"Mazda applies 'zoom-zoom' philosophy to CX-7"

In article >,
"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote:

> Well, we can't all drive RED MIATAS!

True; there have never been enough red ones to go around, so the unlucky
must settle for one of the lesser colors. :-)

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
> I've been really impressed lately with both Mazda in general and with
> what I've read about the CX-7. If you look at the other comparable
> vehicles (Acura MDX and some of the other good looking SUV's with
> some sporting pretenses) I think it blows them out when you consider
> price. Performance looks quite good, handling quite good, the design
> of the interior is as good or better that anything and the ergonomics
> seem just right. Am I crazy or is it almost $10k below what it
> competes with?

No, you're not crazy, but the CX-7 doesn't really compete with the MDX--it
will compete with the RDX when it comes out. The RDX will be a much more
similar vehicle.

To prove your point, go to edmunds.com and build a Nissan Murano
side-by-side with a CX-7. The specs are almost identical but the Mazda is
about $8k cheaper.

<snip>

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply

pws wrote:
> Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>> I bought their minivan (MPV) for my wife the first year it came out.
>> Owned it for 10 years and absolutely loved it. I was extremely
>> impressed with not only it's fit and finish but with the quality of
>> materials used. Seat fabrics and plastics throughout were top notch
>> and all of the switches and controls worked in a quality fashion.
>> All that from a first year model of a new type of vehicle for them.
>>
>> During those years I owned it, almost all of the Mazda owners I ran
>> into had similar experiences. I could never figure out how Mazda's
>> reputation lagged behind several of the other big Japanese
>> manufacturers. I know they're not perfect hell, my own miata still
>> worries me on
>> the #4 bearing cap failure issue of which I don't think Mazda ever
>> took the high road on.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>
> I really think that the rotary engine had a lot to do with it, even
> though it was not used on many of their vehicles. Even I would look
> at a 3rd generation RX-7, think what a beautiful car, and then
> immediately wonder what the bill would be when it came time to
> replace the apex seals.
> From what I have heard, the 626 is a bit of a POS,

Sure, but they haven't sold that for years, have they? The 6 is a pretty
capable car as a replacement.

> but I don't have
> any direct experience with it. It seems like every non-U.S. car
> driver I knew that wasn't driving a miata or a SUV was in a Honda, Toyota,
> or
> Nissan.
> The ones driving the Nissans had the highest problem rate by far of
> the three mentioned.

I think that's changed, too. I've got two Nissans with nary a problem
between them, and one's over 150k miles.

> Mazda's reputation probably had a lot to do with advertising.
> Honda and Toyota didn't really need it, word of mouth and Consumer
> Reports was enough.
> Nissan has had great advertising in the last 8 years or so, imho. I
> think that Mazda's advertising sucked then and still sucks today, but
> then, I hate "zoom-zoom", the song, the idea, the vinyl stickers, and
> anything else connected with it.
> It might actually be good advertising for Mazda, I just don't like it,
> but I do like their products. ;-)

Kind of a "pick your battles" type of situation, huh?

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply

Gottcha, good point.

Chris
99BBB

"tooloud" > wrote in message
news:zWgrg.67196$1i1.27459@attbi_s72...
> Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>> I've been really impressed lately with both Mazda in general and with
>> what I've read about the CX-7. If you look at the other comparable
>> vehicles (Acura MDX and some of the other good looking SUV's with
>> some sporting pretenses) I think it blows them out when you consider
>> price. Performance looks quite good, handling quite good, the design
>> of the interior is as good or better that anything and the ergonomics
>> seem just right. Am I crazy or is it almost $10k below what it
>> competes with?
>
> No, you're not crazy, but the CX-7 doesn't really compete with the MDX--it
> will compete with the RDX when it comes out. The RDX will be a much more
> similar vehicle.
>
> To prove your point, go to edmunds.com and build a Nissan Murano
> side-by-side with a CX-7. The specs are almost identical but the Mazda is
> about $8k cheaper.
>
> <snip>
>
> --
> tooloud
> Remove nothing to reply
>

Good shot Lanny! I love it. The Miatas that we see as Black, or White,
are really just "off shades" of Red. :-)

Bruce Bing '03 LS

On Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:57:07 -0700, BRUCE HASKIN wrote:

> Good shot Lanny! I love it. The Miatas that we see as Black, or White, are
> really just "off shades" of Red. :-)
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LS

Sure, Bruce, just like the refractive colors on a mallard duck.

Frank
2002 LS, brilliant black with tan leather...

tooloud wrote:

> Sure, but they haven't sold that for years, have they? The 6 is a pretty
> capable car as a replacement.

I don't know the last year that they made the 626, but the Mazda
reputation was being affected while they were in production. At the
same time, they were producing the RX-7, with the famous apex seals issue.
Now I think that both the products and the reputation are improving,
with the exception of the miata, of course, which was perfected in 1989. ;-)

> I think that's changed, too. I've got two Nissans with nary a problem
> between them, and one's over 150k miles.

I agree, I think that Mazda, Honda, Toyota and Nissan are all in
basically the same league at this point. 10 years ago, I would have left
both Mazda and Nissan out of the running except for the miata because of
my own personal experience with it.

> Kind of a "pick your battles" type of situation, huh?

Yes, I had to remind myself that design and marketing are two different
departments after seeing that "zoom-zoom" Tribute commercial with a
Miata in it.

Pat

pws wrote:
> tooloud wrote:
>
>> Sure, but they haven't sold that for years, have they? The 6 is a
>> pretty capable car as a replacement.
>
> I don't know the last year that they made the 626, but the Mazda
> reputation was being affected while they were in production. At the
> same time, they were producing the RX-7, with the famous apex seals
> issue. Now I think that both the products and the reputation are
> improving, with the exception of the miata, of course, which was perfected
> in
> 1989. ;-)
>> I think that's changed, too. I've got two Nissans with nary a problem
>> between them, and one's over 150k miles.
>
> I agree, I think that Mazda, Honda, Toyota and Nissan are all in
> basically the same league at this point. 10 years ago, I would have
> left both Mazda and Nissan out of the running except for the miata
> because of my own personal experience with it.
>
>> Kind of a "pick your battles" type of situation, huh?
>
> Yes, I had to remind myself that design and marketing are two
> different departments after seeing that "zoom-zoom" Tribute
> commercial with a Miata in it.

I remember the one and thought the same thing.

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply

Frank ! You got it ! :-)

Bruce Bing '03 LS

"Mike" wrote
> The all-new 2007 CX-7 crossover SUV is the first of three new vehicles
> conceived specifically for the United States and Canada.

Odd they don't mention that anywhere on www.mazda.com.au