AWD vs FWD

[Velocifero]

Hey guys, long story short I might be getting a good deal on a CX-7 and was trying to figure out if I wanted the AWD or FWD version. If you had the choice, what would you get? What is the realistic differences in MPG between the two? I am also curious what most people paid for theirs and when? I appreciate the info and hope to be a part of the mycx7.com shortly with a write up on the ordeal. Thanks, Scott

[SuperStretch18]

In GA, you're never going to see the snow. IMO, stick with the FWD, unless you are an AWD freak. Save $ and about 200 lbs...

[Velocifero]

you're right about the snow, but like you this thing won't stay stock for long and I am curious if i'd see better performance (weight aside) from the AWD.

[SuperStretch18]

Straight line or in the curves? Check out this thread:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123674784

[kleung]

AWD makes tires wear more evenly. It feels more sure-footed. The trade-off is about $1k more and a slightly less gas mileage. It's your call.

[Velocifero]

Straight line or in the curves? Check out this thread:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123674784

LOL, I was just reading that thread

[Velocifero]

How much did you guys pay for your 7s if you don't mind me asking and when did you get them?

[SuperStretch18]

$23,900 for mine a year ago (there was a $500 or $1,000 rebate at the time). Basest of base models available, but got the locking lug nuts! LOL...

[astraelraen]

AWD CX7 is awesome until you get 15mpg :)

Unless you are going to race your CX7 around or you get snow, FWD is more than sufficient and if you are buying new you'll save at least 1,500 bucks or whatever the price difference is.

AWD does help in the snow and if you corner HARD, but under most street circumstances I can't even really tell the difference. The CX7 is fun to drive, but for 95% of my driving it wouldn't really matter if I had fwd or awd.

Now getting in snow and doing some partial powerslides that AWD makes possible... thats priceless though :)

[astraelraen]

How much did you guys pay for your 7s if you don't mind me asking and when did you get them?

If you are buying one new I definately wouldn't pay over invoice for it, especially since gas prices are rising so much. With the gas requirements + crappy mpg I can't imagine the CX7's sales are stellar. Especially if you have a volume dealer around that wants to move lots of numbers. We only have 2 Mazda dealers within 150 miles of me and both aren't really high volume dealers... it was harder to push them for a deal.

I paid 24000 + 500 for fog lights added to my AWD Sport barebones except fogs, last July. Deals vary though, especially depending on how many units your deal has already/has to move.

[Foolish]

Scott,

A CX-7?? WHY??

Ewwww....


I probably should have PM'd that... (peep)

[Velocifero]

Scott,

A CX-7?? WHY??

Ewwww....


I probably should have PM'd that... (peep)

Cause I like them. Eric, why a MPV?

[astraelraen]

Scott,

A CX-7?? WHY??

Ewwww....


I probably should have PM'd that... (peep)

(gun)(gun)(blowup)(blowup)

Just kidding :)

[RiP 8/23/07]

wow people paid 24 for a sport... I paid 23500 for a FWD GT w/bose and sunroof. not shure of current rebates but mazda usually has pretty good rebates I had 2500 but I got it as a left over cause the 08 were already on the lot 7 months ago. if you find a left over 07 I think the rebate is like 4k.
I drove a AWD GT tech package and actually liked the feel of the fwd, drove more like a car in the corners to me. I drove my fwd in the snow a few times this year and it did fine I think FWD is safe in the snow as long as you dont get it every day.

bottom line if you can get a GT for under 23k grab it the few little things are worth it. HID, fog lights, leather, love the climate control, and the dash upgrade is a nice touch.

[chris41]

Mazda has $2500 rebate x 2 ($5000) for an 07 Touring or GT in Cleveland. It's not openly advertised except by the dealers themselves. 07's are hard to come by....

[justanothermp5]

yea i agree with this guy, my mom paid 24500 for a fwd touring edition with bose and sunroof, leather seats, heated seats, and all that good stuff

no rebate by the way

[StickShiftCamry]

Get FWD.

[Foolish]

Cause I like them. Eric, why a MPV?

'Cause I have a kid and all of his grandparents are 10 hours away! Also, it's extremely practical. (unlike the CX-7).

