Anyone have a Mazda CX9 & Mazda3

[jen_nah]

Regarding the CX-9
Does the 3rd row have top tethers? Also what are you getting mpg?

Those with the Mazda3
The hatchback style does the center seatbelt cause any installation issues esp in regards to booster? What are you getting mpg?

[Melanie]

The CX9 does not have top tethers in the third row. Don't have one but I was seriously looking at them. I liked the CX9 alot, but that was a deal killer for me.

[CDNTech]

No top tethers for the CX-9 in the third row and the manual specifically recommends *not* putting child restraints in the third row. We were thisclose to buying one, but the wide doors did not get along with our narrow garage. :rolleyes:

The mazda3 has no issues with center booster useage that I've noticed. Getting 3 across can be done with the right combinations. Now, the Speed3 can not do 3 across and I've tried many different combos. :(

[jen_nah]

No top tethers for the CX-9 in the third row and the manual specifically recommends *not* putting child restraints in the third row. We were thisclose to buying one, but the wide doors did not get along with our narrow garage. :rolleyes:

The mazda3 has no issues with center booster useage that I've noticed. Getting 3 across can be done with the right combinations. Now, the Speed3 can not do 3 across and I've tried many different combos. :(

Well the CX-9 not allowing child restraints (assuming they mean booster too) in the 3rd row is a deal breaker for me too.

I am not so worried about 3 across the Mazda3 but dh is most likely going to get the hatchback which is the same as the Speed3 but just wonder if we had to put 2 booster next to each other how it would be with the seatbelt coming across from the driver side pilar. Have you tried installing Regents in one? My 2 Regents are the old manuals so I can install anyway I need too.

What is occuring is when my lease is up on my Tahoe later this year. Dh is going to get a Mazda3 but it will be my car for 12-15mths which we will pay off in that time if not sooner. Then at that time I will get my Chevy Traverse. We really just don't want 2 car payments even though we can do it. I just enjoy shopping way to much to give that up. ;) His truck is just killing us with diesel prices at almost $5.00 a gal here and it being his everyday vehicle. The only bonus is his truck is paid for. I can't imagine having a truck payment plus the cost to fill it ($130 each time).

[CDNTech]

No Regents up here to try. ;) The Speed3 does not work 3 across because the outboard seats are very bucket like sculpted seats. It is more of a flat bench all the way across on the regular 3 which is why you can do 3 across with that one.

I don't think you'd have a problem putting the Regents in the Mazda3, but can't say for sure.

I know I've installed a RFing MA, FFing MA, Parkway in a Mazda3. It was a very tight fit, but there was no issues with the center seatbelt coming from the door pillar for the installation of the MA.

[southpawboston]

the hatchback only comes in the sport model with larger engine (2.3L). with the new 2008 EPA estimates, i think it clocks in at around 29? mine can get close to 33, but that's on a strict highway run keeping it under 70. otherwise, typical highway runs get me about 30-31.

i think what aidensmom is referring to about not getting 3 across to work on the speed3 is because of the shape of the back seat. it is more contoured and there is more of a hump in the middle than the non-speed3. also, starting with 2008, there is a fold-down armrest in the center of the rear seat. i don't know if that introduces an undesirable bulge that will interfere with a center install.

also FWIW, curtain airbags are now standard.

[jen_nah]

the hatchback only comes in the sport model with larger engine (2.3L). with the new 2008 EPA estimates, i think it clocks in at around 29? mine can get close to 33, but that's on a strict highway run keeping it under 70. otherwise, typical highway runs get me about 30-31.

i think what aidensmom is referring to about not getting 3 across to work on the speed3 is because of the shape of the back seat. it is more contoured and there is more of a hump in the middle than the non-speed3. also, starting with 2008, there is a fold-down armrest in the center of the rear seat. i don't know if that introduces an undesirable bulge that will interfere with a center install.

also FWIW, curtain airbags are now standard.

SPB,

What are you getting mixed driving & city only? Since it will be mine for 12-15mths and I usually only drive in the city. Now dh does mixed driving since he is driving hwy plus city to & from work. He wants the 5door but not the Speed3 b/c he doesn't really want to drive a manual in traffic plus I don't want to drive a manual as my everyday vehicle.

Like I said I am not so much worried about 3 cross since it's just us 4 anyways. If we need a to transport a 5th person we will just drive the truck.

[southpawboston]

well, i can tell you that the average consumption we've seen in 19,000 miles is about 25. that's what the trip computer says and i've also been keeping an excel spreadsheet detailing every fillup and the mileage, and that also comes out at 24.5, averaged over the life of the car.

that is for a combination of long road trips (400-600 miles one way) every few months averaged with bumper to bumper traffic just sitting and waiting for traffic light after traffic light, which is what we do in between the road trips :o. the worst tank was about 20mpg, and that was pure city stop and no-go, i doubt anyone outside of L.A., boston, DC, or NYC would ever get that bad with this car.

and strangely, i think the automatic mazda3 gets better highway mileage than the 5-speed, since top gear is "taller" (lower RPMs at a given speed). we had a loaner 3 with an automatic and i was surprised at how low the RPMs were at 75 mph... they were about 500 lower than my 5-speed.

