What Are Your Biggest Gripes?

[CXRabbit]

It's not subjective. If you sat in my car and listened, you'd HEAR how crappy it sounds. Part of it is the fact it has the limitations of any FM transmitter, and part of it is the area I live in (very congested airwaves). I'm not ASSUMING anything... like I've said previously, I've tried just about every one on the market.

As far as it sounding good TO ME - I'll be the first to admit my husband and I are probably pickier about it than the average person, but static is still static. Even under ideal conditions the FM Transmitter doesn't sound as good as a direct input iPod connection (and again, this would NOT have been expensive or difficult for Mazda to do), nor as good as an MP3 CD.... and I am NOT in ideal conditions.

Do keep in mind that the much cheaper Mazda 3 gives you an aux input for your iPod or MP3 player. No reason the more-expensive CX-7 couldn't have given us the same. It was a big mistake on Mazda's part.

 

[mikey1981]

right, but all my point is is that, what is not up to YOUR standards, you are making it seem like there is no solution.

thats unfortunate that u have more static etc etc, but its your car, not everyone elses. mine works great, so if u sat in MY car ud think otherwise lol

and yes, its still subjective. you are talking about your ears and your car ie your experience.

 

[mikey1981]

im not claiming it to be a direct replacement for an aux input. but it is a way, a solution, and a pretty darn good n easy one w/o any installations, time $$ and effort for the avg person.

the dog has now been beaten to death.

 

[CXRabbit]

But that's just it... it's NOT a "pretty darn good one" for everyone. Trust me, a little imperfection would be better than nothing, but I'm not dealing with just a little imperfection. It's like listening to a radio with static.

You and I need a chatroom

 

[milhouse19]

you are making it seem like there is no solution.

Actually, if you live near NYC there is no solution. All of the stations overpower any FM transmitters you can get for the ipod. I would think an FM modulator might work, but I'm not certain.

 

[meanstreak]

Actually, if you live near NYC there is no solution. All of the stations overpower any FM transmitters you can get for the ipod. I would think an FM modulator might work, but I'm not certain.

The FM transmitter from my Pioneer Airwave XM radio worked fine in my Honda all over NY. I think once I had to change the station when I experianced bleedover outside my usual area. Some radios may be better than others.

 

[milhouse19]

The FM transmitter from my Pioneer Airwave XM radio worked fine in my Honda all over NY. I think once I had to change the station when I experianced bleedover outside my usual area. Some radios may be better than others.

Was it built-in to the XM radio? I have yet to see an iPod one that works, but would love to be proved wrong.

 

[vbbuilt01]

From what people have said on this board, they say their Bose player has played MP3 cd's.

I question if they know the difference of burning a CD made from MP3's into WAVS (regular cd) or if its an actual MP3 FIle cd that they are playing, but in either case, people have said theirs plays mp3s.

Mikey, I have the GT, w/Tech, purchased in June 2006. I record my own MP3 disks and they play quite well. The head unit will display a little MP3 indicator on the screen plus the ID TAGS (such as album, song, and recording artist). Also, if the tracks are stored in folders, then a folder indicator also appears, allowing you to navigate up and down the folder hierarchy.

Vince

 

[CXRabbit]

The FM transmitter from my Pioneer Airwave XM radio worked fine in my Honda all over NY. I think once I had to change the station when I experianced bleedover outside my usual area. Some radios may be better than others.

I get a lot of bleedover and static with every one I've tried. Some of them worked fine in the driveway but as soon as the car moves I get bleed-through and static... enough-so that I just won't use any of them.

Mikey, I have the GT, w/Tech, purchased in June 2006. I record my own MP3 disks and they play quite well. The head unit will display a little MP3 indicator on the screen plus the ID TAGS (such as album, song, and recording artist). Also, if the tracks are stored in folders, then a folder indicator also appears, allowing you to navigate up and down the folder hierarchy.

I use the MP3 CDs all the time... but that's where the other radio's shortcomings become blaringly obvious unfortunately. It handles the MP3s fine, and the folder and ID Tags... but the actually radio controls themselves are poorly designed, which is just SAD.

