RX-8 Died, got a CX-7 loner

[stangmatt66]

Hey all, just wanted post that I had my RX-8 towed to the dealer becuase it refuses to start and to have the engine recall taken care of. In its place, the dealership supplied a brand new CX-7 GT (Platinum/Black). It's a bare GT with no options. Man does it need Bose.

Getting on the freeway was fun...lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost...Felt like I was driving stick--very fun! I'll probably have it for 2-3 days. Nothing's better than renting a car on the top of your shopping list.

I'm glad the dealership supplied it and I didn't have to walk over to Enterprise--ew.

[ms64meplease]

you wouldnt want the ford focus over the cx-7 is that what your sayin...lol i hate enterprise

or even better the neon from enetrprise

[1Sleepy93]

Now go buy one! :)

[cruzdreamer]

Nice car for a loaner. No Bose...that is a bummer, although it's one thing about the car that has not impressed me...the Centerpoint Bose system is just ok....a little flat. It was way better in my RX 8. Bose is over rated anyway! Enjot the 7 for a couple days!

[CX7_Scott]

Am I the only one who doesn't notice any "lag"...? this is my 1st car with a turbo... but I'm not seeing any lag. As a matter-of-fact... when I had to zip onto the highway this weekend and wife was in the car... I stepped-on-it because we were running late; we were BOTH very impressed with how smoothly it accellerated to 70-80 mph from off-ramp to highway - shifting was smooth, no "lag"... it was very fluent.

You "almost" couldn't tell when it was shifting...

-scott

[ms64meplease]

Am I the only one who doesn't notice any "lag"...? this is my 1st car with a turbo... but I'm not seeing any lag. As a matter-of-fact... when I had to zip onto the highway this weekend and wife was in the car... I stepped-on-it because we were running late; we were BOTH very impressed with how smoothly it accellerated to 70-80 mph from off-ramp to highway - shifting was smooth, no "lag"... it was very fluent.

You "almost" couldn't tell when it was shifting...

-scott
you will learn lag if you step in a rx-7 then you will feel the lag i tested the cx-7 so i bought the ms6 also just didnt like the bigggg windshield almost thought it was a mini van...welll a miniminivan:)

[lllateralus]

huh?

[stangmatt66]

huh?

I think he's saying if you drive a normally aspirated engine back to back with the CX-7 you will notice the turbo lag. The turbo lag in the CX-7 is the reason he bought the ms6. ms64meplease, did I get that right?

[ms64meplease]

yep... hey im no major in lit...lol but i have had several turbo cars in my life and you do notice lag if the cx-7 had a downpipe im sure it would help by a ton.

[cruzdreamer]

I don't notice much lag either....my first turbo, but I am a previous rotary owner....now that had a ton of lag!! To me this is smooth shifting and goes right from the get go!!

[spike blue]

well this is my third turbo car and i don't notice any lag at all , i used to have a mazdaspeed protege and that one it had a lot of turbo lag (hesitation) im pretty happy with the performance of the cx-7!!!

[Mazda3]

The only lag I notice is right from a dead stop until the RPM's get to 2000. There is no lag once it's moving. I think some people are confusing the 1/2 second it takes to down shift with turbo lag.

[C-Man]

The only lag I notice is right from a dead stop until the RPM's get to 2000. There is no lag once it's moving. I think some people are confusing the 1/2 second it takes to down shift with turbo lag.

I definitely notice it from a dead stop and occasionally while driving. It all depends on what gear you're in and where the RPMs are when you downshift, at least that's how it seems to me.

[G-Papi]

It's there (the lag), but it seems to be different with different vehicles. Overall, though, it seems not to be that big an issue 'cause it's so brief. Mine is rediced with the baffle removed from the air box.

[Mazda3]

It's there (the lag), but it seems to be different with different vehicles. Overall, though, it seems not to be that big an issue 'cause it's so brief. Mine is rediced with the baffle removed from the air box.

