What Should My Wife Buy?

[Davicho]

We had a CX9 which we loved driving but finally gave it up to get a minivan. With a 2 yr, 4 yr and infant, the CX9 became quite difficult for practical purposes. Loading the kids require the rear doors to be fully opened and the long doors on the CX9 means you need a lot of room around the car which don't come by easily. The 2 older kids are also very independent and want to get in and out themselves. The high floor of the CX9 makes this challenging esp when the rear doors cannot be opened fully. 2 car seats in the middle row means the 3rd row is not accessible because the seat back does not fold down. I tried pushing it all the forward but it's still not large enough for an adult to get in. With the 3rd row up, cargo room was in adequate. A stroller pretty much takes up most of the room.

Even though we never liked minivans, we finally rented one and found the power sliding doors/hatch and interior space to be very practical. Interior capacity of the minivan is also quite a lot more than the cx9 and the low floor makes loading kids and stuff easier. There are also a lot more compartments for storage in the minivan compared to the cx9.

The trade off is we had to give up the AWD on the CX9 which i think turns out to be a good thing because my transfer case was replaced at less than 20k and under 3 yrs old because it was leaking. Other than that, had no other problems. This probably doesn't affect you since you don't need AWD anyway. Gas mileage on the minivan is slightly better than what i got on the cx9 for highway/town driving. Minivan obviously does not drive as nice as the CX9 since it's geared for more comfort with the softer suspension.

So as much as i loved driving the CX9, getting the minivan really was more practical for now.

Sorry not that I'm in the market for one but just for reference and value of this thread. Which minivan did you end up buying?

 

[IgoZoom]

Sorry not that I'm in the market for one but just for reference and value of this thread. Which minivan did you end up buying?

That was going to be my next question, after realizing that I responded to the original posting even though they had already posted saying they bought a minivan! =) I should probably read all the way thru a thread before responding....

Anyway, there aren't many minivan choices out there-

Honda Odyssey
Nissan Quest
Toyota Sienna
Kia Sedona
Chrysler T&C
Dodge Grand Caravan

 

[Neuron]

2013 CX9 has been cheapened down quite a bit. Interior on a GT looks like a low end cx7. Tail lenses, fogs, all look cheap. Not at all impressed. ....

I only partially agree with you and only on tail lights/lenses design. Other than that I think new exterior redesign pretty neat and is a good step up from previous years model line. For example I did not like smiley front end look of older models, but some may really do not care about. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of beholder

What makes you feel that the interior on a GT looks like a low end CX-7?

 

[danz75]

Davicho, We didn't want one either but found it to be more practical for our current situation. Of course that would probably change when the kids get older. There are basically 3 to choose from and we got the 2013 Odyssey. Could not handle the very light electronic steering in the Sienna and the cheap interior. The Odyssey is not without fault either so we got an 8yr 100mi Honda care warranty along with it. First ext warranty I've bought.

 

[drchuck]

Unfortunately, the car is for my wife. She's decided on the Odyssey. I tried my hardest though! I do hope to visit you guys on the CX-5 forum though once my Civic has had enough. If I could afford (or wanted) 2 car payments, I'd pick up a CX5 without even thinking about it. Sigh...

Thanks for the help all!

Tell ya what, the family across the street has an Odyssey, and it's a great vehicle.- but don't go out hunting for a CX 9 to burn Most wives don't, mine loves her Prius!

 

[drchuck]

I only partially agree with you and only on tail lights/lenses design. Other than that I think new exterior redesign pretty neat and is a good step up from previous years model line. For example I did not like smiley front end look of older models, but some may really do not care about. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of beholder

Beauty of the CX 9 is in the eye of the driver