Nice thread you guys got here. I've been following this board for the past several months. Our Explorer lease ends real soon. My wife and I decided our next vehicle should have 3 rows. This included minivans and mid-size SUVs. Originally, our minivan choices centered around the Ody/Sienna/Quest troika. When I heard about the 5 I realized that it would have about 85-90% of the utility of the big boys at a price several thousand $ less. My main concern was that it's a brand new model. Right or wrong, I fall into that "wait a year or two" thinking for buying a new model. It seems a bit underpowered, on paper. I've noticed alot of dissapointment on this board about it's MPG, but considering the same engine in the Mazda 6 only gets 23/28 (AT) it shouldn't be too surprising. I think too, that when people complain about all the things it doesn't have or do, they should remember that sticker on the 5 starts lower than a base 6. And yes, if you need the space that an Odyssey or other full size minivan offers, then the 5 is not for you. FWIW, I do consider the 5 a minivan. Just like Corollas and Crown Vics are sedans and Suburbans and Sportages are SUVs, minivans are not a 1 size fits all segment.
Anyway, after putting the 5 on my list of contenders, it got me to thinking about smaller, cheaper vans, mainly the Sedona and MPV. With rebates and discounts they can be had around the price of a base 5 sticker. I chose the MPV over the Kia mainly based on handling and style. (OK I know that is a debate for another board.) It's an LX with rear AC. I got it for $18K. That's $6k under sticker. I've heard others say they can do even better. The main sticking point about the 5 is when it would be available. Here in PDX, the salesmen I talked to said the the 5 should be arriving here 1) early July, 2) late July or early August, or 3) sometime in mid September. Well, that range wouldn't work for me, besides I don't think there will be many deals this summer or early fall. If my lease were to last another 6 months, then things may be different.
OK, so what's my point? Well, the 5 is a great concept. I think it will fill the niche for those needing occasional extra space that a sedan or small SUV cannot give. I think Mazda has a great car in its hands. Give Mazda credit. They didn't quite get me into a 5, but it did get me to buy another Mazda model. Good luck with your 5's.
Is anyone else having trouble building a Touring model on Mazda's website? When I select the Touring model the $2000 nav system is automatically selected and I can't deselect it. I really hope Mazda has not decided to make this standard. For me it would be a complete waste of 2000 bucks!
Someone asked about 5s in Ohio. I just got called tonight. Our local dealership has a Red and a Black both AT :mad: . The Wife and I will be checking them out tomorrow. I won't get an AT though, so I hope Mazda comes through with a Touring MT without that @#$@ nav system.
:::::I think that the front of the Mazda5, at least from a side view, looks kinda like a Toyota Prius. But the back looks more like a Toyota Matrix.:::::
Thanks for the comparison pics. I think the front looks like about 2 dozen of today's vehicles...from the side. The front (from the front) has some individuality.
But yeah, I think a "stretched Matrix" with sliding doors is fairly accurate. I think a big chunk of the M5's market will be people who like the Matrix but want something bigger. More will be "moving up" from a Matrix than down from a standard minivan.
mdaffron: I'm posting this here because the 5 will receive the same engine that's in my 3 hatch...Friends, you have no horsepower woes to worry about.
It's not the horsepower, it's the torque. Doesn't the 5 weigh about 500 lbs more than a 3? And it will seat six. And it has room for lots more cargo than a 3.
Most of the time, the 2.3 engine with 157hp and 148lb(?) of torque will be fine. But there will be occasions when more grunt would be nice. Like a heavy load up a steep hill.
I'm lobbying for a diesel like they get in Europe. They get a 2.0, 143hp, 266lb diesel option. IMO, that makes good sense for a vehicle of this type.
rlawrence: Besides overall American ambivalence toward diesels, remember, California is by far the most important car market and I don't think their current world diesels would pass the state's emission muster, essentially meaning I don't think you'll see any here anytime soon.
There's a new clean diesel fuel coming in 07. Chrysler has plans for more diesels along with Mercedes. I think we'll see an influx of diesel powered cars in the next couple of years.
If gas hits $3 a gallon, a 45mpg diesel Golf would look mighty good. And until the cost of hybrids come down, diesels are a better bargain.
From what I've read, the new Jeep Liberty diesel is doing very well.
I HATE diesels. They're noisy, smelly, and if you ever spill diesel fuel on your clothes or shoes you'll regret it. After working on farms with mostly diesel tractors for years, if I never have to deal with that nasty smelly stuff again that's fine with me. I hope those who say that Mazda won't sell a diesel in the US because of the Mazda image are right! :shades:
I drove a Mazda 5 sport yesterday. It is one heck of a vehicle for the money. It fits me pretty well and there is good space in the second row. The third row is questionable (when seated, ones head seems to be right up against the hatch glass).
The 4 cylinder is willing and torquey enough so that torque steer is an issue. I went for a ride with four 200 lb men before I got my turn at the wheel. It had no trouble hauling us.
The sliding doors are easy to operate and light. I do wonder about their durability though.
Overall the car felt honest to me - like a Scion xB. It is not trying to be anything but what it is - good space for the money and low on the frills. I think for many people this would be a better choice than a small wagon or SUV. If forced to pick between a CR-V, a Ford Focus wagon, a Matrix or the Mazda 5, I think the 5 would win.
Again, a good car for the money. But if you have more to spend, there are obviously nicer rides. I have a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid and after the test drive, I could see where the extra money went in that car -- big comfy leather seats, sound deadening, an extra layer of quality.
At the same dealer I took out a Subaru Tribeca which is again, a whole different class of vehicle. Ride, power, smoothness, amenities are all there.
As far as value goes, the 5 looks like a good one and its unique size and vehicle class make it a very interesting and compelling choice for many.