Removing the baffle did seem to make a little difference. I had my oil changed yesterday and had them do all the software updates. It seemed more responsive after the updates. Could just be my imagination, but I always bug them to do the updates when ever I'm there.

[cx7myfirstmazda]

Removing the baffle did seem to make a little difference. I had my oil changed yesterday and had them do all the software updates. It seemed more responsive after the updates. Could just be my imagination, but I always bug them to do the updates when ever I'm there.

software updates? Im a newbie, what do you mean by software updates? as far lag i also feel the it from dead stop only.:)

[1Sleepy93]

They continually revise the powertrain control module (PCM) programing throughout a vehicles life to take care of little issues here and there and improve certian aspects of the vehicle but usually won't flash (update) the PCM unless a problem pops up or you request it.

[cx7myfirstmazda]

They continually revise the powertrain control module (PCM) programing throughout a vehicles life to take care of little issues here and there and improve certian aspects of the vehicle but usually won't flash (update) the PCM unless a problem pops up or you request it.
Wow like they say you learn something new everyday:) Thanks

[afrost59]

It's there (the lag), but it seems to be different with different vehicles. Overall, though, it seems not to be that big an issue 'cause it's so brief. Mine is rediced with the baffle removed from the air box.

can you explain removing the baffle?

Thanks,

A Frost

[t-rex]

can you explain removing the baffle?

Thanks,

A Frost
see here.....
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123644829

[Dalton]

Getting on the freeway was fun...lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost...Felt like I was driving stick--very fun! I'll probably have it for 2-3 days. Nothing's better than renting a car on the top of your shopping list.

Cmon - have you driven a turbo before?!?

Its probably autobox down and upshifting you refer as a lag.

There is no noticable lag with Cx- 7

...and belive me I have driven several turbos - and Cx-7 is almost as good as Saab twinturbo.

Real lag would pronouce as driving 1,4L Corolla up to 4000RPM and 3,5 L Acura RL from that point beyond (glare) ...thats turbo lag for you.

Mazda CX-7 is good from the start.

[cruzdreamer]

Hmmmmm....I don't notice much lag at all.....as Dalton said...she's good from the get go!! Now my RX 8 automaticc had lag!!!

[stangmatt66]

Well guys, I think my days of Mazda ownership end with my RX-8. The CX-7 is a great car, but IMO the interior plastics are a very large step down from the RX-8. Everything is hard, shiny and over textured. The CX-7 drives extremely well and has lots of power, but I can't see taking a step down from the RX-8. Not to mention the horrible service I've recieved and continued to receive from Mazda dealership service centers has left a bad taste in my mouth.

I got my RX-8 back and had to take it back the next day for shoddy work the dealership performed, for not following the full instructions of the recall, and for a harsh vibration and squeel at idle they can't manage to take care of. They had it for another day, but this time sent me to Enterprise to pickup a base PT Cruiser--ew. Parts are on order and I've got to take my car back this week for the third time, I'm sure it will be Enterprise again for me.

[Platonium]

Hate to hear about bad serivce. that's one main reason I got rid of my Chrysler 300C for the Mazda is I've always gotten better service from Mazda dealers. as for lag? I haven't owned a turbo car since my 1989 Probe GT. compared to that car, this car has negligeable lag. I really think it drives more like a small displacement V6 that feels "cammy". In short, it feels a lot more like my old Contour SVT than my Probe GT.
Now for the interior. A lot of people say they don't like it. I think the layout is good, and the looks are good. But the materials are finer than in many cars. Certainly finer than in most cars in its class and price. The plastics aren't "soft touch", but look at a lot of cars in the mid '90s and early 2000s using soft touch materials. They look like Hell, today. The harder grained plastics are UV stabilized and generally wear better. They may not be as luxurious, but they are superior. Also, the fit/finish and gap quality in this car is better than any car I've owned. It is truly "Toyota-esque". I say that because lately it seems Toyota is the Cadillac of cars....Ha, a little joke!
I said to my friend last night that the CX-7 was more minivan than SUV and that was meant as a compliment! I guess different cars appeal to different people. I never liked the RX-8.

