Learn me on Mazda5 's

Some family members are in desperate need of new cars. He has an E46 325i (I think, I'm not too good on BMW ID'ing, it has the cool double-halo looking headlights, a small motor, is 4-doors, and has a stick, 7-spoke alloys) which is actually in OK shape except for being trashed (he let sap sit on it for 3 years then cleaned it off with a brillo pad). She has an 01 Civic that lost the cam sensor. They had that fixed but I stongly suspect it hurt the engine or at least a head gasket as it sounds like it's farting, is WAY down on power, and smells. They keep driving it though...

Anyways since Mazda is allowing those of us on the Motorsports program to share our plan PIN's with family we thought it would be worth trying to talk them into a new Mazda. They have 1 kid now and are planning on 2 more so they want something pretty big/minivan/hatchback. The 3 and the Civic are not big enough and they are not SUV people.

We seem to think that the Mazda5 is the best fit but I don't really know anything about them. This would be a new car purchase (they really need the warranty/dealer service or they won't take care of it). Opinions?

Good car, same platform (Ford C1) as the Mazda3, euro Focus, etc. Same 2.3L engine as the Mazda3 (I think it's retuned for the Mazda5, as the power levels are listed differently).

Several co-workers have them. They all bought them to replace minivans or SUVs.

My mom drives one, I did the same thing with the s-plan pricing through Mazda Motorsports, although we ended up getting a leftover '07 for significantly less than that (after we told them that we would just order an '08 at s-plan from another dealer if they didn't give us our price). It's been a great car. It's almost even fun to drive, it can hold 6 adults if necessary (slow as hell, but it's possible). The only significant problem I can think of that she has had was the rear shocks were replaced due to bad seals (the car sat on the lot for several months, so I assume that contributed to this problem). It gets pretty squeaky in the winter cold, it seems to have relatively stiff suspension bushings for what it is, and it can squeak/groan over bumps when it's really cold. Haven't noticed it much in the summer, and it's probably something as simple as greasing the swaybar bushings to fix it. The 4-speed Automatic in hers has a tendency to shift awkwardly at low speed part throttle (like if you pull out quickly then let off), but the 5-speed in the new cars is supposed to be better, and the manual avoids these problems entirely.

I would recommend one without hesitation unless they need to tow or carry more than 4 adults on a regular basis, and it sounds like they don't. It's somewhat underpowered, but the available manual is a huge plus in this class, and the handling makes up for the lack of power in the fun department.

they share suspension parts with the mazda3, so most of the mazda3 suspension stuff will bolt onto the 5. too bad you can only get the manual with the sport model though.

crackmonkey, not sure where you saw the hp specs different for the 3 and the 5, but they are both rated at 156hp. i think the 2.3 was rated at 160 originally, but lost a couple with the new sae test.

Love, love, love our 5. It's what 90% of the folks driving Expeditions probably should be driving but don't realize it.

Since I did the coilovers on the Speed3 my wife's been eyeing the takeoff parts and wondering if they'd fit.

jg

The manual is only available on the base model. If you want HIDs or the good stereo you'll be getting an auto. Really, if you want ANY options at all you'll be getting an auto. At least from what I found in my area.

Took to 5 out of the running for me.

I looked hard at the 5 before buying my Kia Rondo. What I can tell you is that the Mazda was fun to drive, can be had with a stick if you want it, and comes with 6 seats in all trim levels. (The third row is optional in the Kia) The sliding doors are often listed as a negative, but for the life of me I can't see why. I though the interior was pretty sharp, and there are great options available.

The main thing for me was room; the Mazda 5 seats six in a 2-2-2 configuration. That means if you have to fold down the rear seats to fit 5 people, you loose all luggage space. The Rondo seats 2-3-2 so you can seat 5 and still have space behind. Some standard items on the 5 are options on the Rondo, but the Rondo is cheaper overall so you can get the top trim level for less. It also carries a better warranty

Whichever you choose, I can say that I am also loving this mini-minivan idea. They are better than driving a gas-hog SUV, they handle better and are more fun to drive than a Minivan. They are really safe, practical and affordable. Mazda sells out all of their 5s in the US with zero marketing budget. That says something!

