Learn me more about the mazda 5

Wife has decided to finally get a better hammer. She has decided she wants a mazda5. Automatic.

I found an 06 for 3500 from a guy i know. Salvage title touring model with 110k on the clock.

What do i look out for other than rust? I know the 08 up have much better manners, but for her needs the 4 speed and 2.3 won't be too much of an issue. She drives about 6 miles a day to work and such. Occasionally will have 3 or 4 girlscouts in there. She has been making due with a protege5 for the past year, but its been a challenge for her.

And before you say minivan, i already have and she told me where to stick it. How the mazda5 isnt a minivan, i dont know, but apparently it isnt.

Ive read all the threads i can find on here, but it all seems geared towards the second generation cars.

So I am assuming by the lack of response, I pretty much nailed what I need to know, right?

You covered it all, Javelins Millenium Falcon thread has the most info in one place.

Had an 06. I had issues with rear suspension and bushings at 70k miles that needed to be addressed. My rear tires wore quite unevenly before that.

I replaced the rear doors' power lock actuators because mine were flaky. It wasn't expensive.

Also had a front wheel bearing go bad on me at about 80k miles.

Well, it's no Kia Rondo...

Suspension wears prematurely, rear motor mount is a wear item. For many shenanigans bolt up ms3 suspension parts.

bastomatic wrote: I replaced the rear doors' power lock actuators because mine were flaky. It wasn't expensive.

Any tips on that job? Neither of mine are working reliably, so its on my to do list.

OP- I have an '06, but I have only had it a few months.

If this one doesn't check out, ill be hunting for an 08 up. This is the wifes and daughters car. Im willing to spend the good money. But if i can be cheap, i will be.

Apexcarver wrote:

bastomatic wrote: I replaced the rear doors' power lock actuators because mine were flaky. It wasn't expensive.

Any tips on that job? Neither of mine are working reliably, so its on my to do list. OP- I have an '06, but I have only had it a few months.

The Falcon thread had a write up from when I did it to my 06. Super easy.

All mazdas like to have rusty rear suspensions that require a cutting to remove. My advice is buy all new hardware and links and just rip everything out and start fresh, should be good and tight for another 100K.

Unless you live in the south, maybe just buy a mapp gas hand torch.

So, i bought it. 3200. 109k, fresh brakes on all 4 corners, fresh shocks and quickstruts on all 4, pile of spare parts, and i know what exactly was done and not done when bought from copart as a salvage. It was sideswiped. Took out drivers side fender, and both doors. He found matching doors, but not a fender. Its wearing a black one.

So, since this is my learn me thread, few questions.

1. Slight oil leak from above whhere the canister for the cartridge filter o ring is. Looks like a oil cooler or something there. Any ideas on fixes?

2. Brakes feel spongy to me. Normal, or time for fresh fluid and diagnostics?

3. Does not have fog lights or autodim mirror. Jenny wants both. Ideas?

4. Some of these had a tv or something in the headliner in the back. I think I want to add it for long trips. Suggestions?

5. Any links to timing belt how to?

6. What is the recommend 100k service?

More to come. I take delivery friday.

Expect a fire sale on rust free well maintained proteg5s. Got two now...

i dont have all your answers but.....no timing belt. timing chain.

mazdas247.com forums have a good bit of info, but you have to often search to find it. many times you have to dig through repetitive posts on the more common problems...

adding oem fogs seems like a common thing to do, i couldnt tell you if there is factory wiring involved or just some aftermarket wiring rigged up.

was that overhead dvd player a factory option? I ALMOST went to go look at a van that had one but decided to buy the one that was a few grand less.

Supposedly the factory wiring for the fogs is in place all you need is the switch and the fogs. I've never looked though. I've not seen one with a tv in the back, where did they put it? Autodim mirror will be an eBay alsofits. Oil leak is probably the oil cooler lines, they leak as the get older. Enjoy!

I seem to recall that my '13 came with documentation as to where you would put holes in the headliner to get to the mounting points for an overhead TV/DVD, but I can't imagine doing anything to reduce the already limited headroom. I'd make sure you use a good protectant on the upholstery if you put one in, though - head wounds bleed like crazy!

EDIT: Here's where I found that: Installing Ford overhead DVD player with Mazda Kit

As Javelin said above, there is a writeup in the Millennium Falcon thread about the rear door lock actuators. I think I put a post up there as well with photos. It was a very easy job. Remove rear door cards (quite easy), remove actuator, replace, replace door cards. I think the actuators were about $50 or so.

Found a fender in the proper color!!! 110 shipped from Mississippi.

Thanks for the info on the dvd player. Lots of conflicting info on google.

Found out that the oil cooler leak is common, gaskets are on the way.

Great to hear that its a timing chain, not a belt.

Any good recommendation on an aftermarket autodim? Prices are all over the map, and no brands ive even heard of. She wants one with outside temperature if possible....

Keeping a close eye on this. And I agree--how is it that wives think this isn't a minivan? Oh, and a Minivan is too big... uh... it is only 15 inches longer than your tsx. And we have flipping huge dogs.

pinchvalve wrote: Well, it's no Kia Rondo...

Don't mean to threadjack, but go on...

mtn wrote: it is only 15 inches longer than your tsx

15" is an enormous difference in size. Especially if you parallel park often.

ProDarwin wrote:

mtn wrote: it is only 15 inches longer than your tsx

15" is an enormous difference in size. Especially if you parallel park often.

Not when you compare a minivan to any other vehicle that can crate all the crap that my wife packs, AND two dogs, and the two of us, 15 inches in minuscule.

(I see a trailer or car-top carrier in my future)

Living in a city, I can tell you 15 inches can be a matter of parking in front of your building or circling for an hour and parking 6 blocks from where you live. But, yes, the 5 is still a mini van, just a mini-er one. Still like them though. But I have a soft spot for suburb mom/dad-mobiles anyway (they just do so many things right).

My wife had an 08 that we bought new and traded in for her 2015 forester in late 2014. We had to get the tranny rebuilt at around 120k miles To the tune of about $3k which was about what we got for it upon trading it in. The rear shocks wore out fairly quickly as it uses the same rear shocks as the lighter mazda 3. This car also went through brakes on a regular basis as well. if you do the brakes make sure the rears are adjusted correctly or they will wear out even faster then the fronts (ask me how I know). Overall a good car, the only other issues were a failed power steering pump that I had to fight with the local dealer to fix under warrenty. Keep an eye on these main things though and you would be ok.

The front bumper scrapes pretty easy on curbs or inclines.

It is a bit longer than the impreza that its replacing for me, but its small enough that its still comfortable going down the road. Plus, it has tons of cargo room for its size.

I love vehicles that feel bigger on the inside than the outside suggests. This one does that.