Musings (Gripes) About the CX-7

[willmapp]

First post, and pictures will follow of our Black Cherry Mica GT.

Let me say that the CX-7 is a very fun car to drive, but I have
some nagging complaints that I think should be standard on any car
made in the 21st Century.

This is our first Mazda and my issues aren't serious, maybe the Mazda
folks can read this so that they can make additions for '08.

- CEL at 2689 miles, taking her in on Friday
- No chime or sound when the fuel level indicator light comes on
- Nav system CD player doesn't display album title and track info for Audio CDs (mp3s are fine)
- Nav system radio doesn't display RDS information during FM broadcasts; it looks like the standard radio does
- Acceleration isn't always smooth when not trying to Zoom-Zoom; when gently accelerating, the vehicle seems to struggle at times
- No choices for upgraded wheels
- No electronically adjustable front passenger seat
- No realtime fuel economy calculation in gauge pod

Other than that Mazda keep up the good work.

What I really like:

- Indirect illumination in gauge pod and interior
- Electro-illuminescent gauge pod
- The racing stripe! I almost bought the car solely for it.
- The Proximity key!
- Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift lever
- 6 o'clock starting position for tach and speedo gauges
- Awesome creature comfort, exterior-interior styling
- Definitely a fun drive, more fun than the Murano, FX-whatever, and other cars I test drove

I get lots of looks while driving around Metropolitan Washington and Baltimore.
It's definitely one of the sexiest cars on the road.

W

[stangmatt66]

- Nav system CD player doesn't display album title and track info for Audio CDs (mp3s are fine)


No CD player will show album information for a CD, as the information isn't contained on the CD. MP3's, on the other hand, include title information on the song itself.

[Otto]

I got a couple minor gripes:
- seat / mirror memory function should be included in Technology package
- when playing tracks in "random" mode, advancing to the next or previous track cancels it and returns to normal. Doesn't make sense... why can't I advance to the next random track?
- with a/c on, launching from dead stop quickly is tricky - the car sometimes hesitates for 1-2 seconds before lunging forward. My old Mazda 6 had similar issue that was fixed somewhat with software updates, hopefully the same will happen for the CX-7
- no aux-in jack on the radio

It's a great car and I love it but like anything else, it's not perfect :)

[G-Papi]

Let me add mt $.02 worth. Since I didn't get the nav system, I have no issues there. Otherwise I'm in agreement with most of the assessments listed above.

What I like least is the interior appointment. To me it seems plastic (which most of it is) and cheap. The dimpled black plastic has a finish that's extremely hard to maintain appearance-wise. It looks like a poor leather imitation, only hard. It has a way of collecting lint, hand marks and scuffs (which aren't really scuffs, just where something brushed against it.) This is especially true on door panels and passenger side dash. I traded an 04 Mazda6s Grand Touring for my CX-7, and really did not expect such a step backwards in interior quality.

The super deep and accomodating console compartment (which Mazda points out as an advertising advantage) encourages the accumulation of what-nots. The vastness of the compartment then allows those assorted items to get good momentum as they roll from front to rear, or side to side, as the vehicle starts, stops, and turns. A ball point pen in there about drove me crazy one day. A driver with a low tolerance for sliding and rattling noises eventually learns which types of items are of the aggrevating noise-making types, and finds other places to stow them.

Other little items that I had come to just take for granted are missing. I don't know if it's a trim level issue or not, but I miss the courtesy lights on the vanity mirrors, and in the doors.

I do wish that the engineers at Mazda would find another way to handle the privacy shade over the rear luggage compartment. I don't know how it's done by other automakers, but the CX-7 uses a bar that houses a window-shade kind of roll-out shade. The bar may be removed for larger (taller) cargo, but then becomes a bulky cargo item itself. Unless the driver is at home, and can stow it in the garage, it is in the way, and another item to worry about sliding around during turns, etc.

Items that I like are predominately performance-related. The handling and power are exceptional.

I'd give the CX-7 a backhanded compliment by saying that it is actually a boring vehicle to drive on longer trips. The key point is that there's absolutely no drama to keep the driver's adrenalin flowing. It goes where you point it almost effortlessly. It performs meneuvers at excessive speeds without complaint. When I'm on a two-lane blacktop, (where much of my driving is done) I find myself hoping to come up behind somebody so I can do a quick exhilirating pass just to break the monotony.

Again, I'd give the CX-7 an exceptional rating.

