Mazda MX-Flexa / Mazda5

chrisducati

Yet again we get a lot less than the rest of the world. I guess Most Americans do not demand a large option list. Also how many Americans actually order what they want anymore? Most just settle for what is on the lot. I get a little hot under the collar when I see some really cool options on cars out side our market. If they can have that in Europe there is no reason why it can't be here. I'm not talking about safety or emission related things. I guess it is the Marketing office at many of these companies that need to be insulted. Back the the "5". I really like it. I am glad they made the side skirts and spoiler optional. That is one thing the did right. I would like them to make a roof rack optional too. It is a must if you have a full load of passengers on a trip. I hope the 5 does well. Maybe if it does we will see others here. Ford should bring in it's Focus C-MAX. I doubt Ford will and if they do it will be a watered down "Americanized" version. Pointless really. My in-laws own these types of vehicles. A C-MAX and a Grand Senic. Very flexible vehicles. but do not have the sliding doors of the "5".

bobw3

I think that the few of us that really like European spec cars will just have to do without here in the USA. The market here is for the medium to large cars/SUVs/Minivans and that's where you see the big option lists. The smaller vehicles are just here to satisfy an emission percentage for the manufactures. They don't make much$$ on these cars, so they try to keep them as cheap and simple as possible. Why waste so much time on different option lists for the 5 when the profit margin on them is small as compared with the other cars.

dapont

Here's a snippet from the Mazda factory newsletter dated March 8, 2005:

"According to customer orders per model, the 20S is most popular and has exceeded sales forecasts, followed by the 20C and 23S models. Phantom Blue Mica, followed by Carbon Grey Mica, are the two favorite body colors. About seventy percent of customers ordered dual power sliding doors and forty percent wanted the visual-aid driver navigation system (with front and back monitors), both of which are available as factory-installed options."

My question to anyone who knows: Why doesn't Mazda offer these popular options on their North American models? Sure, they offer an "easy close" system that permits children to shut the sliders without slamming them by automatically pulling them shut the last few inches, but why not the real thing? And, if not now, when?

bobw3

Like I was saying in my previous post, in America the big minivans have loads of options and in Europe the Mazda5 IS a BIG minivan in comparison with their other vehicles, so that's probably why they have the big option list. Same with their Ford Focus models. Plus if you look at the price of the Mazda5 or Ford Focus in Europe, you'll find that they're priced like our mid and upper priced cars. So our low end cars are Europe's high end cars. I really like the European spec cars, but just like in real estate where the average home is a lot bigger in the USA, the average car is bigger too and the economy cars are pretty much left as simple as possible. All about what will make a profit. Specifically for the automatic doors, Mazda probably did a research study to see how much more in profit they'd make as compared to the cost based on US research. Same with the middle seat in the 2nd row. My guess is that if an American consumer wanted to seat 7, they'd buy a bigger vehicle and Mazda research probably found the extra profit wasn't worth the bother of including it as an option. I think when any car is marketed in both the US and Europe, you're just beating your head against a wall when you look at the option list and say... why not here!

twain

We have three kids, 20, 12, and 8 years old.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Frankly, if I had 3 kids that age, I wouldn't get a Mazda 5. I'd get one of the larger minivans. First, the third row is awfully close to the back and I don't know how safe that is. Second, with everyone on board, there isn't much room for cargo. Third, with everyone on board, a 2.3 cyl four isn't very big.

I still say the 5 is best for famlies of four or less. Get rid of the 20 year old and you're set to go.

ateixeira

Isn't he off to college, or driving his/her own car by now?

-juice

carlr

Do you know where the ports are on the East Coast?

bobw3

I'd say you'd have to try it out. Depending on the size of the adults (are we talking about 6' 220lb people or 5'8 165lbs) using the car, the Mazda5 might be perfectly fine for 6 adults depending on how far back the seats need to go. Remember that the seating position is more upright, so you a lot of the legroom is vertical. I have a Freestyle and a '99 Cougar and my seat in the Cougar is pretty far back as compared with the upright position of the Freestyle. As far as luggage space, if you're using the Mazda5 for 6 mid-sized adults for across town trips with minimal luggage, then it might be fine. You have to sit inside and just check it out.

carlr

bobw3

Do you have any idea when the 5 's are coming to the East Coast?

