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Comments
1998 ODYSSEY--Seven passenger
Wheelbase 111.4
Length 187.6
Height 64.6
Width 70.6
Horsepower 150 @ 5600rpm
Torque 152 ftpd
EPA city/hwy 21/26 reg
Engine 2.3 L I-4 SOHC
Displacement 2253cc
Weight 3472
Turning circle 37.7 ft (Could not make a U-turn)
Track 60.0 inch
Headroom 40.1/39.3/37.5
Leg room 40.7/40.2/34.0
Shoulder room 57.1/57.9/47.6
Cargo w/seats folded 93.5cu.ft
Wheels 15-inch Steel w/covers
Tires - All season P205/65/R15
Brakes front/rear Disc/disc No ABS
Airbags Front only
MSRP $23,450
Vs.
2006 Mazda5--Five passenger
Wheelbase 108.3
Length 181.5
Height 64.2
Width 69.1
Horsepower 157 @ 6500rpm
Torque 148 ftpd @ 4500rpm
EPA 21/26 reg
Displacement 2260cc
Engine 2.3 L I-4 DOHC
Weight 3389 lbs
Turning circle 34.8 ft (Can make a U-turn in one motion)
Track 60.2 inch
Headroom 40.7/39.4/37.1
Legroom 45.5/35.2/30.7
Shoulder room 55.5/35.2/30.7
Cargo w/seats folded 44cu.ft
Wheels 17-inch Alloys
Tires P205/50/R17 -89V
Brakes front/rear Disc/disc w/ABS
Airbags Front/SAB/SAC
MSRP $18,895 base price plus $900 for A/T
That's a big difference considering the Mazda5 has more standard equipment -- the Ody didn't have a CD player, didn't offer NAV, did not have audio controls on steering wheel, had only tilt wheel, and the A/T shifter was on the steering column. Rear doors were hinged, no sliding doors.
I haven't driven the Mazda5, but I owned a '98 Ody for three years and it was one of the best riding vehicles I have ever owned. It did lean in sharp turns and around bends. The seats were wider. Front seats had flat bolsters.
fowler3
With the cost of gas high and probably going higher people could still go camping on weekends to nearby parks, lakes and attractions such as music events. No motor home required.
fowler3
If you are in danger of burning clutches, you should really consider something that is made for towing instead of one that (in the US) suggests that towing is a no no.
I checked the Yellow Pages for my area, the Triad in NC, and found several places that make seat covers. Look in the Yellow Pages in your location for general listings: Automobile Seat Covers and/or Automobile Trim and Upholstering. Many shops that do body repair also do trim and leather kit installations, but I would think those who specialize in seats would do a better job.
If leather is what you want find the shop that installs kits from Classic Soft Trim, http://www.classicsofttrim.com for higher quality leather than OEM. They have two grades.
For those who want fabric seat covers look for the listings above.
Recalling the last time I had worn seats recovered the shop did not replace the old fabric and vinyl bolsters with new material, which is what I expected them to do. They removed the worn seat covers and sewed new fabric and vinyl over them. This saved time in having to cut to the pattern of each piece and provided a stronger base for the new materials. Less stretch less apt to wear out again. And you pay for only the material used.
Here is how you, or the shop, can avoid the side airbag problem with new covers.
1) Use the OEM seat cover fabrics and have the shop put new fabric (if you are changing color and pattern) on just the face of the seats, the topside of seats and backrests.
2) Leave the black fabric on the sides as-is so that the covers will match the side airbag points. You will buy less fabric and make it easier to cover all six seats in one day.
3) Like leather kits, full seat covers would cover the seats entirely including the black felt-like materail Mazda puts on the folding seat backs for carrying cargo (middle and back rows). You want to keep this. But if you want the seat backs to match the seat fronts in color or harmonizing pattern -- then use commercial grade loop pile carpeting or Berber to be realy modern and replace the black felt fabric. Cheaper carpet would have thinner backing material making it easy to just sew it over the felt.
4) If you want the gray fabric panels on the doors to be changed to the new seat fabric this would be extra cost, but it would also be a good time to upgrade door-mounted speakers while the panels are off. While the seat cover shop works on the seats remove one speaker and take it to an audio shop for size and mounting points. Install the new speakers before the guys put the door panels back on. Saves labor costs later.