[CDNTech]

DH put a cold air intake on his Speed3 (increases gas mileage) and is getting 29 according to the car's computer. If he does it manually, it's coming out closer to 27mpg. He does a pretty good mix of hwy/cty driving. It's all on a hwy, but the first 20 minutes is 70mph and the last 20 - 30 minute commute is stop and go at about 20 - 30mph... dumb rush hour. :rolleyes:

[southpawboston]

DH put a cold air intake on his Speed3

just tell him to watch out for deep puddles :eek: ;). there's a reason those things don't come on cars stock. suck in some water and that engine's TOAST (and warranty will be totally voided).

[jen_nah]

Thanks Jen & SPB!

While I am not exacted at all to go from a large SUV back to a small sedan I know dh has to get a better fuel economy vehicle. We were talking about the Chevy Malibu but we won't be able to find a used one or get a good price like the Mazda3. So, I am going to take one for the team. :rolleyes:

Now we have the debate over the hatchback vs the sedan. I like the sedan where dh likes the hatchback.

[CDNTech]

Hatchback seems to have more room in it than the sedan. I liked the sedan better at first, but the hatchback has really grown on me. :D

SPB: What puddles? We live in Calgary... we see snow or sun, there is no inbetween... and if it rains/floods, *no one* goes near the underpasses or their entire car goes under the water, never mind just the intake. :D

DH also says it's technically a short ram intake. Whereas cold air intakes draw air from the wheel well, this intake draws air from the engine compartment. So, there is no risk of hydrolocking unless the hood of the car is completely under water. Win-win for us. :)

[Defrost]

Just curious - what's the reason you're not looking at the Mazda5? It sounds like it would fit your needs, not wanting to give up the space of an SUV, but needing better gas mileage?

[southpawboston]

Now we have the debate over the hatchback vs the sedan. I like the sedan where dh likes the hatchback.

the hatch is only available as a "sport" model with larger engine and brakes. the sedan is available in sport or lower trime, with a smaller (2.0L) engine that overall does about 3-4 mpg better than the larger 2.3L. :twocents:

[southpawboston]

SPB: What puddles? We live in Calgary... we see snow or sun, there is no inbetween... and if it rains/floods, *no one* goes near the underpasses or their entire car goes under the water, never mind just the intake. :D

DH also says it's technically a short ram intake. Whereas cold air intakes draw air from the wheel well, this intake draws air from the engine compartment. So, there is no risk of hydrolocking unless the hood of the car is completely under water. Win-win for us. :)

SRI is a different matter-- very different from a CAI. ;)

win-win maybe, but if the engine ever needs major warranty work, some dealers may reject it if they see it's had the original intake removed. even if you replace it before bringing the car in :whistle:, they may know what you've done from the bolt markings. for some dealers this is not a problem, for others, it can mean being denied warranty repairs. i'm all for modding, i just never do it when the car is still under warranty. :D

[jen_nah]

Just curious - what's the reason you're not looking at the Mazda5? It sounds like it would fit your needs, not wanting to give up the space of an SUV, but needing better gas mileage?

Because in a year or so it will be dh everyday drive and I will get my Chevy Traverse. We just don't want 2 car payments and we can pay the Mazda off with in 15mths tops. Plus I don't like the look of the Mazda5 (sorry!).

[CDNTech]

SRI is a different matter-- very different from a CAI. ;)

win-win maybe, but if the engine ever needs major warranty work, some dealers may reject it if they see it's had the original intake removed. even if you replace it before bringing the car in :whistle:, they may know what you've done from the bolt markings. for some dealers this is not a problem, for others, it can mean being denied warranty repairs. i'm all for modding, i just never do it when the car is still under warranty. :D

We've already had the car in for minor warranty work with the mod on. They haven't had an issue with it, in fact they agreed it was a good mod to make on this vehicle. We also have a US car getting work done in Canada, so they're already used to us being different than most warranty work they do. ;)

As far as mods go, it's a pretty minor one. This car just begs for this kind of mod. The fuel mixture was much too rich before... we've increased our mpg by 4 - 5 mpg by adding/replacing it. :)

[Defrost]

Because in a year or so it will be dh everyday drive and I will get my Chevy Traverse. We just don't want 2 car payments and we can pay the Mazda off with in 15mths tops. Plus I don't like the look of the Mazda5 (sorry!).

Oh, no need to be sorry! I wasn't all that thrilled with the looks, either, though I'm used to it now.

I was just curious because you'd obviously ruled it out, and yet it seemed to fit your needs. But if it's just going to be a one-person commuter-type-car in a year or so, that makes more sense.

[jen_nah]

SRI is a different matter-- very different from a CAI. ;)

win-win maybe, but if the engine ever needs major warranty work, some dealers may reject it if they see it's had the original intake removed. even if you replace it before bringing the car in :whistle:, they may know what you've done from the bolt markings. for some dealers this is not a problem, for others, it can mean being denied warranty repairs. i'm all for modding, i just never do it when the car is still under warranty. :D

SPB,

I remember the day dh put his supercharger on his Camaro. I just shock my head b/c his car was still under warrenty. Within 6mths he had blown the engine up. We did get lucky and they replaced it but then noted in the records that they supected aftermarket enhancements had been added to the vehicle and any futher warrenty work would be denied. After that he bought his orginal engine back from GM and built to the gills and did a motor swap. She never saw the inside of the dealership again and she only had 17k on her. He just couldn't wait for it to be out of warrenty to do his modding.

[sunnymw]

I had the 06 Mazda 3 hatch back and had no issues installing a Graco Snugride and Graco Comfortsport rear facing in the middle of the back. I also got about 25mpg average when I had it.