Thanks a lot for the advice. I am reluctant to revisit the issue with the brakes with this dealer, but probably will at some point soon - as they are only going to get worse. I've read that others have upgraded rotors and pads after the warping issue recurred for them. Maybe something to consider.
I now feel that CPO has very little value except for the manufacturers warranty. I think that the dealer didn't perform any of the checks required beyond what they would do for a non-CPO car. I suspect they never changed the oil or filter, heck the car basically had an empty gas tank when i took delivery!
Anyway, I do like driving the thing so far. I really wanted a GT, mainly for the way it looks with the larger wheels and tires filling out the wheel-wells better as you said, but also for the backup camera, memory seats, etc...
If/when you decide to replace the rotors, you'll probably want to install new brake pads at the same time. I just installed new brake pads all around on my 2006 Mazda3 and I used ceramic brake pads (vs. semi-metallic) for the first time. I can't say enough positive things about them- I love them!!! They reduce heat buildup which prevents (or greatly reduces) rotor warping so they last longer and they are resistant to fading under heavy use. The cost difference is minimal and well worth it!
The selling dealership sounds like it it owned and ran by a bunch of snakes in the grass...the kind who keep the stereotype of the sleazy, lying car dealer alive! Hopefully you have another dealership you can use for service and repairs instead of these jerks! I would at least write a letter to Mazda and share your disappointment in the dealership and the CPO program. If the dealer isn't following the guidelines for the CPO certification process, it is a potential liability for Mazda and could undermine the value of their CPO program. Even if you don't benefit directly, maybe that dealer will get a good kick in the @ss! And delivering a car, new or CPO, with an empty gas tank is just plain rude! They concept of customer service and creating customer loyalty is clearly more than they can comprehend....
(Here's the part where I try to cheer you up for getting a Touring instead of a GT)....
Wheels and tires- The wheels on the 2007-2010 Touring were much better looking than the 2011-2012 Touring. If you ever need to replace a wheel, you'll be glad you have the 18"- the 20" wheels retail for $831.90 and the 18" retail for $569.95 EACH!!! You can find them discounted, but there is still a $200+ difference between them. (FYI- if you ever need to replace them or anything else at your own expense, check out car-part.com to search for salvage parts, if you want to save a lot of money). 20" wheels are also more of a target for thieves.
The tires also cost at least $75 more (each) for the 20" vs. the 18". The 20" also tend to have less or no treadwear warranty coverage in comparison to the 18" tires of the same brand. The Touring has P245/60HR18 All-Seasons compared to the Grand Touring's P245/50VR20 Performance All-Seasons- the 18" will definitely perform much better in rain or snow and they provide a better ride year-round along with less road noise.
A nasty shock for me in my '06 Mazda3 was how easy it is damage wheels with low-profile tires (P205/50VR17 in my case)! When my car was less than two years old, I met a Chevy Tahoe in a curve and it was several feet over the center line into my lane. I had to choose between a head-on at 45mph with a huge SUV or run off the shoulder and possibly into a ditch or embankment- I took my chances with the ditch! I actually stayed on the very edge of the shoulder and that's where I encountered the pothole from hell- at least 12" x 10" and at least 6" deep. Both my front and rear wheels on the passenger side were destroyed and the tires were flat. The suspension on the right front wheel was severely damaged and, just to top it off, one of the fluid-filled engine mounts exploded and sprayed oil-like fluid all over the engine compartment! I was NOT happy, to say the least. The total damage was just over $2500 and I only had to pay my $250 comprehensive deductible. But I was really surprised to learn that neither of the tires were damaged by the impact-they went flat because the lip of the wheel was bent so severely that they couldn't hold air. The owner of the shop that repaired it let me on a nasty little secret- tires with a sidewall lower than 60 don't absorb enough of the impact to protect the wheel from being damaged!!! In my case, the $150 tires passed the energy right on to the $500 wheels and aluminum alloy is far less capable of absorbing and dissipating an impact than rubber. I learned the hard way but now I'll swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid a pothole.
