They did not know I have a trade in until after I accepted their offer so how can you say that. The thing I did not like is that they changed the agreed price on their car after accepting the price I offered them for my trade in.
The thing I notice is the car salesmen push automatic saying that the trade in value is higher. Well if you pay $900 more up front and sale or trade you car later then your car value is about $450 to $500 higher depending on how long you keep it. So I see it like this you buy more options up front (pay more) get more on the other end when you sale or trade but you still don't make out (pay an extra 200 on options up front even if you only lose 10% on the sale/trade) you lose. Its like investing in a CD at the bank that you will lose 10% on the life of the CD would you buy it? Options on things you buy becuase you want them not for the resale. Yes most of our cars in this country are automatics. I think this is because so many people live in the cities, older people driving and so many young people are never taught to drive manual transmissions.
Not to change the subject of your post, but I am interested as to how the Mazda5 compared to the Matrix? I too own a Matrix and am interested in the 5, but the dealers in my area have yet to receive one.
The reason the sales people push automatics is because that's what they have more of on the lot, so it's more likely you will will find the options and color you want.
If it was up to the car dealers there would be no manual transmissions. It would make their lives a lot simpler.
Handling? Oh boy, Mazda 5 is a lot better, more nimble, more quiet, more power. The only thing I will miss with my Matrix is the flat folding front passenger seat. It has been useful when we needed to change diaper for our baby when we are out traveling. You will like it, I'm pretty sure
I think that is pretty much the only option, other than accessories like a cargo cover and wheel licks (other than the auto trans of course, but no one wants that).
I finally did what I always vowed I'd never do. Bought a new car.
managed to strike a good deal for trade in on a Plat Silver GS with Auto and Air. Was shocked by the 600$ they wanted for upgrade to MP3 player. Anyone got reviews, ideas on an aftermarket upgrade so I can attach my iPod. Would love to know what options there are, I have an iTrip but can never get a clear station here in Toronto as the waves are filled with crap !
I'll one-up you tcw2! I'm a second week owner of an automatic in Southern California.Took a road trip out to the desert this past weekend. Had the climate control set to 72 degrees, and the cruise control set to 66 mph. 311 miles took 11 gallons for a little over 28, mpg! BTW, it was 115 degrees out there. Needless to say, very pleased. :shades:
The thing I notice is the car salesmen push automatic saying that the trade in value is higher.
That's a laughable statement if I ever heard one. I know those who sell cars don't like it when they are accused of being dishonest, but that is a perfect example. And if dishonest is too strong a word, illinformed certainly is not.
Well if you pay $900 more up front and sale or trade you car later then your car value is about $450 to $500 higher depending on how long you keep it. So I see it like this you buy more options up front (pay more) get more on the other end when you sale or trade but you still don't make out (pay an extra 200 on options up front even if you only lose 10% on the sale/trade) you lose.
I finally got to see one in person. There were a few unlocked on a dealers lot and I sat in/looked over things.
A few quick impressions.
I like the size, the front seats are comfortable, and even with the sunroof there was plenty of headroom.
I could do without the clear lenses on the tailights, but not a huge deal. Overall the car looks nice.
I adjusted the front seat for myself, and then went to sit in the middle row. There was plenty of knee room, but your knees kind of stick up and your feet don't really have a place to go - not as upright a seating position as I would have expected. I would say it was less comfortable for me than the back seat of a Camry or Accord - although those cars are barely adequate in the headroom area (inadequate with a sunroof).
With the middle seat adjusted for myself the back seat is absolutely unusable. I am 6' and don't have long legs, and I could not get my knees to fit behind the middle seat. I had to sit sideways. The rear seat has less room than the rear seat in my Integra (which is tiny). I did not expect the rear seat to comfortable, but I did think I would be able to fit back there. I fit fine in the third seat of a first generation Odyssey.
I really like this class of car, and the manual transmission has me drooling. Hopefully it will sell well and other manufacturers will bring over similar vehicles, or else Mazda will continue to improve and expand this model.
Hillard Mazda in Fort Worth just received their first Mazda 5. It seems to have taken a while for the transports to make their way into the southern part of the U.S.
When I tested the rows of seats, I came to a similar conclusion: if I got really comfortable in the 2nd row (i.e., lots of leg room), I couldn't even fit into the third row. And I'm only 5'10".