[willmapp]

Actually, I have a CD player in one of my other cars that displays the title information when its encoded on the CD. It's been a CDDA standard since 1996.

I'll also have to admit that cleaning the dimpled plastic is a little difficult. Using Lexol's Vinyl wipes seems to work well though.

[G-Papi]

Add to my list of gripes the backwards step I took (see previous post) in general quality and feel of the steering wheel. The change in types of switches looks and feels cheap. Add to that that there's no telescoping function of that steering wheel.

[Mazda3]

I guess everything is subject to opinion. My CX-7 is also replacing a 2004 Mazda 6 GT-V6. I find the interior to be a huge step forward. I miss the telescope feature, but other than that the interior is VERY upscale. Big improvements in quality and fit-n-finish.

[Otto]

I guess everything is subject to opinion. My CX-7 is also replacing a 2004 Mazda 6 GT-V6. I find the interior to be a huge step forward. I miss the telescope feature, but other than that the interior is VERY upscale. Big improvements in quality and fit-n-finish.
When I first drove the base (non-GT) CX-7, I thought the black interior look pretty cheap compared to my 6. For this reason, I decided I wanted a platinum CX-7 w/ the sand interior. But after seeing the black GT interior, I changed my mind - funny what a few trim pieces and nicer seats can do to perception. I'd rate the interior a notch above my 6 in most deprtments. One thing I do miss is the two-level storage space in the center console - that was quite handy. And yeah, I don't understand the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, either.

[Mazda3]

When I first drove the base (non-GT) CX-7, I thought the black interior look pretty cheap compared to my 6. For this reason, I decided I wanted a platinum CX-7 w/ the sand interior. But after seeing the black GT interior, I changed my mind - funny what a few trim pieces and nicer seats can do to perception. I'd rate the interior a notch above my 6 in most deprtments. One thing I do miss is the two-level storage space in the center console - that was quite handy. And yeah, I don't understand the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, either.

Yes, the GT interior is alot nicer than the GS. I guess I should have specified the GT interior in my post. The CX-7 has the same steering wheel as the new MX-5 which doesn't have the telescope feature either. It must have something to do with the steering set-up.

[Otto]

Yes, the GT interior is alot nicer than the GS. I guess I should have specified the GT interior in my post. The CX-7 has the same steering wheel as the new MX-5 which doesn't have the telescope feature either. It must have something to do with the steering set-up.
One minor gripe (we're on a roll today, haha) about the GT interior - would it have killed them to add some nicer (silver) trim to the rear doors? It almost feels like sitting in a black hole back there. Rear air vents would've been nice, too.

Someone stop me...

[Mazda3]

There are vents under the seat that blow into the back, all Mazda's have that feature.

[1Sleepy93]

Only real gripes are the dimpled plastic crap, somewhat jumpy throttle at times (the blessing and curse of throttle by wire), and it's way too easy to speed in. :D

[080669]

Actually, I have a CD player in one of my other cars that displays the title information when its encoded on the CD. It's been a CDDA standard since 1996.

According to Wikipedia, CD-Text is an extension of the Red Book Compact Disc specifications standard for audio CDs. It allows for storage of additional information (e.g. album name, song name, and artist) on a standards-compliant audio CD. The information is stored in the lead-in area of the CD, where there is roughly five kilobytes of space available, or in the Subchannels R to W on the disc, which can store about 31 megabytes. These areas are not used by strict Red Book CDs. The text is stored in a format usable by the Interactive Text Transmission System (ITTS). ITTS is also used by Digital Audio Broadcasting or the MiniDisc. The specification was released in September 1996, and backed by Sony. Support for CD Text is common, but not universal. Utilities exist to automatically rip CD-TEXT data, and insert it into CDDB or freedb.

[Navy86]

My nits to pick:

--I wish the doors would auto-lock when you shift into drive
--It'd be nice to have memory settings on the seats and mirrors. I don't let my wife drive because I don't want to have to adjust the seat back to where I like it
--A more elaborate trip computer (including fuel economy info) would be nice
--It'd be nice to have defrosters on the side view mirrors

Things I love:

--The proximity key. It never leaves my pocket but I can unlock the doors by pushing a button. LOVE it.
--Very peppy acceleration and handling.
--The technology package
--Sirius radio

Mike

[G-Papi]

--It'd be nice to have memory settings on the seats and mirrors. I don't let my wife drive because I don't want to have to adjust the seat back to where I like it
Now we know that she'd have to pry the wheel from your cold dead hands is the real reason (peep)


