Mazda MX-Flexa / Mazda5

gened1

I did note that there was several arrows on the black surfaces on the roof. In some pictures I have seen a roof rack attached with no crossbars and I presume that the arrows indicate that there are attachment points for a roof rack but my salesman didn't know if they were available or not. Has anyone found out? This would be a mandatory thing in order to put a cargo bag on top if there were six or even maybe 5 long distance passengers as there would be very little space to put 5 or 6 suitcases. I guess duffle bags would be necessary to help pack this car for a trip.
Also at 5'6" I had the drivers seat all the way back! As I said earlier I think taller people may have a problem getting comfortable.

stickguy

can stay on, but the seat in front of the one you are folding has to be pulled up far enough to clear it.

perfectofc

There apparently is a roof rack but it's not going to be the European-style one that you have seen in the pictures. It's going to be more like the one that attaches to the Mazda 3.

Found a lame picture of the 3's roof rack here :

http://www.mazda.co.za/showroom/mazda3/accessories.asp

spidermazda5

I did test drive the 5 yesterday, and don't have much problem with it. With 5 adults in, there is enough power. 2nd and 3rd row seat are ok for kids and adults (my wife is 5 ft and she is in the 3rd row). Handling is good and you can really feel the road (I guess it's because of the 17 in tire).

The concerns I have:

1) Trunk is too small (A suitcase is ok, but not a really big suitcase) (Of course, you can fold the 3rd row)
2) The side sills are too close to the ground.
3) Does anyone know if it has been tested somewhat for safety and crash test? I checked the web on Premacy (1st generation), but the test is not too up-to-date (a few years old).

Any info welcome.

wuster

Thanks! I'll have to stop by to check it out in person.

I'm also curious about how well the ac works.

I have a 3 and the ac system is a known weakness of the car. It takes forever for it to cool down the cabin.

Any feedback would be greatly appreicated.

Thanks

smaria

This was hidden in one of my longer posts, so I'll re-post it here:

My wife and I test-drove a Mazda 5, then a Mazda 3, then the Mazda 5 again all in the same afternoon. For some reason the 3 felt really hot even with the AC on (I started sweating while test-driving it) while I was comfy and cool in the 5. It may just have been because the 3 had leather seats, but it also may have been differences in the AC system.

The salesman that I dealt with pointed out that AC does come out from underneath the second row seats in the Mazda 5, 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.

wuster

Ah...missed that earlier. Thanks for the repost.

stickguy

saw the June Mazda sales results, and they show that they sold 105 of them in the Month, so keep an eye out, they are on the road!

It will be interesting to see the July and August results, for the pre orders and what happens when they build up a stock.

wheelz4

To those who've taken the plunge early (tcw2, smaria, etc.), could you report back some real world mileage figures when you get a chance? From all reports, power is actually pretty good, road holding & handling + roominess are impressive too. Just have some doubts re: the poor fuel economy #'s, the side sills + dark interior.

stickguy

I suspect that real world MPG will be a bit better than expected, unlike the full-sized minis (hows that for an oxymoron) that often have great stickers that they can never reach.

Like my "ody for instance.

But, real owners results will be key. Who will be first to get 30MPG highway trip?

ateixeira

From what I've read the VCM on the Odyssey isn't really meeting expectations. Honda and Toyota just have that EPA magic, they know how to tune their cars to do well on those specific tests.

CR tested both and the Sienna actually used less fuel. Neither was close to the EPA average.

-juice

ronoboy1

Can anybody tell me if the passenger windows (2nd row) on the 5 can be raised and lowered like on the MPV - I couldn't figure that out on the Mazda web site, thanks much for the help!

dmundy1

The rear windows can be lowered, the one I sat in at a local dealer had the windows almost all the way down.

dudleyr

Actually in the CR tests the Ody and Sienna were remarkably close to the highway EPA numbers. The EPA highway for Sienna is 26 and CR measured 27. For the Odyssey the EPA is 28 and CR measured 28. The city numbers were a little off because the CR city test has more stops and idleing than the EPA.

perfectofc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazda5

Just uploaded a bunch more pictures of the colours for those who haven't seen one yet!

truckasaurus

Today I bought a charcoal gray Touring model wilh Nav and Auto for $21322 + TTL, which is over $1000 below MSRP. I traded my 2000 Mazda 626 and got Edmunds TMV for it. I used the AAA car buying service on the AAA web site which requires AAA membership. It introduced me to Premier Mazda, Georgetown TX and I got the above quote the next morning. No pressure at all.
I believe Costco have a similar system also.

twain

perfectofc: Just uploaded a bunch more pictures of the colours for those who haven't seen one yet!

Thanks for the pics! You're better than the car websites.