JG Pasterjak wrote: Love, love, love our 5. It's what 90% of the folks driving Expeditions probably should be driving but don't realize it. Since I did the coilovers on the Speed3 my wife's been eyeing the takeoff parts and wondering if they'd fit. jg

I'm almost certain they do. DO IT NOW!

We absolutly love our 5, we got it last summer to replace a tribute that was sucking down gas and starting to get tranny issues. We have 2 children, so we needed something to haul them and various other stuff around. It's extremely fun to drive for being what is basically a mini van, although Mazda's official term is Space wagon. We have had lots of people ask us how we like it and what it is, since as stated before, you never see any ads for it.

As stated above it has 2-2-2 seating so carrying 6 people is best left for taking 6 people out to dinner or some other destination that does not require additional space for luggage. Acceleration is more then adaquate for the type of vehicle. And current models have a 5speed auto that has a tripronic type shifter if you want to shift manually, with the auto.

Did I mention that it is fun to drive!, I'm pretty sure that most of the Mazdaspeed stuff for the 3 would fit it too. if you felt the need to mod it.

In Japan and europe where it is called either a premacy or a 5 repectively, it is available in AWD and also with 2 liter gas or turbo diesel engine options, I think a turbo diesel AWD verison of this would sell like mad over here...... don't know why it is not offered like that here.

There are only 3 things that I don't like about the car, first the nose falls away from view and is lower and longer then you can see from the drivers seat, which means it is hard to tell where the lower part of the airdam is. Consiquently it is really easy to curb the lower part of the airdam.
Second, the back hatch gets really really dirty fast, (probably doesn't help the car is white) but it gets extremely filthy in short order. Finally I don't like the indicator for the tranny on the dash, it is big and RED and really makes your eye drawn to it constantly, and because I'm so accustomed to an idiot light that shows as something wrong being red, I'm constantly distracted by it. Those are the only faults I've found after 9 months of ownership.

It gets around 25-28 mpg in average driving, and looks and drives much nicer then anything else in its class. I'd get another one in a heartbeat.

Chris Rummel

Great! Thanks for the info and by all means keep it coming. They are interested in how much of a pain it is to get the baby seat in and whether or not 2 baby seats will go in the second row. The 3 is a 5-Speed so they have no problems with a base model. Glad to here the mileage is so good!

All the seats in the 5 are individual chairs, so 2 baby seats in the 2nd row should be no problem.

Regarding the back hatch: Do all of them have the washer/wiper on the back window? My mom's does but it's a loaded GT. And yes, it's often necessary.

Yes you can put a baby seat in any of the back seats, we actually do it quite often to avoid conflicts of touching between children during trips. Cargo room is fine with the back seats folded, like 42 cubic feet, with all the rear and middle seats folded cargo room is something like 70 cubic feet.
Baby seat access is superb, especially to the middle seats, this was one of the reasons my wife wanted this. also with the mini van style doors on the back it is far easier to access the children then a comparable 4 door or SUV.

Not sure about the rear hatch wiper, we have the mid grade touring model and it has the wiper.

Milage I quoted was average for the automatic, for the manual it is a few more mpg.

If I changed anything about this car I think I would have it either have a bit higher overdrive gear or have the final drive a bit higher, if the rpm could be dropped about 500 or so rpm at crusing speed I think it would top 30 mpg pretty easily.

We actually set out to get a manual version of this car, but all the dealer had was autos, with a manual this car would be even more fun to drive then it is already.

The stock tires have a bit of a howl on the road too, I think they are some type of toyos if I remember correctly. So replacing the tires won't be a bad thing.

I'd kind of like the abiltiy to reflash the ecu as well since most mazdas are a bit rich, mpg would llikely go up if I could do that too. I wonder if the Kobb tuner box would work on this like it does on the Mazdaspeed 3??

Chris Rummel

Our lowly Sport has the rear wiper.

Ours is an '07, which means we got the 4sp auto. I believe all of the autos are now 5sp, which was previously a GT-only deal. We get mid 20s mpg, and Dana's commute is pretty much in-town. On the freeway it approaches 30.

jg

it says something about our changing perspectives on vehicle size that the 5 is a "mini-minivan," when it's just about the same size as the original Chrysler minivans. current "minivans" are really more like full-size vans.