--It'd be nice to have defrosters on the side view mirrors

I believe they are there - try the rear window defrost switch. (peep)

[Mazda3]

My nits to pick:

--I wish the doors would auto-lock when you shift into drive
--It'd be nice to have memory settings on the seats and mirrors. I don't let my wife drive because I don't want to have to adjust the seat back to where I like it
--A more elaborate trip computer (including fuel economy info) would be nice
--It'd be nice to have defrosters on the side view mirrors

Things I love:

--The proximity key. It never leaves my pocket but I can unlock the doors by pushing a button. LOVE it.
--Very peppy acceleration and handling.
--The technology package
--Sirius radio

Mike

I glad the doors don't lock when I put it into drive, very annoying feature on all GM vehicles.

Heated mirrors are standard in Canada, not sure about US.

I totally agree with the memory seat, that drives me nuts.

[G-Papi]

Heated mirrors are standard in Canada, not sure about US.
Mine are heated, although not marked as such. They came on when I activated the rear window defrost.

[CEW73]

what about the e-brake! it would be nice to have a hand-brake instead of a old style foot-brake! its hard to get this thing sideways in a corner with that damn thing(glare)

[G-Papi]

agreed, though I ain't got up the nerve (or enough empty road) to try that with this high center of gravity. Don't know if I'm getting old or prudent.

[mx5gary]

Map lights are not functional as reading lights due to the blinding glare in your rearview miror.

No power outlet in the rear (behind your rear seats)

-Gary

[G-Papi]

The one seatback pocket - in the back of the driver's seat. Duh - wrong seat if the driver wants to put his hands on something.

[Navy86]

Forgot something - daytime running lights would be nice also.

Hope G-Papi is right about the mirrors - to be honest, I haven't RTFM on that. Although it's a silly thing to worry about in August in Virginia.... (crazy)

[G-Papi]

early morning dew and mist, man(yes)

[G-Papi]

I've solved the daytime lights by covering the light sensor on the passenger side of the dash, then setting the lights on the auto setting. No light into the sensor makes the lights activate with the ignition, and go off immediately when the car is switched off. You can change the gauge lighting to look as if there were no lights on. I haven't found it to be a problem - yet.

[the black one]

I glad the doors don't lock when I put it into drive, very annoying feature on all GM vehicles.

Heated mirrors are standard in Canada, not sure about US.

I totally agree with the memory seat, that drives me nuts.



I live in canada but i don't have heated mirrors on my CX7???

[Otto]

I live in canada but i don't have heated mirrors on my CX7???
Heated (and body color) mirrors are standard on the GT. All other versions get non-heated, black plastic mirrors.

[Mazda3]

I live in canada but i don't have heated mirrors on my CX7???

The heated mirrors are standard on ALL models in Canada.
It doesn't say anything on the mirror, but they are heated. They are activated by the rear defrost button.

[hevysrf]

"what about the e-brake! it would be nice to have a hand-brake instead of a old style foot-brake! its hard to get this thing sideways in a corner with that damn thing"
Your CX7 has a DSC(dynamic stability control) to prevent that sort of thing. It tries to maintain equal tire rotational speeds. Marty D

[singlemalt_18]

My wife wanted me to note that she echoes the "no lights on the vanity mirrors" as a gripe. She is also surprised that there is no light in the glove box - oh well.

She is also a bit put off that she cannot see the intrument cluster from the drivers seat!

I like the fact that you can turn the "beep" off on the Bose - every time she turns the volume down, I can notch it back up without her knowing too!

[Platonium]

So far I only wish for memory seating positions, auto lock and unlock for all the doors when the driver locks/opens their door and auto on headlights when the wipers go on. I think that feature (which was on my last car) is far more important than DRLs. I can't believe how many people don't turn on their lights in the rain!
Other gripes are small and inconsequential, like more courtesy lights and exterior side turn signal repeaters ala Europe.

[G-Papi]

So far I only wish for memory seating positions, auto lock and unlock for all the doors when the driver locks/opens their door and auto on headlights when the wipers go on. I think that feature (which was on my last car) is far more important than DRLs. I can't believe how many people don't turn on their lights in the rain!
Other gripes are small and inconsequential, like more courtesy lights and exterior side turn signal repeaters ala Europe.

I solved the lights/wipers and no driving lights for U.S. cars by covering the light sensor with a 35mm camera film case cover, and switching the lights to auto. Everything comes on whenever I drive the car, and it goes off with the ignition.

