AprilCarandDriverLongTermTest

[mogulman]

Just got my April 2008 Car and Driver magazine. There is a long term road test (40k miles) of the CX-7 on page 104.

Seems like they mostly liked it. They liked the handling, brakes, interior, styling.

Things they disliked:
-Turbo 4-cylinder engine = They didn't see a need for it, and thought there should be a 6. Basically the gas mileage was same/worse than 6-cylinder counterparts.
-Road/wind noise
-Automatic transmission (seems like they didn't like when it shifted)
-No mileage/trip info and no outside temp (they were reviewing a Touring not a GT).

Overall they rated it pretty good but should have a v-6.

I guess I have to agree with most of what they say. I really like my cx-7. I don't agree with the transmission. I like it.

I do agree with the road/wind noise and turbo 4-cylinder. I guess I don't have a problem with the 4, but there really isn't any need for it because the mileage isn't any better than anything else. Not sure how much weight it saves over a v-6.

BTW... Sorry about the title but the forums are hosed and won't accept a title with spaces in it.

[erhayes]

In addition; their experience with dealers agenda to pad the 30,000 mile service was a good read for anyone who depends on the dealer for service. Gad that was a terible run-on sentence. I question their suggestion of a V6 vs the I4 turbo. Look at what Ford did to their version with a V6. Not impressive at all. ed

[koala]

They can't bitch about an outside temp gauge when it's available on other trim levels. If it was that important to them, they'd have opted for the higher end model.

As much as I hate my CX-7, there are certain things I have no issue with... the 6 speed auto in this vehicle is very good. I like the shift points and it's quite smooth compared to most auto's.

[StickShiftCamry]

They can't bitch about an outside temp gauge when it's available on other trim levels. If it was that important to them, they'd have opted for the higher end model.

As much as I hate my CX-7, there are certain things I have no issue with... the 6 speed auto in this vehicle is very good. I like the shift points and it's quite smooth compared to most auto's.

Yea rite, probably the slowest shifting auto transmission in the industry. Very dumb transmission, if u want to slow down going down a hill and down shift a gear or two, by the time it shifts down, u already made it to the bottom of the hill. They claim "sport" transmission, there is nothing sport about this transmission, lock up torque converter is almost non existent, even in 6th gear, making for constant slipping clutches somewhere, which also makes for poor gas mileage...

[AWmustang]

I do agree... that this thing needs a far more aggressive torque converter.

[erhayes]

Gee- I'm very happy with my CX7 except it needs another cup-holder.

[MSTswamp]

Even though I am filing for lemon law on mine for oil leak in transfer case and is on the third transfer case, I have recently noticed on mine that it feels like a clutch is slipping on moderate acceleration. Between 2nd and 3rd I can feel a little shutter (like clutch slippage). This isn't normal. Dealer says nothing wrong. I care to differ.

[koala]

Yea rite, probably the slowest shifting auto transmission in the industry. Very dumb transmission, if u want to slow down going down a hill and down shift a gear or two, by the time it shifts down, u already made it to the bottom of the hill. They claim "sport" transmission, there is nothing sport about this transmission, lock up torque converter is almost non existent, even in 6th gear, making for constant slipping clutches somewhere, which also makes for poor gas mileage...

Well, coming from someone who drove only manual transmission vehicles up until the CX-7, I really didn't think it's that bad.

However, maybe my expectations of an auto were too low? I expected it to be absolutely unbearable but in reality it's just fine.

I have to go down a steep hill with sharp turns every day on my way home from work... I just throw it into 3rd and I barely use the brakes (I don't use them at all if I'm driving "normal" and not aggresive).

[koala]

Even though I am filing for lemon law on mine for oil leak in transfer case and is on the third transfer case, I have recently noticed on mine that it feels like a clutch is slipping on moderate acceleration. Between 2nd and 3rd I can feel a little shutter (like clutch slippage). This isn't normal. Dealer says nothing wrong. I care to differ.

3rd transfer case? Jesus. I need to have mine replaced again but my lease is done in December so I'm just going to let it slowly leak until then. It's barely losing any fluid so I'm not too worried about it.

I mostly hate dealing with the strong odour of differential fluid.

[Benfolio]

I'm betting C&D didn't have the shutter valve replaced and the associated reflash done. They mentioned the gas cap recall, but I bet they got rid of it before the valve.
Shame, would hav fixed some of thier transmission and engine surging issues.

[warrusty]

Mazda has a history of their first year products needing to be tweaked (My Mazda6 and RX-8 had major programming issues in the beginning, which were quickly resolved). Unfortunately, the cars are tested by the auto magazines in their first year of production.

