By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Mazda5: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
Please take the discussions about buying plans and dealers there.
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
Has anyone had difficulty with delivery? I was originally told 3-4 weeks for delivery, sounded ok so I put in my deposit (lease). Now they are telling me that all the current production models are spoken for by dealers and they have to "trade" for another car between dealers to get a platinum silver touring model (my order).If this does not produce the one I ordered, I would have to wait until the next production line is finished (scheduled to start in oct.) which means I would not get mine until november/December. I think I am being fed a line (but I don't know why), can anyone help? :mad:
--EDIT--
Remember the contract you signed probably has a time limit. The fine print in mine indicates the dealer has 90days to supply the specified vehicle, or they must renegotiate/make alternate arrangements/cancel the contract. You can use this as an 'out' if you are unwilling to wait beyond 90 days. Read your contract closely.
One positive surprise was that I was able to adjust the three rows of seats to my 5'10" frame so that there was just enough leg room in all three rows--including the rear. Now, I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in the rear seat, as my knees were a bit up in the air, and my hair brushed the roof, but it would be fine for short trips around town and plenty roomy for young children. It does show the Mazda5 can hold six average-sized adults for at least short distances. I also liked how the rear seat folds flat with ease. Also the steering wheel had a nice feel to it.
Unfortunately, my negative impressions were more numerous. Most/all of these have been mentioned before here, so they weren't surprises, but I do expect better in a $22k car. Biggest gripes are: limited adjustability of driver's seat (in order to make the seat bottom angle comfortable for me, I had to bring it down all the way, which left me lower than I'd like and compromises mid-row foot room); lack of arm rests for front and mid-row passengers; cheap feel of the large expanses of black plastic interior trim (Mazda3 interior looks much nicer IMO); and lack of a dead-pedal (isn't Mazda the "zoom zoom" company?).
I noticed that the rear cargo area, with the back seats folded, was about the same square footage as in my Elantra hatchback with the rear seat up. (That was eyeballed; I didn't measure.) The 5 is taller of course. But that would only be important if I regularly carried tall, thin cargo--something that could make use of the height without blocking the rear view. Which I don't. As far as everyday hauling, I don't see a big practical difference. The maximum load size with all seats folded is bigger in the 5. But I can count on one hand the times I've had to fold both seats in the Elantra to carry cargo in the 18 months I've owned it. And with the rear seat folded in the 5, I can carry only 4 people vs. 5 in a hatchback like the Elantra. As I have 3 kids, that is important.
With the price of an automatic (for DW) Mazda5 at around $19k, and the issues I mentioned (and some I didn't like the 20/26 EPA rating), it looks less and less like my next car will be a Mazda5. I will probably go with a 5-passenger vehicle like another Elantra hatchback or maybe a Mazda6 hatchback, or a Fit, or even a roomy sedan with a big trunk like the Sonata. Or even a 7-passenger vehicle like the Freestyle, if prices come down a little more next year.
Unfortunately, my negative impressions were more numerous. Most/all of these have been mentioned before here, so they weren't surprises, but I do expect better in a $22k car.
I got my Mazda5 for only $18k ((Sport auto with fog lights). In that price range, the Mazda5 is very competitive. Remember that the Mazda5's MSRP tops out at about $20 unless you add the NAV for an extra $2k.
limited adjustability of driver's seat
I'm very comfortable in the driver's seat, and I didn't need to lower it. Unfortunately, seat comfort is a subjective thing and not everyone will be comfortable in the same seat.
lack of arm rests for front and mid-row passengers
I agree that the lack of a front-passenger arm-rest is a shortcoming. Just to clarify though, the mid-row passengers DO have inside arm-rests, just not arm-rests on the outside. My owner's manual says that it's unsafe for passengers to be leaning outward (i.e. towards the windows) in a car that has side-curtain airbags. Perhaps this is why the outside arm-rests are missing in the middle row (i.e., because if people leaned on outside arm-rests, they'd be leaning towards the windows, which Mazda says is unsafe).
cheap feel of the large expanses of black plastic interior trim
Again, this is subjective. I agree that the interior could be more upscale, but I think it's an amazing interior for the $18k price range...I have no complaints about the interior.
I didn't like the 20/26 EPA rating
Just to clarify, the rating is 21/26 for the auto. Yes, could be better, but the "Mazda5 real-world MPG" forum here on Edmunds is reporting significantly better MPG than I've seen for anything in the minivan category.
John
The car I tested stickered for over $22k. I know they start at much less.
Why can't Mazda put a decent seat-height adjuster on a $22k (or $18k) vehicle when automakers like Suzuki, Kia, and Hyundai can do it on cars costing as little as $10k? This is not a criticism of just the Mazda5; many other cars have the same kind of seat height adjuster.
I like the combination of sleek, sporty, european styling, internal space for family, small & light in size for some fun driving. I know I will probably change up to the next generation Mazda5 in 3-5 years(?) which I am sure will correct a number of the issues listed on this forum. however, There is no way I will wait until then!! Give me the Current Mazda5 now and lets look forward to how things will improve, both with Mazda and I am sure with pending competitors.
Just checked out the interior pics on Mazda, now I see that the shifter is clear up on the dash area ala Honda Element. That poses much less of a problem than the cars which have the shifter lower and closer to the right hand.
How is the MT shifter reach, those of you so equipped?
John
I totally agree with you. I've bought a Mazda5, and I hope refined/improved versions arrive in future years. If the current Mazda5 doesn't sell, it'll be pulled from the US market and no future refined versions will be available...I definitely don't want to see that scenario play out.