The modern diesels are worlds apart from your farm days. They smell and make noise just as much as gasoline engines do. And if you spill gasoline on your clothes or shoes, you will be sorry too.
mazda6s: I hope those who say that Mazda won't sell a diesel in the US because of the Mazda image are right!
And they may be. But I think it will be our loss. More low end power and better mpg sounds like a good thing to me.
"They" said America wouldn't buy hatchbacks too. Since the "cheap" image that hatchbacks had in the 70s and 80s. But hatchbacks and "station wagons" are making a comeback. In a big way. The manufacturers are just careful not to call them hatchbacks and station wagons.
Finally drove the Mazda5 today. Here's my 2 cents.
Exterior: Of course looks are subjective, but I really think it looks great! Both the Black and Red are very good looking. The red does seem to look Pink at times but I still like it. Unlike many of you I really like the side sills and the air dam, I think they add a lot to the car. The wheels are very nice looking and the tire profile is perfect for the car.
Interior: I think the fit and finish is very good, and I like the dark interior. I would not get light if they did have it. The two at the dealer both have the nav system and it worked well the little I did use it. The auto climate control is great, I've never had automatic before and it works very well. The radio works well, and sounds good from what I could tell. I'm not a stereo expert however.
Drive: Here's where it gets a bit negative. I absolutely will not buy this car with an AT. It is SLOW with a capital S. I'm pretty sure my 02 MPV would lay waste to it in any race, and the MPV is no rocket. I know many people in this forum have said the power is fine, so I guess we'll have too agree to disagree. Back on the positive side I feel the handling was very good. It feels very sporting and does not roll over or terminally understeer in hard cornering. On one off ramp I even got the tail to step out a bit when I dropped the throttle.
Kids: I had 2 child seats in the car. We mounted them with the LATCH tethers in the second row. Installation was easy. Accessing the 3rd row is almost impossible with both seats installed. There are no Latch anchors in the 3rd row. In my opinion this would be a great car for a family with 1-2 kids, OK for 3 kids and inadequate for 4 kids. With all the seats up there is not enough storage space for even a day trip if you have any infants or toddlers.
Price: I have always had a high opinion of this MAZDA dealership. Until today that is. On both cars they were charging a 1000 dollar "limited availability" charge.
Conclusion: I still want one. I think with a MT the acceleration will be just good enough and for a family car I love the handling. I'll Probably wait until supply ramps up and try to get my hands on a MT Sport model. Top to bottom I think Mazda has the most engaging lineup around and the 5 fits right in.
I had previously used the "Build It" to configure a Mazda5 the way I want it, basically a Touring Manual with no other options, especially no navigation. But I just tried to do the same thing again, and like Tacoboy discovered, the nav system option is auto-selected and re-selects itself whenever you try to disable it.
This certainly seems intentional, but it's hard to figure out what it means. It might simply mean that most places are only getting Tourings w/navigation, so Mazda has tweaked the build system to reflect this and will change it back once Tourings w/o navigation are more available at dealers.
Or it could mean that Mazda has decided to reduce the number of options for simplicity, and all Tourings will have navigation included for the foreseeable future. Which would suck for me and force me to get a Sport.
Well here in Canada there are just 2 options available on each model. You can have a manual or auto trans and you can get AC or not........that's it!!!! so in order for me to get cruise control, I HAVE to go to the touring model and get a moonroof, 17 inch wheels, 6 speakers, etc,etc, none of which I want BUT cruise is essential so what can one do??? I just hate having to pay for something that I do NOT want, in order to get what I DO want. :mad:
Price: I have always had a high opinion of this MAZDA dealership. Until today that is. On both cars they were charging a 1000 dollar "limited availability" charge.
They only try to charge it if they think there's some sucker out there that will pay it.
:confuse: All the new cars we bought for our family use for the last 15 years came with cruise control. Strange enough, none of our family members ever use them. Yet to kaian, it is essential. "A man's meat is another man's poison."
I never said cruise control was essential? I'm leaning towards manual transmission. You misread -- it was thaicat who has cruise control picked as an essential option.
This review just hit CanadianDriver.com. It's fairly positive suggesting that the 5 will be popular with those who don't want a big van. There are some good interior/exterior shots, including a couple of that red colour. Too bad they didn't make a bright, cherry red.
LamJP; It was ME (Thai) who said that cruise was an essential option . I do all the driving in my family and head for Florida every year from Ontario. Since I do 10 -12 hour days behind the wheel, this is a must!!!
But regardless of my reasoning, you missed the point of what i was saying............and that is having to pay for what I don't want or need in order to get what I do want or need. So it could be cruise, as in my situation, or it could be the moonroof or 17 inch wheels!!
Thai....still not happy about this... but still going for a test drive, probably this afternoon...
My wife and I went to test drive a 5 in central NJ this weekend. With our first child on the way, this seems like the perfect car for us right now. I'm used to driving my 110-hp Honda Civic, so I had no issues with the power of the 5. The seating felt a little awkward at first, but after 3 hours of playing around in the car, everything became very comfortable. One configuration that I love is this: sit in the third row with the second row folded, and you can put your legs up on the back of the second row seats...perfect for taking a nap, or just for immense leg room if you've got fewer than 6 passengers!
My advise to everyone is NOT to pay above MSRP for one of these. I put a deposit on one this weekend, and the final price was $600 under MSRP. I feel that the low-balled my trade-in by $200 or $300, so I think a better representation of what I got is $400 under MSRP. Add in the Gerber Rebate, and I'm actually paying ~$900 under MSRP. Probably not the best possible deal on this car, but a good price, and I'm happy to be one of the first people in the country to get one of these (delivery in about 2 weeks)!
