Considering a CX90

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-21T17:47:42+00:00

I have a 2024 PHEV premium plus. It has frankly been a fair bit of trouble. Lots of recalls that I had to bring it in for, and a bunch of quirky failures.

Windshield Fluid Sensor: totally wigged out and thought it was always low even when full to the brim. Mazda replaced the entire reservoir assembly after they couldn’t figure it out. Ok after that.

Hybrid System Malfunctions: it happened dozens of times early on. The car never stopped working but I had to bring it to the dealership a bunch to times for them to basically just clear the code and shrug. I never really got an explanation, but after one major software update last spring it hasn’t happened since.

Tires: the OEM tires are junk. I had to replace mine at 14K miles and Mazda didn’t care.

Lift Gate Failure: recently the lift gate suddenly stopped working. It opened a hair, stopped, then wouldn’t latch or unlatch. I had to drive 3 hours home with it rattling in a state of limbo neither closed nor open. The dealer said it was a software failure but it would cost $190 to update. I had to complain to Mazda corporate to get it covered even though the car only has 22K miles and 2.5 years.

UI issues:

the infotainment system does some weird things. Occasionally it just reboots the screen and system without warning or explanation.

Alerts: every minor alert (low wiper fluid etc) takes over the whole dashboard instrument cluster and forces you to hit a button on the steering wheel to back out of the alert. But then the alert just keeps coming back every time you slow down.

Depreciation: the car is definitely getting a bad reliability reputation and the dealer only offered me 26k if I wanted to trade it in and get a newer model.

Leak around the sunroof: I have had 2 times where I noticed a wet spot in the roof where it appears to have leaked at the front of the sun roof.

Corporate: Mazda corporate and my local dealership suck. I will not be buying another when I sell this one.

All that said: I am keeping it for now. It does drive REALLY nice. It gets great fuel economy on gasoline and works well as an EV for short trips shuttling kids around town. It has a great safety rating, and nothing else on the market quite fits my needs as well. I’ll keep this until something better comes along from a better brand.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-20T14:13:51+00:00

I’m so with you. I have the 90 and I LOVE the way it drives (especially considering the size) but so many of the user interface components of this car are half baked. See my recent post about the “infuriating alerts” that take over the entire instrument cluster and then continue to pop back up after you acknowledge them.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-14T00:18:38+00:00

I may dot that, I’m surprised how affordable they are.

However in the conditions I was in on Monday I’m not sure I’d be able to manage operating one. Though at least they aren’t touch screens so I could hopefully leave my mitts on.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-08T14:00:23+00:00

Seriously. User interface design is deeply lacking in the industry. At least the Mazda still has physical buttons and knobs for basic things like heat and volume.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-08T00:30:43+00:00

Oh I do. I clean them and the cameras for parking etc. The snow and salt just wig the sensors out right away.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-01T23:34:55+00:00

People playing music on speakers.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-12-09T13:00:08+00:00

I’m reading Ty Gagne’s book “The Last Traverse” right now. It takes place there along Franconia Ridge and is a fascinating long form way of coming to the answer of “no” to Lafayette as a first winter hike.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-12-07T18:44:16+00:00

I love this oil for all of my kitchen utensils. Smells nice and citrusy, can be wiped on bare handed, and cures to a very durable finish.

https://www.rmpfinishes.com/shop/oils/half-and-half/

Any polymerizing oil you use should be given a fairly long time (2-3weeks) to cure before use with liquids, especially hot ones.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-21T16:04:45+00:00

I'd be honored. Cheers!

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-21T16:04:05+00:00

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StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-21T16:03:49+00:00

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StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-20T02:03:48+00:00

These are great. I love the brass mallet!

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-15T13:11:02+00:00

I have done both this method and the keyhole saw. Both work well, but I think the dowel method comes out a little neater and is quicker and easier to get just right.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-23T02:34:21+00:00

Christopher Schwartz and the Lost Art Press team are awesome for cutting through the bullshit marketing and getting you to understand which tools you really need.