 

[mikey1981]

Ok maybe this is the misconception - people saying they have the Bose maybe didnt specify that it was also the Tech Package - which does in fact play MP3's. The regular Bose (non-tech) does not, to my knowledge

 

[CXRabbit]

Ok maybe this is the misconception - people saying they have the Bose maybe didnt specify that it was also the Tech Package - which does in fact play MP3's. The regular Bose (non-tech) does not, to my knowledge

LOL That's pretty sad too.

 

[silverx7]

My biggest GRIBES

1. paper thin carpet : geez they could have spent another $20 on the carpet, it's so thin and poor quality
2. Mag wheels : those 18" mag are UGLY... why can't they use RX8 or Mazda MPS wheels
3. No sport seats : where are the beatiful Miata / MX5 tan leather sport seats....

 

[mikey1981]

My biggest GRIBES

1. paper thin carpet : geez they could have spent another $20 on the carpet, it's so thin and poor quality
2. Mag wheels : those 18" mag are UGLY... why can't they use RX8 or Mazda MPS wheels3. No sport seats : where are the beatiful Miata / MX5 tan leather sport seats....

i have to differ here, there are very few rims that come close to looking good on the 7. someone did a photoshop of the rx8 and they look terrible.

 

[silverx7]

i have to differ here, there are very few rims that come close to looking good on the 7. someone did a photoshop of the rx8 and they look terrible.

Maybe size 20 with low profile tires

 

[CXRabbit]

i have to differ here, there are very few rims that come close to looking good on the 7. someone did a photoshop of the rx8 and they look terrible.

I happen to like the stock rims.

I agree with Mikey... nearly all the aftermarket rims I've seen look TERRIBLE on the CX-7.
and with RX-8 rims?... ewww

 

[meanstreak]

Was it built-in to the XM radio? I have yet to see an iPod one that works, but would love to be proved wrong.

Yes, the transmitter was part of the XM radio and worked by placing the XM antenna/transmitter near the car antenna. I actually mounted mine inside the vehicle near the windshield close to the antenna. It worked very well despite the recommendation not to mount it inside the car.

I also used to own an add-on CD changer in my 93 eclipse where the FM modulator was connected inline with the FM antenna. That also worked well for me though I realize the sound quality is limited to the potential of the FM radio.

I can't speak directly on the IPOD because I have not tried one, but it should work similiar to other systems. I guess a lot hinges on your sound quality expectations, the quality of the FM receiver and where you drive the vehicle.

 

[spike blue]

my biggest gripes
1.lack of manual tranny
2.better rims (i love the ones in the concept)
3.No ipod (all mazdas has it what happen with the cx-7) those are minors but i love the way my baby is it. i can actually upgrade those minor things!!

 

[Marlon646]

I wouldn't say that I have any gripes (otherwise I wouldn't have bought it) but just some extra things I think they should've included. RDS would be nice to have in the radio. It wasn't a deal breaker but you would think that this top notch Bose system and technology package would have it when a lot of other vehicles do. Dual power seats is another. I'm sure there's other small things. I had to get nit-picky because I was also looking at a Murano. Obvioulsy I chose the Mazda. They were things I liked, but not things I needed to have. The navigation is pretty up to date. A resteraunt that's only been here for about a year and half shows up, however a pizza place that hasn't been in business for ten years will show up also.

 

[cruzdreamer]

i have to differ here, there are very few rims that come close to looking good on the 7. someone did a photoshop of the rx8 and they look terrible.

I like the rims also but wish they were chromed. The best rims are on HOTROD's Copper CX 7....those I want really bad!! He's got some pics somewhere....pics of him in UTAH.Did I mention the cheap carpets and the dirt that gets up inside the door panels(my main gripes) but lovin the CX 7!!!

 

[cruzdreamer]

Best Rims

May I take the liberty...I guess I already did to show you Hot Rods CX 7....lovin' these rims....best ones I have seen. Thinking I like roof rack too!!