Here are the details:
Sport model Platinum Silver Automatic transmission Fog Lights Wheel Locks
Finally did the big test drive today and while I really wanted this to be my next vehicle, I am sorry to say, that it won't....[:(]
I love the look, the handling, the cargo space, the sliding door and the Mazda name. What I don't like is having to pay for features I don't want in order to get what I do want, and more importantly this was soooo uncomfortable for me to drive!!! Every little bump in the road was a jolt to my back and I was constantly trying to find a comfy position.
I truly gave this a fair test as I took it out on a highway and then a county road and back to the dealer thru town (approx 50 min round trip). And then I took my own car (Corolla) on the exact same route as soon as I got back to make sure I wan't imagining things. And then I took another make vehicle, on a test drive, on the same route yet again to compare as well.
And I had to come to the conclusion, that after 10-12 hours driving,(driving to Florida, which is the reason for the change of vehicle in the first place) I would indeed be in very bad shape.
Talking about Chrysler; The all new 2008Chrysler/Dodge minivan , will have one of the 4 engines offered as a 2.8 DIESEL, 6 ATX, all borrowed from Mercedes. Will be a blow to M5 and all cohorts of gas guzzler minivans. Wait for that, instead of M5...for whoever has the patience Dan
Sorry to tell you, but what DIESEL technology, noise and smell means in Europe , vs DIESEL tractors on American farms , it's a difference of light years awaaaay... Read some literature , if you can't see it to believe it. And then...did you ever spilled gas on your clothes or shoes? Sorry, no offense... Dan
Diesels are still smelly and noisy. Did you ever notice how diesel car drivers always have their windows up? Hmmm, I wonder why that is? And diesel engines can never be made to be as clean burning as gas engines due to the particulates. You can get rid of the gaseous pollutants, but the particulates remain. Diesel engines belong in trucks only. Anyway, I'm glad I don't live in Europe. :P
OK, we're off track here. This isn't the place to discuss how you feel about diesels.
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smaria: Probably not the best possible deal on this car, but a good price, and I'm happy to be one of the first people in the country to get one of these (delivery in about 2 weeks)!
Congratulations! I'm very interested in the 5 but my wife isn't. And since it will primarily be her car, she has last say. We'll probably get an Escape.
I don't think the 5 is perfect but it's more perfect than most. I hope Mazda keeps improving it. Maybe I'll be in the market for a new car by then...or a new wife.
kirstie_h: OK, we're off track here. This isn't the place to discuss how you feel about diesels.
You're right. I'm going to quit talking about diesels and try to be satisfied with the 2.3 gas engine that's low on torque and gets worse mileage than a 250hp V6 Saturn Vue.
Mazda doesn't have any diesel products in North America and isn't going to be bringing them any time soon. I would hope that Mazda would give the 5 a bigger engine in the next 2-3 years, if it's a concern of people who have driven the car.
I personally didn't have any issues with the engine in this car, and I loaded it up with 6 people.
First off, congrats, you must be one of the very first.
Styling does resemble the Matrix somewhat, but the rear is boxier and the rear door especially is much wider, the window too. That makes getting in and out a lot easier, plus they slide all the way out of the way.
the 2.3l in the 5 actually has close to the same output as the 2.5l V6 that the MPV originally came with (the 2000 redesign), and that weighed a fair amount more. It wasn't a rocket ship, but as best as I can remember, noone driving one was run over by a 2CV.
mazda is in a bit of a box with power. I don't think the family V6 will fit (although I could be wrong), but it is possible I guess to produce a bigger I4 (maybe 2.5 - 2.6L) for more torque.
I think they should drop in the turbo 2.3l from the upcoming speed 3 version. THat should have enough oomph for anyone! Drop in the 6 speed stick 2, and I'll sell my wifes Odyssey right out from under her.
I am looking to replace My Forester with a car that can hold 6 people now that I have three grandkids. I've tried the Tribeca, Pilot,Freestyle Highlander Camry Matrix,Prius, and while some of them can only seat 5 I saw the Mazda 5 over the weekend hidden on the Mazda dealers lot. I went today to test drive after using Edmunds comparison feature to a-b it with some of the vehicles I've already tested including my Forester. I was concerened about the build quality the 2.3 liter engine and the profile of the tires. As the drive went I found that this M5 is a pretty unique vehicle. The salesman went with me and he was new to the vehicle so we learned a lot about it together. Interesting that the salespeople aren't trained in their products like Subaru people. I found the drive pretty quiet in the Sport version we took out, I also found that while not a barn burner it certainly could get out of it's own way. It handled very well and brakes were solid. I didn't appreciate the powerpoint way down and out of sight on the front console and I would have liked a power seat. That said I am short and I think this is the perfect short persons car. I would like to see a Phantom Blue touring as that would be my idea of a sharp looker. I think that Mazda has priced itself right and has a vehicle no one else has at the moment. I was more impressed than I thought I'd be.. Mostly I woud use it as a four seater but it has as much or more seat and foot/leg room in the far back seat as everything else but maybe the freestyle and with the sliding doors would be easy for my elderly mother the get into the middle row and out of too which also is a consideration. All in all I think it could be what I am looking for. The salesman has to find out the pricing packages and when He will be getting a touring version in. I'll be waiting.
stickguy: I think they should drop in the turbo 2.3l from the upcoming speed 3 version. THat should have enough oomph for anyone!
That's what will probably happen. The pattern seems to be to offer a "standard" engine on introduction and then to keep interest high, bring in more power a year or two later.
The V6 may not fit but a 2.0 or 2.3 turbo would definitely put the zoom zoom in the M5. Now if they could just do something about that mileage.
The introduction of the turbo might be a good time to bring in a 6 speed manual and a 5 speed auto. Of course, it would no longer be a sub 20k car. More like 25k.
gened1: I am looking to replace My Forester with a car that can hold 6 people now that I have three grandkids. I've tried the Tribeca, Pilot,Freestyle Highlander Camry Matrix,Prius
Most of those are much bigger and more expensive than the Mazda5. It's comparing apples and oranges. Since there are no "small" minivans, a small SUV is a better comparison. The Ford Escape, Honda CRV or Saturn Vue. But none of those will seat 6 so the Mazda has an edge there. The Escape and the Vue have optional V6 engines. Advantage small SUVs there.