Also for people in the north with cold winters, use the same idea of saving the OEM seat fabrics and have real or faux fleece sewn on. Old becomes new again.
Getting the panels off sliding doors can't be easy.
This whole process shouldn’t take more than one day if the shop is good at what it does.
fowler3
I checked the Yellow Pages for my area, the Triad in NC, and found several places that make seat covers. Look in the Yellow Pages in your location for general listings: Automobile Seat Covers and/or Automobile Trim and Upholstering. Many shops that do body repair also do trim and leather kit installations, but I would think those who specialize in seats would do a better job.
If leather is what you want find the shop that installs kits from Classic Soft Trim, http://www.classicsofttrim.com for higher quality leather than OEM. They have two grades.
For those who want fabric seat covers look for the listings above.
Recalling the last time I had worn seats recovered the shop did not replace the old fabric and vinyl bolsters with new material, which is what I expected them to do. They removed the worn seat covers and sewed new fabric and vinyl over them. This saved time in having to cut to the pattern of each piece and provided a stronger base for the new materials. Less stretch less apt to wear out again. And you pay for only the material used.
Here is how you, or the shop, can avoid the side airbag problem with new covers.
1) Use the OEM seat cover fabrics and have the shop put new fabric (if you are changing color and pattern) on just the face of the seats, the topside of seats and backrests.
2) Leave the black fabric on the sides as-is so that the covers will match the side airbag points. You will buy less fabric and make it easier to cover all six seats in one day.
3) Like leather kits, full seat covers would cover the seats entirely including the black felt-like materail Mazda puts on the folding seat backs for carrying cargo (middle and back rows). You want to keep this. But if you want the seat backs to match the seat fronts in color or harmonizing pattern -- then use commercial grade loop pile carpeting and replace the black felt fabric. Cheaper carpet would have thinner backing material making it easy to just sew it over the felt.
4) If you want the gray fabric panels on the doors to be changed to the new seat fabric this would be extra cost, but it would also be a good time to upgrade door-mounted speakers while the panels are off. Whle the seat cover shop works on the seats remove one speaker and take it to an audio shop for size and mounting points. Install the new speakers before the guys put the door panels back on. Saves labor costs later.
Also for people in the north with cold winters, use the same idea of saving the OEM seat fabrics and have real or faux fleece sewn on. Old idea becomes new again.
Getting the panels off sliding doors can't be easy.
I have a cousin who lives in New Mexico where anything Western is popular. He had his pickup truck seats recovered in a Navajo pattern for the inserts with the side bolsters in a solid suade-like cloth.
fowler3
Can the 4 cylinder auto handle the family or is the best bet the manual? It seems to be roomy inside.....does it have room for 3 in the back seat if you have 2 child seats??
Any feedback is appreciated.......
Our Ford Freestyle is still sitting at the dealer. The parts came in twice last week. Both times they arrived damaged. They are now going to see if Ford will authorize a new transmission. This is a joke, they need "authorization" because the dealer does not want to be out any money. Instead they are out a customer and someone how will never recommend them or Ford again.
We are done, the car is going to sit their until we get closure from Ford Motor Company. The car has been at the dealer 25 days in the last 60 days. We are currently contacting the Ford Zone Manager because the Dealer's General Manager decided to take vacation and "deal with us later".
PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
http://www.napierenterprises.com
It can be used alone without the "sleeve" which attaches over the liftgate. Sleeping bags, an ice cooler w/food, a Coleman stove and pan and you are good to go.
Only $189.95
Don't forget your digital camera --we want to see pics.
fowler3
Went from the Ody to a Mazda Protegé and loved it. I dislike firm seats and the Pro's seats are almost duplicates of those in the Ody, only lower. And unlike the Ody, the Protegé has a small turning circle and doesn't lean in sharp turns.
Why am I interested in the MZ5? I miss the Ody van sometimes and wish I had a hatch, but most vans and other cars have wide turning circles. Ever need to make a U-turn quickly on a busy thoroughfare without having to stop, back up, and then pull around? The Mazda5 has the same small turning circle of the Protegé. It can turn from a Left Turn lane make a U-turn and stay in the left lane going in the opposit direction. That's one use for "handling".
Any other car or vehicle I get has to have Mazda's handling, economy, quality, and fun-to-drive. When you look there's nothing out there, especially the size of the Mazda5.
