[CX-50 Prem + Turbo]

New to the group, and recently picked up my ruby red Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo. This is my 76th car, so I tend to not get too attached and the CX-50 is making my lack of attachment, kind of easy. Fuel economy is hovering around 23.9, which is about where I am on my 2020 highlander with the V-6, so that is a little disappointing. Hopefully it'll get better with time, after break-in. Running most of the vehicle controls with the mouse thing is actually causing me to spend more time with my eyes off the road than an actual working touch screen, but it may get easier with more practice. Overall, the car seems well built, but the road noise from short sidewalls on the 20" wheel is a little frustrating, as is the nearly white headliner and overly cheap sun-visors. I've seen it elsewhere in this forum, but I too find the lack of lights visible by the driver on the climate control frustrating and some of the writing on the buttons on the steering wheel just can't be seen when it's sunny in the interior. I have never gotten my Mazda to remote start, so that's another issue that I'm waiting on big Mazda to fix. So far the car is just alright, and definitely better than the 2020 Honda CR-V I traded for it. A friend of mine has the same car on order, and it should have been delivered this week, but rumor has it the turbo cars were pulled off the train from Alabama and sent back to factory, so he doesn't know when he's getting his. This concerns me, as it must be a big deal to go back to the factory, and I have the identical vehicle, only 1 month older, yet there are no recalls for whatever the mystery condition may be.

 

[Litfuse]

New to the group, and recently picked up my ruby red Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo. This is my 76th car, so I tend to not get too attached and the CX-50 is making my lack of attachment, kind of easy. Fuel economy is hovering around 23.9, which is about where I am on my 2020 highlander with the V-6, so that is a little disappointing. Hopefully it'll get better with time, after break-in. Running most of the vehicle controls with the mouse thing is actually causing me to spend more time with my eyes off the road than an actual working touch screen, but it may get easier with more practice. Overall, the car seems well built, but the road noise from short sidewalls on the 20" wheel is a little frustrating, as is the nearly white headliner and overly cheap sun-visors. I've seen it elsewhere in this forum, but I too find the lack of lights visible by the driver on the climate control frustrating and some of the writing on the buttons on the steering wheel just can't be seen when it's sunny in the interior. I have never gotten my Mazda to remote start, so that's another issue that I'm waiting on big Mazda to fix. So far the car is just alright, and definitely better than the 2020 Honda CR-V I traded for it. A friend of mine has the same car on order, and it should have been delivered this week, but rumor has it the turbo cars were pulled off the train from Alabama and sent back to factory, so he doesn't know when he's getting his. This concerns me, as it must be a big deal to go back to the factory, and I have the identical vehicle, only 1 month older, yet there are no recalls for whatever the mystery condition may be.

You’re like me, trading up often and probably never satisfied. I’ve owned 64 cars (and countless motorcycles) in the past 25 years. What are some of your favorites that you have owned?

 

[444]

New to the group, and recently picked up my ruby red Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo. This is my 76th car, so I tend to not get too attached and the CX-50 is making my lack of attachment, kind of easy. Fuel economy is hovering around 23.9, which is about where I am on my 2020 highlander with the V-6, so that is a little disappointing. Hopefully it'll get better with time, after break-in. Running most of the vehicle controls with the mouse thing is actually causing me to spend more time with my eyes off the road than an actual working touch screen, but it may get easier with more practice. Overall, the car seems well built, but the road noise from short sidewalls on the 20" wheel is a little frustrating, as is the nearly white headliner and overly cheap sun-visors. I've seen it elsewhere in this forum, but I too find the lack of lights visible by the driver on the climate control frustrating and some of the writing on the buttons on the steering wheel just can't be seen when it's sunny in the interior. I have never gotten my Mazda to remote start, so that's another issue that I'm waiting on big Mazda to fix. So far the car is just alright, and definitely better than the 2020 Honda CR-V I traded for it. A friend of mine has the same car on order, and it should have been delivered this week, but rumor has it the turbo cars were pulled off the train from Alabama and sent back to factory, so he doesn't know when he's getting his. This concerns me, as it must be a big deal to go back to the factory, and I have the identical vehicle, only 1 month older, yet there are no recalls for whatever the mystery condition may be.