But, then I got back into the 2nd row and tried to think about a real 6-passenger situation. If someone was sitting behind me, I'd scoot my 2nd row seat forward a little bit to give the 3rd row room. So, I scooted my 2nd row forward just far forward enough to be "nice" to whoever might be behind me in the 3rd row, but making sure that the 2nd row was still in a comfortable position. Then I got into the 3rd row again, and I fit into the 3rd row fine this time.
So, my conclusion was this: the Mazda5 works fine for 6 adults, but not if everyone's going to be competing for tons of leg room. The 2nd row passengers will have to compromise their legroom somewhat so that the 3rd row passengers can fit. But, I do think that six 5'10" passengers should all be able to get comfortable in the Mazda5 for shorter trips, if they're all "nice" to each other as far as leg room goes. Of course, if you're using the back rows for children, the leg room is much less of a concern, probably not even a concern at all.
For long trips with 6 adults (over an hour), I probably wouldn't recommend the Mazda5. I think that the Mazda5 will work well for people who occasionally/seldomly carry 6 people but need the flexibility to do so. Larger mini-vans might make more sense for people who routinely carry 6 adults and need them all to be comfortable on longer trips. The pricing of the Mazda5 also makes it attractive for people who just need the space of a wagon (these people will hardly ever use the third row), because the Mazda5 has more storage space than a Matrix when the 3rd row is folded. So, I see the Mazda5 competing both with mini-vans and wagons, for all those people who want something "in-between".
Thanks so much for your report on your desert outing. I presume that the climate control set as 72 degrees worked well in the 115 degree heat. This is certainly a kudo for the Mazda 5.
We sampled one and we're hooked, now the wife wants it.
I can't imagine ever having to transport 6 six footers, unless you coach a basketball team. More likely it will be two parents and 4 kids. Or maybe 2 kids and grandparents, but then you could put the kids in the 3rd row. And how tall is grandma, really?
In that situation I'd put grandma behind me, the tall one, grandpa behind my wife who is 5'8". The 3rd row could accomodate the kids.
It's not a school bus, this is still a pretty compact vehicle, not quite a mid-sizer. The packaging is great for what it is.
If you do coach basketball get an 8 passenger Sienna. Or a Sprinter.
I test drove a Mazda5, touring automatic w/NAV this weekend. My background: wife, 2 1/2 year old, and expecting another child in December. Currently drive a Protege5 as a family car. My impressions of the 5:
Interior/Exterior: The third row seats are surprisingly roomy for a vehicle of this length, and are much better than those in the Highlander and Acura MDX, which are longer cars. The 2nd-row pass-through makes access easier and reduces the feeling of claustrophobia. Because the most common seating scenario for us will be two kids in the 2nd row with car seats installed, extra adults will be using the third row when the occasion arises. It is neither convenient nor desirable (from a safety standpoint, with the third row so close to the back bumper of the car) to reinstall the car seats to the third row. The third row seats also do not have latch anchors. With this is mind I installed my large Britax carseat in the 2nd row and attempted to access the third row. To do this, one must scoot the 2nd row chair back, then let the adults get in to the 3rd row, then another adult (e.g. the driver) straps the kids in and then scoots the 2nd row back up to give the 3rd row some leg room.
The 2nd row seats only seemed to have one armrest each, with no good place for the other arm. This annoyed my wife. The pull out tray was about flush with the seating surfaces, which is too low to be accessible to kids in car seats and possibly booster seats as well. The lack of 'airplane' style trays in the North American market is lamentable and would have been very useful for 2nd-row kids.
Seating in the front is slightly elevated and upright. I found the driving positioning to be fine, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes as well. The driver's seat can be adjusted in height as well. As far as I could tell, the knob design on the climate controls don't allow you tell the fan speed nor hot/cold setting by looking at them, which I dislike. There is no cabin temperature readout which would have been nice especially with the automatic climate control. The external temp readout is mostly useless as it typically (in my experience with the Protege5) reads high, as the sensor is mounted on/in the car body and thus is much hotter than the ambient outside temp.
Cargo space with the third row down is quite good. ~40+" from the back of the 2nd row seats to the hatch. The cargo floor height isn't too bad with the third row seats down either. The sliding doors are a godsend for loading kids and are a primary reason of my interest in this car. Too bad all the crossover cars/SUVs don't have sliding doors as the only good reason not to have them is their 'uncool' factor.
