I am trying to decide between the two blues. I have seen the Phantom Blue in person and like it. Does anyone have a photo of Stratos Blue they can point me to or post?
I note that none of the 5 or so dealers within 150 miles of me have strato blue to see.
The strato blue can be found on Mazda3 also...so you may have seen the color without realizing. It's not a good color to see online...you don't get the true feeling for the color.
I found Mazda5 surprisingly very quite and comfortable, and if you like to test drive.. try to contact Erinmils Mazda in Mississauga they have M5 available for test drives.
Glad she's your wife and not mine. My wife and I think the Phantom Blue color is the best, though we're biased since it's the color of our Mazda5. It just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . .
Aren't wives a beautiful thing? When I first chose darker colors (carbon grey or any blue) the question was "Why? The car is going to get too hot or is going to get dirty easily"... then I said, OK, what about whitewater Pearl or Platinum Silver... the answer: "Too boring"... OOOKKK, What about the greenish one then??... the answer: "Too ugly..."
Totally confused at that point.... Final decision was made on the one that had the stuff we wanted (also, it happened to be the color I wanted, but I wouldn't tell her)... :P
I don't have any pics of it, but if I get it cleaned soon I may take some. It's been snowing here a lot, and every time I wash it, it snows again and salt gets all over it. Now it's a powdery gray color, LOL.
If you're a person who washes their car every 2 weeks get the strato blue if not stick with the phantom blue. The strato blue is a very shiny color which makes it a high maintenance color. Dust and salt show very easily on that color. Probably would not hide dings and dents very well either. My neighbor has a strato blue mazda3, the car looks like its always begging to be washed, even though he washes it regularly. My other car is black so I'm speaking from experience. I've seen both colors. I don't like the phantom blue can't pinpoint why just don't like it. The more I see the strato blue the more I like it, that would be my choice. I own a platinum silver, after all those years with black I had enough.
I received a Mazda owner survey about the 5 recently. Sure others have seen these. What caught my eye was at the end, where I was given a hypthetical $2,000 budget for options that included items not available yet in the USA. Among them was a diesel engine and leather seats. $1,200 and $800 respectively. In the comments section I lamented the lack of Mazda-sanctioned towing capacity and the pathetic roof racks.
Well, dcdingo, I'm glad you made the comment about no Mazda-sanctioned towing capacity.
For me, three things prevent a Mazda5 purchase from being a no-brainer: 1) I'd want to use a tow-hitch receiver for a rear bike rack and also for one of those small platforms (to use for carrying gas cans and lawn mower) - but obviously couldn't do that without voiding the warranty; 2) no 16 inch wheel option (surely would blow out a tire in a pothole within a month of purchase with the 17 inchers, and cost of replacement tires for 17 inchers sounds unpleasant); and 3) no VARIABLE intermittent wiper. C'mon, my Ford Ranger has variable intermittent wipers - with all the extras offered standard such as controls on the steering wheel, can't Mazda offer something as simple as variable intermittent?
I'm sure I'd buy if I had all these - although I don't like the ineffective AC in my wife's Mazda3, and only having a black interior is unhelpful in that department - plus the wife complains about how hard it is to keep the black dash clean from dust!
Maybe Mazda will read this board and consider offering these things in the future - or maybe not. At least they could be expected to pay attention to your owner's survey!
Yah okay stick with your little ranger, i'd rather have a RELIABLE vehicle without intermittant wipers than one with that'll give me headaches past 80,000 miles.
1. A bike rack and a cargo carrier are not "towing". 2. The difference in the price of the tires a minor issue compared to the cost of anxiety pills related to worries you create in your head. 3. Variable wiper? You're right. Stick with the Ranger.
My oh my, such defensiveness/attacking . . . I'm a fan of the 5! Did you not notice the "it would be a no-brainer" comment?
Seriously, did I not read on this board someone commented that adding a trailer hitch (regardless of how I would use it) would void the car's warranty? Wouldn't ask a compact car platform to haul trailers of equipment like my Ranger, but would like to add a hitch as described.
I go to construction sites all the time, and I think I can get away with switching to a family vehicle, but don't expect ultra-low-profile tires - or at least the wheels - to survive long between the sites and regular potholes on roads - but I guess no one on this board will have any such problems. Perhaps this concern is not as big as I believe, but is created by a friend who had to replace wheels several time due to low-profile tires meeting with lane-wide potholes.