[ghost_rider]

Where exactly is the light sensor? and has anyone experienced any problems with this solution?

[ghost_rider]

Anyone?

[CX-7owner]

It should be located somewhere on the dash or maybe on the review mirror.

[AWmustang]

The manual has a picture of where it is located. There are 2 circles on the dash, one is the sun sensor for the auto climate control and one is light sensor for the auto headlights.

The CD player in the NAV DOES display song title information. At least on some CDs. The latest Linkin Park CD works just fine.

[Rick's CX-7]

My previous vehicle was a Camaro Z28. My CX-7 makes me feel I'm driving a Lexus! Pound for pound, my CX-7 trumps my old Chevy. The only thing the Z28 had that is almost unbeatable is raw accelaration...12.99@108 out of the box is very impressive.

[WWNJCX7]

Many have listed similar, I will list them in order of perference

IPOD interface (for tech package) - A MUST HAVE
HID daytime running lights (just like Acura has)
Auto Door Locks (locks at 20 mph)
Oh and speaking of door locks, why is it that you cannot lock your car manually if you dont have the smart key in your pocket? WTF - try to lock your car without your smart key....stupid
How bout the door locks that dont unlock automatically - like when you go to exit your car and you pull the handle and nothing happens till you physically press the unlock button. Gee that will help in the event of an emergency if someone has to get out of the car quickly - WTF

Cruise control - has anyone noticed that it stays on even if you shut the car off and cycle the ignition ? WTF never had a car do that


Aux Pwr outlet - in the cargo area....OH and while we are on the subject, what a stupid spot to put the outlet near the shift lever....works real well with my FM transmitter for my IPOD (not) the thing should be on the side of the passenger side WTF . stupid

Aside from that I love the way the car handles and looks, but these other things are just plain stupid....

[AWmustang]

You can't lock the car without the standard key either. It's a feature to prevent you from locking your key in the car. VW's have it too.

[GL-1970]

Many have listed similar, I will list them in order of perference

IPOD interface (for tech package) - A MUST HAVE
HID daytime running lights (just like Acura has)
Auto Door Locks (locks at 20 mph)
Oh and speaking of door locks, why is it that you cannot lock your car manually if you dont have the smart key in your pocket? WTF - try to lock your car without your smart key....stupid
How bout the door locks that dont unlock automatically - like when you go to exit your car and you pull the handle and nothing happens till you physically press the unlock button. Gee that will help in the event of an emergency if someone has to get out of the car quickly - WTF

Cruise control - has anyone noticed that it stays on even if you shut the car off and cycle the ignition ? WTF never had a car do that


Aux Pwr outlet - in the cargo area....OH and while we are on the subject, what a stupid spot to put the outlet near the shift lever....works real well with my FM transmitter for my IPOD (not) the thing should be on the side of the passenger side WTF . stupid

Aside from that I love the way the car handles and looks, but these other things are just plain stupid....


Wow, a 4 'WTF' posting :wtf:


I'm with you on the whole IPod fiasco
Cruise control - isn't it a good thing to remember the setting when off. I mean you're driving from Seattle to L.A. and you stop for gas a few times. You're going right back to the setting when you get back on the I-5, seems like a useful feature.
Auto Door locks - I can lock my car without the standard key. You press lock on the door panel and close the door. I suppose it doesn't if they are in the ignition...
Auto Door locks 2 - not a fan of autolocking doors (don't have kids) but also not a fan of being unable to open a locked door with the handle either.
Auto Door locks 3 - sit in the car with doors open, remove the key (standard key), press lock on the door panel and shut the doors, then unlock the door without the key and listen to the fun begin. I realize it's a security feature, but it's annoying
Auto headlights are set too high and never come on during a daytime rain shower, then blip when I go under an overpass
HID headlights are maybe too focused. They don't illuminate roadsigns as there is no scatter up and to the sides. Also I get flashed periodically when the road bumps. ( I even have the leveling set to "2" much lower than the manual suggests at "0", and they are properly aimed )
Buffeting when driving with the front windows down, need at least one of the rears open a few inches - then forgetting to raise it up again
Oh, and no storage at all in the rear seats, no litter compartment, door pocket, nada. Just sit and be still until we get there


Still the goods far outweigh the gripes... looks, handling, turbo (when accustomed to each other), huge ground clearance

[AWmustang]

Now that you mention it the car I test drove may have had the key still in the ignition.

