Tuesday 19th March 2013

Mazda CX-7: Spotted

A fine line to tread for one classifieds browser and a quirky Mazda in the frame as a result

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OK, it's a first world problem and all that. But a 911-owning friend on the cusp of parenthood posed the 'what can I buy?' question to me the other day and it led me to this rather eccentric choice.

And, yes, I did first answer 'just buy a Golf' but that failed the other half test.

No beauty but there's more than meets the eye

The requirements in this case are complex and with many hidden mantraps. Basic needs include a degree of understated badge snobbery, five doors, decent performance and preferably four-wheel drive and perhaps a slightly elevated ride height. You'd think all roads here are headed Allroad and that would be one course of action.

But there's more than a whiff of PHness required. But not too much, in case that marginalises the case for continued Porsche ownership. Yep, heart bleeds and all that!

My default answer to these kind of questions would usually be Subaru Forester, for that perfect blend of classless green wellies unpretentiousness and - with a turbo - slightly wobbly, top heavy Impreza cross country pace. This one would do nicely. Or, if a slightly more relaxed pace is fine, a Legacy.

Space for buggy? Sorted - thanks Ben in Essex!

I did offer up the Mazda 3 MPS, another underground favourite of mine, and there are plenty of pleasingly low-key silver and black ones around for £5-6K. Bargain. Possibly a bit boy-racer still, the rep-race vibe of the 6 MPS also a bit too testosterone heavy. So something mummy friendly but still PHworthy.

If only there was something with the 6 MPS running gear but a less in your face image. There is! And here it is - seven grand's worth of Mazda CX-7. The later diesel one is probably the CX-7 most people wanted but before Mazda realised that it did a petrol version. It's not beautiful, it's not especially cool it'll probably cost quite a bit to run but it does give you 260hp, four-wheel drive, a crisp manual gearbox and surprisingly sprightly handling for an MPV with a bit of an identity crisis. That, for me, gives it the necessary PH credentials. Any takers?

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MAZDA CX-7
Engine: 2,261cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 260@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@3,000rpm
MPG: 27.6mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 243g/km
First registered: March 2010
Recorded mileage: 68,500
Price new: £23,960
Yours for: £7,250

Original advert here.

[sorrel]

My uncle in Russia has one of these (in white of course) and it is the perfect beast for dealing with Russian roads both on and off road. It's very fast, holds the road extremely well, seems capable of traversing any type of road condition, and at least in Russia, carries a good amount of street cred. His is automatic mind as that's the most popular option over there.

Nice car, but not sure I'd have one here in the UK... I'd prefer a Murano

[rmaurer]

Had a look at one of these when looking to swap out our old Alfa 159 SW that was woefully small with kids seats fitted... Nice motor for the money but ended up opting for a 2nd gen Nissan Murano (am an ex 350z owner). More toys on the Nissan plus the extra 2 cylinders sound much better, but you have to get used to the CVT (only negative).

[LouD86]

God, I use to have one of these in the showroom when I worked at Mazda, and we did everything we could not to register it (was a diesel from memory).

Didnt really sell that well, but I have to admit were a nice vehicle. Suprisingly cheap now to buy

[Andrew[MG]]

Never heard of that or the Murano. They both sound pretty cool for family buses but would you not be better off with something dull and 2.0l diesel + a weekend toy? 20 mpg for lugging kids around would be a bit of a waste?

[sorrel]

Andrew[MG] said:

Never heard of that or the Murano. They both sound pretty cool for family buses but would you not be better off with something dull and 2.0l diesel + a weekend toy? 20 mpg for lugging kids around would be a bit of a waste?

What better than a Murano AND a weekend toy? Why bother with the dull old diesel....

[C.A.R.]

Whilst it looks quite nice I don't really 'get' it. I know it's obligatory to ask why you didn't just buy an estate (because freedom of choice is frowned upon in the forums) but really, why didn't you get an estate? The only advantage a soft-roader has is higher ride height...
An estate would surely be -
Lighter
...therefore faster
......therefore be more economical too
.........and have cheaper road tax...and tyres...
Lower
...therefore handle better
Bigger...inside
No seriously, the rear wheel-wells and transmission tunnel would not intrude on boot/interior space. That's effectively a massive car...but that buggy looks to be a tight fit.

