10-30-2013, 11:09 AM
If I keep washing and waxing this thing, Im going to need an honorary membership in MMIHS.
![[Image: IMG_20131028_150552-L.jpg]](http://evan55.smugmug.com/Other/cars/i-Pq2ScQ4/0/L/IMG_20131028_150552-L.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20131027_164752-L.jpg]](http://evan55.smugmug.com/Other/cars/i-dJMBMGh/0/L/IMG_20131027_164752-L.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20131027_164747-L.jpg]](http://evan55.smugmug.com/Other/cars/i-tJ9gRSP/0/L/IMG_20131027_164747-L.jpg)
Wanted to give the paint some protection before it gets cold,snowy,salty,etc. Hopefully this will last until christmas or so.
Did one pass with Pinnacle XMT360 (which has sealant in it) then 'topped' it with some Meg's Ultimate Wax. If you remember I wasnt blown away by the finish of the XMT360 which is understandable since it is all-in-one. I think adding the Ultimate wax on top gives the paint more pop and looks really good. Its also super easy to apply and goes on and off fast.
Hopefully 2 layers of sealant will last a long time.
I hate shiny tires so after scrubbing with some tire cleaner I tried this stuff for the first time
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-satin-tire-gel.html">http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-sa ... e-gel.html</a><!-- m -->
not that impressed. after drying its spotty and streaky. will see how long it lasts.
I think mother's has a similar satin tire product that Ill try next.
ok, so after exactly 7 months of ownership here is the straight dope on my CX-5. For a refresher it is 'fully loaded' 2014 AWD Grand Touring with tech package.
First off, the drivetrain is simply brilliant. How they make the engine and transmission so peppy and responsive but still return great gas mileage in the age of CVTs and drive-by-wire I have no idea, but it continues to impress me almost every day. Quick accelerations, darting around into open lanes, etc etc have the instant torque feel of a V6. You do tradeoff a bit of topend breathing for this, so I dont rev it much over 5k.
The transmission shifts faster and smoother than any Ive driven, and it locks up so quick I dont get that slush feeling of typical automatics. It doesnt hesitate to downshift like most cars do now, and even has a "warp 10 now scotty!" button under the accelerator that forces an immediate downshift on WOT.
Gas mileage has been superb, my drive to work is 0 highway, driving through the suburbs, finishing off with a healthy amount of bumper to bumper and Im still averaging 25mpg.
Highway I get a between 31-34.
It handles like a mazda, no surprise really. Couple corners/ramps on my commute that I take way too fast and it holds on really well. After turn in, it takes a 'set' really nicely and holds the line well above what you would think . It rotates well enough, and when you push it over the limit it doesnt shit itself and degrade into soul crushing understeer. In contrast, my wife's focus has a much lower limit, and when you approach it, it immediately ignores whatever steering input you gave it and starts hunting truffles.
This is subjective, but I think its the best looking SUV/Crossover on the road by a very large margin and the soul red paint is one of my favorite colors on any car.
The interior is where things come back to average. Aside from a brilliant steering wheel, nothing is terribly impressive. The materials are soft touch and classy, but wont wow you. The leather is typical japanese car leather. Not terribly plush and a little too slippery. It is perforated though which helps.
The seats are comfy and just fine on long trips, but I expect sporty, more supportive seats from a mazda. fwiw though, I sat in a car with cloth seats and they are much more supportive with bigger bolsters. Rear seats fit adults (and infant carseats) just fine, and there is plenty of room in the back for carrying stuff. A couple low rent things that annoy me, like poor lighting in the rear hatch area, and some flimsy plastic trim here and there. It would be nice if it had a power liftgate.
Technology is a mixed bag. auto-wipers are nice, blind spot monitors work as expected (though Id prefer the simplicity of a wide angle blind spot mirror) and the automatic brake is nice to have in traffic when i cant be bothered to drive while im smartphoning (kidding....)
the bose audio system is good enough but not great, but ive also never been a fan of bose's overmarketed crap audio.
built in pandora is fine, same with bluetooth audio, but those are pretty much expected now and overall, the Sync system in my wife's focus is much better. A better infotainment system like on many other cars now with larger screen, better smartphone integration and apps would be something I would like. Also, the voice commands are worthless and unreliable, whereas with Sync I have found them very useful and reliable.
the tomtom based navigation unit, is a crime against humanity. slow, infuriating interface and low res maps. if you have the patience to waste 5 minutes of your life inputting a simple address, it is good enough to get you where you are going.
Overall, Im very happy with my purchase, and there isnt another car Id rather have.
The rumor is that this spring it will be getting a new interior, nav, and infotainment system similar to that on the new Mazda3. This would solve every gripe I have with the car, so if you are in the market and those things are important to you then I would wait a few months if you can.
Wanted to give the paint some protection before it gets cold,snowy,salty,etc. Hopefully this will last until christmas or so.