Test drive: My test was short, a small stretch of highway and then back to the dealer. I can confirm at 70mph, rpm was about 3000. Not very good, but better than my 5-spd Protege5. You can expect the transmission to be upgraded to a 5-speed automatic in the 07 or 08 model year, as it will be standard in the 06 Mazda3s soon to hit dealers. Too bad it's not in this model year. Off the line power is pretty good, even in high-altitude Albuquerque. The engine is pretty smooth, as it's from the Mazda3. Worlds better than the rough and weak engine of the Protege5. It was before noon during the test drive, so the car didn't have a chance to heat up too much to adequately test the AC. It wasn't particularly cold or strong, and 3rd row passengers are likely to be miserable in the summer in hot climates, especially with the large volume of the car. I'll try another test drive in the hot afternoon to see if the AC can cool a hot car down. Handling was good. Visibility out the back was poor with significant blind spots due to the large rear pillars and small windows. Backing up was difficult and changing lanes to the right will require practice with the passenger side mirror. My dealer didn't know how to work the NAV, but it did display our position. Unfortunately, all the Mazda5 automatics in my city come with NAV except for one white one (I don't like white cars). Kind of silly on Mazda's part. The stereo system was weak. C'mon, car makers, how about spending $10 extra for a head unit with adequate power? Aftermarket CD/mp3 units with 200watts can be had for $100 retail but couldn't easily be installed in this car without seriously messing up the integrated controls,etc.
Overall, my wife and I like the 5 due to it's size (can fit in the garage and open the trunk with garage door closed), sliding doors, cargo area, and seating for six (short trips). However, the large rebates on the slightly larger and more luxurious MPV (with 5-speed auto) make that a contender to consider as well. George
YOU WROTE: "With this is mind I installed my large Britax carseat in the 2nd row and attempted to access the third row. To do this, one must scoot the 2nd row chair back, then let the adults get in to the 3rd row, then another adult (e.g. the driver) straps the kids in and then scoots the 2nd row back up to give the 3rd row some leg room."
If you slide the 2nd row back, how do the adults get to the 3rd row? I'd think you'd have to slide the 2nd row forward?
I guess when they said what the leg room was in the 3rd row it must have been with the 2nd row seat as far forward as possible. And when they advertised the 2nd row legroom it was probably with the 2nd row all the way back.
I found a pearlescent white, 5 spd, sport with popular equipment package; and destination fee. I calculated this to be $17,471.00 (with invoice at $16,311.00). The dealer wants $600.00 above this for a total quote of $18,071.00. Is this a good price? I spoke with another dealer who wouldn't even commit to a quote. This same dealer told me that it isn't likely to purchase this vehicle at invoice. Is this your experience?
If you have looked at Edmunds pricing you would know the exact figures being worked with. MSRP is $17,435, Destination is $560, Whitewater Pearl is $200, and the Popular Equipment Group is $490. Sounds like your numbers are a little low in all reality. Nationwide, consumers are paying MSRP or above right now due to the product launch and limited availability. There is not a large profit margin for the dealer's, even at MSRP. So whatcha waitin' for?
I decided that I didn't want to buy a new car that I didn't fit very well. When I have the seat in the fully raised position, I can't twist my 38 inch inseam leg to the throttle. I have to lower the seat all the way down. I'll be watching you guys with envy.
The MSRP of what you described is $18685. The dealer's quote of $18071 is roughly $600 under MSRP, and $600 below MSRP is the same deal that I came to when I signed the papers for my Mazda5 2 weeks ago (I'm still waiting for it to arrive). Since the Mazda5 is brand new, with very limited availability, many dealers are charging MSRP or above. So, I think $600 below MSRP is a pretty good deal. Of course, if you're willing to wait a few months (i.e., when the availability is better) the prices might be slightly lower.
I used a Gerber rebate for my purchase just 2 weeks ago, so after the rebate what I'm actually paying is $1100 below MSRP ($600 under MSRP was the negotiated price, plus the extra $500 from the rebate).
I know that Mazda's gerber-rebate website is still up, so I assume the rebate program is still active. The website says "Offer ends 60 days after $500 Cash Back Bonus Certificate is issued". So, just make sure to sign up for the certificate within 2 months of the delivery date for your new Mazda5.
"We sampled one and we're hooked, now the wife wants it."
Almost the same story here.
We took one for a drive this weekend and gave it some serious consideration. I'll be posting a full review later, but this is my first impression.
There's a LOT to like about this little buggy.
