Thoughts on 3 used 7 passenger vehicles

Ssvegeta

Hello, first time posting here.
I looking to get a larger vehicle for my expanding family. We currently own a 2003 Mazda protege5 that has served us well. I am currently considering 3 different vehicles:

2007 Mazda cx9 awd with 145000 kms. Took it for a test drive and enjoyed it. Concerned about its reliability. How long could this car last? The site does not score it very well.

2007 mitsubishi outlander xls with 187000kms.

2007 ford freestyle select with 146000kms. I read the motor is on the week side. Not the best highway car. Concerns it's may not be as fun as ride.

Any thoughts and experience with these 3 choices would be greatly appreciated. Open to other suggestions.

Priorities: Safety & braking / Handling / Reliability & durability

Need minimum of 7 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 190000
Maximum age: 10 years

Maximum price: C $ 7000

« Return to results

Sort responses by likes

Definitely don't go with the Mitsubishi or the Ford. Trust me. You can do MUCH better for the same price.

It seems like you listed specific cars you either looked at or drove. If you could drive a 2008 Mazda CX-9 in your price range, take a look. The engine in the 2007 Mazda CX-9 is the engine from the Ford Edge. For the 2008 model year, Mazda used their own Mazda engine and put that in, which made the car much better in the refinement, fuel economy, fun, reliability, and acceleration. Unfortunately, I have only driven a 2017 CX-9 and not any other cars on your list.

Link to this reponse

Since your in Canada and see more snow and respectively see more road salt, I'd stay away from rusting Mazdas. The Ford might be a better choice

Link to this reponse

Response from Ssvegeta

4:11 pm June 8, 2017

Thanks for the feedback. I'm actually leaning more towards a 2006 or 2005 acura mdx. It seems that after 2003 they fixed a lot of issues. What do you guys think? The 2007s are nice but start to get outside my price range. Mazdas and rust seem to go hand in hand. Lol.

Link to this reponse

The 2006 is the start of a major redesign. That said, the first model year of a redesign is almost always the least reliable when the manufacturer works out the bugs. The 2005 will probably be a little more reliable. But the 2006 is a newer fresher car. Don't get an 01 to 04 MDX because those have major transmission issues (I've been through that). 2006 reliability issues mainly have to do with the navigation/head unit failing. 2005 had faulty alternators. They are pretty great cars even though I made it sound bad. I'd go with the 2006 MDX.

Link to this reponse

I would steer clear of the MDX unless you purchased a warranty. They problems with the engine burning oil (VCM) and trainmission issues would require allot of research not to get burned as those two components are the most expensive on the car.

The 3.6 on the GM Traverse, Acadia, Enclave had some timing chain issues. If you can find one with the repair already done the 3rd is the most spacious in the class along with the most cargo area with seats up.

Link to this reponse