bwaters

No, he's just graduated from college and he hauls around our two daughters with his 98 Forester whenever we ask. The Mazda5 would probably haul all 5 of us more comfortably than our Camry wagon or Civic Hybrid... and we don't want a mini van, we want a mini_mini van with a stick shift... zoom zoom

P.S. He recently posted a fairly long response on this forum... Can you spot a posting from a 20 year old college grad?

bwaters

Well, not that recently.... :shades:

chrisducati

I think the 5 will do just fine as long as you are not all big big people. My Inlaws live in the UK and have always driven cars that are small by US standards. I'm 5'10" 165 and we had two people my size plus two women around 5'2" 110 pounds and two kids 7 and 9 in the back of a car similar to the 5. A Renault Grand Senic. We did just fine. If your over six feet tall and 220 and everyone in your family is like that I can see wanting a bigger van. We have a Chevy Venture at our business and it is HUGE compared to the 5's size. It also drives like a ship and can hold 8 people. 8 sea sick people.

mdaffron

I was at my dealer (in Virginia) for an oil change yesterday. I asked the sales manager, he typed something into his computer, and then said the 5's should arrive there by mid-July.

Meade

dmundy1

While walking my dog this morning (around 6am) I noticed a Mazda5 parked in the driveway across the street from my house. I had a feeling someone in that house worked for Mazda (corporate or dealership, not sure) as over the past week I have seen them driving a Mazda3 Sport, a Mazda6 Sport, and a MPV, all looked very new. The 5 was blue (I think it is Phantom Blue on the US site), and looked to be the GT (Canadian) model. I hope they bring it home again tonight so I can sneek a peak. BTW I live in Aurora ON, so keep an eye open if you live north of Toronto.

mdaffron

It's the unveiling ceremony (with English translation) of the Premacy (Mazda5) in Japan. Click on the link appropriate for your connection once you get here:

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/premacy/

There's a fairly lengthy movie at the beginning that shows some good perspective shots of the Mazda5 with people outside, inside and around the vehicle.

Meade

ateixeira

I have the same vehicle, have him pop in to the Forester threads.

-juice

perfectofc

If you get a chance, snap some pictures.

perfectofc

The shots in that video shown are available in better quality than that:

http://www.premacy.mazda.co.jp/asx/cwt_500k.asx
http://www.premacy.mazda.co.jp/asx/6one_500k.asx
http://www.premacy.mazda.co.jp/asx/concept.asx

The more I see it, the more I like it. This is going to be a big win for Mazda, especially in Canada.

ateixeira

Interesting that they use blonde women in the ads for Japan. Note the family of 4 with a dog at the end.

That's a nifty 7th seat, too. Which US doesn't get yet.

-juice

perfectofc

The ads were filmed in New Zealand.

mdaffron

... those power-sliding doors, or the remote card entry.

We Americans is too dumb for dat.

Meade

perfectofc

We're not getting either of those features up here in Canada either. At least you guys get the optional NAV system, which we don't get.

dmundy1

If I did take some pictures they would need to be developed, no digital camera yet! Yes I am a loser. If it's there again tonight and I can catch the owner outside I'll see if I can take a closer look. From what I saw this morning it kind of looks like a stretched Scion xA. (O.T. I know Toyota have no plans to sell the xA or xB here, but I think they would be very successful if they did, based on the number of Echo hatch's you see on the road).

mdaffron

"Optional" nav system price: An even $2,000.

With that price, it'll remain VERY optional.

:mad:

Meade

ateixeira

That would be a big plus IMO, especially to the type of people this vanlet would appeal to.

-juice

smaria

I agree that power sliding doors should be available as an option. I think that most people would prefer power sliding doors to manual ones.

Surprisingly, I just found out that my wife actually prefers to have manual sliding doors. She doesn't trust the power sliding doors. She pointed me to this recent major recall (not by Mazda, but having to do with hazardous power sliding doors): http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/12/24/310062.html. So, the lack of optional power sliding doors isn't a problem for us

perfectofc

There is an option for the "power assist doors", which is good enough for me.

dudleyr

I far prefer regular swing out non power doors. Why overcomplicate things, add weight, add cost etc.?

mdaffron

"Vanlet."

I LOVE IT!

:shades:

Meade

ateixeira

Thanks.

It's easier than mini-minivan.

Sliding doors open reeeeeeaally wide and take zero space.