I think the M5's main selling points are looks, size, price, good handling and the sliding doors. It's weak points are a lack of choice in engines and interiors, only a 4sp auto and so-so mpg.
There are two small 7-seat minivans available: MPV and the DC short-wheelbase vans. Both are available for about the same price (or less) than the Mazda5 and are just a few inches longer than the 5. The Freestyle can be had for a little over $20k, about the same as the Mazda5 Touring. And the Freestyle has a V6. But the Freestyle is considerably bigger than the 5 and doesn't have sliding doors.
Hi. My wife and I bought a Mazda5 this last weekend. We love this car.
We visited our local dealer on Saturday and they had just received two Mazda5 sport editions with automatic transmission, moonroof, and the "popular equipment package." When we test drove ours it had just 3 miles on it. We've been driving a Honda Civic hybrid -- which we love and are keeping -- but it has seemed a lot smaller now that we have our first child: The stroller, car seat, and three of us pretty much fill up the Civic.
This weekend we drove the Mazda5 all over the place. We filled it with six people (family in town), and went on both in-town and country drives with various combinations of people and seating. Everyone who rode in it thought it had plenty of pep -- more than anyone would have guessed by looking at this little car and how many people fit inside it. Our daughter's car seat fits nicely in one of the seats in the middle row (which both have LATCH), and the stoller fits snugly behind the third row of seating. I second what someone else said about lounging in the third row, legs stretched out in front of you over a folded down second row seat -- it's fun and you feel like royalty.
Right, no sane adult would want to go on a road trip of any distance sitting in the third row. But for getting from between points A & B the third row was just fine. I'm six feet tall and 200 lbs, BTW.
In the course of the last few days we've gotten to play with all the features in a variety of conditions. In sunny, hot, humid weather the AC did a good job and the power was still decent. Passengers in the second (and especially third) rows needed the air to be cranked all the way up though to feel comfortable. It would have been handy if there were vents somewhere in the back. The car handled well in the torrential rain storm we had today too.
Everyone thought it was cute (maybe almost too much so) that the radio/dash spells out "Hello" upon a start up. The Mazda5 also comes with two folding/switchblade-style keys. These are a nice touch, which made everyone want to play with the key. The keys have lock, unlock, and panic buttons. We got an in-dash six disc changer radio as part of the popular equipment package. It works well and sounds good to my ears. The radio has an automatic sound leveling feature so that it gets lounder or quieter depending on the environment. It seems to work. And there are volume, mute, and other radio control buttons on the steering wheel -- plus all the cruise control buttons.
There are a ton of cup holders. One in each front door, two in the front console, two in the rear of the front console (for second row folks) and at least two more in the third row. Maybe I'm even forgetting some?
The sliding doors work very smoothly. Very little effort is required to open or close those sliding doors. Between those and the sliding, folding second row seats it was easy to get people into the third row. By the way, there is a small storage area under each of the second-row seat cushions (and more "secret" compartments in the very back, along the walls). The very first time I sat down in the third row I thought it was awful, because I hadn't bothered to raise the headrests... Big difference! Of course, when no one is sitting in the very back its good to have those headrests lowered -- they cut into the rear view noticeably (I estimate they remove almost half of your view out the back window). The second-row seats also recline, which is very neat.
The rear lift gate is easy to use. I think it's been mentioned before here, but it is some sort of plastic (ie. not metal). The sales people weren't expecting that, and their magnetic dealer plate wouldn't stick anywhere on the rear of the Mazda5. The door seems solid enough though, so no complaints.
The Mazda5 appears to be a great car -- at least for our needs. We had been looking at other crossover vehicles. I like the Freestyle quite a bit, but for our mostly in city needs it was quite frankly too big. It didn't hurt one bit that the Mazda5 was cheaper than anything else we liked too. It's amazing to me that the Mazda5 is only about 1.5 inches wider than our Civic and only about six inches longer and taller.
And pricing: We didn't, and didn't expect to, get any discounts -- so I don't have any great stories to tell. But we didn't pay any silly markups either. I'm no fortune teller, but I wouldn't be surprised if markups became common on these once word gets out how good they are and if supplies remain tight... at least in urban areas like where we live (DC).
backy: There are two small 7-seat minivans available: MPV and the DC short-wheelbase vans.
While those may be the closest to the M5, they're not in the same ballpark. They're bigger and heavier, they look like minivans and they don't offer a stick. The M5 is for someone who may need the utility of a small minivan but who still enjoys driving a sporty vehicle of manageable size.
True, the small minivans are bigger (and also seat 7 and have much more cargo room) and heavier, and don't offer a stick in the U.S. And of course they look like minivans. My post was in response to the post that stated there were no small minivans. People looking for most room for the buck may not mind a few more inches in length, some more weight (balanced by more powerful engines than in the 5), and lack of a stick. For example, I found the MPV to be sufficiently sporty in handling and looks, and to be a manageable size (no longer than a mid-sized sedan).
Remember, the Mazda5 is brand new in North America. Edmunds is just quoting MSRP, since it has no sales data yet. I bought a Mazda5 last weekend for $600 under MSRP, probably could have negotiated a little further but I didn't push very hard. Add in the $500 Gerber rebate, and I got $1100 under MSRP.
Once the "brand new" factor for the Mazda5 wears off, I'd be very very surprised if Edmunds' TMV for the Mazda5 Touring w/automatic is more than $19800. That's $4000 less than the Ford Freestyle SE FWD.
So, I say the Mazda5 is a bargain, even though it admittedly has a few shortcomings (that have been posted in here numerous times).
