Tag Archives: mazda

2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD (1172)

20-12-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:
This is the 2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD SUV, and Wow, it is packed with great features and the price reflects all the cool stuff to make your driving a great experience.

I’ve been test driving Mazda for a very long time. I don’t have any review evidence before 2007 but you get the point. . . which, of course, is that unlike the Pierce Arrow or the Hudson Hornet or even more recently the Oldsmobile and Pontiac, Mazda is still around. Granted the Olds was produced for 107 years. Mazda on the other hand was a succeeding name (1984) of the original attempt of Toyo Kogyo in Hiroshima, Japan to produce a car he referred to as an autorickshaw. The year was 1931 so 85 years of experience. Not too shabby and it is represented as the Mazda CX-9 in my carport.

Okay so I haven’t been driving them since 1931 but my first experience was the MX-5 Miata and I’ve loved the little buggers ever since.

So perhaps I have a little bias, not so unlike my associate who thinks Ford is the best car ever. Not so Tom, but everyone has their pet favorites.

Another reason I have had a soft spot in my heart for Mazda is because I’ve been in the city where Toyo first built them. I was at Ground Zero in 1959 – thus only 14 years after the first Atomic Bomb (and hopefully the last being the one dropped in Nagasaki days later). Do you think all the radiation was gone by then? It would explain a lot if it weren’t. Anyway, it was a touching scene and experience for me.

Ground Zero then.

and now.

General Information: It is assembled in Hiroshima, Japan; Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Japan 90% Engine and transmission – Japan; Classification is Standard SUV. Cars from Mazda: 500, 500c, 500e, 500L and 500 X.

Handling & Performance:
For a large vehicle it is easy to handle and it is Turbo F A S T and much to my liking.

Styling:
Styling of this SUV is rather usual and expected and that’s a good thing.

Fit and Finish:
Excellent assembly work.

Cost:
Well priced all things considered.

Conveniences and comfort:
Most all features add to the convenience and comfort of your driving experience. A minor inconvenience is the Adaptive (smart) cruise control. It is needlessly difficult to turn on and off in its initial use, but more important is that it is not as sophisticated as some I have tested. It does not stop and start without intervention. For me this is one of the most helpful features in busy crowded freeway travel in noticeably relieving stress.

Consumer Recommendations:
If fuel economy is a touchy point for you the average mileage ranges from 17-25 and Mazda tops the list at 25. If seating is the hot point Buick Enclave tops the list at 8 in a range of 5-8. Mazda seats 7 and deserves a look see if a large SUV is your target segment. Happy hunting and Merry Christmas.

Recognized Competition:
Mazda CX-9 $45,000, Dodge Durango $45,000, Chevrolet Traverse $45,000, Lincoln MKX $45,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $44,000, Cadillac SRX $47,000, GMC Acadia $44,000, Buick Enclave $47,000, Toyota Highlander $46,000.

Good News:
Huge array of great features minus the kitchen sink, priced right, smooth and comfy ride, fast as snot on a cold day.

Bad News:
I found the electronic controls more difficult than need be. Others do it better. It will take more getting used to than I like and lastly smart cruise is not so smart.

Standard Equipment:
2.5 liter 4-cylinder 227 HP Turbo engine, All Wheel Drive, 6-speed sport mode auto transmission, 20” alloy wheels, rain sensing intermittent wipers, rear fixed intermittent wiper, heated power mirrors with turn signals, rear privacy glass, power moon roof, aluminum roof rails, power rear lift gate, 7-passenger seating, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, power windows and locks, auto dim rearview mirror, Nappa leather trimmed seats, 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory 2-positions,heated front seats, 4-way power passenger seat, Aluminum and rosewood interior trim, 2nd row window sunshades, LATCH child safety seat anchors, anti-theft engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitor, k4-wheel ABS disc brakes with Brake Force distribution and brake assist, Dynamic stability control, traction control and roll stability control, electric power assisted steering, LED headlights with auto on/off, adaptive front lighting system, LED fog and daytime running lights LED combination taillights, rear roof spoiler, radar (smart) cruise control, electronic parking brake, Keyless entry system with push button start / stop, 3-zone climate control, Bose AM/FM/HD/Satellite 12 speaker system, Bluetooth/ Auxiliary Jack/ USB inputs (4), 8” color display with rear camera, Navigation, trailer stability assist, front, side airbags, 3-row side curtain airbags, blind spot monitor, front and rear stabilizer bars, rear cross traffic alert, rear backup sensors, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, smart brake support with smart city brake support.