One of the reasons I bought the Mazda3 for my wife was because of the great standard equipment for the price, and the wiper just seems like a silly oversight to me. I like my tools to adapt to different conditions, and a variable intermittent wiper seems like a straightforward addition to this tool.
It's ridiculous for something Mazda calls a "Multi-Activity' vehicle to not be sanctioned for towing, even if it is only light-duty towing. Even a Toyota Echo is rated by Toyota to tow 800 lbs! That fact, the 50 series tires, the wimpy roof rack (give us the Euro roof rails), and a few comfort and convenience things (lack of front passenger armrest and variable intermittants) plus the mandatory(in Canada) practically-scraping-the-ground side sills are what's keeping us away. Mazda, we want a true multi-activity vehicle, not a rice-racer with a couple of extra seats. Check out the Kia Multi-S just unveiled at the Chicago Auto show. At first glance, it looks like it will address all of the Mazda5's shortcomings.
What's the deal with these big wheels and tires? My 91 Caravan was quite a bit bigger than the 5 and came with 14" wheels. The ride was fine and it cost less than half of what you just paid... :confuse:
I don't know if it is an option in the U.S. but my Canadian M5 has rain sensing wipers. You don't really need variable wipers when you have the wipers on auto. They work really well for me.
What's the deal with these big wheels and tires? My 91 Caravan was quite a bit bigger than the 5 and came with 14" wheels. The ride was fine and new rubber cost less than half of what you just paid for those tires...
With CarSpace being so new, I'm also using the regular chats to answer CarSpace questions. So if you get the time, stop in tonight and share your CarSpace!
You're comparing a minivan to a wagon that has an emphasis on sporty handling (to keep buyers from associating it with that dreaded "m" word). And probably using 1991 dollars for your comparison to boot. Even the Caravan of this century probably has at least 16-inch rims.
Been lurking here for a while, waiting to pull the trigger on a 5 to replace our Accord wagon (5-speed, of course). Stopped by a dealer today with my 8-year old to see how she could manage the sliding doors, etc. (No problems, BTW)
Anyway, the manager came out to ask whether I'd be looking for a Touring model or a Grand Touring model. He said the Grand Touring model includes leather, heated seats & NAV. :confuse:
I told him I've never heard of the Grand Touring trim level on a 5, and there's nothing on the MazdaUSA site about it. Has anyone heard anything about a Grand Touring model?
I have a Curt Class 1 reciever hitch on my Mazda 5 Sport which I installed before Thanksgiving. It has a smaller than 2" reciever so I had to get an adapter when "other than pulling a trailer". I use it for bikes and a platform on the back for objects I do not want in the Mazda because of mess. I pull a 5 x 8 trailer with a mesh floor with small motorcycle and other light loads. I have had no problems, other than the rear shocks sag and are not stiff enough. The vehicle has been in for its first service and the dealer asked me where I found one as he has had several requests.
We live in the Tampa, FL area where good air conditioning is pretty important in the summer. I noticed a comment in some consumer review that the Mazda 5 might not have adequate cooling capacity for really hot weather. Anyone have experience with this?
I have the Da'lan hitch, which I think is the same as the curt. I had the wiring done so that it stows in the compartment on the left side wall - very discrete - just pull it through the trunk opening when in use. This set-up is way less expensive than a roofrack, which costs 500 cdn just for those two ugly horizontal rails.
Does anyone have experience with 2 car seats in this thing? How about 3 kids total? How is the cargo room with one of the back two seats folded? Enough room for a weeks worth of groceries, or cargo for a long trip?
I live in Clearwater and have had my Mazda5 since last July. The AC is just fine. Very cold when needed and the automatic temp control works :shades: great.
We have one booster and will have an infant seat soon. I haven't installed the infant seat yet, but am very confident there's plenty of room. THe third row would hold a 3rd kid, but they would need to be older because I can't imagine struggling with a car seat back there.Cargo with one seat folded is pretty good, it's about 3'-4' deep and what, 1-2' wide plus the width behind the back row. If you have 3 kids and want to pack the 5 down, I'd get the roof racks with one of those top loading container things.
Best thing really, is to take your kids, seats and all down to Mazda and load it up and see.
I've got two car seats in it now. One forward facing convertible and one infant seat. Both are Britax seats.