>Hi. My wife and I bought a Mazda5 this last weekend. We love this car.
Congrats! It sounds like we both had the same experience this weekend I can't wait for mine to be delivered...
>Passengers in the second (and especially third) rows needed the air to be cranked all the way >up though to feel comfortable. It would have been handy if there were vents somewhere >in the back.
I agree. The salesman that I dealt with pointed out that AC does come out from underneath the second row seats, and I could feel it coming out there. So, there is some AC in the back, but it just disperses out from under the seats...no vents to create a cool breeze for the back two rows. Vents would be better.
My wife and I drove a Mazda5, then a 3, then the 5 again. It may just be because the 3 had leather seats, but for some reason the 3 felt really hot (I started sweating while test-driving it) while I was comfy and cool in the 5.
>There are a ton of cup holders. One in each front door, two in the front console, >two in the rear of the front console (for second row folks) and at least two more in >the third row. Maybe I'm even forgetting some?
That was my count too. There are also 2 more in the Touring version, on the fold-out tray that sits between the 2 second-row seats. So, 8 in the Sport, 10 in the Touring.
Also, one last observation I had: you need to remove the 2nd-row headrests to fold the 2nd row flat. At first I thought this was a pain, but then I realized that the headrests fit in the storage compartments under the 2nd row seats. So, no need to worry about where to put them in the Sport model...yay!
I was able to check one up 'in person' last night....GT+Auto+A/C...silver
Really nice!!!
The salesman was discovering the car at the same time.
I think it's pretty nice!
A pinball machine fits without any problems (major plus)
The major thing that I don't like is the CD player can't play MP3s...and the option is over 500CAD!!!
Then, the radio is 'part' of the central console (like the late 90s Fords...) which means a 'good' radio is out of the question (too much 'customization of the console). I hate manufacturers that do that... :mad:
Another thing: Unless I didn't adjust the seat properly, there's not a lot of space for a 6'2" driver...It felt VERY tight (like the 3 which I can barely fit in it)
The middle and rear seats weren't too bad (mid seats would be OK for a long drive, but not the 3rd seat)
I see this vehicle more like a 4-seater with 2 spare seats 'just in case' (or a 6-seater for car pooling)...luggage space is worse than a Miata if all 6 seats are used.
I'll test drive it in a few weeks (when they get more...) and see if it's still in my 'top 3' cars that I anticipate purchasing within the next few months (Honda Element and Nissan X-Trail are in that list...Hyundai Santa Fe is on the bubble)
We've left the headrests on the second-row seats while folding them and haven't had any problems. Those headrests do need to be all the way down, but our seats will fold all the way down with them left on.
Our salesperson thought that they had to come off, so we didn't even try folding down the 2nd row without taking the headrests off. I guess salespeople still don't know much about the Mazda5, so it's understandable that he would have been wrong.
Anyways, I'm glad to hear that the seats DO fold down without taking off the headrests.
Comments
Nice thread you guys got here. I've been following this board for the past several months. Our Explorer lease ends real soon. My wife and I decided our next vehicle should have 3 rows. This included minivans and mid-size SUVs. Originally, our minivan choices centered around the Ody/Sienna/Quest troika. When I heard about the 5 I realized that it would have about 85-90% of the utility of the big boys at a price several thousand $ less.
My main concern was that it's a brand new model. Right or wrong, I fall into that "wait a year or two" thinking for buying a new model. It seems a bit underpowered, on paper. I've noticed alot of dissapointment on this board about it's MPG, but considering the same engine in the Mazda 6 only gets 23/28 (AT) it shouldn't be too surprising. I think too, that when people complain about all the things it doesn't have or do, they should remember that sticker on the 5 starts lower than a base 6. And yes, if you need the space that an Odyssey or other full size minivan offers, then the 5 is not for you.
FWIW, I do consider the 5 a minivan. Just like Corollas and Crown Vics are sedans and Suburbans and Sportages are SUVs, minivans are not a 1 size fits all segment.
Anyway, after putting the 5 on my list of contenders, it got me to thinking about smaller, cheaper vans, mainly the Sedona and MPV. With rebates and discounts they can be had around the price of a base 5 sticker. I chose the MPV over the Kia mainly based on handling and style. (OK I know that is a debate for another board.) It's an LX with rear AC. I got it for $18K. That's $6k under sticker. I've heard others say they can do even better. The main sticking point about the 5 is when it would be available. Here in PDX, the salesmen I talked to said the the 5 should be arriving here 1) early July, 2) late July or early August, or 3) sometime in mid September. Well, that range wouldn't work for me, besides I don't think there will be many deals this summer or early fall. If my lease were to last another 6 months, then things may be different.
OK, so what's my point? Well, the 5 is a great concept. I think it will fill the niche for those needing occasional extra space that a sedan or small SUV cannot give. I think Mazda has a great car in its hands. Give Mazda credit. They didn't quite get me into a 5, but it did get me to buy another Mazda model. Good luck with your 5's.
Someone asked about 5s in Ohio. I just got called tonight. Our local dealership has a Red and a Black both AT :mad: . The Wife and I will be checking them out tomorrow. I won't get an AT though, so I hope Mazda comes through with a Touring MT without that @#$@ nav system.
Thanks for the comparison pics. I think the front looks like about 2 dozen of today's vehicles...from the side. The front (from the front) has some individuality.
But yeah, I think a "stretched Matrix" with sliding doors is fairly accurate. I think a big chunk of the M5's market will be people who like the Matrix but want something bigger. More will be "moving up" from a Matrix than down from a standard minivan.
It's not the horsepower, it's the torque. Doesn't the 5 weigh about 500 lbs more than a 3? And it will seat six. And it has room for lots more cargo than a 3.
Most of the time, the 2.3 engine with 157hp and 148lb(?) of torque will be fine. But there will be occasions when more grunt would be nice. Like a heavy load up a steep hill.
