School me, Oppo - Mazda CX-7

"and 100 more" (nth256)
10/13/2017 at 10:54 • Filed to: None

Is it more “zoom-zoom”, or “run away, run away!”? What common issues should I watch out for?

This would be drafted into the role of daily-driver, family-hauler, road-tripper, for not more than two years. I’m looking at 2012 model year range.

Any experience with these angular little jellybeans is welcome, good bad and otherwise..

DISCUSSION (17)

Aaron M - MasoFiST > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:01

From what I understand, these had the same engine reliability issues as the early MS3 and the MS6. Turbo, HPFP, and some general engine longevity issues. Maybe tolerable on a high-strung performance car, but way more prevalent and frustrating to a plain-jane crossover customer.

Takuro Spirit > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:06

Well that one pictured is the non-turbo, which is the one to get if you don’t want power, poor-reliability, and meh gas mileage.

That’s the one I would get.

Because I had a turbo 2007 and it was rather bad in those respects.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:07

I remember the early 7's had some engine issues, but the 2012 probably has most of those ironed out. Heard they are gas pigs though.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:07

I’ve heard: run away. It has a drivetrain designed for a Mazda 3 in a heavier SUV configuration.

Chariotoflove > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:08

My neighbor switched to one from a 3 series when she had kids. She says it’s remarkable good to drive, and she is a driver. It’s been rock solid for her for several years now.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:18

It looks like the RX-8's fat cousin, wait, it IS the RX-8's fat cousin!
I don’t like SUVs, but I like the shape of this one.
Tried to push my parents to buy one, so I don’t have to be the one driving a SUV. Didn’t work.
Sorry, I have no useful info about these except that the turbo versions seem to be unreliable and gas guzzlers. I guess you don’t get the diesel versions over there either.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:21

Google-fu says they’re not particularly great at anything, suspect reliability.

In terms of what might be better, I have no insight whatsoever.

[Sits down]

Textured Soy Protein > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:21

The turbo version is a Mazdaspeed 6 in crossover form, with a smaller turbo for more low-end torque, an automatic, and no rear LSD. In theory it seems like it would be sporty but in practice it’s not all that great. Probably more hassle than it’s worth.

The non-turbo is fine but unexciting.

See also: first generation Acura RDX and its similar turbo motor. (Its 5-speed automatic’s gear ratios are spaced too far apart relative to the turbo powerband, and it’s unwilling to downshift as quickly as needed for brisk driving.)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:24

Some past knowledge is telling me “avoid”.

We took my wife’s ‘08 CX-9 to 190k miles, and now my sister’s well past 200k.

and 100 more > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2017 at 11:27

I, too, did the google-fu. It didn’t look great, but professional car reviews are spotty at best (a long-term ownership review is only one year long? srsly?) so i figured it’d throw it to the brain-trust and see what the hands-on experience was like.

and 100 more > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/13/2017 at 11:28

So, would you recommend the CX-9 instead then?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 11:40

No hesitation recommending one!

victor > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/13/2017 at 11:55

The cx9 of that Era was a ford cd3 platform, which was ripped from the Mazda game platform. Crazy

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > victor
10/13/2017 at 12:02

Yeah, basically an Edge chassis? Ours had the 3.7 in it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > victor
10/13/2017 at 12:04

The Duratec 37 is a 3.7 L (3726 cc/227 CID) version of the Cyclone V6 intended to power heavier or premium vehicles. The 3.7 L’s additional displacement comes from an increase in bore diameter to 95.5 mm (3.76 in), stroke remains identical to the 3.5 L at 86.7 mm (3.41 in). Ford Power Products sells this engine as the CSG-637 for industrial uses starting in mid-2015, which replaced the 4.2L Essex.

A Hiroshima, Japan assembled Mazda MZI 3.7 was installed in the 2008 Mazda CX-9 and was the first 3.7 L Cyclone V6 to see production. The first Ford application of the 3.7 L was the 2009 Lincoln MKS.

A few days before the 2009 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new version of the 3.7 L for the 2011 Mustang, making it the first Duratec-badged V6 since the Lincoln LS to be used in a production rear-wheel drive car. This version of the 3.7 L features Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT); delivers 31 mpgUS (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpgimp) highway mileage in the Mustang, and was the first production engine to deliver in excess of 300 hp (224 kW) and 30 MPG.[4]

victor > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/13/2017 at 12:57

Interesting. I just assumed that they were produced in Michigan. Wasn’t your CX-9 assembled in Michigan?

edit -Nevermind. It was actually assembled in Japan!

Khalbali > and 100 more
10/13/2017 at 14:24

I was a mazda tech for a few years, we made our money off cx-7s and cx-9s, I would stay away.