Agree with you on the locks on the doors... when I pull the handle from the inside the door should open, at least on the front doors.

Agree 100% on the auto headlights. They should come on with the windshield wipers. And there should be a longer delay so they don't come on under bridges. I've had people move over that were in front of me thinking i flashed them.

[GL-1970]

Now that you mention it the car I test drove may have had the key still in the ignition.



Ok, update on the Door Lock Situation,

I have the Standard key (not Smart key)

With the key in the ignition, you cannot lock the doors using the all-lock button on the door panel, but you can individually lock each door

If you are inside the car with the doors shut and press all-lock on the door, the doors lock but the alarm is not armed. You can open the doors any way you want and the alarm will not go off

If you are inside the car with the doors open and press all-lock, then shut the doors, the alarm is armed. Opening the doors without the key will set off the alarm

If the doors are shut and you press lock on the remote, the alarm is set, and will go off if you open the doors without the key

[GL-1970]

Agree with you on the locks on the doors... when I pull the handle from the inside the door should open, at least on the front doors.



This weekend I decided to do something about this, so removed the front door levers and rigged them to open properly when locked.

I used a few screws and a short piece of rubber. Highly inelegant, but does the trick and is invisible once installed. Now when I pull on the door lever, the rubber contacts the door lock and they move as a pair. Other than that, nothing else changes

115726

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123681889

[Seminole]

Now that you mention it the car I test drove may have had the key still in the ignition.

Agree with you on the locks on the doors... when I pull the handle from the inside the door should open, at least on the front doors.

Agree 100% on the auto headlights. They should come on with the windshield wipers. And there should be a longer delay so they don't come on under bridges. I've had people move over that were in front of me thinking i flashed them.

I think they have a TSB out for that. It makes the delay a few seconds longer.

[AWmustang]

i'm due for an oil change soon. I'll ask when i take it in.

[GL-1970]

I think they have a TSB out for that. It makes the delay a few seconds longer.

There's a procedure for adjusting the sensitivity of the auto headlights that has been explained here: see post #25 - doesn't adjust the delay
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123647605&highlight=delay&page=2

[AWmustang]

There's a procedure for adjusting the sensitivity of the auto headlights that has been explained here: see post #25 - doesn't adjust the delay
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123647605&highlight=delay&page=2

I've already made that adjustment. It helps, but I'm still flashing my lights at people when I go under bridges in the mornings or evenings.

I've seen other cars that I KNOW have auto headlights (like every GM car made in the last 5 years) not flashing their lights under bridges. So I know the technology exists, but it's a matter of whether or not Mazda implemented it.

Maybe there aren't many bridges in Japan???

[jdp526]

We bought a new 7 a few weeks ago and we are on our first road trip with this car. The most annoying thing about this car is the glare from sun shining onto the brushed stainless or alum bezel that surrounds the center section of console or dash.

[06Si to CX-7]

I really wish an aux. Ipod jack was included...had this in my Civic Si and it was better than a CD changer, 400 songs at my disposal.

Sport model needs outdoor temp. somewhere on guage cluster.

CX-7 should have a better quality material for the headliner...what's up with the mouse fur??? That one detail about the CX-7 seems to make it feel a little on the cheap side...since all other interior materials are fairly nice. My 2006 Civic and the wife's CR-V have a very nice vinyl material for the headliner and it just makes the car feel more modern and upscale.

These are all minor gripes and I had to think hard to come up with these. Overall I could not be happier with my CX-7 and I got it for about $4,500 under MSRP! Gas mileage seems to be getting better now too with over 3K miles on her.

[WWNJCX7]

In order of priority

IPOD interface for tech package - this pisses me off beyond belief
Bluetooth interface - WTF every other manufactuer has it (toyota/nissian/infiniti/Acura)
Auto door locks
Better Heated seats with upper & lower heat
DRL - like the Acura front lights only

[HunterSwift]

I wish you could actual hear the exhaust.

[AWmustang]

In order of priority

IPOD interface for tech package - this pisses me off beyond belief
Bluetooth interface - WTF every other manufactuer has it (toyota/nissian/infiniti/Acura)
Auto door locks
Better Heated seats with upper & lower heat
DRL - like the Acura front lights only

Do you mean that you can control the upper and lower portions of the seat seperately or do you want a hi and low setting?

I was a bit concerned that there wasn't a high and low setting since that's what I had before. But these seats always seem to be the right temperature.