My car port has a fire place so we can't open 1 door all the way, it's been scratched because the kids aren't always careful (he's 2, what do I expect right?).

-juice

bobw3

I've seen the ad before, but it really makes the Mazda5 seem pretty small to me when you see it trying to hold 4 & 5 kids in the back 2 rows. It makes me wonder what 4 adults (especially American-sized!) would look like back there. But I guess if that's all you're going to carry in the back...small kids and a small dog...then the Mazda5 would be a great choice.

robr2

She pointed me to this recent major recall (not by Mazda, but having to do with hazardous power sliding doors): http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/12/24/310062.html. So, the lack of optional power sliding doors isn't a problem for us

That recall is a riot - it concerns the inside handle of the sliding door. Injuries occur if the inside handle is held while the door is in motion. What if you are holding the inside handle and someone whips a manual door from the outside - wouldn't the same injury happen??

drspongklong

I would call this vehicle a "minivanlet". I've been waiting for this kind of vehicle. I'ts the perfect car for me. I like it's size and looks. It looks almost like my Toyota Matrix but a little bit taller and longer. I would not be using the third row seat much but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.

rlawrence

I was on the phone with a local dealer here in SoCal this afternoon and the sales manager gave me a tip where I might see one. Although I was drawn to the vehicle, I still wanted to see it in person. Having now stood right next to it I can totally concur with drspongklong. This car is absolutely perfect, but it definitely has a European flair to it (which makes it even more palatable to me). I love the fact that it is low enough that I can still see over the top of it (I'm 5' 9"). In some respects, it reminds me of the Mercedes A-class I was never able to buy because MB refused to sell it here in the US. I am so glad Mazda is offering it with a manual transmission. Finally, a car for those of us with more eclectic tastes. My only wish is that they would offer it in that burnt orange color. That would be soooo sweeeet.

Had the camera on my telephone been working properly, I would have gladly snapped a photograph.

I am putting a deposit on one ASAP.

mazda6s

vanita

rorr

MPV-lite?

Wee-van?

Vanster?

Actually, I like vanlet the best.....

mdaffron

Although I kinda like ...

MPeeWee

Meade

ateixeira

I just spit coffee out thru my nose...

:-)

-juice

perfectofc

LOL!
"Vanlet" for the win!

drspongklong

Ok. Majority wins. Let's call it "Vanlet" then.

mdaffron

Meade

perfectofc

For the record, I'll be snapping a bunch of pictures and driving this Vanlet over the next 4-5 days. I'll be sure to post impressions and links to pictures here.

bwaters

Wow!!!

"Although I was drawn to the vehicle, I still wanted to see it in person... This car is absolutely perfect... I am putting a deposit on one ASAP."

I'm just hoping that I have the same reaction! We just put a timing belt in our 95 Camry today $$$, That money could have been included in the down payment for our new Vanlet...

bwaters

Good timing for us! We still can't make a purchase until we see it in person... Mid-July... I wonder how long it will take for us to get one once we order the package we want?

ateixeira

Don't be discouraged, but if you order expect to wait a good 6-8 weeks after the first deliveries. They produce a run of vehicles just to fill up dealer showrooms first, almost always.

-juice

mdaffron

We just put a timing belt in our 95 Camry today $$$, That money could have been included in the down payment for our new Vanlet...

... and keep in mind, once you buy the 5, which has the same engine as my Mazda3s hatch, you won't be changing timing belts again! Timing chain all the way!!!

Meade

perfectofc

They're about a month behind this initial run, Juice. Mid-July.

mpg7

Sport Mini Vanlet definitely has me interested. I already have the 7 pass Venture to carry the whole family (wife and 5 kids). I would love to buy a sport compact...almost bought the 3 hatch....but couldn't see buying a new vehicle that can't carry all 5 kids. I love the idea of a sporty people/bike/cargo carrier with some styling flair that gets good gas mileage as well.....and offered with a MANUAL...YEAH!!! I'm in.....and I think it'll be one of the coolest rides out there :shades: ....especially loaded with 5 kids and 6 bikes on the way to the trail!!! How about a Mazdaspeed Vanlet!!!!

drspongklong

We are all excited about this "Zoom Zoom Vanlet" but remember this is a small minivan. You might get disappointed if you won't be able to carry all your 5 kids with your 6 bikes in it.

drspongklong

ZZV for Zoom Zoom Vanlet. YEAH!!!