With just the two seat in the center row and the 3rd row fold, there is plenty of storage space. But I think you'll have a bigger problems with accessing the third row than luggage space.
Right now, I have both center seats pushed all the way back to fit both car seats, so there isn't much leg room for the 3rd row. Also, since both seats are in place, the only way to access the 3rd row is via the space between the two seats. We have a touring, so the fold out tray is in the way.
Depending how old your kids are, you could just let the 3rd row passenger out via the back hatch...
I can confirm the other two posts. We have two car seats (boosters) in the middle seats and there is plenty of space for cargo with the back row folded down. We bought the Mazda5 to have the option of putting in another car seat occasionally (daycare) and tried it out "dry". I would put the oldest kid in one last row seat, the infant in the middle seat before it and scoot that seat up all the way. That way there is sufficient space for both older kids to get in and out through the middle and also enough leg room. Plus, with one back seat still folded down, you still have decent cargo space. This car rocks!
Thanks to all who replied. I figured as much. I was hoping to slip into a 5 when we trade our van in, but it looks like space considerations will push me to another bigger boring van.
"Does anyone have experience with 2 car seats in this thing? How about 3 kids total? How is the cargo room with one of the back two seats folded? Enough room for a weeks worth of groceries, or cargo for a long trip?"
We have two small children (10 months and 2 years). We recently changed our seating plan. We now have the 2 year-old in the 3rd row (Driver's side) and the 10 month-old in the second row (Rear facing passenger side). It is no problem getting the 2 year old into the 3rd row. This frees up the other 2nd row seat for another passenger. It also makes it easier if we want to get another person into the 3rd row. We still have plenty of room for groceries and day to day cargo. If we go on a long trip, we'll put them both in the 2nd row as long as it is just the 4 of us. We recently went on a trip with 3 adults and 3 kids in car seats and it was definitely best to put the 3rd adult in the 2nd row.
My daughter has 3 year old triplets and an eight year old..She loves to borrow the car. The triplets have huge car seats...her husband found that if he takes off the middle seat headrests the car seats fit much better. They plan on buying a Mazda 5 this summer.
I didn't realize it until I got my plates today, but there is nowhere to put the front license plate. No holes, no holder, nothing.... Am I just crazy and not seeing it? Do other people have this problem??
I had the opposite problem. I had to remove the dealer plate and plug the holes. The dealer simply used self tapping screws and drilled into the bumper. There was no bracket. This is common in new cars now days.
Does anyone know if the structure of the 3 and Volvo S40 (and euro focus)is a ford or volvo design? The back seat, hench the heads of my children being too close to the back of the car prevented me from getting the Mini. The argument that it is no different than the sides being close doesn't give me much comfort.
Watch where the self tapping screws for the lic. plate is anchored to....carwash took the front plate off my legend this sunday...screw tore the plastic bumper on its way out.
We need Mazda to see the 'want list' as they already have all parts designed for other markets.
Darn it! I hope this isn't the start of one of those 'must have it' cravings I always give in to.
Comments
I note that none of the 5 or so dealers within 150 miles of me have strato blue to see.
I will warn you that swirl marks shows up on it fairly easily and it was hard to keep clean.
But it was a pretty color...
I replied, "umm...that is the Touring we're here to buy."
Thank goodness the dealership had two other touring with nav. We ended up with a whitewater pearl.
I personally like it a lot, but since the Mazda5 was going to be her primary car, it was her choice of color.
Aren't wives a beautiful thing?
Totally confused at that point.... Final decision was made on the one that had the stuff we wanted (also, it happened to be the color I wanted, but I wouldn't tell her)... :P
HiFive
HiFive
I've seen both colors. I don't like the phantom blue can't pinpoint why just don't like it. The more I see the strato blue the more I like it, that would be my choice. I own a platinum silver, after all those years with black I had enough.
I washed my Strato Blue Mazda3 just about every week and about a day after the car wash, it looks dirty again.
Another thing to keep in mind. When the paint chips, the underneath is white. So if you get a dark color, it's hard to hid the paint chips.