Gas Stats:
$2.59/ Gal avg. December 18, 2016

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.
21 City and 27 Highway MPG

Pricing:
MSRP $44,915 as equipped.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Manual Transmission (1164)

26-10-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:

This is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Manual Transmission two seater sport car. Yes – an automatic transmission is an option. Over the years that I have driven the Miata it has matured but so has the cost. In early years it was rather ‘tiny’ sounding but even though it is still a ‘light weight’ small two seater, it has many of the safety features once only found on much more expensive sport cars.

And beyond the technology built in and it has matured from that standpoint, it is still a small car that simply can’t and shouldn’t be able to provide bigger car space and features. Some of the competition that is in the same price range – The Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S both seat 4 -and thus have more room generally.

General Information: It is assembled in Hiroshima, Japan; Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Japan 95% Engine and transmission – Japan; Classification is Two Seater. Cars from Mazda: CX 3, CX 5, CX 9, Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 5, Mazda 6, MX-5 Miata.

Styling:

Classic Miata that has been updated to meet or go head to head with higher priced cars in this segment.

Fit and Finish:

No complaints.

Cost:

Very competitive among all of those listed here. But when considering alternatives like the Audi and the Nissan they are far more sophisticated and substantial albeit similar in size.

Conveniences and comfort:

For a small two seater sport car it has an impressive number of features that make your drive more comfortable. On the other hand, there is very limited space but I’m sure if you’re in the market for a sport car, you don’t expect larger car space conveniences.

Sport car enthusiasts will also appreciate a manual transmission. But for the ladies there is an option for a 6-speed automatic transmission. Typically female drivers, in my experience, don’t like man-ual transmissions. In fact, both men and women under 40 may never have driven a car so equipped. As I recall the DMV driving test required applicants to take the test in a manually shifted car.

Finally, I’m guessing most older drivers (men or women) aren’t terribly interested in the inconvenience of getting in and out of cars this low to the ground.

Consumer Recommendations:

If you are young, or simply young at heart, no matter the age, and you have a yearning to drive a sport car you will enjoy the ride.

Some of the most memorable times of my life include my wife and I traveling to Lake Tahoe in a Miata for the week. I rather like traveling light. Really light – by necessity in this case. The trunk is very small and there IS no back seat. One way around the space problem is a rack on the trunk lid to put extra luggage.

Recognized Competition:

Mazda MX-5 Miata $30,000, Audi TT Roadster $47,000, MINI Roadster $27,000, Nissan 370Z Roadster $46,000, BMW Z-4 $51,000, Subaru BRZ $28,000, Scion FR-S $26,000.

Good News:

Good fuel economy, very good handling, fun , fun, fun to drive.

Bad News:

Limited use, low profile discomfort.

Standard Equipment:

2.4 liter 165 hp 4-cylinder engine, Skyactive MT 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel ABS power assist disc brake system, rear wheel drive, 17” alloy wheels, manual folding black cloth convertible top with liner, auto LED headlights, 2-passenger seating, power windows and locks, keyless entry and push button start, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio/ cruise/ Bluetooth controls, leather shift knob and brake handle, 5 year 60,000 mile warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance, anti-theft alarm, blind sport and rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning system, tire pressure monitor, electric power assist steering, power heated side mirrors, rain sensing wipers, glass rear window with defogger, Bose am/FM/cd 9-speader HD audio, Sirius XM satellite radio, Navigation system, 7” color touch screen, Bluetooth hands free phone/audio, cruise control, trip computer, tire pressure monitor, climate control, heated leather seats, stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, front, front side air bags.

Gas Stats:

$2.65/ Gal avg. October 22, 2016

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

27 City and 34 Highway MPG

Combined MPG

Mazda MX-5 Miata – 30 combined mpg, Mitsubishi Lancer – 25 combined mpg, Ford Focus – 25 mpg, Kia Forte 5 24 combined mpg, Prius Hybrid -52 combined mpg (electric), Nissan LEAF – 114 combined mpg (electric), VW Golf – 28 combined mpg.

Pricing:

MSRP $25,545.