I'm lobbying for a diesel like they get in Europe. They get a 2.0, 143hp, 266lb diesel option. IMO, that makes good sense for a vehicle of this type.
There's a new clean diesel fuel coming in 07. Chrysler has plans for more diesels along with Mercedes. I think we'll see an influx of diesel powered cars in the next couple of years.
If gas hits $3 a gallon, a 45mpg diesel Golf would look mighty good. And until the cost of hybrids come down, diesels are a better bargain.
From what I've read, the new Jeep Liberty diesel is doing very well.
The 4 cylinder is willing and torquey enough so that torque steer is an issue. I went for a ride with four 200 lb men before I got my turn at the wheel. It had no trouble hauling us.
The sliding doors are easy to operate and light. I do wonder about their durability though.
Overall the car felt honest to me - like a Scion xB. It is not trying to be anything but what it is - good space for the money and low on the frills. I think for many people this would be a better choice than a small wagon or SUV. If forced to pick between a CR-V, a Ford Focus wagon, a Matrix or the Mazda 5, I think the 5 would win.
Again, a good car for the money. But if you have more to spend, there are obviously nicer rides. I have a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid and after the test drive, I could see where the extra money went in that car -- big comfy leather seats, sound deadening, an extra layer of quality.
At the same dealer I took out a Subaru Tribeca which is again, a whole different class of vehicle. Ride, power, smoothness, amenities are all there.
As far as value goes, the 5 looks like a good one and its unique size and vehicle class make it a very interesting and compelling choice for many.
And they may be. But I think it will be our loss. More low end power and better mpg sounds like a good thing to me.
"They" said America wouldn't buy hatchbacks too. Since the "cheap" image that hatchbacks had in the 70s and 80s. But hatchbacks and "station wagons" are making a comeback. In a big way. The manufacturers are just careful not to call them hatchbacks and station wagons.
Exterior: Of course looks are subjective, but I really think it looks great! Both the Black and Red are very good looking. The red does seem to look Pink at times but I still like it. Unlike many of you I really like the side sills and the air dam, I think they add a lot to the car. The wheels are very nice looking and the tire profile is perfect for the car.
Interior: I think the fit and finish is very good, and I like the dark interior. I would not get light if they did have it. The two at the dealer both have the nav system and it worked well the little I did use it. The auto climate control is great, I've never had automatic before and it works very well. The radio works well, and sounds good from what I could tell. I'm not a stereo expert however.
Drive: Here's where it gets a bit negative. I absolutely will not buy this car with an AT. It is SLOW with a capital S. I'm pretty sure my 02 MPV would lay waste to it in any race, and the MPV is no rocket. I know many people in this forum have said the power is fine, so I guess we'll have too agree to disagree. Back on the positive side I feel the handling was very good. It feels very sporting and does not roll over or terminally understeer in hard cornering. On one off ramp I even got the tail to step out a bit when I dropped the throttle.
Kids: I had 2 child seats in the car. We mounted them with the LATCH tethers in the second row. Installation was easy. Accessing the 3rd row is almost impossible with both seats installed. There are no Latch anchors in the 3rd row. In my opinion this would be a great car for a family with 1-2 kids, OK for 3 kids and inadequate for 4 kids. With all the seats up there is not enough storage space for even a day trip if you have any infants or toddlers.
Price: I have always had a high opinion of this MAZDA dealership. Until today that is. On both cars they were charging a 1000 dollar "limited availability" charge.
Conclusion: I still want one. I think with a MT the acceleration will be just good enough and for a family car I love the handling. I'll Probably wait until supply ramps up and try to get my hands on a MT Sport model. Top to bottom I think Mazda has the most engaging lineup around and the 5 fits right in.
This certainly seems intentional, but it's hard to figure out what it means. It might simply mean that most places are only getting Tourings w/navigation, so Mazda has tweaked the build system to reflect this and will change it back once Tourings w/o navigation are more available at dealers.
Or it could mean that Mazda has decided to reduce the number of options for simplicity, and all Tourings will have navigation included for the foreseeable future. Which would suck for me and force me to get a Sport.
Thai
They only try to charge it if they think there's some sucker out there that will pay it.
-Jaz
All the new cars we bought for our family use for the last 15 years came with cruise control. Strange enough, none of our family members ever use them.
Yet to kaian, it is essential.
"A man's meat is another man's poison."
GS
2.3L 5MT $19,995 (Canadian Dollars)
2.3L 5MT A/C w/Auto Climate $21,095
2.3L 4AT $20,995
2.3L 4AT A/C w/Auto Climate $22,095
GT
2.3L 5MT $22,795
2.3L 5MT A/C w/ Auto Climate $23,895
2.3L 4AT $23,795
2.3L 4AT A/C w/ Auto Climate $24,895
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jm/06mazda5.htm
I do all the driving in my family and head for Florida every year from Ontario.
Since I do 10 -12 hour days behind the wheel, this is a must!!!
But regardless of my reasoning, you missed the point of what i was saying............and that is having to pay for what I don't want or need in order to get what I do want or need. So it could be cruise, as in my situation, or it could be the moonroof or 17 inch wheels!!
Thai....still not happy about this...
My advise to everyone is NOT to pay above MSRP for one of these. I put a deposit on one this weekend, and the final price was $600 under MSRP. I feel that the low-balled my trade-in by $200 or $300, so I think a better representation of what I got is $400 under MSRP. Add in the Gerber Rebate, and I'm actually paying ~$900 under MSRP. Probably not the best possible deal on this car, but a good price, and I'm happy to be one of the first people in the country to get one of these (delivery in about 2 weeks)!
Here are the details:
Sport model
Platinum Silver
Automatic transmission
Fog Lights
Wheel Locks
Zoom zoom!
