Chalk & Cheese Mazda CX-7/Renault Megane 250 Cup

[hypnotic]

Hi All

Long time lurker first time poster..

Thought I’d finally pluck up the courage to post after years of lurking..

Here are the current steeds a remapped Mazda CX-7 diesel churning 243bhp and nearly 400ft/lb and a Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup.

Both cars are wonderful in their own right and compliment the other. If I want fast comfortable and relaxing I’ll take the Mazda.. If I just want an analogue experience I take the Megane.

Obligatory picture included.

Regards

Matt

[brough74]

What's the CX-7 like to drive ? as ive been fancying the 2.3 turbo version

[hypnotic]

Mazda is a decent drive.. Steering is light around town but weighs up nicely. Feel around Centre position is a bit vague though. Bit of body roll when pushing on and tyre noise is a bit intrusive but that’s 19’s for you.. Apart from that it’s a well equipped family car which we love due to the looks and rarity..

[Eyersey1234]

One of my workmates has just got a new CX-7 on a personal lease and loves it.

[spreadsheet monkey]

brough74 said:

What's the CX-7 like to drive ? as ive been fancying the 2.3 turbo version

Also interested to hear the OP's views on this. I've heard the turbo petrol is fun but thirsty (and expensive to tax). I like the looks of the CX-7, it has more style than most of the Jap/Korean competition.

[hypnotic]

We have owned it for about 6 years and have put about 45000 miles on it. Previously we had a Mazda 6 as the family car which was trouble free so felt the CX-7 was a natural progression. For the size the car feels pretty nimble and handles well. The only issues we have had was a faulty adblue injector that placed the car into limp mode and cost £430 to repair..

Good Points

Well equipped
Handles well
Still looks modern
Don't see many of them
Reliable.

Bad Points

Interior space is quite small baring in mind it's a similar size to a Porsche Cayenne.

Goes through front tyres after about 12000 miles

needs Adblue top ups

Road Tax about £300 a year

72000 mile service pricey at £700 + for the Diesel injector replacements.

Regards

Matt

[spreadsheet monkey]

It amuses me that we have a Megane Cup and a CX-7 on this thread and everyone wants to talk about the CX-7!

[hypnotic]

I thought exactly the same

[Turbojuice]

spreadsheet monkey said:

It amuses me that we have a Megane Cup and a CX-7 on this thread and everyone wants to talk about the CX-7!

I'll bite

OP how long have you had the Megane and how has it treated you?

Always been a big fan of that era Megane RS. Looks the dog's danglies and everyone who drives one raves about how great they are.

[hypnotic]

I’ve had the Megane about a year now and it simply is as fantastic as everybody says. Its chassis is so composed and it eggs you on. It’s a weird sensation when going into a tight corner and instinct tells you to lift but you have to keep the power down and let the diff pull you out and rocket you up the road. There is no body roll and the steering is so direct and gives so much feedback.. There is virtually no torque steer and even though it’s turbocharged it feels very normally aspirated. It clatters into the Rev limit so fast so it encourages you to thrash it like a good hot hatch does. As you can tell I love it to pieces.. At its price point I think it’s absolute bargain..

[hypnotic]

Some more photos of each..

[Turbojuice]

hypnotic said:

I’ve had the Megane about a year now and it simply is as fantastic as everybody says. Its chassis is so composed and it eggs you on. It’s a weird sensation when going into a tight corner and instinct tells you to lift but you have to keep the power down and let the diff pull you out and rocket you up the road. There is no body roll and the steering is so direct and gives so much feedback.. There is virtually no torque steer and even though it’s turbocharged it feels very normally aspirated. It clatters into the Rev limit so fast so it encourages you to thrash it like a good hot hatch does. As you can tell I love it to pieces.. At its price point I think it’s absolute bargain..

Good to hear! Definitely a car that seems fantastically easy to fall in love with.

It's one of many cars that i've been hankering over and from everything i've heard about them they seem like fantastic motors, both as daily drivers and track toys.

[hypnotic]

Definitely.. it’s such a Jekyll and Hyde car. It will happily sit on the Motorway but will reward you if you take the long way home..