2016 Mazda-3 grand touring 5-door sedan (1162)

10-10-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:

This is the 2016 Mazda-3 grand touring 5-door sedan. It is obvious that all cars stand on their own as to how well they perform in ‘class’ or ‘type’. This is a midsize affordable family 5-door sedan that is among my top three in class.

The test vehicle sported a manual transmission and that rules out many buyers if an automatic were not available. That is true especially for younger drivers who have probably never driven a manual transmission. Back 30 or 40 years ago the manual transmission was referred to as a “Standard” transmission. Auto was an option. Well the tables have turned in favor of Automatic.

The reason you see so few cars with manual transmissions these days, simply put, is that the consumer opts for automatic in most cases. But mostly it is because automatics have become so good that there is less reason for a manual shift transmission.

Older drivers will remember how cluggie automatic transmissions were in the early days. History buffs may also remember Oldsmobile’s Hydromatic, or Chevrolet’s Powerglide, or Packard’s Ultramatic or Buick’s Dynaflow? Those are just a few of the early versions of the Automatic transmission. That is why Manual transmissions were and continue to be referred to as “Standard” as it was in those early day designs. Automatic was an option.

General Information: It is assembled in Hofu, Japan; Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Japan 95% Engine and transmission – Japan; Classification is Midsize. Cars from Mazda: CX 3, CX 5, CX 9, Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 5, Mazda 6, MX-5 Miata.

Handling & Performance:

The manual trans adds a few mpg and that is good, but in stop and go traffic you’d rather have an automatic. On the optimistic side it gives you something to do and thus you may even be more awake and alert.

I found that on a mountain course I found you don’t really need to shift all that much. The 184 hp matched with a long third gear pretty much handled slow to intermediate speed of travel.

Styling:

As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. On the practical side Mazda is a solid company with well made cars with a generous supply of standard equipment and comfort built in.

Fit and Finish:

I can always count on Mazda to deliver fit and finish that is consistently very good.

Cost:

It is competitive with a host of features that put Mazda at the top of my list.

Conveniences and comfort:

I’m impressed with a generous list of stuff that includes the most modern state of the art technology features. Blind Spot and Cross traffic sensing and alert is important to me. Stability and cruise controls are a must for my car as well. I also appreciate the Hill Start, especially with a manual transmission.

Consumer Recommendations:

I have tested all of these makes and models and I encourage you to test drive all if you can, but the top of my list include this Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Kia Forte and VW Golf.

Recognized Competition:

Mazda 3 $26,000, Mitsubishi Lancer $23,000, Ford Focus $25,000, Kia Forte 5 $23,000, Toyota Prius Hybrid $31,000, Nissan LEAF SL Hybrid $38,000, Volkswagen Golf $26,000.

Good News:

Good fuel economy, great listing of standard features, comfortable, good power.

Bad News:

For many, the manual transmission will be a drawback, (but you will only sacrifice a few mpg with an automatic if that is your choice).

Standard Equipment:

2.5 liter 184 hp 4-cylinder engine, Skyactive MT 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel ABS power assist disc brake system, 18” alloy wheels, rain sensing variable intermittent wipers, heated power mirrors with turn signal lights, 5 passenger seating, fog lights, moon roof, leather trimmed seats, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, power windows and locks, keyless entry and push button start, 60/40 split fold down rear seat, leather wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and brake handle, 5 year 60,000 mile warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance, anti-theft engine immobilizer, blind sport and rear cross traffic alert, tire pressure monitor, electric power assist steering, auto on/off lights, body color rear hatch spoiler, 7” color touch screen, rear view camera, navigation system, Bose 9-speaker audio system, am/fm/cd HD radio, Sirius XM radio, sms text message, Bluetooth hands free phone/audio, cruise control, trip computer, steering wheel mounted controls, paddle shifters, stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, front, front sided front and back side curtain air bags.

Gas Stats:

$2.65/ Gal avg. October 9, 2016

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

26 City and 35 Highway MPG

Combined MPG

Mazda 3 – 30 combined mpg, Mitsubishi Lancer – 25 combined mpg, Ford Focus – 25 mpg, Kia Forte 5 24 combined mpg, Prius Hybrid -52 combined mpg (electric), Nissan LEAF – 114 combined mpg (electric), VW Golf – 28 combined mpg.

Pricing:

MSRP $25,545.