Steve
I love the look, the handling, the cargo space, the sliding door and the Mazda name.
What I don't like is having to pay for features I don't want in order to get what I do want, and more importantly this was soooo uncomfortable for me to drive!!! Every little bump in the road was a jolt to my back and I was constantly trying to find a comfy position.
I truly gave this a fair test as I took it out on a highway and then a county road and back to the dealer thru town (approx 50 min round trip).
And then I took my own car (Corolla) on the exact same route as soon as I got back to make sure I wan't imagining things.
And then I took another make vehicle, on a test drive, on the same route yet again to compare as well.
And I had to come to the conclusion, that after 10-12 hours driving,(driving to Florida, which is the reason for the change of vehicle in the first place) I would indeed be in very bad shape.
So sadly, this will not be my next vehicle.
Thai
The all new 2008Chrysler/Dodge minivan , will have one of the 4 engines offered as a 2.8 DIESEL, 6 ATX, all borrowed from Mercedes.
Will be a blow to M5 and all cohorts of gas guzzler minivans.
Wait for that, instead of M5...for whoever has the patience
Dan
Read some literature , if you can't see it to believe it.
And then...did you ever spilled gas on your clothes or shoes?
Sorry, no offense...
Dan
Dan
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Congratulations! I'm very interested in the 5 but my wife isn't. And since it will primarily be her car, she has last say. We'll probably get an Escape.
I don't think the 5 is perfect but it's more perfect than most. I hope Mazda keeps improving it. Maybe I'll be in the market for a new car by then...or a new wife.
You're right. I'm going to quit talking about diesels and try to be satisfied with the 2.3 gas engine that's low on torque and gets worse mileage than a 250hp V6 Saturn Vue.
I personally didn't have any issues with the engine in this car, and I loaded it up with 6 people.
Styling does resemble the Matrix somewhat, but the rear is boxier and the rear door especially is much wider, the window too. That makes getting in and out a lot easier, plus they slide all the way out of the way.
-juice
mazda is in a bit of a box with power. I don't think the family V6 will fit (although I could be wrong), but it is possible I guess to produce a bigger I4 (maybe 2.5 - 2.6L) for more torque.
I think they should drop in the turbo 2.3l from the upcoming speed 3 version. THat should have enough oomph for anyone! Drop in the 6 speed stick 2, and I'll sell my wifes Odyssey right out from under her.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-juice
As the drive went I found that this M5 is a pretty unique vehicle. The salesman went with me and he was new to the vehicle so we learned a lot about it together. Interesting that the salespeople aren't trained in their products like Subaru people.
I found the drive pretty quiet in the Sport version we took out, I also found that while not a barn burner it certainly could get out of it's own way. It handled very well and brakes were solid. I didn't appreciate the powerpoint way down and out of sight on the front console and I would have liked a power seat. That said I am short and I think this is the perfect short persons car. I would like to see a Phantom Blue touring as that would be my idea of a sharp looker. I think that Mazda has priced itself right and has a vehicle no one else has at the moment. I was more impressed than I thought I'd be..
Mostly I woud use it as a four seater but it has as much or more seat and foot/leg room in the far back seat as everything else but maybe the freestyle and with the sliding doors would be easy for my elderly mother the get into the middle row and out of too which also is a consideration.
All in all I think it could be what I am looking for. The salesman has to find out the pricing packages and when He will be getting a touring version in. I'll be waiting.
That's what will probably happen. The pattern seems to be to offer a "standard" engine on introduction and then to keep interest high, bring in more power a year or two later.
The V6 may not fit but a 2.0 or 2.3 turbo would definitely put the zoom zoom in the M5. Now if they could just do something about that mileage.
The introduction of the turbo might be a good time to bring in a 6 speed manual and a 5 speed auto. Of course, it would no longer be a sub 20k car. More like 25k.
Most of those are much bigger and more expensive than the Mazda5. It's comparing apples and oranges. Since there are no "small" minivans, a small SUV is a better comparison. The Ford Escape, Honda CRV or Saturn Vue. But none of those will seat 6 so the Mazda has an edge there. The Escape and the Vue have optional V6 engines. Advantage small SUVs there.
I think the M5's main selling points are looks, size, price, good handling and the sliding doors. It's weak points are a lack of choice in engines and interiors, only a 4sp auto and so-so mpg.
MSRP*: $34,480
2006 Mazda 5 GT w/Air and Automatic
MSRP*: $24,985
I don't see them in the same ballpark, at least up here.
Ford Freestyle SE FWD w/Safety and Security Package: Edmunds TMV $23,795 US (I have seen them advertised a couple of thousand below that.)
Mazda5 Touring w/automatic: Edmunds TMV $20,410.
So I think they are in the same ballpark, at least in the U.S.
-juice
We visited our local dealer on Saturday and they had just received two Mazda5 sport editions with automatic transmission, moonroof, and the "popular equipment package." When we test drove ours it had just 3 miles on it. We've been driving a Honda Civic hybrid -- which we love and are keeping -- but it has seemed a lot smaller now that we have our first child: The stroller, car seat, and three of us pretty much fill up the Civic.
This weekend we drove the Mazda5 all over the place. We filled it with six people (family in town), and went on both in-town and country drives with various combinations of people and seating. Everyone who rode in it thought it had plenty of pep -- more than anyone would have guessed by looking at this little car and how many people fit inside it. Our daughter's car seat fits nicely in one of the seats in the middle row (which both have LATCH), and the stoller fits snugly behind the third row of seating. I second what someone else said about lounging in the third row, legs stretched out in front of you over a folded down second row seat -- it's fun and you feel like royalty.
Right, no sane adult would want to go on a road trip of any distance sitting in the third row. But for getting from between points A & B the third row was just fine. I'm six feet tall and 200 lbs, BTW.