[Velocifero]

ok, current debate: I can get this one that has 26K miles, nav, AWD in sky blue or one with 2k miles, no nav, FWD in Galaxy Grey. Other than the differences listed they have the same loaded options, leather interior, heated seats, climate control, sunroof, etc. I can get the same price on both, but which do you think? Seriuosly, the final desicion is my wife's and she can't decide which she'd rather have so I am looking for opinions. If we don't get this one now then I'll be picking one up in less than a year as I only have two payments left on the msp. Pretty much the trade off is milage for nav. I am fine with getting a Garmin portable nav but she really liked the built in nav that was in her 3. I am not wild about the sky blue but this isn't my car.

[SuperStretch18]

Keep in mind, 2008's had much fewer problems than the 2007's...

[AWmustang]

I love the advanced keyless system, but you will pay for the AWD at the pump.

It's a tough call. I guess if you are planning to keep it for a long time I'd go with the fewer miles.

[wongster]

i dono if this matters or not, but the cx-7 wit nav can play mp3 cds, and the cx-7 with out cannot play mp3

[astraelraen]

Thats a hard call...

Its a pretty big mileage difference, but its a pretty big feature difference as well.

If you drive a lot and are planning to keep the car for awhile. I would be inclined to say the lower mileage one, just so it doesn't accumulate miles so quickly.

But the advanced keyless entry, sunroof, bose, etc is pretty awesome. I'm inclined to AWD, but your wife will probably not benefit from it. I wish I would have gotten the moonroof/Bose package though. If the FWD one has moonroof + Bose, I say go for it.

Nav + AWD = 24k miles?
Nav + AWD new is ~5500.
Is the value of 24000 miles $5500?

[Velocifero]

Thanks guys.

It's still a tough choice that is going on. Right now we are trying to get them to add the nav into the FWD for the same cost. Its a shot, but if they really want to make the sale opposed to the competition I am hoping they will bite. i just wish it was a white one, that'd be my choice!

[astraelraen]

Sweet, let us know if you go with either of them. While I doubt they are as practical as a minivan (what is in terms of sheer storage, usability space?) But I think the CX7 is a great size for a family of 4 and it still lets you retain a good bit of space to haul stuff around in. And its waaaay cooler looking ;)

I've actually had 2 people get out of their cars while I was waiting at drive-thrus and ask me about my car because they hadn't seen many and thought it was cool looking. :)

I don't think I'd want to take a CX7 on a long trip with 5 people + luggage, but that would be doable as well.

[Velocifero]

Sweet, let us know if you go with either of them. While I doubt they are as practical as a minivan (what is in terms of sheer storage, usability space?) But I think the CX7 is a great size for a family of 4 and it still lets you retain a good bit of space to haul stuff around in. And its waaaay cooler looking ;)

I've actually had 2 people get out of their cars while I was waiting at drive-thrus and ask me about my car because they hadn't seen many and thought it was cool looking. :)

I don't think I'd want to take a CX7 on a long trip with 5 people + luggage, but that would be doable as well.

Don't mind Eric. He is really just disappointed at Mazda for using the mustache on all the new models and he has one kid and still manages to fill the minivan with his kid's stuff when they do go on vacation. I mean seriously, he fills a minivan to go on vacation and he only has one child. I think they pack a little heavy. He is frequently disgruntled as well. Sure the van gets better milage and has more storage but at the end of the night it is still a minivan. The main purpose of this vehicle is for my wife to carry around her massage equipment and getting ready to start a family of our own soon. You won't catch me in a minivan and you won't catch me taking every one of my kids toys on vacation. A bathing suit, sand buckets, shovel and some books should cut it. Just wait for his response, you'll see how disgruntled he is.

[PMena]

'Cause I have a kid and all of his grandparents are 10 hours away! Also, it's extremely practical. (unlike the CX-7).

i would stick with awd, we picked up a cx7 last night and its great.

why are u so bitter? the mpv as pratical as it is, its ugly slow doesnt handle as well as the cx7 plus its way bigger has a cheap interior and lol yea a kid you dont need a minivan its impractical for someone with 1 kid u need a hatchback not a minivan its got to much space for u

[Velocifero]

you haven't seen them pack!

[Velocifero]

We did get a FWD version and I have not experienced this on several extended (4-10 hour) road trips. Good luck and sorry to hear about your problem, this is my fourth Mazda and I am about to have 5th and 6th within the next 2 years and I have never had a problem I didn't cause.

[SuperStretch18]

Instead of ruining everyone else's threads, why don't you start one of your own, so that I can just ignore it?