Rear view camera- If you really want the backup camera, Mazda offers a rearview mirror with the backup camera built in. It lists for around $770 uninstalled, but you can find it for around $600 online. The display looks rather small, but it actually works pretty well according to a few folks who have it installed in their CX-9. The mirror is also auto-dimming.
Other features-
Homelink and/or Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror- if you don't get the rearview mirror with backup camera, you can upgrade to an auto-dimming (day/night) rearview mirror with or without the Homelink programmable remote included.
Fog lights- you didn't mention this, but I don't think the Touring has fog lights (let me know if I am incorrect about that). If you want them, you can add them but they are insanely expensive like most other Mazda accessories- around $650 after you purchase the fog light assembly AND the fog light bezel, which is sold separately.
Memory seats- while it is nice to have if more than one person drives it regularly, it could be better. Even my mom's '07 Explorer included mirror position and foot pedal position (it had adjustable pedals) in addition to seat position in the memory function. In the CX-9, it only remembers seat position. My cousin has a 2008 Lexus GX470 and it has the perfect memory setup- it remembers driver's seat adjustments, both side mirrors and the steering wheel position (tilt/telescope is power adjustable in the Lexus)- I'd love to see that on the CX-9 in the future.
Rain-sensing wipers and keyless access system- the rain-sensing wipers are the very definition of overkill! If you are driving down the road and it starts to rain, how much trouble is it to turn on the wipers? The rain-sensing technology still hasn't been perfected and was even less so in 2009, so they don't always work when they should and sometimes start swiping when it's bone dry. The keyless access system (and smart keys in general) are highly over-rated, in my opinion, and the system on 2007-2009 CX-9s is the number one complaint I've read about on all the Mazda forums.
Cargo cover- the cargo cover to hide the area behind the 3rd row seat is only available on models without the power liftgate. It's a nice security feature if you ever leave anything in the car overnight.
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights- a 2009 Grand Touring would be almost four years old and could need a bulb replacement or even have more serious problems with the control module or ignitor element (I have no clue what that is or what it does, but it's part of the Xenon light system and it ain't cheap)! In short, Xenon headlights are VERY complex and repair costs of the complex, expensive parts is worth consideration before buying a used car with them. I'd rather have halogens like your Touring! BTW, when you need to replace the bulbs, I highly recommend Sylvania SilverStar ULTRA bulbs. They aren't cheap, around $100 for two low and two high beams, but they're the brightest halogen headlight on the market and as effective as Xenons in most situations.
Final note- the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is a pain in the butt! I drove my mom's new CX-9 to an appointment in downtown Atlanta (about 65 miles from the town where we live). The closer you get to the city, the more aggressive drivers become...and so do I. If I need to change lanes, as long as I can clear the bumpers the car I'm squeezing between, I go for it! The BSM warning was going off constantly until I found the switch to disable it....
There are a few Mazda Accessories that you might consider to make your CX-9 even better-
In the photo, it doesn't appear that you have the front or rear splash guards. Unlike most 'mud flaps' they are very subtle and blend in perfectly with the black rock panels. They are very functional in several ways. My mom's new CX-9 is Pearl White and she wanted the front and rear splash guards, but they only had the rear ones in stock. So they installed those and I have an appt. next week to go back for the front ones to be installed. When we got the car home, both front doors were splattered from the tire shine they used when they detailed the car for delivery. So they do protect the lower door panels from dirt and potential damage. Just a thought, especially if you plan to drive in winter weather.
They also have an option they call the Cargo Tray. It's made out of heavy-duty rubber and protect the rear cargo area. The cool thing is how it's made- it is three separate parts, one that covers the are behind the third row and the other two attach to the back of the third row seats. So it folds up and down with the third row as needed. Most cargo area protectors have to be removed to use the third row or only cover the area behind the third row, so this is a neat solution and only costs around $120. The $40 Cargo Net can also be used with it and keeps stuff from rolling around back there.
So you're probably better off in the long run with the Touring anyway....you don't need no stinkin' GT! Feel better now? (yippy)