-juice
Multiply by 12, and that's a rate of 21,408 per year, slightly ahead of Mazda's forecast of 20,000 per year. Keeping in mind that lots of people don't even know the Mazda5 exists yet (there hasn't been much advertising), I think those are very good numbers.
-juice
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
-juice
I'm also very excited about the sales numbers considering how little promotion of the Mazda5 there has been.
Since Crysler started this CAB-forward design thing, car's nose is getting shorter and shorter for better road vision but the DASH B area is definitely a problem if you live in hot climate, that might explain all the different numbers on milage people been getting under different conditions, depending on if you have a full blasting AC on all the time......
Part of what you are seeing isn't necessarily a shorter nose. For aerodynamic and styling purposes, the base of the windshield is simply pulled forward so the windshield is more steeply raked.
I do agree however that it would make more sense if the large dashboard area were a lighter color to absorb less heat.
Being the current owner of Protege5, with nearly 30,000 miles, I couldn't be happier with my Mazda experience. Having owned a 2000 VW GTI, all I can say to those that gripe about the "cheesy interior" of the 5, is don't be allured by skin-deep beauty. My VW had a very appealing interior from a tactile and materials standpoint, but that car was a constant source of problems for me. I'd gladly take hard plastics over a soft-touch dash if it meant a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience.
VWs are great for dash-strokers, but look at all the issues they've had over the years. In some cases it's those very nice features that are the exact problem - window regulators (power up/down windows).
-juice
Yeah, it amazes me that all the car snobs and reviewers are so bowled over by VW and Audi interiors, and they seem to gloss over the quality problems. The VWs have a lot going for them, but unfortunately, quality is not one of them. I made a comment to a group of co-workers that I'd be more comfortable buying a Hyundai than a VW, quality-wise. A few years ago, I would have been laughed at, this time around, I got a "Yeah, I probably would too" from a few fellow VW owners. That said, Mazda has won my confidence so far. I'd absolutely consider another.
It's a tradeoff in this sort of design for heat issue, I had similar problem with my FOCUS, but never had problem with an old SAAB which doesn't have much dash board area at all.
I was in the process of passing the car before I realized what it was.
The plates on the car were RED, which indicate the car belonged to a consulate. If they were to offer this car in North America, I am sure it would do well.
In the weekend paper, there was talk of Nissan launching a smaller version mini-van at the Frankfurt show that would compete with the 5. I wonder how long it would take to make it over to North America.
John
It seems somewhere in the southern US a problem was detected: temperature is too high in the exhaust pipe ... but nothing was detected in Canada ... yet. Needless to say I was disappointed
Has anyone heard anything similar, any more details on this?
-YL
Audia8q, do you know anything about this "freeze"?
At $2.50 a Gallon thats $1875.00 a year.
Same miles but at 25 mpg thats 600 Gallond per year and a cost of $1500.00 a year.
Saved $375 or say one months car paynment.. Not as much saved if prices are lower or save more if prices are higher.
My experience with Mazda has been that they are SUPER cautious about any problems and take immediate action. I hope they can resolve this soon with a dealer fix instead of "reintroducing" the car.
Keep the info coming.
Our MPV had 3 recalls, one was simply the door sticker which had the wrong weights on it. But still, other manufacturers get it right the first time.
John
Don't be so quick....
I believe it was last months issue of Consumers Reports that ran a break down of carmakers and their history with first, second and third year cars. The results didn't exactly mirrors consumer perceptions.
-juice
Subaru got it right. Zero recalls on my Forester.
John
http://www.carpages.co.uk/mazda/mazda-mazda5-19-09-05.asp
If any car manufacturer makes a perfect car with no recalls and 0 defects on all units produced let me know cause I'd like to buy one. :P
Not to pick on Ford, but they are notorious for putting stuff out and then announcing major recall campaigns. Almost a preferred mode of operation for them. I guess they think being the first on the block with something new is more profitable than the inevitable recall risk associated with rushing something out.
John
I'm aware of the ownership of Mazda by Ford, but can you tell us what part of the Mazda5 is a Ford? Yes, the chassis is derived from the Mazda3, which is also the underpinnings for the European version of the Ford Focus. Beyond that, what Ford parts are in the Mazda5?
Note how the Mazda3 scores far better than the Mazda6 in reliability ratings, for instance. So does the Miata.
With Mazda, at least, you tend to see higher scores in reliability for the ones made in Japan. I don't think that's so much an issue of domestic production as much as it is having assembly and parts supplied shared with Ford, but that's just my educated guess.
-juice
Agreed. Sometimes it just rubs me the wrong way when the inevitable 'Mazda is controlled by Ford ergo the product is a POS' type of comments start to come out of the woodwork. One of my many character flaws, I guess.
Mazda is certainly capable of building an very high quality, reliable car.
-juice
I'm certainly not slamming the 6 - that car is a lot more fun than any midsized 4 banger has a right to be. But I'm not as confident that bits and pieces won't start breaking and falling off.
-Jason
But Ford (not Mazda) has a high recall level on domestics. Yes, we did have 3 recalls on our MPV, and yes I do think that is high also. Nothing to do with the Ford engine (unless you want to call the PVC hose collapse an engine problem).
John
You sure? There have been two recalls on the 2003 Forester.
Some 2003s were recalled for a faulty automatic transmission:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/subaru.html
NHTSA also lists a recall on a few hundred 2003 Foresters that had faulty seat belts.
Meade
Well, it is always possible that statistics disprove my gut feeling. It is easy to think self has a good perspective on the world, but reality indicates that most of the time that perspective is shallow.
For example I see the Mazda 5 diesel 6 speed Europe version as a real hit in the US.
Time will tell, but I would personally be willing to plop down $ right now for one of them.
John