What Are Your Biggest Gripes?

[CXRabbit]

Okay, so now that you've owned the car for at least a month (newbies, please hold off on answering for just a few more weeks! ) -- What are your biggest gripes or complaints with the car?

Feel free to elaborate after answer the poll...

 

[Shaz]

here are my gripes in order of priority (highest to lowest):

1. Fuel Efficiency is worse than expected

This is my biggest gripe thus far. I've had the car for a month now and had 5 fill-ups already of PREMIUM UNLEADED 93 OCTANE (this made it worse). I think I've been only averaging 15mpg. Usually in/around town and had only made 2 highway trips. My recent fill-up of 15 gallons only managed to give me 214 miles. The car it replaced, a 97 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS, have managed to go 300 miles on 13 gallons. I've alluded the poor mileage with the use of A/C since we're hitting 5-20 degrees here in Chicago. Hopefully, this will improve once spring sets in and after hitting 1000 miles.

2. Where The Heck is the iPod Connection?!

I'm with you here CXRabbit. The lack of an aux port is a disgrace. I have a Monster FM Modulator which cost me $75 and the interference is so bad that I don't want to use the iPod. And, oh thank you Mazda for having an iPod adapter that is NOT compatible if you have Navigation and/or Sirius. You can shove it back.

3. Ride is too bumpy

I wasn't expecting this but once in a while, when I go down an uneven road, the ride is stiff and you'll feel the bumps. Mazda needs to improve on the suspension. Not sure if the wheels (Goodyear Eagle RS-A) are also a factor. I'm happy and confident with handling though.

4. I'd like more Interior Compartments or Vanity Lights.

The only compartment, where the spare tire is located, is minimal or not big enough to even store a portable vacuum and some car polishers/cleaners i'd like to take along. Did I mention that you only have one map pocket which can be found behind the driver's seat? Vanity lights for the mirror are not important to me.

5. Lack of Trip Computer

It would be nice if the car came with this so you can monitor your fuel economy, which the car doesn't excel at. Nice addition but i can live without it so it's not as important as the others.

Well, while I have these gripes about the car, I still love my baby. The car does possess killer looks. There is not a day that I have driven the car without somebody staring at it and with nothing like it, you get that exclusive bragging power to set everyone dead at their tracks. Handling is superb as well as the exceptional braking power. And it is fast. Bose sound system and Navigation are equally great. HID lights and electroluminescent gauges are beautiful. So, yes, I'm keeping this baby....despite of the gripes.

 

[jmhumr]

My biggest gripes:

1. "Hardness" of interior. I really think Mazda got lazy with the interior on the Touring and GT models. When the only difference between the base model and "upscale" models is blue lighting, low-grade leather seating, and different colored plastic - something's wrong. I feel the Touring/GT models should have a leather armrest/console lid, and some padded leather on the doors, and some other minor bells and whistles.

2. Poor iPod connectivity. Enough has been said about this...

3. Turbo lag. I actually enjoyed this a bit before the latest flash update because it would kick you back in your seat so much. But now that they've tweaked the engine for better high-speed power it seems as if the "kick" isn't as strong. With acceleration that weak, sometimes I wonder if they should have just gone with a V6 instead.

 

[vbbuilt01]

low-grade leather seating

I'm curious. What do you mean by "low-grade leather"???

I honestly don't know. I have the leather interior and it seems fine to me.

What objective standards of measurement did you use? Are there some specifications? How do you tell the difference between "low-grade" and "hi-grade"??? I've seen other people describe the CX-7 leather as "cheap". Ok, why?

Thanks, Vince.(shocked)

 

[vbbuilt01]

Okay, so now that you've owned the car for at least a month (newbies, please hold off on answering for just a few more weeks! ) -- What are your biggest gripes or complaints with the car?

Feel free to elaborate after answer the poll...

You misspelled "gripes" in your poll. (hand)

Vince

 

[spike blue]

for me the car is perfect!!! NO problems at all im way too happy!!

 

[meanstreak]

Okay, so now that you've owned the car for at least a month (newbies, please hold off on answering for just a few more weeks! ) -- What are your biggest gripes or complaints with the car?

Feel free to elaborate after answer the poll...

None of the stuff I've previously complained about really affects me to the point where it feels like a gripe. There are some missing nice to have features for sure, but I'm OK with my purchase and very happy.