Did one pass with Pinnacle XMT360 (which has sealant in it) then 'topped' it with some Meg's Ultimate Wax. If you remember I wasnt blown away by the finish of the XMT360 which is understandable since it is all-in-one. I think adding the Ultimate wax on top gives the paint more pop and looks really good. Its also super easy to apply and goes on and off fast.
Hopefully 2 layers of sealant will last a long time.
I hate shiny tires so after scrubbing with some tire cleaner I tried this stuff for the first time
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-satin-tire-gel.html">http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-sa ... e-gel.html</a><!-- m -->
not that impressed. after drying its spotty and streaky. will see how long it lasts.
I think mother's has a similar satin tire product that Ill try next.
premiershine9 Wrote:Looks like you had some fun with the bird crap - oy. Product/ sealant recommendation if your looking to grab something different- Menzerna PowerLock or Sonax Polymer Paint Sealant are both great choices.thanks! after Im done playing around with this ultimate wax ill pick up the powerlock and see how it does.
premiershine9 Wrote:Evan, still lovin this thing so far?
ok, so after exactly 7 months of ownership here is the straight dope on my CX-5. For a refresher it is 'fully loaded' 2014 AWD Grand Touring with tech package.
First off, the drivetrain is simply brilliant. How they make the engine and transmission so peppy and responsive but still return great gas mileage in the age of CVTs and drive-by-wire I have no idea, but it continues to impress me almost every day. Quick accelerations, darting around into open lanes, etc etc have the instant torque feel of a V6. You do tradeoff a bit of topend breathing for this, so I dont rev it much over 5k.
The transmission shifts faster and smoother than any Ive driven, and it locks up so quick I dont get that slush feeling of typical automatics. It doesnt hesitate to downshift like most cars do now, and even has a "warp 10 now scotty!" button under the accelerator that forces an immediate downshift on WOT.
Gas mileage has been superb, my drive to work is 0 highway, driving through the suburbs, finishing off with a healthy amount of bumper to bumper and Im still averaging 25mpg.
Highway I get a between 31-34.
It handles like a mazda, no surprise really. Couple corners/ramps on my commute that I take way too fast and it holds on really well. After turn in, it takes a 'set' really nicely and holds the line well above what you would think . It rotates well enough, and when you push it over the limit it doesnt shit itself and degrade into soul crushing understeer. In contrast, my wife's focus has a much lower limit, and when you approach it, it immediately ignores whatever steering input you gave it and starts hunting truffles.
This is subjective, but I think its the best looking SUV/Crossover on the road by a very large margin and the soul red paint is one of my favorite colors on any car.
The interior is where things come back to average. Aside from a brilliant steering wheel, nothing is terribly impressive. The materials are soft touch and classy, but wont wow you. The leather is typical japanese car leather. Not terribly plush and a little too slippery. It is perforated though which helps.
The seats are comfy and just fine on long trips, but I expect sporty, more supportive seats from a mazda. fwiw though, I sat in a car with cloth seats and they are much more supportive with bigger bolsters. Rear seats fit adults (and infant carseats) just fine, and there is plenty of room in the back for carrying stuff. A couple low rent things that annoy me, like poor lighting in the rear hatch area, and some flimsy plastic trim here and there. It would be nice if it had a power liftgate.
Technology is a mixed bag. auto-wipers are nice, blind spot monitors work as expected (though Id prefer the simplicity of a wide angle blind spot mirror) and the automatic brake is nice to have in traffic when i cant be bothered to drive while im smartphoning (kidding....)
the bose audio system is good enough but not great, but ive also never been a fan of bose's overmarketed crap audio.
built in pandora is fine, same with bluetooth audio, but those are pretty much expected now and overall, the Sync system in my wife's focus is much better. A better infotainment system like on many other cars now with larger screen, better smartphone integration and apps would be something I would like. Also, the voice commands are worthless and unreliable, whereas with Sync I have found them very useful and reliable.
the tomtom based navigation unit, is a crime against humanity. slow, infuriating interface and low res maps. if you have the patience to waste 5 minutes of your life inputting a simple address, it is good enough to get you where you are going.
Overall, Im very happy with my purchase, and there isnt another car Id rather have.
The rumor is that this spring it will be getting a new interior, nav, and infotainment system similar to that on the new Mazda3. This would solve every gripe I have with the car, so if you are in the market and those things are important to you then I would wait a few months if you can.
![[Image: i-wK8sDgx-XL.jpg]](http://evan55.smugmug.com/photos/i-wK8sDgx/0/XL/i-wK8sDgx-XL.jpg)
![[Image: StockPhotoThumb.ashx?D=0&F=CAC60MAS061A01308.JPG]](http://cdnedge.vinsolutions.com/AP/StockPhotoThumb.ashx?D=0&F=CAC60MAS061A01308.JPG)