For me, three things prevent a Mazda5 purchase from being a no-brainer: 1) I'd want to use a tow-hitch receiver for a rear bike rack and also for one of those small platforms (to use for carrying gas cans and lawn mower) - but obviously couldn't do that without voiding the warranty; 2) no 16 inch wheel option (surely would blow out a tire in a pothole within a month of purchase with the 17 inchers, and cost of replacement tires for 17 inchers sounds unpleasant); and 3) no VARIABLE intermittent wiper. C'mon, my Ford Ranger has variable intermittent wipers - with all the extras offered standard such as controls on the steering wheel, can't Mazda offer something as simple as variable intermittent?
I'm sure I'd buy if I had all these - although I don't like the ineffective AC in my wife's Mazda3, and only having a black interior is unhelpful in that department - plus the wife complains about how hard it is to keep the black dash clean from dust!
Maybe Mazda will read this board and consider offering these things in the future - or maybe not. At least they could be expected to pay attention to your owner's survey!
I might even buy first generation on this one since it has been out for a couple years in Europe.
John
2. The difference in the price of the tires a minor issue compared to the cost of anxiety pills related to worries you create in your head.
3. Variable wiper? You're right. Stick with the Ranger.
Seriously, did I not read on this board someone commented that adding a trailer hitch (regardless of how I would use it) would void the car's warranty? Wouldn't ask a compact car platform to haul trailers of equipment like my Ranger, but would like to add a hitch as described.
I go to construction sites all the time, and I think I can get away with switching to a family vehicle, but don't expect ultra-low-profile tires - or at least the wheels - to survive long between the sites and regular potholes on roads - but I guess no one on this board will have any such problems. Perhaps this concern is not as big as I believe, but is created by a friend who had to replace wheels several time due to low-profile tires meeting with lane-wide potholes.
One of the reasons I bought the Mazda3 for my wife was because of the great standard equipment for the price, and the wiper just seems like a silly oversight to me. I like my tools to adapt to different conditions, and a variable intermittent wiper seems like a straightforward addition to this tool.
Enjoy your vehicles! Sounds like you really do.
I punctured the sidewall yesterday and had to replace the tire, $130.
If so, what did you think??
Mazda didn't see fit to sell the rain sensing wipers here in the states.
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Anyway, the manager came out to ask whether I'd be looking for a Touring model or a Grand Touring model. He said the Grand Touring model includes leather, heated seats & NAV. :confuse:
I told him I've never heard of the Grand Touring trim level on a 5, and there's nothing on the MazdaUSA site about it. Has anyone heard anything about a Grand Touring model?
Thanks in advance!
Best thing really, is to take your kids, seats and all down to Mazda and load it up and see.
With just the two seat in the center row and the 3rd row fold, there is plenty of storage space. But I think you'll have a bigger problems with accessing the third row than luggage space.
Right now, I have both center seats pushed all the way back to fit both car seats, so there isn't much leg room for the 3rd row. Also, since both seats are in place, the only way to access the 3rd row is via the space between the two seats. We have a touring, so the fold out tray is in the way.
Depending how old your kids are, you could just let the 3rd row passenger out via the back hatch...
We have two car seats (boosters) in the middle seats and there is plenty of space for cargo with the back row folded down.
We bought the Mazda5 to have the option of putting in another car seat occasionally (daycare) and tried it out "dry".
I would put the oldest kid in one last row seat, the infant in the middle seat before it and scoot that seat up all the way. That way there is sufficient space for both older kids to get in and out through the middle and also enough leg room. Plus, with one back seat still folded down, you still have decent cargo space.
This car rocks!
We have two small children (10 months and 2 years). We recently changed our seating plan. We now have the 2 year-old in the 3rd row (Driver's side) and the 10 month-old in the second row (Rear facing passenger side). It is no problem getting the 2 year old into the 3rd row. This frees up the other 2nd row seat for another passenger. It also makes it easier if we want to get another person into the 3rd row. We still have plenty of room for groceries and day to day cargo. If we go on a long trip, we'll put them both in the 2nd row as long as it is just the 4 of us. We recently went on a trip with 3 adults and 3 kids in car seats and it was definitely best to put the 3rd adult in the 2nd row.
But our dealer put the front tag on, so there must be some sort of frame or something. :confuse:
The argument that it is no different than the sides being close doesn't give me much comfort.
Watch where the self tapping screws for the lic. plate is anchored to....carwash took the front plate off my legend this sunday...screw tore the plastic bumper on its way out.
We need Mazda to see the 'want list' as they already have all parts designed for other markets.
Darn it! I hope this isn't the start of one of those 'must have it' cravings I always give in to.
Don