[P5w3kids]

I'm with the consensus, lag from a stop but very little to none if you get the revs above 3000 or so. Problem is this is easier with a manual transmission. One reason that, while I'd love to have a Legacy GT wagon, I wouldn't want that car with the automatic.

[mwr577]

I was given a CX7 sport last Friday when I took my Trib in. Drove it all weekend and noticed no lag in the turbo. I get to drive a Jeep Liberty CRD for work; test drive that and you will see turbo lag.

Needless to say I am picking up my CX7 Touring Tonight!!!
:)

[njcx7]

i don't notcice much lag. surprisingly my new cx7 stock reminds me of my first new car, a 96 FWD talon turbo. i think that had more lag as a stick before i applied, CAI, exhaust and blow off valve. i'm happy w/ the power of the cx7 and i didnt even punchit or try the man shift yet. only 90 miles so far. it does go from off ramp speed to 80 or 90 pretty quick. i like fast shit.

[Byrnie]

Hey all, just wanted post that I had my RX-8 towed to the dealer becuase it refuses to start and to have the engine recall taken care of. In its place, the dealership supplied a brand new CX-7 GT (Platinum/Black). It's a bare GT with no options. Man does it need Bose.

Getting on the freeway was fun...lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost, shift, lag, turbo boost...Felt like I was driving stick--very fun! I'll probably have it for 2-3 days. Nothing's better than renting a car on the top of your shopping list.

I'm glad the dealership supplied it and I didn't have to walk over to Enterprise--ew.

awesome dude glad to hear it and I hope your car fixing goes well.

[lllateralus]

Guys... the CX-7 DOES have some turbo lag.

When your at a dead stop and you floor it... does it instantly throw your head back? No. You could sip a cup of coffee, the lag is so bad. THEN, about 2000 RPM, you feel the rush of power? Well, thats how long it took to spool that little turbo up to about 100,000 RPM.

Now, say your in manual mode and in 4th gear going 50. Floor it... and for about 1/2 second, it feels like a 4 cylinder without a turbo. Then, again, the rush of power hits. (much more quickly compared to the dead stop lag, though)

This is turbo lag... all turbo cars have it, and the CX is no exception. That little turbine must spool way up to create pressure/boost.
That little turbine is not magic. It has to get spinning, and get spinning REAL quick, in a big hurry. Its not instantanious.

[P5w3kids]

I notice very little lag in the VW 2.0T engine, less than in the Mazda 2.3. The BMW 3.0TT also has very little lag. But after those two the Mazda probably has the least.

Just learn to downshift before you want boost, and you'll never notice any lag when rolling. From a dead stop you're out of luck, though.

[CXseven]

Guys... the CX-7 DOES have some turbo lag.

When your at a dead stop and you floor it... does it instantly throw your head back? No. You could sip a cup of coffee, the lag is so bad. THEN, about 2000 RPM, you feel the rush of power? Well, thats how long it took to spool that little turbo up to about 100,000 RPM.

Now, say your in manual mode and in 4th gear going 50. Floor it... and for about 1/2 second, it feels like a 4 cylinder without a turbo. Then, again, the rush of power hits. (much more quickly compared to the dead stop lag, though)

This is turbo lag... all turbo cars have it, and the CX is no exception. That little turbine must spool way up to create pressure/boost.
That little turbine is not magic. It has to get spinning, and get spinning REAL quick, in a big hurry. Its not instantanious.

YOU ARE CORRECT !!!
Even a friends 01 Carrera Turbo has some little lag.
If you all want to feel more turbo lag, go test drive the 07 RDX. (enguard)

hey.. didnt i see you on the 15 the other day ? Im here in Temecula