The engine is better matched for the car than I was expecting. It feels a whole lot better than it does under the hood of a Tribute. Gets kinda buzzy when you give the throttle some heavy petting, but it's pretty relaxed while cruising. Handling is good. Not great, like the Mazda3, but plenty good enough.
The interior is stylish, and, while it will never pass for a luxury car, the materials are about what you should expect from a car costing around the 20K mark. The dash on the touring model is far nicer than the one in the base trim. I found the seats comfortable for a short drive. They're a bit stiff and flat, but that's to be expected at this price point. I was not impressed with the cloth. Unlike the Mazda3, the telescoping wheel is an enhancement, not a requirement. People might actually use it in more than just the fully extended position.
The cargo area is great for a small car, but, frankly, it doesn't offer significantly more than the Mazda6 wagon. In fact, unless you need the height of the 5's cargo area and the extra seat, I'd probably recommend the 6 wagon. Still, the 5 stands out in a crowd and offers very useful side doors with a spacious interior.
The dash on the touring model is far nicer than the one in the base trim.
Except for the steering wheel, I didn't realize that there were any significant differences in the appearance of the dash. Can you (or anyone else) elaborate on what the differences are?
I know that the Touring has the auto climate control and the outside temperature display, which aren't available in the Sport. Is this what you're referring to?
I sampled NAV on a different vehicle, and that's what we fell in love with. Mazda5 offering NAV sure bodes well for it, though.
6 wagon only comes with the V6 and costs a bit more for less overall interior space, plus reliability has not been as good as the 3. We'll see about the 5.
MDX is nice but you could get a Touring and a base model for that kind of money.
The Touring model we sat in had NAV and the center stack is dressed up with nicer dials that both look and feel better than those in the Sport model we drove. In fact, the dials in the sport model had detentes with no purpose as far as we could tell. The dial would stop in 8-10 places, but only 4-5 of those stops actually changed the way the HVAC worked.
Juice - The MDX is a whole other ball game. I was looking at the Mazda 5 as an alternative that could meet the rather quirky needs of my own personal situation without spending the cash for an MDX.
Well after much deliberation on what our new vehicle would be, the Mazda 5 won our votes. We went out for a second test drive "alone" this time. My wife was much more comfortable driving so she enjoyed the experience. I compared interior dimensions to the tribute, 6 wagon, xterra, and mercury mountaineer. The 5 beat out the tribute, wagon and xtera with ease and was just a few inches shy on space compared to the mountaineer. We love the styling, handling and performance. The engine seems to rev a lot quicker than our '03 6i and also seems more agile especially in the corners. I guess this would be attributed to the 3s underpinnings, but whatever it is we really like it. We were set on something still larger than the 3 but the reality is it's just us. How often are we going to haul the grandparents around on a roadtrip, probably never. So with the 3 of us and 1 on the way we'll be comfortable for a while, we were getting ahead of ourselves thinking about the next set of kids. So the 5 works out perfect for us.
Our dealer is pulling a Platinum touring edition (-NAV system) from most likely another dealer since they only had a few sport models in stock (red,carbon and white). Getting a great deal plus the Gerber $500.
Quick qstn about this-I just want to clarify if all dealers participate with this rebate, as the fine print at the bottom of the web site states "See participating dealer for details." Oddly enough, not one of the several dealerships I have spoken with have not mentioned this rebate. Is it something I need to disclose at time of purchase? Sorry for my naivete but I don't want to miss out!
Is this only good before you buy one? Or can you get the rebate after the fact?
I'm not sure, but it's probably worth a try...
I just want to clarify if all dealers participate with this rebate
I'm not sure about this either. But the $500 comes directly from MazdaUSA (not out of the dealer's pockets), so I don't see any reason for a dealer not to participate if they want to sell you a car.
Oddly enough, not one of the several dealerships I have spoken with have not mentioned this rebate. Is it something I need to disclose at time of purchase?
Mazda has only advertised this rebate to a small group of people, so no dealership will mention it to you unless you already know about it. Some dealerships don't even know about the rebate, but that doesn't mean they won't accept it. It's probably best to disclose your rebate at the time of purchase, so that you can insure the dealer doesn't give you a hard time about it. The rebate should come right off of your final (pre-rebate) negotiated price, and shouldn't affect your negotiated price, since the $500 comes from MazdaUSA and doesn't eat into dealer profits.
