Just picked up (last night).
Stormy Blue GT /w nav and allegedly Sirius, but the port forgot to install it.
Got an excellent deal. This was the first time I've been able to just pay cash for a car (trade+savings) and the experience was only marginally better than dealing with financing. I was hoping to walk in, drop off the cashiers check and my trade , sign a few official documents and drive away. Ha.
However, the dealer (University Mazda, in Seattle) was the only one to make the effort to actually find me the ride I wanted in a reasonable amount of time, so props to them.
They were however bummed that I wouldn't be taking it to them fro service. I just laughed, did they expect me to drive into the city during the commute? For an over priced oil change? That's insane.
So far (one leg of my daily commute and the drive from the dealer in evening hell traffic) I'm pleased.
For someone not accustomed to a larger vehicle (coming from a Legacy GT) the blind spot radar is a great aide. Yes, I don't NEED it and I can snap a look over my shoulder but it is a good thing, particularly in dense traffic in a torrential downpour. It's just one more tool. My LGT has excellent visibility with the mirrors properly set but I cannot replicate that in the CX9 with the small rear window.
Handling-wise it is excellent, as I experienced in the test drives. The auto is smooth and responsive. I do miss the acceleration of my stage-1 LGT. Everything I've read about this motor indicates that it can take a lot, so I hope we'll see some after-market perf solutions.
The wheels look great, but should be wider. I would love for a wider OEM replica wheel set. 20x9 or so.
The audio system (Bose) is OK. Not sure if I will make the effort to do any sort of upgrade. Dunno if I will make the effort to install some sort of portable device thing (like the drive+play) or put in my empeg /w display extender.
One thing I do love about the radio: the FM reception is the best I've ever had in a vehicle. I've never gotten KEXP to come in without static on the Eastside before, it is flawless on the OEM radio.
-Ian
Stormy Blue GT /w nav and allegedly Sirius, but the port forgot to install it.
Got an excellent deal. This was the first time I've been able to just pay cash for a car (trade+savings) and the experience was only marginally better than dealing with financing. I was hoping to walk in, drop off the cashiers check and my trade , sign a few official documents and drive away. Ha.
However, the dealer (University Mazda, in Seattle) was the only one to make the effort to actually find me the ride I wanted in a reasonable amount of time, so props to them.
They were however bummed that I wouldn't be taking it to them fro service. I just laughed, did they expect me to drive into the city during the commute? For an over priced oil change? That's insane.
So far (one leg of my daily commute and the drive from the dealer in evening hell traffic) I'm pleased.
For someone not accustomed to a larger vehicle (coming from a Legacy GT) the blind spot radar is a great aide. Yes, I don't NEED it and I can snap a look over my shoulder but it is a good thing, particularly in dense traffic in a torrential downpour. It's just one more tool. My LGT has excellent visibility with the mirrors properly set but I cannot replicate that in the CX9 with the small rear window.
Handling-wise it is excellent, as I experienced in the test drives. The auto is smooth and responsive. I do miss the acceleration of my stage-1 LGT. Everything I've read about this motor indicates that it can take a lot, so I hope we'll see some after-market perf solutions.
The wheels look great, but should be wider. I would love for a wider OEM replica wheel set. 20x9 or so.
The audio system (Bose) is OK. Not sure if I will make the effort to do any sort of upgrade. Dunno if I will make the effort to install some sort of portable device thing (like the drive+play) or put in my empeg /w display extender.
One thing I do love about the radio: the FM reception is the best I've ever had in a vehicle. I've never gotten KEXP to come in without static on the Eastside before, it is flawless on the OEM radio.
-Ian