Looking at the new cx9 for family car- any mazda mechanics around?

[naplesE30]

My wife and I are looking for a new family car. We both really like the new Mazda CX-9. It seems like the most car for the price point. However, an all-new design with a new engine is giving me a lot of hesitation before pulling the trigger. As it is new, I cannot find much information on the reliability. Any insight is much appreciated.

[rcsoundn1]

I just bought the cx-5, love it so far, but we have only had it a week or so. From the research I have done our 5 seems like I can do general maintance, but I have not looked at more complex work yet. I have 36k to figure out how to do more in depth jobs

[rturbo 930]

My parents are looking at a new Mazda 3, so basically same deal. I did a little research on it. It seems that the engine design doesn't actually have any weird new tech on it, rather just a lot of old tech that is applied very well. I couldn't find anyone that had problems with the skyactiv engines. I'm not too worried. As for the car itself, I think you just gotta roll the dice, but overall consensus seems to be that they are pretty well built.

[naplesE30]

^ I think this is the first year they turbo'd the 2.5 Skyactive, so thats what gives me a little hesitation. Love the new body style and interior of the new design. Its clear they are no longer fords with a different badge. I am not too familiar with the make other than they dominate the local autocross.

[bangn]

mazda's are great cars, very dependable. Don't hear of many turbo issues is the MPS's. If it was a GM or Nissan then different story. In a CX9 I would def go for the 2.5 Turbo. I just purchased a new rav 4 awd 2.5 last week and the 2.5 is only just acceptable for that size car.

hows the towing capacity on the turbo/non turbo

[Northern]

Hopefully it's nothing like my '09 mazda 3, because besides never stranding me, I have nothing positive to say about it. Boring, bad gas mileage, loud as hell in the cabin, suspension/brakes seem to wear fast, rust issues. Not really a huge fan of that ford-er... mazda.

[horse30]

i used to work at a dealership. i would have chose the new cx-9 over most cars on the lot. they feel good to drive and have good build quality feel in the interior and such. i say go for it

[Stanley Rockafella]

Not rated very well in that sized category. Many competitors seem to do the midsize SUV far better than Mazduh:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Mazda_CX-9/

IMHO if your planning on keeping it longer than the warranty period, I'd skip turbo anything. I don't care what they tell you about reliability, when things get old seals start leaking and the repair bills start adding up. It's like they used to say, no replacement for displacement.

As for fuel savings, gas is still FAR cheaper in the US than anywhere else. Enjoy it! Personally I'm looking forward to my first V6 dd after I get sick of my Focus enough to dump it.

[naplesE30]

^Read that review, but got the impression that its a review done without even driving or seeing the car in person. It has scored well with traditional car magazine reviews so I kind of discounted the us news one. I have the same concerns with turbo charging that you mention. Espc with its new design turbo....and that we purchase and keep cars for an extended period of time. Prob going to be between the CX-9, Durango (not a fan of the interior style), and the Exporer.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I'd go with the last two of your choices /\. At this time of year, you'd probably score some decent discounts on remaining 2016's.

Whatever you choose, make sure to shop as close to the end of the month as possible for the BEST deals available.

happy hunting!

[naplesE30]

Going with the Durango RT. Just waiting till end of month to see what kind of deals we can get. I am surprised their is not more in the way of incentives on the 16s right not.

[kid325e]

We just got the 2016 CX3 - we love it ALOT. It's definitely not a bad car to just drive around, etc.

My girlfriend went from driving the 00 323i to the Mazda.

[Kershaw]

I loved my rx8. I had to sell it to renovate my bathroom, but I still miss that car. I drove a the mazda3 of this girl I was once seeing it and it was super boring and I hated the huge dash. Test drove the mazdasepeed3, enjoyed it but it wasnt for me. So, if you like the way the CX9 drives, go for it.

[naplesE30]

Drove the cx9 and its a nice car to drive. Feels smaller than it is. However, the seating position just doesnt work for me. It feels like your sitting on a chair and not a seat, if that makes sense. Both the wife and I preferred the Durango out of all we have driven. Prefer the mazdas interior styling over the dodge but the Durango hands down wins as far as comfort for us. It also drives very well. Cant understand how Ford sells so many explorers, and for a higher price,after driving all of them.

[Vtec?lol]

I know quite a bit about the new CX-9 and the new active turbo exhaust manifold. Lots of little shit to go wrong out of warrantee.

I was considering the CX-9, BMW X-5 turbo or diesel, the Durango, and the Grand Cherokee diesel.

I am so glad I drove the Grand Cherokee last. I took my time and researched them all before puling any triggers. When I was looking (less than a year ago) it was near impossible to get a new fully loaded cherokee with the diesel. I finally found one local and boy it turned out to be a nightmare. Got al the paperwork done and when they were doing the final inspection and registration, the poor little turbo diesel lost injection pressure. Brand new turbo diesel with injector issues? nope. So I ended up finding a 15' Cherokee summit with the Hemi and boy, I fell in love.

Here's my take on them all,

-CX9, interior was amazing however it was hard not to feel like a soccer mom due to the seats being positioned like those in vans. Was not a fan of the power band. The active turbo left a lot to be desired at the top end. For the money I'd prefer an X5

-X5 Maintenance is a biyatch. Most appealing and fun of them all. (cept the jeep)

-Durango. Something about the dodge badge throws it off for me. Plus I didn't like how far the rear protruded so they could implement the 3rd row seat. Biggest con is durango's have the worst resell of it's class.

-Explorer, I'm not paying that much to have terrible resell value. Interior was too cheap feeling.

The Durango and the Cherokee ride and feel awesome mostly because they are based on the Mercedes GL/ML platform. I fell in love with the jeeps looks and handling. PLus the 4wd is the bomb. Air ride. All the bells and whistles and beat dodge's 60k mile warrantee by 40k.
I suggest at least checking out the jeep before you pull the trigger. Also, get ready for poor mileage. I average about 15mpg.