I bought mine from Maple Shade Mazda, because they were the first to get a Mazda5 in stock for me to test drive, and they seemed to give me a good deal. The fact that I kept mentioning how far away they were might've helped (i.e., if they didn't give me a good deal that day, I wouldn't make another trip out there), I really don't know. I was just happy that the first quote I got was below MSRP.
As for the trade in, I have no idea if they use Galves, I haven't heard of that before. I got close to the KBB value for the trade-in (~$100 less), but $600 below MSRP on the Mazda5, so I was satisfied.
A Problems and Solutions thread for the Mazda 5 would be helpful. Someone just submitted a detailed problem list (5 items) for his two week old Mazda 5 on the Mazda 3 Problems and Solutions board. Quite discouraging since many are the same complaints made about the Mazda 3.
Hey Gee35 - we have a similar inseam -- mine is 37". I came to the same conclusion about the 5.
What else is fitting you in the family hauler category? For me so far an Odyssey fits. Passat wagon fits. MDX fits.
In this price range, the Element and Scion XB fit pretty well too. I liked the 5 but the size is a little small and while a good deal and well designed, some of the other (admittedly more expensive) choices feel more substantial.
For us, it's down to the 5 and the Freestyle. But for a family of 5, the "5" is just too small. I love the packaging of the 5 so much more though. Too bad. Maybe other manufacturers will open up this segment and give us some more choices.
That was me and after looking around at the Mazda 3 forum I found TSBs for the 2004 Mazda 3 that exactly describe the types of issues that I have with my 5 right now:
1. The power steering whine - not too loud but audible caused by trapped air in the power steering fluid. Just needs to be bled. 2. The rear suspension noise when going over speed bumps. 3. The groaning/grinding noise of brakes at stops caused by burrs in the pads which according to a tsb just needs to be filed. 4. Shaking of the engine upon starting
I had initially a problem with the car drifting to the right but I corrected myself upon discovering that the tires were over inflated.
These issues are minor in so far as I am concerned. For item 2 you wouldn't even notice this if you never have to go over speed bumps because it rides perfectly ok even over road imperfections. Items 1and 3 should be easy to deal with.
I'm still happy with my 5 because overall it's still a very well done car where power, drivability/handling, comfort, and utility/conveniences AND LOOKS/STYLING are concerned.
So there, it's all out now Paging other owners. Would like to know how your 5s are doing so far.
Missed that. That's no. 5. Blows cool not cold air even at coldest settings. Not that it really matters. I don't use the A/C anyway. I'd rather open my windows (vancouver weather) and save gas. Just that if it needed fixing then I like them to fix it.
Comments
Well if you pay $900 more up front and sale or trade you car later then your car value is about $450 to $500 higher depending on how long you keep it. So I see it like this you buy more options up front (pay more) get more on the other end when you sale or trade but you still don't make out (pay an extra 200 on options up front even if you only lose 10% on the sale/trade) you lose. Its like investing in a CD at the bank that you will lose 10% on the life of the CD would you buy it? Options on things you buy becuase you want them not for the resale. Yes most of our cars in this country are automatics. I think this is because so many people live in the cities, older people driving and so many young people are never taught to drive manual transmissions.
If it was up to the car dealers there would be no manual transmissions. It would make their lives a lot simpler.
-juice
I think that is pretty much the only option, other than accessories like a cargo cover and wheel licks (other than the auto trans of course, but no one wants that).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
managed to strike a good deal for trade in on a Plat Silver GS with Auto and Air. Was shocked by the 600$ they wanted for upgrade to MP3 player.
Anyone got reviews, ideas on an aftermarket upgrade so I can attach my iPod.
Would love to know what options there are, I have an iTrip but can never get a clear station here in Toronto as the waves are filled with crap !
Thing is, I'm great with maps and directions in general, but a NAV system lets you be spontaneous, change routes on the fly.
That ain't cheap but consider you'll get half of it back when you resell it, plus you pay no monthly service fees.
I can't wait until these prices come down.
-juice
I'm a second week owner of an automatic in Southern California.Took a road trip out to the desert this past weekend. Had the climate control set to 72 degrees, and the cruise control set to 66 mph. 311 miles took 11 gallons for a little over 28, mpg! BTW, it was 115 degrees out there. Needless to say, very pleased. :shades:
That's a laughable statement if I ever heard one. I know those who sell cars don't like it when they are accused of being dishonest, but that is a perfect example. And if dishonest is too strong a word, illinformed certainly is not.
