas milieage on a 1/2 tank increased by 60 MIles with me DRIVING THE CRAP out of my 7. I have routinely gotten 150 miles at 1/2 tank, on the way home i pushed 205 miles in my RACING MODE LOL. Thru 80mph, this car is rediculous, i would want a little more top end at the higher speed band but in reality we shouldnt be going that fast, but it would be nice to know its there.
I love this car, best purchase i have made on a car in a long time, suv body, sports car driving, its the all around package. This trip to NH made me love it EVEN MORE. Here is a pick
First let me say that, i bought my 7 with an open mind and willingness to risk a purchase on a new model/vehicle. Coming from Honda, this was even harder because i had no idea what to expect.
My 7 has over 3k miles on it, bougth it in sept.
The weather on friday heading up was 16 degrees w/windchall in single digits. The engine seemed to handle the temp fine, w/a little more time letting it warm up. I did notice that if the temp was 20 or lower, there was slight vibration into the steering column. This was continuous at these temps - when the temp got to hi 20's and 30's, vibration gone, could just be the harshness of the cold, the newness of the car who knows, nothing major tho came of it.
My ride up was almost me getting aquainted with my 7 on the highway. From my experience so far, the car seems restless at the 60-65 range all the time. I drove up 1/2 way with it in manual 6th and left it there. The hesitation/surge did not happen for me while leaving it in 6. There was enogh power in the engine for me to pass if i had to, i only downshifted a few times when i needed it.
Hesitation/surge not a problem for me after 1 1/2 hrs driving time. - I call this a break in period for me learning the car o nthe highway- i put it back into automatic and the car seemed to do just fine, i did not experience the restlessness somehow from that point on.
The cars handling at 60-80+ is impecable. It was snowing friday morning and there was snow and ice o nthe highway, this got worse as i got further into NH w/more hills and snow terrain. The 7, was actually quite amazing in these conditions, much better than my 06 CRV SE, the traction control i dont even think went on, not sure about the AWD either, the 7 seemed sure footed thru it all and much more secure than the CRV. No sliding, skidding, the abs didnt even engage cuz id didnt have to.
Now for the Ride Home.
Since i grew more confident with my 7, i really REALLLLLLLY got into it on the way home. Single-lane winding hills and highway thru NH i was in the 70-85 range. The 7 from 5-85 is a beast, acceleration, power, breaking, just overall the driving experience is amazing.
Funny story - a guy in a 5 series pissed me off royally. He tried to pass 5 CARS all in a row, (single lane highway) and almost caused a major accident. So i got on his ass a bit. we get to a toll, him on the left, me on the right. IT WAS ON. We both floored it, i put it in stick - I HAD HIM TILL 75 (NO LIE) after 75 of course he then killed me - but man this mazda for its low and mid end power is a HULK. So, we get about 3 miles more down the road, what do u know there is a state trooper pulling us both over for RACING (LOL) no i am not pround of this story but it brings me to my point that my gas milieage on a 1/2 tank increased by 60 MIles with me DRIVING THE CRAP out of my 7. I have routinely gotten 150 miles at 1/2 tank, on the way home i pushed 205 miles in my RACING MODE LOL. Thru 80mph, this car is rediculous, i would want a little more top end at the higher speed band but in reality we shouldnt be going that fast, but it would be nice to know its there.
I love this car, best purchase i have made on a car in a long time, suv body, sports car driving, its the all around package. This trip to NH made me love it EVEN MORE. Here is a pick