One thing I don't like about the middle row bucket seats is that big gap when they're folded. A bench doesn't have that space in the middle. Maybe a wide console to fill the gap with a storage compartment, cupholders, etc.

rlawrence

Thank you perfectofc. Strato Blue is the color I want, I just hope they can find one for me with a manual in the next month.

wuster

Oh the Strato Blue is nice...when clean. I have a Strato Blue Mazda3 5 door and that sucker attracts dust and road grime like you wouldn't believe.

rlawrence

"Oh the Strato Blue is nice...when clean"

Ah, yes. The penalty one has to pay for looking good. But I'm worth it

smaria

It looks to me like you got roughly $450 over invoice, and I got roughly $600 over invoice, so your deal was better but comparable. I'm a member of AAA, but the car buying service on the AAA web site (i.e., the AAA buying certificate) kept telling me that there is "no special deal offered" on the Mazda 5 in my area. So, I didn't think to try using AAA...

truckasaurus

The 5 did not show up as an available vehicle so I selected the 3 and then in the notes section said I wanted a 5. The dealer got the message.
My wife loves it. In response to folks concerned about the engine power, it seems to be peppy enough for a minivan with the 2.3 engine. Its very quiet compared to our old 626.

Kirstie_H

In the next few days, we'll be moving this discussion to the Vans/Minivans forum. If you're subscribed to this discussion or have it bookmarked, nothing will change for you. If you're not, well, now's a good time to do so!

stickguy

this is a van, not a hatchback or wagon!

mdprins

Okay. Let me get this down, simply to keep it straight in my own mind:

Brilliant Black: black
Carbon Gray: dark gray
Platinum Silver: light gray
Whitewater Pearl: white

Strato Blue: indigo
Phantom Blue: blue/green
Stellar Silver: very pale blue/green

Cardinal Red: pinkish red

¿Si?

ateixeira

True, but I was looking at averages, wasn't is something like 21mpg for the Ody? EPA average is quite a bit better, around 24 IIRC.

-juice

Kirstie_H

Well, we gotta put it somewhere! It may end up cross-linked, but anyone searching for "mazda5" will find it wherever it lands.

bjerry

The windows on the sliding doors open almost fully. there's about an inch of glass showing above the sill when the window is down all the way.

Can anybody tell me if the passenger windows (2nd row) on the 5 can be raised and lowered like on the MPV - I couldn't figure that out on the Mazda web site, thanks much for the help!

smaria

I test drove a Platinum Silver one, and it looks like it has some brown/gold in it, so it's not a pure gray. Aside from that, your descriptions sound right.

smaria

juice: True, but I was looking at averages, wasn't is something like 21mpg for the Ody? EPA average is quite a bit better, around 24 IIRC.

Odyssey:
EPA: 20/28 - Average of 23.6
CR: 12/28 - Average of 19.2

Sienna:
EPA: 19/26
CR: 13/27

Quest:
EPA:19/26
CR: 12/28

MPV:
EPA: 18/25
CR: 12/28

CR's "real-world" highway numbers are all comparable to the EPA, and in CR the MPV actually did 3 MPG better than the EPA. But, CR's "real-world" city numbers are pretty horrendous compared to the EPA.

seamus53

I've noticed that the Canadian 5's do not have the tinted windows seen in almost all pre-production (and European) versions of the vehicle. Is this due the 5's classification in Canada?

Does the US version have the tinted windows. I do think they improve the look and are superior to going aftermarket for window film.

kaian

So, put it under wagons then. That's the category, right? "space wagon". I seriously can't consider it a minivan, it's much too low and handles more like the 3 than the MPV.

smaria

When test-driving the 5, it surprised me that if I only looked forward (i.e., didn't turn around to look at the back of the car) it was somewhat hard for me to tell if I was driving the 3 or the 5...they seemed to have a lot in common.

ateixeira

smaria: thanks for doing my homework for me. )

Plenty of room for improvement in the city category, IMHO.

-juice

audia8q

we sold both of our MZ5 within 48 hours of arriving at the dealership.....both customers fit mazda's model customer profile perfectly. Younger couples (mid 20's) with one new baby. Both couples traded out of mid sized SUV's...
Neither couple ever owned a Mazda product.

stickguy

also a nice demo to attract, if you make products for them to move up into.

perfectofc

Platinum Silver is Silvery/Gold. But yes, that's about it.

newowner1

just bought a saab 9-2x, but i think we are in the market for another new car, a people mover this time. in any event, i read in this discussion and in other places that the max cargo is 44 ft cubed. what is the cargo volume when you drop the second row of seats as well?

newowner1

i think i fit the mazda target market really well. mid-30's with wife and infant. maybe another kid in a year or two. we need either the mazda5 or a mid-size wagon, but the the legacy and passat are too expensive and matrix is too small. the focus wagon is a bit too econo for us, and we don't like "large" minivans or SUVs.

i think mazda has got a niche as long as they can keep the prices below the legacy. is awd out of the question?

smaria

I haven't been able to find any official numbers for this (I was looking for the same info earlier), but I'd guess that the total cargo volume is somewhere around 90 cubic feet when both the 2nd and 3rd rows are folded down.