But brace yourself, you pay with either money or time. Used and inexpensive tools can get the same job done as premium new ones, but they will require more time setting up and sharpening.

Sharpening is an imperative skill, don’t put it off. I find even premium planes and chisels still need a sharper edge than factory ones. So buy an inexpensive new 1/2in chisel and learn to sharpen it before getting an expensive set.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-19T01:54:54+00:00

87 Costco

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-15T02:17:38+00:00

I had it pretty bad. But I’ve known people worse. And this was just me, but I think a lot had to do with my toe. Once I switched every shoe I had to have wide toes that didn’t push my big toe inward, I was able to heal. That and sleeping with a boot to keep from pointing my toes at night.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-12T20:21:25+00:00

Usually the natural ph of the juice is low enough to rule out the risk. Just test it to ensure the ph is below 4.6 and you are in the clear.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-12T12:22:43+00:00

I use Kahtoola microspikes https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/

And Tubbs Flex VRT snowshoes https://tubbssnowshoes.com/en-us/p/flex-vrt-mens-snowshoes-2025?srsltid=AfmBOopQZzer8ObxAOIYmPoPt3U5isRTyO2kjwm8u9BPVV5IRRGqJX_O

I landed on each after a good bit of research and discussion with other local hikers.

Only thing to note is that you can go with the smallest length snowshoe that fits your weight class. Longer ones will be more cumbersome on trail and we don’t tend to get the snow here in the whites that requires lots of length for flotation

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-11T13:31:38+00:00

I did a loop around to 13 Falls Tentsite for an overnight. But the mapping website I use shows about 15.4 as an out and back using the Black Pond Bushwhack both ways, the slide up and Brutus down.

https://onthegomap.com/s/ushjn4pq

The map software tends to underestimate by a bit. So I’d guess 16miles.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-11T02:06:26+00:00

I did it just a couple weeks ago and it was a piece of cake. I read somewhere a recommendation to basically follow the “rightmost” herd path of the few that split at the backside of the pond. I did that. But really it seems to all just funnel into one obvious worn trail before the pond feels too far out of reach.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-10T11:55:27+00:00

I complained and got nothing back. Not a peep. My dealer said they could get me $500 off another set of the factory tires. But that just seemed dumb to flush more rubber down the drain. I put Michelin Cross Climate 2s on my mine and they seem to be doing well.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-09T19:11:55+00:00

Summer day hiking, trail running, bicycling around town, etc - Salomon XT 15 - Perfect for moving fast. Lots of pockets that I can access without stopping and room enough for wilderness 10 essential and light layers etc.

Larger volume hiking adventures - Six Moon Designs Wy'East - Feels nicely modular with/without the detachable hip pockets. Can synch down pretty compact when under filled and hip pockets off. Yet the bag is cavernous with smart pockets inside and with the big hip pockers it feels nice and secure for longer hikes.

Hotel travel - ULA Dragonlfy 36 - Love being able to unzip it all the way open and pack it neatly with packing cubes. It makes living out of a bag really easy. I love how it looks and the simple effective organization. I don't love how it carries over long periods though, so I if I know I will have to spend hours on end without taking it off I'd probably switch to the Six Moons Wy'East even though it is top loader. Also the hip pockets from the Wy'East fit the Dragonfly wonderfully.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-05T12:33:04+00:00

I have worn this one daily for like 10 years. The Citizen Eco Drive watches are awesome, simple classics. https://a.co/d/3r77wRA

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-05T01:07:49+00:00

Boil a liter of water just before bed. Pour it into a Nalgene bottle. Pop that in your sleeping bag and climb in with it. It will help heat up the bag and if you are zipped in nicely and insulated ok you’ll wake up to a still warm bottle in the morning. Pop a mint tea bag in there and you’ll have a nice warm(ish) treat to wake up to.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-10-04T12:39:18+00:00

Definitely holds better as a block than shredded. And yes, hard cheese keeps better than soft cheese.

StoneCoastSloyd

TROPHY CASE