My only real gripe is this silly CEL problem that seems to be caused by many different issues and based on what I have read the hardest part of this gripe is that the dealerships and Mazda are mystified and clueless in terms of getting it resolved. Mine has just started acting up and I have yet to take it to the dealer. I have to assume that eventually this will be resolved, but in the meantime it is just like this little black cloud hanging over our heads.

Also, the reports of people bringing their car in for service for other service bulletin items and the dealers responding "what service bulletin" is not very comforting either.

 

[singlemalt_18]

for me the car is perfect!!! NO problems at all im way too happy!!

I'm with you Spike! It is what it is.

Its a car, and a car is for driving.

To quote Meryl Streep from the movie "One True Thing"...

"Its so much easier to be happy about the things that you have, than to concentrate on the things that your missing out on, or that you perceive to be missing out on."

...or something like that?

Zoom-Zoom!

 

[MITZA]

No complaints

 

[spike blue]

I'm with you Spike! It is what it is.

Its a car, and a car is for driving.

To quote Meryl Streep from the movie "One True Thing"...

"Its so much easier to be happy about the things that you have, than to concentrate on the things that your missing out on, or that you perceive to be missing out on."

...or something like that?

Zoom-Zoom!

wow finally somebody thinks like me!!! (first)

 

[mikey1981]

this poll is too negative. Other than check engine light (Cel issues) and mechanical issues (turbo lag maybe) - this thread makes it seem like the car has major defects.

Ive said it before and ive said it again, this car achieves things that no other SUV on the road as of right now does at this price and in this segment of the market period.

Interior is subjective, other than the headliner, i like it and it achieves its mission; SPORT.

The only thing like i have said in a recent post, is staggering the model lineup so that base/mid/GT are a little more seperated.

 

[Alpha Wolf]

My complaints are minor...

DVD player unavailable until March (I have kids...). The car is for sale but they have yet to finish designing installation kits for the DVD?

Outer Door seals don't seal but this is being addressed by Mazda without any hassle.

Why I could not get a power set for the front passenger seems odd. I am sure for cost cutting but it would have made the wife happier.

I want more power.. But then I always want more power. 10 sec drag car I wanted more power 550hp. 10sec liter bike I want more power 400lb bike with 134 rwhp! I am a power junky and can never get enough but the straight Mazda 6 engine would have worked better for me.

I hear all the I pod gripes. (stfu) Not an issue as all I need is to be able to play my nano. I don't need screens, lists pretty lights etc... and the Mazda link to my Bose system works fine for me.

Ruff ride. This cracks me up. (stfu) You buy a car that has a stiffer suspension to give it good handling and then b**** that it does not ride like a mushy van..

Gas Mileage. I don't know how you all drive. I have never go in the teens. I have a high of 26mpg. So complaining it gets18-19 in the city when most of your driving is in the city seems silly as that is what they said it would get.. For those getting worse you may have a car problem or your driving technique with a turbo car may need some modification.

Vanity lights: Another oddity to cut out. My freaking 16 year old full size truck came with vanity light on the passsenger side! Geos co(hand) me with them!

Things like nav systems, trip computers etc are toys. I navigated ships around the world with a sextant, time and charts. No nav system. I have flown and navigated aircraft across the country without anything but VORs and maps. Why do I need one to drive to my friends house? Besides the opening of the test ride the sales guy tried to show off its abilty to find food pllaces. It listed a resturant that has been closed for 5 years.. So how out of date is their database. If so out of date, why spend 4,000 dollars for it?

 

[CXRabbit]

Alpha & Mikey,

I didn't say anyone would have ALL these gripes, nor do I! I love my CX-7 and my dealership has been phenominal.

Doesn't mean I, or anyone else, shouldn't say where the car could use imporvements... for ME it mostly revolves around the stereo. For others it might be something else. I thought it would be interesting to hear opinions.

And Alpha, yeah, you've been clear on the fact you love your Mazda iPod adaptor -- but that doesn't mean it was engineered the way it SHOULD have been. There are significant problems with it, #1 being its inability to hook up with the Tech Package, and #2 it's requirement that you be a math genius to find a song if you have more than 100 of them (and most people DO like some control over what they are listening to).

 

[jmhumr]

I'm curious. What do you mean by "low-grade leather"???

I honestly don't know. I have the leather interior and it seems fine to me.

What objective standards of measurement did you use? Are there some specifications? How do you tell the difference between "low-grade" and "hi-grade"??? I've seen other people describe the CX-7 leather as "cheap". Ok, why?