I got this estimate by adding half of the passenger volume in the first 2 rows (97.7 / 2 = 48.9) to the volume behind the second row (44) and that equals 92.9 cubic feet.

newowner1

90! that's great. i'm so psyched...now i just gotta get my wife out of the saab and into the mazda5

mazdajunkie

I know for a fact that Mazda calls it their new Multi-Activity Vehicle (I've seen brochures), and MAZDA5 is classified as a passenger car, not a minivan, SUV or truck. This forum should definitely be kept under cars or wagons, even though it seats 6 people!

twain

I'm waiting for Edmunds and others to test drive the Mazda5. I think Canadian Driver has and some sites in England but nothing here yet. Since it's for sale, it should be soon.

ateixeira

Given supply is tight, I think they'll have no problem selling all the allocations for the year.

-juice

tacoboy

Has anyone in the U.S. seen a 5 speed yet? I find the AT Mazda5 mind-numbingly slow but I'm still interested in seeing how the MT perks it up. The salesperson at the dealer I went to said they are getting 6 Mazda5s this year and they are all AT. He said I won't be able to find a MT anywhere.

kaian

Yes, I've seen and test drove a manual 5-speed in California. They do exist.

bigdaddycoats

So, how was the 5-spd?

mazda6s

I know for a fact that Mazda calls it their new Multi-Activity Vehicle (I've seen brochures), and MAZDA5 is classified as a passenger car, not a minivan, SUV or truck.
That would make it a MAV? Sounds kinda funky to me.

lngtonge18

I just recently found out about the Mazda 5 and I can't believe how excited I am! This little van is exactly what I've been looking for. I love the looks (although the taillights are a bit much), the 6 passenger layout, the small size, the standard safety features, and the dual sliding doors. The design is so efficient and practical. I have no kids, just 2 dogs and my partner. I simply want something I can haul my dogs in, carry a lot of stuff, and offer comfortable passenger space for up to 3 friends (4 if needed) for a club night or a weekend vacation while still offering a small maneuverable size and decent fuel economy. A higher driving position for ease of entry is nice as well. I currently drive an 04 Mitsubishi Lancer wagon, a roomy economy wagon, and it just can't do what this baby can. The 5 is for people like me. I would never buy a minivan because I don't need that much space and I don't want a gas guzzling SUV either. 5 passenger wagons just don't offer the comfort and versatility that the 6 passenger layout offers. There is a niche for the 5 and I'm ecstatic automakers have found it again. I do worry about a few things though.

First, can the AC really handle 100 degree Florida heat combined with high humidity? Can people in the back seat feel the air? Mazda really should have added a few vents in the back. I also wish the 17" wheels were optional. I would prefer 16" wheels. Why are people so obsessed with bigger tires?

Second, can anyone report on what the rpm's are at 70-80 mph with the automatic? There was a lot of speculation in here about how high they would be but then no one has reported on whether it's as bad as originally thought.

Third, how does the standard stereo sound and how hard would it be to go aftermarket? Mazda and GM kill me with not offering highend stereo options and then designing such an integrated piece that it looks impossible to upgrade. Anyone know the wattage of the stereo?

Fourth, lets hear some fuel economy reports from the early owners! If this thing can average 22-24 in the city and 26-29 on the highway, I'll be a happy camper.

Oh, yea, one last question. How is the turning radius? That is one of my biggest complaints with my current wagon. It has a huge turning radius for a small car.

I have to wonder where all these interested people were 12 years ago. The Mazda 5 is simply a refined Mitsubishi Expo/Expo LRV Sport in concept. But that vehicle was a flop even though it was an awesome package in its day. Maybe word just didn't get out like it does with the internet. I used to own a 93 Expo LRV Sport. I loved the sliding door that made it easy to get in and out of, especially in tight parking situations, the high seating position, the peppy four banger with good mileage, and the cavernous cargo space. The road noise was a little loud though and the LRV only could seat 5 people. The regular Expo sat 7 but cargo space was much less and it used regular swingout doors. The 5 strikes a nice compromise between the two, plus adds the convenience of the second sliding door and the power rear windows. I just hope that the people who say they like the design actually buy it this time so Mazda doesn't end up pulling the plug like Mitsubishi did on the Expo. I'm just so happy this design has come back out. Thanks Mazda!

kaian

I liked it, no surprises, easy to control, etc. But I could live with the auto as well, I didn't really have any problems with that. I just prefer manuals when given a choice. Also, when I was in the auto I never used the "manumatic" feature and I might go back at some point to do that to see how that is.