Well if you pay $900 more up front and sale or trade you car later then your car value is about $450 to $500 higher depending on how long you keep it. So I see it like this you buy more options up front (pay more) get more on the other end when you sale or trade but you still don't make out (pay an extra 200 on options up front even if you only lose 10% on the sale/trade) you lose.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
A few quick impressions.
I like the size, the front seats are comfortable, and even with the sunroof there was plenty of headroom.
I could do without the clear lenses on the tailights, but not a huge deal. Overall the car looks nice.
I adjusted the front seat for myself, and then went to sit in the middle row. There was plenty of knee room, but your knees kind of stick up and your feet don't really have a place to go - not as upright a seating position as I would have expected. I would say it was less comfortable for me than the back seat of a Camry or Accord - although those cars are barely adequate in the headroom area (inadequate with a sunroof).
With the middle seat adjusted for myself the back seat is absolutely unusable. I am 6' and don't have long legs, and I could not get my knees to fit behind the middle seat. I had to sit sideways. The rear seat has less room than the rear seat in my Integra (which is tiny). I did not expect the rear seat to comfortable, but I did think I would be able to fit back there. I fit fine in the third seat of a first generation Odyssey.
I really like this class of car, and the manual transmission has me drooling. Hopefully it will sell well and other manufacturers will bring over similar vehicles, or else Mazda will continue to improve and expand this model.
But, then I got back into the 2nd row and tried to think about a real 6-passenger situation. If someone was sitting behind me, I'd scoot my 2nd row seat forward a little bit to give the 3rd row room. So, I scooted my 2nd row forward just far forward enough to be "nice" to whoever might be behind me in the 3rd row, but making sure that the 2nd row was still in a comfortable position. Then I got into the 3rd row again, and I fit into the 3rd row fine this time.
So, my conclusion was this: the Mazda5 works fine for 6 adults, but not if everyone's going to be competing for tons of leg room. The 2nd row passengers will have to compromise their legroom somewhat so that the 3rd row passengers can fit. But, I do think that six 5'10" passengers should all be able to get comfortable in the Mazda5 for shorter trips, if they're all "nice" to each other as far as leg room goes. Of course, if you're using the back rows for children, the leg room is much less of a concern, probably not even a concern at all.
For long trips with 6 adults (over an hour), I probably wouldn't recommend the Mazda5. I think that the Mazda5 will work well for people who occasionally/seldomly carry 6 people but need the flexibility to do so. Larger mini-vans might make more sense for people who routinely carry 6 adults and need them all to be comfortable on longer trips. The pricing of the Mazda5 also makes it attractive for people who just need the space of a wagon (these people will hardly ever use the third row), because the Mazda5 has more storage space than a Matrix when the 3rd row is folded. So, I see the Mazda5 competing both with mini-vans and wagons, for all those people who want something "in-between".
Steve
interestingly enough (sort of), when I pick the the higher model, it automatically includes the NAV option.
Good luck finding a stick with NAV on the lot, though.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I can't imagine ever having to transport 6 six footers, unless you coach a basketball team. More likely it will be two parents and 4 kids. Or maybe 2 kids and grandparents, but then you could put the kids in the 3rd row. And how tall is grandma, really?
In that situation I'd put grandma behind me, the tall one, grandpa behind my wife who is 5'8". The 3rd row could accomodate the kids.
It's not a school bus, this is still a pretty compact vehicle, not quite a mid-sizer. The packaging is great for what it is.
If you do coach basketball get an 8 passenger Sienna. Or a Sprinter.
Or a Unimog.
-juice
Interior/Exterior:
The third row seats are surprisingly roomy for a vehicle of this length, and are much better than those in the Highlander and Acura MDX, which are longer cars. The 2nd-row pass-through makes access easier and reduces the feeling of claustrophobia. Because the most common seating scenario for us will be two kids in the 2nd row with car seats installed, extra adults will be using the third row when the occasion arises. It is neither convenient nor desirable (from a safety standpoint, with the third row so close to the back bumper of the car) to reinstall the car seats to the third row. The third row seats also do not have latch anchors. With this is mind I installed my large Britax carseat in the 2nd row and attempted to access the third row. To do this, one must scoot the 2nd row chair back, then let the adults get in to the 3rd row, then another adult (e.g. the driver) straps the kids in and then scoots the 2nd row back up to give the 3rd row some leg room.
