Mazda CX-7 or alternative?

[Mazdarese]

Folks

Any PH'ers own/owned/driven the Mazda CX-7 and have any opinions?

Seriously considering one for Mrs A's next car. We have a mini-A due and need to size-up from her Alfa GT, as we will need something practical and comfortable, with good load-lugging ability.

We want something 'big' to make it easier to get baby in/out. We don't want a 'standard' estate. And I don't need any shouts of "It's only a baby you don't need to take that much stuff, just get an E39 estate" etc etc.

We're looking at the 2.3T petrol edition, same engine as the 6MPS that I drive, and they can be had for ~ £12k for a 2-3 year old model with less than 20k miles. A bargain in my eyes. Yes, it will only do an optimistic ~25mpg, but Mrs A will be doing less than 8k miles a year.

Cars we've already considered:

Lexus RX - far too expensive for a low-mileage example.
BMW X5 - the previous/affordable shape looks really dated compared to the new one.
Honda FR-V CDTi - still considering as a sensible option.

She's pretty set on the CX-&, but budget is ~£12k if anyone can think of an alternative. Be warned, she's very fussy!

Cheers

Oh, here is an example.

[alsem]

I've got a CX7 and it's a real pleasure to drive, the car is pretty rare, that makes it in my eyes better then the zilions of Q7's, X5's and Cayenne's you see everywhere.

I got an 2.3t automatic with dashboard integrated GPS and white leather seats from The US, they originally didn't sell automatics in Europe so I had to import one.

I would say: if you can pay the petrol you should buy it!

[Mazdarese]

alsem said:

I've got a CX7 and it's a real pleasure to drive, the car is pretty rare, that makes it in my eyes better then the zilions of Q7's, X5's and Cayenne's you see everywhere.

I got an 2.3t automatic with dashboard integrated GPS and white leather seats from The US, they originally didn't sell automatics in Europe so I had to import one.

I would say: if you can pay the petrol you should buy it!

Thanks for the reply. My eyes lit up when you mentioned automatic as I didn't remember seeing any! But, we'd rather have a UK car than an import.

Is the Sat-Nav integrated into the dash or is it a stuck on jobbie? I've seen a couple that say 'Sat Nav' in the description and then on the pictures they appear to have a mount of sorts on the dashboard.

[thehawk]

Test drove one and wasn't impressed, was really impressed with the Mazda 6 though.

What about a 5 door Golf? Better to drive, more economical, nicer interior and pretty much the same interior space.

Not sure why the comparisons to Cayennes, X5's and Q7's are being made though - the CX9 is more relevant to them. The CX7 is similar in size to A RAV 4, Freelander, Forester etc.

[alsem]

Mazdarese said:

Thanks for the reply. My eyes lit up when you mentioned automatic as I didn't remember seeing any! But, we'd rather have a UK car than an import.

Is the Sat-Nav integrated into the dash or is it a stuck on jobbie? I've seen a couple that say 'Sat Nav' in the description and then on the pictures they appear to have a mount of sorts on the dashboard.

With the European version the sat-nav isn't integrated, that's also an US / Japan option, the integrated sat-nav looks much better.

It's sad that we don't have that many options available in europe, but I've heard that on a X5 or Q7 you spend about 10k for advertisements only when buying the car new, the CX7 didn't have a marketing campaign over here, so that saves you some bucks!

[Mazdarese]

thehawk said:

Test drove one and wasn't impressed, was really impressed with the Mazda 6 though.

What about a 5 door Golf? Better to drive, more economical, nicer interior and pretty much the same interior space.

Not sure why the comparisons to Cayennes, X5's and Q7's are being made though - the CX9 is more relevant to them. The CX7 is similar in size to A RAV 4, Freelander, Forester etc.

We aren't really considering a hatchback, even though I know that will open up a whole raft of other, potentially 'better', cars. I've had a bad back for years and I'd really like to help with loading the little one into the car etc. I think I'd struggle with a hatchback car being a lot lower than the CX-7 style cars.

The CX-9 isn't available in the UK. The reason I mentioned the X5 was they are available for the same price (albeit for older, leggier cars) and are reasonably similar.

[Deerfoot]

alsem said:

With the European version the sat-nav isn't integrated, that's also an US / Japan option, the integrated sat-nav looks much better.

CAR Magazine are running a CX-7 long termer that has integrated sat-nav. It`s the later diesel car though so perhaps it`s only recently become available.

The screen is very small though.......

[Luke.]

Sat nav only available on the newer, diesel ones, also no auto sadly.

Was all set on the CX-7, but did a last minute swerve to a Subaru Outback with touch screen sat nav and the autobox I was after for a lot less cash.

The difference actually meant I could keep the Boxster

PS Also, test drove the X5, 330i Touring, Yeti's and Touaregs. Still preferred the Outback.

Edited by Luke. on Monday 31st January 15:12

[Prof Prolapse]

Alternative...

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT. You can get a highly spec'd 2008 for 12K. 2.5 turbo will return reasonable (comparative) MPG as it weighs considerably less than those mentioned. It will do everything the others will but will also be a great driver.

(Ground clearance is about the same as a freelander though so it will lose out if you plan to scale a mountain somewhere.)

EVO review:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/5...

[Luke.]

Probably makes no odds, but the CX-7 is also in the £450 odd tax bracket.

[mattman]

Nissan Murano - 3.5V6 auto as standard - that would be my choice

[lexham]

+1 for the CX-7 petrol turbo.
It's an SUV that doesn't make you feel like you've given up on having some driving fun.

The doors open wide enough for putting the baby in and out, and the rear cabin space is pretty decent.
It was one of the few cars that could fit a rear facing baby seat behind the driver or passenger seat and give me enough space to stretch my legs (@ 6ft 2").

Plus points: Fast (well, nippy), quiet, comfy seats, drives very nicely, very reasonable servicing costs (every 9k), reliable, well specified.
Negatives: It drinks like a Cayenne S, but that's about it. Although, it's no worse than an RX-8 on fuel.

I lived in the US and ran the Grand Touring Auto for a while, then a CX-9 (the big brother of the CX-7) - loved them both.

Interesting CX-7 review here:
http://www.insideline.com/mazda/cx-7/2007/comparis...

Oh - fuel consumption - you'll be lucky to get to 25mpg.

I think ours is on about 19 combined.

We looked at the Forrester (loved it), but the boot was too small - the Mazda takes the Maclaren buggy easily along with all the other stuff you end up carting about when you have an urchin.
Also ruled out Cayenne, FFRR, Disco3, ML, R-Class, RS4, Skoda Octavia VRS (tough call there).

Edited by lexham on Monday 31st January 22:21

[Mazdarese]

Thanks for the responses.

Neither of us really fancy either of the Subarus, but the Murano is a good call. We spotted one this morning on the M6 and it got a "Ooh yeah it's nice, but not as nice as the CX-7"

I'll go check the classifieds.

Cheers

[Porkis]

Forget all of the above

Get a used Lexus RX

End of thread

[EDLT]

Porkis said:

Forget all of the above

Get a used Lexus RX

End of thread

Read the first post.