Mazda 5s never come back to my dealer for anything but suspension squeaks. They happen so often that mazda has already made the repairs a bulletin and we can fix any noise they make, that is literally the only problems they ever come in for.

The front and rear stabilizer bushings get worn and open up a little allowing it to flex and clackity clack over bumps, mazda redesigned the bushings and its a simple fix, they also have a weld under the rear spring hat in the back that over time causes the spring to move slighty and rub the control arm, we take the spring out and grind the bead and it goes away. some get squeaks from the front control arm bushings and you can just grease those. And last but not least in extreme cases the upper strut mount bearings in the front pop lightly when turning at low speeds. Another easy fix.

Those are literally all those cars ever come in for. Great cars.

They do have three row seating which is awesome but you do lose trunk space (all of it pretty much) with the rear row active.

And loaded up they can be pretty sluggish. But then again. It is a mazda but its not a full on sports car.

I would buy a five if i had kids and other things to care about. Oh yeah and last but not least sometimes the a/c can feel a little weak. But then again im in miami and that happens alot.

I don't think we have to worry about the A/C up here!

We're having a family dinner tonight and I'll pitch the idea. Thanks!

Curtis - HA! My mom just made an appointment yesterday to bring hers in for an oil change and to have all her suspension squeaks looked at. Glad to hear there are already simple fixes out there. It is the only complaint she's ever had about the car as well.

JG - The 5-speed auto was new for '08, all of the previous cars (including Mom's '07 GT) have the 4 speed. In retrospect it probably would have been worth it for them to wait for the '08 with 5 speed for a smoother drive and reduced highway RPMs, but they wanted a car quickly and liked the color and options of the one they found on the lot.

Also, we have not found the oem Toyos to be very impressive. They are awful in snow, loud, and close to needing replacement at 30k. Hopefully whatever they get from the tire rack to replace them will be better. They usually are, the Yoko Avid Tourings that they put on their CRV were much better than the OEM Bridgestone Duelers.

Strizzo, the numbers are from Mazda USA's website: Mazda3: 156-hp (6500rpm) / 150lb/ft (4500rpm) Mazda5: 153-hp (6500rpm)/ 148lb/ft (4500rpm)

Edit - why don't link breaks work?

Just had one for a four day rental. I chose this because I've been thinking about buying one. Nice compromise vehicle. The things that I didn't like - didn't have "poke" on the highway to maneuver into holes in LA traffic. I know it's a 2.3 4cyl, but I was hoping it would have felt more lively. Third row up leaves very little room - maybe a roller bag, no way a regular suitcase. And the biggest peeve - no cargo screen. I do enough travel that I am highly annoyed by vehicles that have no hidden secure areas. The two middle seats have a little storage under the tumbling up bottom cushion - maybe a small laptop, but certainly not the briefcase that it was in.

glueguy wrote: And the biggest peeve - no cargo screen. I do enough travel that I am highly annoyed by vehicles that have no hidden secure areas. The two middle seats have a little storage under the tumbling up bottom cushion - maybe a small laptop, but certainly not the briefcase that it was in.

They exist, but are a dealer accessory, not standard.

LINK

I was going to say, we have the cargo screen with ours.

Probably not something that the rental would have because it could be stolen easily.

Chris Rummel

i have two friends with them. both love them. one chewed up tires in 20k, the other did not. both have had squeak / clunk fixes -- one included a rear shock replacement.

we'll get one when the Ody dies.

My wife is coming around to the idea of one of these vehicles. We had a Mazda3 and loved it, well I didn't like the 4 speed automatic. The 5 speed automatic sounds much better so it sounds like we should be looking at an '08 or newer.

Did the 5s with leather all have that brown color up to '09? I have installed leather in several other vehicles so I can always change it over, leather is so much better in terms of kid spillage.

How old is the kid? You can't fit anyone older than 5 in the third row, or anyone older than 10 in the second. However, there is a cool air fan for the kids in back.

Get a 3 sport with a trailer hitch! people room, cargo room, and no pain in the butt when it comes to needing cargo space with all seats up!