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New Mazda owner

Old Aug 21, 2020 | 05:07 PM
  #1  
Inas's Avatar
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From: Nigeria
Default New Mazda owner

So after some years I'm back in the Mazda family. My first was a Xedos. Making this decision wasn't easy as it was essentially
​​​a buying decision between the Mazda CX-5 and the VW Tiguan. I love both cars, but I discovered that the prices were out of my range as far as the model year I want. So I figured, why not go for the CX-9? Same price range for a bigger vehicle for the family!

Okay, so after much deliberations, I finally settled for this 2008/09 model. I know it is a bit on the lower end of the models, but it's clean, less than 120k on the clock and,
most importantly ​​​​​​, what I can afford 😁.

So guys, any advice is appreciated - what to expect, what to avoid, services (oil type/grade) etc. I know a lot would be on the manual, but still..

Lastly, I noticed the wheels are on 17 rim. Can I go bigger? What would be the effect, good or bad?



 
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Old Aug 21, 2020 | 08:44 PM
  #2  
mazdaCPA's Avatar
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Welcome to the forum.

I can’t provide suggestions for your model specifically, however, in general, oil changes every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) with full synthetic should be a good investment.

Larger wheels may look good but are more vulnerable to pot hole damage and reduce ride comfort without much benefit in handling.

Hopefully, others will follow with model specific advice.
 
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Old Aug 21, 2020 | 09:46 PM
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Welcome to the forum

Modding on a new vehicle is just plain FUN!

 
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Old Aug 22, 2020 | 03:49 AM
  #4  
Inas's Avatar
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So a friend was telling me I should've bought the model with 3.7L engine (mine is the 3.5L that I can afford ). He went on about acceleration, torque, power. Now he got me wondering. Buyer remorse setting in already? I hope not because I love the car and it's beautiful even if an old model.
Now, how a big a deal is the difference between the two engines? Difference a real deal breaker? Not looking to go on a race and we don't even do towing here. Not gonna be an everyday car, just to ferry the family once in a while. The occasional 200-300km trips. Would it be a bother? 🙂


 

Last edited by Inas; Aug 22, 2020 at 03:57 AM.
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Old Aug 22, 2020 | 09:12 AM
  #5  
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Your engine is fine . If you were going to race then maybe there would be other thoughts. Your freind has NO clue about the power rating and at what RPM the power rating is achieved! Besides what is thinking you are going to be doing in your country.....ROAD RACING? I don't think so! LOL I looked:
https://www.countryreports.org/count...ia/traffic.htm
IMHO start making your new ride yours. Think about something maybe tinting the windows and perhaps some body pin-striping to break up the solid color. If custom wheels are in your budget I would think about them as well. A pot hole to which I am sure you will avoid will damage even a stock wheel so going larger or smaller is not going to protect them. LOL I don't know how much rain you get but IMHO that rear wiper is FUGLY! lol. You could remove it cap the stud and toss the wiper in the car for those rainy seasons. Then perhaps do the interior mods. Some nice floor mats maybe some trim pieces, and even some more race looking seat covers?
 
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Old Aug 23, 2020 | 02:14 PM
  #6  
Inas's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Callisto
Your engine is fine . If you were going to race then maybe there would be other thoughts. Your freind has NO clue about the power rating and at what RPM the power rating is achieved! Besides what is thinking you are going to be doing in your country.....ROAD RACING? I don't think so! LOL I looked:
https://www.countryreports.org/count...ia/traffic.htm
IMHO start making your new ride yours. Think about something maybe tinting the windows and perhaps some body pin-striping to break up the solid color. If custom wheels are in your budget I would think about them as well. A pot hole to which I am sure you will avoid will damage even a stock wheel so going larger or smaller is not going to protect them. LOL I don't know how much rain you get but IMHO that rear wiper is FUGLY! lol. You could remove it cap the stud and toss the wiper in the car for those rainy seasons. Then perhaps do the interior mods. Some nice floor mats maybe some trim pieces, and even some more race looking seat covers?
Well, that's good to hear, thank you. I'll be sure to consider the custom wheels. Tint would be nice though over here it involves a lot of paper work (police permit etc).
 
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Old Dec 22, 2020 | 01:39 AM
  #7  
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Well, hello again. So far so good with my new Mazda. However, I'm loosing coolant and having to top up after every 50km trip isn't fun. I checked but I couldn't detect any leak from any hose/pipe (at least as far as I can see). Last night I parked the car and I was hearing a hissing sound coming from around the radiator area, as it was too hot I couldn't get too close to see the exact hissing point. So..

1. Where am I likely loosing coolant from?
2. Is the radiator fan supposed to kick in immediately after starting the engine or only after the engine temperature reaches certain level?

Thank you for your help.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2020 | 03:51 AM
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You really need to pressure test the cooling system to pin point leaks.
Radiator fan will operate when A/C is on, Otherwise they don't operate until the coolant temp reaches temperatures in the high 90's ( degrees centigrade )
 
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Old Dec 23, 2020 | 03:12 AM
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Inas's Avatar
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Originally Posted by grim_reaper
You really need to pressure test the cooling system to pin point leaks.
Radiator fan will operate when A/C is on, Otherwise they don't operate until the coolant temp reaches temperatures in the high 90's ( degrees centigrade )
Right, thank you. Is there a possibility the coolant tank cap is the culprit? Just noticed today that it's kinda not too tight when screwed back after topping. A little soft or easy to loosen and cap back. Saying this because I remember reading something about these caps either in this forum or some other.
 
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