In the course of the last few days we've gotten to play with all the features in a variety of conditions. In sunny, hot, humid weather the AC did a good job and the power was still decent. Passengers in the second (and especially third) rows needed the air to be cranked all the way up though to feel comfortable. It would have been handy if there were vents somewhere in the back. The car handled well in the torrential rain storm we had today too.
Everyone thought it was cute (maybe almost too much so) that the radio/dash spells out "Hello" upon a start up. The Mazda5 also comes with two folding/switchblade-style keys. These are a nice touch, which made everyone want to play with the key. The keys have lock, unlock, and panic buttons. We got an in-dash six disc changer radio as part of the popular equipment package. It works well and sounds good to my ears. The radio has an automatic sound leveling feature so that it gets lounder or quieter depending on the environment. It seems to work. And there are volume, mute, and other radio control buttons on the steering wheel -- plus all the cruise control buttons.
There are a ton of cup holders. One in each front door, two in the front console, two in the rear of the front console (for second row folks) and at least two more in the third row. Maybe I'm even forgetting some?
The sliding doors work very smoothly. Very little effort is required to open or close those sliding doors. Between those and the sliding, folding second row seats it was easy to get people into the third row. By the way, there is a small storage area under each of the second-row seat cushions (and more "secret" compartments in the very back, along the walls). The very first time I sat down in the third row I thought it was awful, because I hadn't bothered to raise the headrests... Big difference! Of course, when no one is sitting in the very back its good to have those headrests lowered -- they cut into the rear view noticeably (I estimate they remove almost half of your view out the back window). The second-row seats also recline, which is very neat.
The rear lift gate is easy to use. I think it's been mentioned before here, but it is some sort of plastic (ie. not metal). The sales people weren't expecting that, and their magnetic dealer plate wouldn't stick anywhere on the rear of the Mazda5. The door seems solid enough though, so no complaints.
The Mazda5 appears to be a great car -- at least for our needs. We had been looking at other crossover vehicles. I like the Freestyle quite a bit, but for our mostly in city needs it was quite frankly too big. It didn't hurt one bit that the Mazda5 was cheaper than anything else we liked too. It's amazing to me that the Mazda5 is only about 1.5 inches wider than our Civic and only about six inches longer and taller.
And pricing: We didn't, and didn't expect to, get any discounts -- so I don't have any great stories to tell. But we didn't pay any silly markups either. I'm no fortune teller, but I wouldn't be surprised if markups became common on these once word gets out how good they are and if supplies remain tight... at least in urban areas like where we live (DC).
While those may be the closest to the M5, they're not in the same ballpark. They're bigger and heavier, they look like minivans and they don't offer a stick. The M5 is for someone who may need the utility of a small minivan but who still enjoys driving a sporty vehicle of manageable size.
Can you tell me which Mazda dealer you purchased the Mazda5 from?
Thanks,
Remember, the Mazda5 is brand new in North America. Edmunds is just quoting MSRP, since it has no sales data yet. I bought a Mazda5 last weekend for $600 under MSRP, probably could have negotiated a little further but I didn't push very hard. Add in the $500 Gerber rebate, and I got $1100 under MSRP.
Once the "brand new" factor for the Mazda5 wears off, I'd be very very surprised if Edmunds' TMV for the Mazda5 Touring w/automatic is more than $19800. That's $4000 less than the Ford Freestyle SE FWD.
So, I say the Mazda5 is a bargain, even though it admittedly has a few shortcomings (that have been posted in here numerous times).
Congrats! It sounds like we both had the same experience this weekend
>Passengers in the second (and especially third) rows needed the air to be cranked all the way
>up though to feel comfortable. It would have been handy if there were vents somewhere
>in the back.
I agree. The salesman that I dealt with pointed out that AC does come out from underneath the second row seats, and I could feel it coming out there. So, there is some AC in the back, but it just disperses out from under the seats...no vents to create a cool breeze for the back two rows. Vents would be better.
My wife and I drove a Mazda5, then a 3, then the 5 again. It may just be because the 3 had leather seats, but for some reason the 3 felt really hot (I started sweating while test-driving it) while I was comfy and cool in the 5.
>There are a ton of cup holders. One in each front door, two in the front console,
>two in the rear of the front console (for second row folks) and at least two more in
>the third row. Maybe I'm even forgetting some?
That was my count too. There are also 2 more in the Touring version, on the fold-out tray that sits between the 2 second-row seats. So, 8 in the Sport, 10 in the Touring.
Also, one last observation I had: you need to remove the 2nd-row headrests to fold the 2nd row flat. At first I thought this was a pain, but then I realized that the headrests fit in the storage compartments under the 2nd row seats. So, no need to worry about where to put them in the Sport model...yay!
Really nice!!!
The salesman was discovering the car at the same time.
I think it's pretty nice!
A pinball machine fits without any problems (major plus)
The major thing that I don't like is the CD player can't play MP3s...and the option is over 500CAD!!!
Then, the radio is 'part' of the central console (like the late 90s Fords...) which means a 'good' radio is out of the question (too much 'customization of the console). I hate manufacturers that do that... :mad:
Another thing: Unless I didn't adjust the seat properly, there's not a lot of space for a 6'2" driver...It felt VERY tight (like the 3 which I can barely fit in it)
The middle and rear seats weren't too bad (mid seats would be OK for a long drive, but not the 3rd seat)
I see this vehicle more like a 4-seater with 2 spare seats 'just in case' (or a 6-seater for car pooling)...luggage space is worse than a Miata if all 6 seats are used.
I'll test drive it in a few weeks (when they get more...) and see if it's still in my 'top 3' cars that I anticipate purchasing within the next few months (Honda Element and Nissan X-Trail are in that list...Hyundai Santa Fe is on the bubble)
My $0.02
Frosken
Anyways, I'm glad to hear that the seats DO fold down without taking off the headrests.