Thanks, Vince.(shocked)

Well...

To begin, are you aware that only the front of the seats and the headrests are actual leather? The rest is vinyl. Now, that is fine (a lot of non-luxury cars do this), however, I think Mazda did a cheap job for two reasons:

1) They did a poor job of matching the leather with the vinyl. They are largely different in gloss and texture. Most cars - even lesser ones like Kia - do a better job than Mazda did. My concern grows when I consider how different they'll be in 3-4 years when the leather wears down. They'll be night and day I'm afraid.

2) The used too much vinyl. Using vinyl on the back of the seats is common - but I feel they should have at least used leather on the sides of the seats, especially if they were going to do such a lazy job at matching it with the vinyl.

Anyhow, I checked out the leather on all the cars I test drove in the last year since I planned on getting a new car with leather, and the CX-7's is below average. I expect at least average for a $28k car.

 

[MITZA]

wow, my 2 cents on the leather I bought a brand new 95 twin turbo 3000gt paid about 40 grand the seat bolster wore out at 40K the upholster told me only the seating surface was actual leather I paid $300 to repair the seat back then, I paid 40 thousand dollars for that car the leather in the Cx-7 far exceeds that manufactures suppliers for mitsubishi back then also could be said for my $32000 envoy I got rid of that leather was cracked and terrible even conditioning it constantly. I have a touring with black leather looks perfect in my eyes, I drive the s*** out of my Cx-7 man I really like my CX Am I in the Minority. I don't have a single issue with mine.

 

[UpNorth]

I feel guilty saying this, but I am taking some comfort in hearing some of you trash the leather & the lack of distinction between the models. I ended up getting the Sport because it was red and it was there & I loved it. But then I started having second thoughts that I made a mistake by not getting a touring & leather.

Call it sour grapes, but you're making me feel better.

Overall, I love this car and have yet to show it to someone who isn't impressed and happy for me.

 

[MITZA]

I love my leather and heated seats, I don't plan on owning my car 60K so hell if it wears funny after the warranty I get a new car until then I condition my leather and enjoy the warm seats on a cold day, I only got them for resale people love leather.

 

[UpNorth]

I love my leather and heated seats, I don't plan on owning my car 60K so hell if it wears funny after the warranty I get a new car until then I condition my leather and enjoy the warm seats on a cold day, I only got them for resale people love leather.

That makes absolute sense. I tend to keep cars forever, however. My indulgence for winter comfort was a remote start. But heated seats would have been a great way to avoid those inevitable battles over the heat setting between passenger & driver.

I did not intend to diss those who chose the spiffier trim. I was just sharing my bizarre rationalizations.

 

[CXRabbit]

There's quite a few "fancy" features I love... remote-start being one of them, but add to the list the heated leather seats, climate control, smart-key (and autolock enabled!), HID adjustable headlights, blue gauges, and heated mirrors.

It's with VERY minor things (in this day and age) that would change my whole feeling about the "Tech" package. Really... would have been VERY minor and very little expense on Mazda's part. It was just poor planning and poor testing that led to some of these things that can leave the buyers feeling less than thrilled with having spent the extra money.

Funny thing is, I'm a "researcher and tester" type... but I never would have thought to test to make sure those features were there... they are SO very basic that nearly all car stereos have them! Live and learn I guess!

 

[vbbuilt01]

There's quite a few "fancy" features I love... remote-start being one of them, but add to the list the heated leather seats, climate control, smart-key (and autolock enabled!), HID adjustable headlights, blue gauges, and heated mirrors.

It's with VERY minor things (in this day and age) that would change my whole feeling about the "Tech" package. Really... would have been VERY minor and very little expense on Mazda's part. It was just poor planning and poor testing that led to some of these things that can leave the buyers feeling less than thrilled with having spent the extra money.

Funny thing is, I'm a "researcher and tester" type... but I never would have thought to test to make sure those features were there... they are SO very basic that nearly all car stereos have them! Live and learn I guess!

Hey girl, with all the griping and complaining you've been doing lately on the 3 Mazda forums you and I frequent, maybe it's time you changed your signature --> Proud New CX-7 Owner! ARE YOU REALLY A PROUD NEW CX-7 OWNER? (cabpatch)

(dunno)

BTW, I just ordered some of that Advantage cleaner you've been raving about. I'll let you know what I think of it.


Vince