Behold! The Millenium Falcon! (Mazda5 content)

Well, I accepted the insurance check and signed over the title, the Falcon is officially history. Somebody's going to get a great deal on the wheels, brakes, and engine from the junkyard.

Pour one out and reminisce about the good times:

Sad

what was the buyback price?

2002maniac wrote: Sad what was the buyback price?

About 40% of the totaled value, so way too berking much.

How many miles are people around here getting on a set of shocks? I just had one of the rear shocks take a dump on me and I had it replaced at 65k miles.

This is a learn-me post so I can pick the collective hive mind of GRM Mazda5 owners.

Aside from looks are there any significant differences between the early and late 1st gen 5's? Any worthwhile improvements on the later ones?

Clearly I would like a manual, but my wife still refuses to learn how to drive one. It would be nice if she could drive the 5 occasionally if needed, which is probably the only benefit of the auto to me personally. However most of the nicer equipped 5's tend to be automatics. (OMG I love that brown leather option) I take it if looking at autos the 5 speed is the way to go?

This will be my DD. Looking to buy in spring time.

The second gen doesn't eat tires, 2.3 vs 2.5, five vs six manual gears, four vs five auto gears, otherwise they are very similar.

chandlerGTi wrote: The second gen doesn't eat tires, 2.3 vs 2.5, five vs six manual gears, four vs five auto gears, otherwise they are very similar.

Our '09 1st gen doesn't eat tires, and the '09 up 1st gens got the 5 speed auto. Ours has it. Oh yeah, the 1st gens aren't ugly either.

I almost thought I was the only person that owned one.

its my understanding (or perhaps lack thereof) that the suspension on the 1st and 2nd gen are very similar. at least similar enough that struts and springs are interchangeable.

Chandler when you installed H&R springs did you have to use a camber kit to correct the rear camber specs? I have already had a set of staggered 18x8/9 wheels in the garage set aside in teh garage for the past few months...according to researching wheel and tire fitment on the internets they should bolt right on and look amazeballs on a mazda5. maybe a little stancey with the tire stretch but not insane.

The only aspect of my '10 eating tires was potholes. I went through two tires on the same wheel in less than a year and a half. Otherwise, no abnormal tire eatery.

My '10 is seriously ready for new tires but I made it about 2 years 3 months on a cheap set of Hankooks. I can't remember which model or mileage right now but I can check if anyone wants to know.

For replacements my buddy is finishing up paint work on a set of 18x8.5 wheels I picked up really cheap. They should be bolted on in about a week with 225/40 tires (no hella flush or whatever). They're either 32mm or 35mm offset, it's late and I can't remember . The fronts stick out past the fenders a couple millimeters but clear when the suspension if compressed and at full lock in either direction. I'll be lowering it a little and adding a camber kit. That'll let me add a little negative camber and bring the top just inside the fender or. I'll have to pick up some spacers for the rear, they're still way to far in.

I'll post some pics once they're on.

I did not use a camber kit, I got about 45k out of the stock tires (really only took them off to put something else on). I'm at 50k on this set of tires and they are all 7/32. I rotate them every oil change though. I tried the AMR mustang wheels since they were SO cheap 18x9 et 30 but they stick out about an inch which will not work

Usually I run porsche cayenne wheels with adaptors, again about 50k on this setup.

Edit: the mustang wheels were just a bit proud on the rears but with the miles / roads I drive a stretched tire is not going to happen.

the wheels i have tucked away in the garage are 18x8+45 and 18x9+38.

i figure fronts should fit no issue at all, rears should fit pretty dang close. only thing ill have to look out for is rim spacing from the strut, fender, sliding door. slightly stretched tire is assumed necessary (215/45) for fender clearance but i guess i really wont know for a few months and can test fit.

Smoors are the E36 M3.

Edit: also those will fit fine, the fronts on mine are 7.5 et53 with a 17mm adaptor. The rears are 7.5 et53 with 25mm adaptor.

FYI - The knockoff SN95 Mustang chassis wheels in 17x10.5 (like the FR500's I have on the Javelin) fit the back of the Mazda 5 perfectly.

Yesterday I joined the club with a 2008 Grand Touring. 79k miles, tan leather, heated seats, new brakes and new tires. Exterior has a few light scratches and nicks on the back bumper cover (clearly from loading/unloading) but the interior is super clean.

I did not know they had this color in 08 so I was a bit surpised when I came across this one. I've seen photos of this color on older 5's but dont think I have EVER seen it on the road, I'm glad I found something unique.

Those Smoors are going To look great on there! Congrats!

I cant wait. Might be a bit of a slower process. Little girl is due in June. Although by buying this one instead of the 2012 37k mile example we considered, I also saved several thousand dollars.

Should be able to get tinted soon, I want to drive for a little while to make sure everything seems solid before throwing lowering springs at it. and probably a RSB. (guessing springtime for those) Then want to make sure the the alignment and tire wear is all straight before actually putting the enkei's on.

I will probably slip them on this weekend though because I really want to get an idea of the look/fit. Will take lots of pics and photoshop a little.

My man! Grocery life represent!

I ordered some stickers and got a confirmation email, but its been quiet since. Was that still in preorder status?

I realize its probably a question for the seller but you've got your finger on the pulse of that grocery life.

I think preorder closed this week and orders are being done as we speak. Its late now but I'll ping mo in the am and see for sure.

29 mpg on the first tank in the 5, calculated with the trip mileage/gallons put in. This also includes driving back over the mountain on the way home from the dealership, and maybe 25-30 minutes idling at a stop (warmed it up on a few cold mornings in the driveway, and got stuck in traffic today due to a car accident)

Needless to say I am pleased yet not surprised. I have been beating EPA highway figures for years with my commute in my old car. I think hitting 30 mpg should not be a challenge.

Time for this thread to come back to the top! Any consensus on good, relatively quiet tires for this thing? I am looking pretty hard at the Conti DW or DWS, any other good suggestions?

For my wife's 2010 model, I went with Kuhmo something something, Platinums about a year or more ago and have been happy.

I have bridgestone ecopias on mine, quiet and long life so far.