On the flipside I do quite like it, I just can't find a reason why you wouldn't get something less compromised.

[Itsallicanafford]

...always thought these had the RX-8 engine?

[Risotto]

What was wrong with keeping the 911?

[gdelargy]

I like these niche cars. I live quite high up so we tend to get more snow than everywhere else at this time of year, plus our roads are really bad for pot-holes etc.

Would definitely want a diesel if it was my main vehicle, but as a second car it'd be between this, a Subaru Forester Turbo, or possibly a Volvo XC70 T5 at a push. I'd like to add an Audi Allroad 4.2 V8 to my list, but horror stories about the air suspension have put me off a bit.

[astra la vista]

jeeezus h christ!

is this PH or mumsnet?

[fozluvscars]

The old man has one of these and loves it.

The combination of performance and practicality is perfect for him, although its a bit thirsty.

I've tried suggesting other cars to him, but I can't really think of anything else that would come close for the money?

[Ali_T]

We've got the diesel version and it's an extremely pleasant thing to live with. Handles well, tows horseboxes well, reasonable performance, decent mpg, lots of toys as standard and I reckon it's the best looking of these things. It replaced a Legacy Tourer and, in answer to the "why not an estate car?" question, the Mazda has been far more reliable for starters, and hasn't ground out in snow or mud the way the Legacy would (which was far too easy to beach).

[Dan Trent]

Risotto said:

What was wrong with keeping the 911?

Oh he's keeping it, that's the dilemma mentioned in the piece. If the daily is *too* good he'll have a harder time justifying that. So it has to be PH-worthy, just a bit stealthy about how it goes about it.

Dan

[elvismiggell]

astra la vista said:

jeeezus h christ!

is this PH or mumsnet?

No, it's the real world. Welcome.

[Mark-C]

astra la vista said:

jeeezus h christ!

is this PH or mumsnet?

It is PH ... the point being that when sprogs come along you want something practical to live alongside your 911 (or PH chariot of choice). It's an issue many of us face or have faced in the past.

Mumsnet would have offered very different advice to keeping the 911 and getting a petrol four wheel drive thingy.

[Caulkhead]

"Possibly a bit boy-racer still, the rep-race vibe of the 6 MPS also a bit too testosterone heavy."

The 6 MPS 'too testosterone heavy'? Have you ever seen one? I can't imagine a 4WD 260hp sports saloon with less testosterone!

[loudlashadjuster]

I did not even know these existed.

Having slummed it through the pram years in a 140hp Touran I would certainly have appreciated the extra grunt, but I doubt my already hammered finances could've taken the 20-odd MPG and big tax bill each year.

C.A.R. said:

...why you didn't just buy an estate...

Because an estate, even a big one, won't give you the 5-up with luggage space that an MPV does. Our VW was frequently packed to the rafters going on holiday with two babies/toddlers. Only now they're both of school age has our space requirement dropped so that we can get away with a smallish estate.

I know some folk don't holiday in the UK but we generally do so it's a big deal having a big enough car to make it a pleasure, and hang the 'Mumsnet' commentards

Although having said that this Mazda does look a like cramped in the back there!

[sanctum]

Seriously, that's the best use of 7.5k you could think of? For the same money you could have my A6 3.0TDI V6 Quattro (SWMBO says I can't have 2 cars anymore). 4 wheel drive, bags of torque, lovely lazy cruising, the perfect family wagon and a lovely antidote to the testosterone hedonism of a 911.
Depreciation has given us some bargain big estates out there, the A6 is my personal favourite, but go find your own, there's plenty to choose from.

[RenesisEvo]

I recall reading very favourable reviews in the press for the CX-7, but was always surprised at how few were sold, I'm guessing the initial lack of a diesel option was the problem. Never realised it had the 6 MPS running gear - a ride in one highlighted strong performance and great wet-weather grip. I don't think anyone would quite expect the pace the CX-7 could deliver, and that makes it a Q-car, and therefore a PH car in my book.

[havoc]

Proper sleeper, these. Been idly considering one for Becs, but fuel costs and how easy it'll be to sell on are concerns...