Recent content by bebopdeluxe

To be honest, I did not dig a great deal into it - as I was focused on getting a GSW with 4MOTION, which is only offered on the S trim. From what I read, posters are postulating that it might have something to do with gaps left during the welding process. My sense is it is not an issue with...

The GSW is replacing a 2004 Passat GLS 4Motion 1.8T Wagon that we have gotten 85,000 mostly trouble-free miles out of. The old 1.8T really struggled with the weight of that 3,700 pound wagon, and it was the engine that had the sludge problem that forced VW to extend the powertrain to 10 years -...

I live in the western suburbs of Philadelphia - virtually no 2018 GSW*s in stock...and what they had weren*t being given away. On the other hand, there were a TON of GSW*s in the Maryland/Virginia area (perhaps because VAG*s North American HQ is in Virginia)...which is why I bought there. PM...

The 4MOTION GSW and Alltracks have a 6-speed DSG - similar to the GTI. The Golf R has a 7-speed DSG. The front-wheel drive GSW with automatic has a traditional 6 speed setup.

I did look at the Alltrack S - but the best deal I could find (based on less dealer inventory for Alltracks than GSWs) was $23,800 OTD - and I couldnt justify the extra $ for what was basically the same car from a structural perspective. The SE was significantly more - and I also did not want...

I don*t disagree about the exterior styling - although the interior in pretty nice for the price. For me, it was simply the case that the price/value was too ridiculous to ignore. Purchasing a car at $7,000 under INVOICE gets your attention. The 1.8T/DSG/4MOTION drivetrain in a car that - out...

I remember reading this thread earlier this year when I was still trying to talk my wife into buying a Mazda...where the closest dealer was 12 miles and a crappy 30-40 minute (during the week) drive to get to. For me, the decision came down to simple economics...the VW dealer is 2 miles (less...

I don't know if your dealer would be open to it, but if the car has not yet been titled, perhaps they could 1) title it themselves (establishing an in-service date for warranty purposes), and then 2) sell it as a CPO - which would extend both the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. It...

For someone who wants/needs cloth seats, I think the Ascent Premium (where you can add the pano roof) is the best non-luxury value. You get many safety goodies (except the auto high beam - one of the nice things about the CX-9) - including, I think, a HUD...which would be sweet. I am sure I...

The only Mazda that I owned was a Protege about 20 years ago, and I primarily purchased it for its price/value relative to the competition (i.e. Civic/Corolla). While the CX-9's driving dynamics and aesthetics are a major draw for me now, the key drivers are the same - price/value. As someone...

This vehicle could completely change the game for me. I certainly understand that the driving dynamics may not be as nice, and I am not a fan of a CVT - although if it gets the same or better mileage than the CX-9, I could live with it. The three key differentiators for me are 1) eight person...

I think a big issue - at least where I live (western suburbs of Philadelphia) - is a less-than robust dealer network. I live in the 5th largest metropolitan area in the country, in one of the premium demographic areas that Mazda should be targeting...within three miles of me are Audi, BMW, VW...

Not worried about model year. This will be replacing a 2004 Sienna LE AWD with 124K...to be honest, the Sienna is still running fine, but I feel like a $2,000-4,000 repair could hit me at any moment! Want to get out while the getting is good. There are also a fair amount of 2017 AWD Sports...

Hello there...as someone who is likely purchasing a new CX-9 within the next few months, I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to pay more for the 2018 versus a 2017 leftover (I am buying an AWD Sport). I like some of the new standard features - as well as the new Sport package - but the...

Hello everyone...first post on the forum (so be gentle). My wife and I have a 2004 Sienna LE AWD with almost 120k that we are getting ready to move on from...been trying to talk about moving away from a minivan with the next care, but the only SUV she would even consider is the CX-9 (yay!)...