Mini Reviews: Mazda CX7 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

[Mike]

CX7
Belongs to my sister. Overall, it's a decent oversized minivan. The ride is pretty good, fit and finish is superb, ergonomics were all very pleasing, but the engine left a bit to be desired. I give Mazda credit for trying something different, but the 4-cyl just doesn't have enough grunt to make it as sporty as Mazdas usually are. Then again, it is a baby-hauler... who cares? If you're in the family-making business, you won't be disappointed.



SRT8
I wanted to love this thing, and before driving one, I did. They look mean as shit, their specs are awesome, and they sound great (especially with the cat delete that this one had). Unfortunately, it combined all the negatives of driving a sports car with all the negatives of being an SUV. Lose, lose. The engine and looks are the only things this thing has going for it. Ride quality was worse than my civic (on uber-lb springs) thanks to the dubs, everything rattled (combination of us fit and finish with dubs), and the brembos, while supremely awesome, squealed like a pig every time you touched them... They also didn't feel nearly as awesome as other brembos I've tried. It also handled like you'd expect a 5000lb SUV to handle. If you're in the... getting ripped off business, you won't be disappointed.

[WRXtranceformed]

Ahhh that's a shame, I love the concept of the SRT8 Jeep and I love the looks. Maybe a better suspension would help it out?

[Sijray21]

To hijack Mike's thread:



I was actually impressed by the Mazda5. This is basically a very small crossover vehicle that closely resembles a true minivan, with it's dual rear sliding doors. The sliding doors on the side are actually very helpful for getting people in and out of tight spaces. The 2.3L 153bhp/148lb-ft power plant behind under the hood is actually very suitable for the 3475 curb weight and allows for decent 'get-up-and-go' abilities, even with 4 grown adults in the vehicle. The brakes on the car are very capable as well. The suspension allows for a very comfortable ride that's 'ok' on the road noise, not the best. The seating for this thing allows for 7 adults under 6' comfortably except for the 3rd row seating and for the driver the position of the steering wheel feels like a bus. The rear seats can fit moderately sized people comfortably. If you're looking for a people-mover that's easy to park and easy on the wallet for initial cost and the gas budget (21/27) it's tough to beat. Great urban family car.

[Apoc]

What makes the Mazda5 a "small crossover" versus just a minivan? Aren't both built on a car chassis?

[Evan]

im pretty sure most minivans have their own platform (unless you are honda and you share it with your "truck" and "suv")

the mazda5 is built on the mazda3

[JustinG]

CX-7

Casey (Fiancee) has one, but not for long. Long story short, Whitten Bros., dealership she bought it from didn't find a problem with an oil leak, Blamed us for adding to much oil. took it to Pearson Mazda, they bitched out Whitten, flew in a tech from Atlanta to diagnose, and now shes gettin a new motor, turbo and intercooler. Apparently the first few batches produced to much crankcase pressure, and dealerships knew about this but it wasnt a TSB or Recall status yet. So shes fed up with the car and the fact it takes premium, so as soon as the motor is in shes gettin a loaded Focus as a replacement from the dealership her dad works at.

Not Mazdas fault, its the dealership. I love the car for what it is, she has the Grand Touring AWD model, but with gas prices and the savings she'll have on the Focus as far as payments and gas, it just ain't worth it.

[Jeff]

The SRT-8 Jeep has a Bilstein suspension on it. That probably had something to do with the rougher ride. I think that Mike has an inability to like anything made in America. :wink:

[Mike]

The SRT-8 Jeep has a Bilstein suspension on it. That probably had something to do with the rougher ride.

My civic has a buddy club suspension with spring rates of 650 and 750. it handles speed bumps and the road better (yes handling-wise, yes comfort-wise), and has higher ground clearance on driveways and such (yes, you can regularly scrape the front of the SRT8 on ANYTHING). What's the point of having a truck if... it can't do truck things? It has a 3500lb towing weight, but so do pretty much all minivans.

edit: please note that i wanted to love it. i really did. sweet sounds, mean looks... that's good shit.

[Andy]

shes gettin a loaded Focus as a replacement

Seriously? Those things are flaming piles on the inside and out. I haven't seen one good review of those things yet. In today's small car/compact car, there's at least 5 better options out there. Anywhere from a Mazda3 to saturn astra to honda civic to honda fit to nissan sentra to subaru impreza to a fucking rickshaw.

[xvxax]

I got a ride in an srt8 Jeep last year and I agree with all your qualms about it, but hell if it's not the fastest SUV I've ridden in. It's probably one of those cars I want a friend to have so I can look at it and... yeah that's about it.
If there is one thing that will drive me up the wall it's interior creaks and man did that thing make noise on the highway, which is the same reason I can't stand my fathers Mini Cooper.

[JustinG]

Well its between the focus and the Mazda3, since her dad gets like a 3k employee discount. She likes the 3, but it doesnt come with the options she wants, Leather, heated seats, etc. And alot of reviews have said its a vast improvement over the previous gen focus. Im not buying, she is, to commute, fun is not involved in this purchase. Not to mention its cheaper than the comparable Honda or Toyota.

[.RJ]

She likes the 3, but it doesnt come with the options she wants, Leather, heated seats, etc.

You can get all that stuff in the 3 - its the touring package or some such.

[JustinG]

sorry should have said in that price range

Mazda3: $23k
Focus SES with same Features: $16k after her dads discounts

[Andy]

Well its between the focus and the Mazda3, since her dad gets like a 3k employee discount. She likes the 3, but it doesnt come with the options she wants, Leather, heated seats, etc. And alot of reviews have said its a vast improvement over the previous gen focus. Im not buying, she is, to commute, fun is not involved in this purchase. Not to mention its cheaper than the comparable Honda or Toyota.

It's funny that you mention that she wants to buy it for all the gimmickry. The focus was refreshed but it's the same chassis. The "real" next gen focus won't come until 2010. All Ford has done is to put lipstick on a pig and it really seems to be working e.g. Microsoft's Sync for 300 bucks is a smoking deal.

[Apoc]

sorry should have said in that price range

Mazda3: $23k
Focus SES with same Features: $16k after her dads discounts

You get what you pay for. What about a year old Mazda3?

[JustinG]

Well we'll see, if shes happy im fine.....Just puts more money in the bank for me to keep buying premium.

[Apoc]

You have a duty as the "car person" of the house to not let her waste money on a complete poop of a car.

[.RJ]

You have a duty as the "car person" of the house to not let her waste money on a complete poop of a car.

Flex your pimp hand :lol:

[JustinG]

I told her to keep the CX7, and told her to get a mazda3. But its a lost cause for the most part, plus her dad is all about her getting the Focus, and I'm not there to manipulate her how I used to.

[Apoc]

You get engaged and all hope is lost. Show her who her real daddy is!