I have a 2008 CX-7 with no lag, quick acceleration, and decent gas mileage, but I read the opposite in Consumer Reports and now Car and Driver. Although Mazda should be criticized for putting out partially cooked product, they should also be praised for quickly, and sometimes repeatably, improving the product.

[offset_98]

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ the transmission, lag or gas mileage. We really like our CX-7.

[hectik1]

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ the transmission, lag or gas mileage. We really like our CX-7.I agree with this statement!(spin)

[StickShiftCamry]

I agree with this statement!(spin)

Then u know nothing about sport transmissions.

[hectik1]

Then u know nothing about sport transmissions.Doesn't really matter to me....my wife loves it. Besides I like shifting *hint: look in sig*

It goes when you need it to.(2thumbs)

[erhayes]

Really a shame that the Dealer who provided the CX7 to C & D did not do the reflashes and Shutter valve BEFORE delivering the vehicle. Shame on that dealer. I think many of the complaints we read about on this NG could have been avoided by good dealer prep but, that takes a dealer that is interested in more than $$$s.

[StickShiftCamry]

Doesn't really matter to me....my wife loves it. Besides I like shifting *hint: look in sig*

It goes when you need it to.(2thumbs)

I like shifting too, i only use the manual mode in this CX-7, my other cars are full manual trans...even when manually shifting it takes time to change gears...they should be sued for false advertisement "Sport Transmission" right on the sticker...soft lock-up converter = Buick like transmission, even new Buicks have more aggressive gearing than the CX-7, they should've put a CVT in this thing, cuz it's damn close to it. The only thing this tranny does good is sense long downhill grades and downshifts on it's own to help in braking...Drive a 3 series or a new Camry V6 and see what a real full auto Trans. should really feel like, i'm not talking about SMG, or DSG, just full auto trans.

[erhayes]

I think we have an excellent transmission for a COV that is intended to be a daily drive. I have put many miles on a Toyota COV and found it to be mushy during shifts. I like the 3 series AT but, refuse to put up with the reliability issues of that AT. In any case that is why a person should always test drive the vehicle they intend to buy. Doing our home work on the vehicle and taking a long test drive before buying is good. We then would have no one to blame but ourselves and not the transmission or manufacture!!

[StickShiftCamry]

I think we have an excellent transmission for a COV that is intended to be a daily drive. I have put many miles on a Toyota COV and found it to be mushy during shifts. I like the 3 series AT but, refuse to put up with the reliability issues of that AT. In any case that is why a person should always test drive the vehicle they intend to buy. Doing our home work on the vehicle and taking a long test drive before buying is good. We then would have no one to blame but ourselves and not the transmission or manufacture!!

I said new Camry V6, which means the new 3.5 w/ 6 speed, how can u put many miles on a Toyota COV when the RX 350 and Highlander 3.5 just came out less than 2 yrs ago? Those have aggressive transmissions (For FWD at least) that really give the sense of driving (torque feel, shift shock, whatever u wanna call it) when driven hard and smooth when not which is how a FWD auto "sport" transmission is supposed to feel like, and Toyota doesn't advertise "sport" i'll tell u that much -but a good thing is a good thing...

[erhayes]

I stand corrected as I was thinking of the 4 cyl. REV4. I do think a short test drive WILL demonstrate what you like or dislike about a vehicle before you buy and then compare and complain later. In any case my CX7 seems to do very well. Ed

[garyoNC]

Pretty surprising response. We just love ours also! The transmission works just fine. It is not a sports car and wasn't meant to be. It's a sporty COV and in my opinion it's one of the best. I detect no converter slippage at all and we have achieved 27.5 MPGs on a 190 mile round trip. I also disagree on a V6 as opposed to the turbo I4. I(we) get all the fast interstate speed and acceleration needed plus very good gas mileage. Outside of the muscle cars of the 60s and early 70s I have owned and built, this is the fastest regular car I have ever driven(in my price range). On a 2200 mile trip from Raleigh NC to N. of Chicago in the middle of winter this thing handled great. No excessive road or wind noise.

[Rick's CX-7]

I agree the transmission could be better....a converter stalling 500 RPMs higher and quicker downshifts would do a lot of good!
Better yet, let us have the 6 speed manual!

[erhayes]

I think a high stall torque converter, while it may help keep the engine at max HP better will kill the fuel mileage. The option of a 5 or 6 speed manual is of course the way to go for maximum performance. JMO

[Deacro]

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ the transmission, lag or gas mileage. We really like our CX-7.

Don't have and tranny problems replaced BOV with a forge and it fixed some of the turbo lag, Well love our CX-7 it's a 4000lb truck what do you expect for gas mileage people.(headshake