The 2nd row seats only seemed to have one armrest each, with no good place for the other arm. This annoyed my wife. The pull out tray was about flush with the seating surfaces, which is too low to be accessible to kids in car seats and possibly booster seats as well. The lack of 'airplane' style trays in the North American market is lamentable and would have been very useful for 2nd-row kids.
Seating in the front is slightly elevated and upright. I found the driving positioning to be fine, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes as well. The driver's seat can be adjusted in height as well. As far as I could tell, the knob design on the climate controls don't allow you tell the fan speed nor hot/cold setting by looking at them, which I dislike. There is no cabin temperature readout which would have been nice especially with the automatic climate control. The external temp readout is mostly useless as it typically (in my experience with the Protege5) reads high, as the sensor is mounted on/in the car body and thus is much hotter than the ambient outside temp.
Cargo space with the third row down is quite good. ~40+" from the back of the 2nd row seats to the hatch. The cargo floor height isn't too bad with the third row seats down either. The sliding doors are a godsend for loading kids and are a primary reason of my interest in this car. Too bad all the crossover cars/SUVs don't have sliding doors as the only good reason not to have them is their 'uncool' factor.
Test drive:
My test was short, a small stretch of highway and then back to the dealer. I can confirm at 70mph, rpm was about 3000. Not very good, but better than my 5-spd Protege5. You can expect the transmission to be upgraded to a 5-speed automatic in the 07 or 08 model year, as it will be standard in the 06 Mazda3s soon to hit dealers. Too bad it's not in this model year. Off the line power is pretty good, even in high-altitude Albuquerque. The engine is pretty smooth, as it's from the Mazda3. Worlds better than the rough and weak engine of the Protege5. It was before noon during the test drive, so the car didn't have a chance to heat up too much to adequately test the AC. It wasn't particularly cold or strong, and 3rd row passengers are likely to be miserable in the summer in hot climates, especially with the large volume of the car. I'll try another test drive in the hot afternoon to see if the AC can cool a hot car down. Handling was good. Visibility out the back was poor with significant blind spots due to the large rear pillars and small windows. Backing up was difficult and changing lanes to the right will require practice with the passenger side mirror. My dealer didn't know how to work the NAV, but it did display our position. Unfortunately, all the Mazda5 automatics in my city come with NAV except for one white one (I don't like white cars). Kind of silly on Mazda's part. The stereo system was weak. C'mon, car makers, how about spending $10 extra for a head unit with adequate power? Aftermarket CD/mp3 units with 200watts can be had for $100 retail but couldn't easily be installed in this car without seriously messing up the integrated controls,etc.
Overall, my wife and I like the 5 due to it's size (can fit in the garage and open the trunk with garage door closed), sliding doors, cargo area, and seating for six (short trips). However, the large rebates on the slightly larger and more luxurious MPV (with 5-speed auto) make that a contender to consider as well.
George
If you slide the 2nd row back, how do the adults get to the 3rd row? I'd think you'd have to slide the 2nd row forward?
I guess when they said what the leg room was in the 3rd row it must have been with the 2nd row seat as far forward as possible. And when they advertised the 2nd row legroom it was probably with the 2nd row all the way back.
What is the going rate out there?
What am I waiting for!!!
winnie
Thx again.
winnie
I know that Mazda's gerber-rebate website is still up, so I assume the rebate program is still active. The website says "Offer ends 60 days after $500 Cash Back Bonus Certificate is issued". So, just make sure to sign up for the certificate within 2 months of the delivery date for your new Mazda5.
In case you need the info, the URL is: www.mazdausa.com/gerber
Almost the same story here.
We took one for a drive this weekend and gave it some serious consideration. I'll be posting a full review later, but this is my first impression.
There's a LOT to like about this little buggy.
The engine is better matched for the car than I was expecting. It feels a whole lot better than it does under the hood of a Tribute. Gets kinda buzzy when you give the throttle some heavy petting, but it's pretty relaxed while cruising. Handling is good. Not great, like the Mazda3, but plenty good enough.
The interior is stylish, and, while it will never pass for a luxury car, the materials are about what you should expect from a car costing around the 20K mark. The dash on the touring model is far nicer than the one in the base trim. I found the seats comfortable for a short drive. They're a bit stiff and flat, but that's to be expected at this price point. I was not impressed with the cloth. Unlike the Mazda3, the telescoping wheel is an enhancement, not a requirement. People might actually use it in more than just the fully extended position.