Most likely you will find MANY quality issues that will force you to dump this car quicker than you think. We own 2021 Lexus NX and quality shortcomings are very obvious in Mazda. I am already working with Lexus dealer on 2023 NX FSport but the availability is very limited these days.... your highlander is much better made than CX50 for sure....

 

[CX-50 Prem + Turbo]

Litfuse, I have driven back and forth to work, 112 miles a day for the last 15 years, so rack up the miles fairly quickly on my vehicles. My favorite daily drivers have been Mazda 3s from the 2003-2009 body style. I had a 2006 and a 2009. Both of these cars were the 5 speed manual 2.0s. They were very well built, nearly bullet proof, and other than the lack of adjustable rear toe (both cars ate tires) they were probably my favorites. I moved away from Mazda with the 2010 and up Mazda 3s, as they seemed super cheap, and the big smile front end was a hard pass. The move from Mazda put me in Honda's as daily drivers, with my favorite being my current 2022 Honda Civic Si, 6 speed manual (these have issues too, as they are fully loaded Touring trim in Canada, but very limited EX trim in the US, so it probably won't be around long). Sad when you have to buy an Integra in the US to get what the Canadians get in their Honda. When I get into other cars that I really like, I buy them for the wife, so she has driven brand new, at the time, 2009 Pontiac G-8 GT, 2011 VW GTI, 2018 Honda Accord Touring, 2020 Toyota 4Runner, Night Shade Edition, 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum, and now the 2023 Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo.
Crazy to say, but my favorites, and the ones I wish I still had are a 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 2 door, a 1967 Chevy C10, 4 speed manual, a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor, a 1994, 9C1 Chevrolet Caprice police interceptor and a 1996 Chevy Impala SS.
What do you wish you still had?

 

[Litfuse]

Litfuse, I have driven back and forth to work, 112 miles a day for the last 15 years, so rack up the miles fairly quickly on my vehicles. My favorite daily drivers have been Mazda 3s from the 2003-2009 body style. I had a 2006 and a 2009. Both of these cars were the 5 speed manual 2.0s. They were very well built, nearly bullet proof, and other than the lack of adjustable rear toe (both cars ate tires) they were probably my favorites. I moved away from Mazda with the 2010 and up Mazda 3s, as they seemed super cheap, and the big smile front end was a hard pass. The move from Mazda put me in Honda's as daily drivers, with my favorite being my current 2022 Honda Civic Si, 6 speed manual (these have issues too, as they are fully loaded Touring trim in Canada, but very limited EX trim in the US, so it probably won't be around long). Sad when you have to buy an Integra in the US to get what the Canadians get in their Honda. When I get into other cars that I really like, I buy them for the wife, so she has driven brand new, at the time, 2009 Pontiac G-8 GT, 2011 VW GTI, 2018 Honda Accord Touring, 2020 Toyota 4Runner, Night Shade Edition, 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum, and now the 2023 Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo.
Crazy to say, but my favorites, and the ones I wish I still had are a 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 2 door, a 1967 Chevy C10, 4 speed manual, a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor, a 1994, 9C1 Chevrolet Caprice police interceptor and a 1996 Chevy Impala SS.
What do you wish you still had?

Of the many cars I owned, there are only a few I wish I would have kept. Some of my friends told me I was crazy to get rid of some of the cars I owned due to their reputation and heritage, but I felt no connection to them. These were my 2019 Grand Sport Corvette and my 2019 Ford GT350. Some of my most enjoyable cars were the most affordable. These include my 2015 Ford Focus ST, multiple Miatas, 2007 Honda S2000 and my 2021 Civic Type R. My two favorites were my 2007 Lotus Elise Type 72d and my 2020 Miata. Also a favorite and the one I owned the longest was my 1996 Toyota 4Runner with a five speed manual.

 

[Chazculva]

I had the most perfect 2009 Corvette. Now gone. 100K plus miles and few problems. Local Chevy dealer took good care of it for me. Previous owner (one owner) was a mechanic and changed the oil every 5K and to this day swears by the oil maintenance for ALL cars. He claims 10 K is nuts for ANY oil change in any car. Change your oil every 5 K!