The cargo area is great for a small car, but, frankly, it doesn't offer significantly more than the Mazda6 wagon. In fact, unless you need the height of the 5's cargo area and the extra seat, I'd probably recommend the 6 wagon. Still, the 5 stands out in a crowd and offers very useful side doors with a spacious interior.
If only we hadn't driven an MDX an hour later...
Except for the steering wheel, I didn't realize that there were any significant differences in the appearance of the dash. Can you (or anyone else) elaborate on what the differences are?
I know that the Touring has the auto climate control and the outside temperature display, which aren't available in the Sport. Is this what you're referring to?
6 wagon only comes with the V6 and costs a bit more for less overall interior space, plus reliability has not been as good as the 3. We'll see about the 5.
MDX is nice but you could get a Touring and a base model for that kind of money.
-juice
We went back to dealership today to look at colors and told salesman what I wanted. So, I am one step closer. I just want it done already!
winnie
The Touring model we sat in had NAV and the center stack is dressed up with nicer dials that both look and feel better than those in the Sport model we drove. In fact, the dials in the sport model had detentes with no purpose as far as we could tell. The dial would stop in 8-10 places, but only 4-5 of those stops actually changed the way the HVAC worked.
Juice - The MDX is a whole other ball game. I was looking at the Mazda 5 as an alternative that could meet the rather quirky needs of my own personal situation without spending the cash for an MDX.
Or can you get the rebate after the fact?
Our dealer is pulling a Platinum touring edition (-NAV system) from most likely another dealer since they only had a few sport models in stock (red,carbon and white). Getting a great deal plus the Gerber $500.
Thanks in advance,
winnie
I'm not sure, but it's probably worth a try...
I just want to clarify if all dealers participate with this rebate
I'm not sure about this either. But the $500 comes directly from MazdaUSA (not out of the dealer's pockets), so I don't see any reason for a dealer not to participate if they want to sell you a car.
Oddly enough, not one of the several dealerships I have spoken with have not mentioned this rebate. Is it something I need to disclose at time of purchase?
Mazda has only advertised this rebate to a small group of people, so no dealership will mention it to you unless you already know about it. Some dealerships don't even know about the rebate, but that doesn't mean they won't accept it. It's probably best to disclose your rebate at the time of purchase, so that you can insure the dealer doesn't give you a hard time about it. The rebate should come right off of your final (pre-rebate) negotiated price, and shouldn't affect your negotiated price, since the $500 comes from MazdaUSA and doesn't eat into dealer profits.
Which dealership in central NJ did you pick up your new Mazda5?
Do you know if they use Galves to estimate your trade-in value.
thanks-
As for the trade in, I have no idea if they use Galves, I haven't heard of that before. I got close to the KBB value for the trade-in (~$100 less), but $600 below MSRP on the Mazda5, so I was satisfied.
Steve
Mazda5
Problems and Solutions
Prices Paid
What else is fitting you in the family hauler category? For me so far an Odyssey fits. Passat wagon fits. MDX fits.
In this price range, the Element and Scion XB fit pretty well too. I liked the 5 but the size is a little small and while a good deal and well designed, some of the other (admittedly more expensive) choices feel more substantial.
See this post
For us, it's down to the 5 and the Freestyle. But for a family of 5, the "5" is just too small. I love the packaging of the 5 so much more though. Too bad. Maybe other manufacturers will open up this segment and give us some more choices.
Good claification on the Freestyle. I did see the Autoweek article and a piece on slate. I guess it is going to be redesigned, possibly on a Mazda 6.
1. The power steering whine - not too loud but audible caused by trapped air
in the power steering fluid. Just needs to be bled.
2. The rear suspension noise when going over speed bumps.
3. The groaning/grinding noise of brakes at stops caused by burrs in the pads
which according to a tsb just needs to be filed.
4. Shaking of the engine upon starting
I had initially a problem with the car drifting to the right but I corrected myself upon discovering that the tires were over inflated.
These issues are minor in so far as I am concerned. For item 2 you wouldn't even notice this if you never have to go over speed bumps because it rides perfectly ok even over road imperfections. Items 1and 3 should be easy to deal with.
I'm still happy with my 5 because overall it's still a very well done car where power, drivability/handling, comfort, and utility/conveniences AND LOOKS/STYLING are concerned.
So there, it's all out now