Why can't Chrysler and GM make the same thing? From the design standpoint, they would get one thing right and ten things wrong. They'd try to please everybody and please nobody. Mazda designs and builds to a particular segment and makes no bones about it. When you buy any other car you are just one more on the road -- when you buy a Mazda you belong to a select group, not necessarily a club, though there are many popping up on the Web. If nothing else you know you made a good decision.
That's my 2-cents.
fowler3
Still zooming at 75 (not mph).
Who drives 75mph in second gear in a new car?
What makes the Mazda5 so sporty is that it has some of the styling attributes of the CX-7 without the higher price. And for 2007 -2008?, Mazda is going to offer leather trim -- probably black.
By then aftermarket suppliers will offer trim packages in other colors using higher quality leather. A light gray with dark gray suede seat inserts would be really cool in more ways than one -- suede doesn't get as hot as leather.
fowler3
It's about time people started thinking about smaller vehicles in a realistic way. The time is coming when "I HAVE TO HAVE..." no longer matters and what you can buy, like it or not, does. Washington state is starting a test program taxing drivers on the number of miles they drive annually, which will cause many drivers to re-think where they really have to go. We'll pay for it in miles driven, higher taxes, and higher fuel prices if we don't start thinking smaller.
The way to pull the road out from under die-hard SUV owners is to limit the amount of gas they can buy at gas stations. They will get tired of waiting in lines going from station to station.
fowler3
On the armrest for the right seat, I doubt Mazda will make that available because it would block the lid on the center console when opened. The reason they left it off.
The limited number of initial MZ5s is to test the waters for small MAVs. As they sell Mazda will most likely address some of the "issues" in unexpected ways.
fowler3
John
They are adding a Grand Touring model with Espresso Brown leather, Xenon HID's. There may be a few other features, I'll have to look into it.
PF Flyer
Host
Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Or, maybe my memory is bad
John
Well, at least Mazda is responding to my need now if there is a Grand Touring Mazda5 with HID. I could trade my Mazda3 SP23 to a little bigger Mazda5 for the wife, and now I can get something faster, and possibly with AWD.
The Miata would be nice, but during winter time, it sucks. So it's scratched.
I like the Mazdaspeed3. It's fast and all. I drive stick shift, but my wife doesn't. That's where the DSG shines in the VW, but I am not going back in a VW.
The CX-7 is the one with AWD, but I don't like the fact that the car has a higher center of gravity and higher consumption.
What about Mazdaspeed6? I don't like sedan.
That may lead me to Subaru WRX STI/Saab 9-2X with HID, or plain Toyota hybrid system w/0 HID (e.g. new Highlander).
Well, I'll have to see what will be the offering next year.
Odie
Odie's Carspace
WARRANTY
2007 Vehicles:
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER
Mazda warrants that new 2007 Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles, which ever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement and certain other items are excluded. This transferable "limited warranty" is included on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.
POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY
Mazda warrants that the Powertrain Components of new 2007 Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 60 months or 60,000 miles, which ever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement and certain other items are excluded. This “limited warranty” is transferable during the warranty period on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.
Complement the limited warranty on your new vehicle with the Mazda Extended Protection Plan, the only service agreement backed by Mazda. See your Mazda dealer for details.
2006 Vehicles:
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER
Mazda warrants that new 2006 Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 48 months or 50,000 miles, which ever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement and certain other items are excluded. This transferable "limited warranty" is included on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.
Complement the limited warranty on your new vehicle with the Mazda Extended Protection Plan, the only service agreement backed by Mazda. See your Mazda dealer for details.
Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda6 Sport, Mazda6 Sport Wagon, MAZDASPEED6, CX-7, RX-8, MX-5, MPV
The basic warranty on Mazda vehicles covers all parts found to be factory defective for 36 Months or 80,000 km, whichever comes first. Additional warranties cover Powertrain components for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km whichever comes first, body sheet metal perforation for 5 years and unlimited mileage and specific emission control components for up to 8 years or 128,000 km.
I hope we will see more and more of these vehicles on the road in the near future. I see perhaps one or two a week on Edmonton streets.
Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda6 Sport, Mazda6 Sport Wagon, MAZDASPEED6, CX-7, RX-8, MX-5, MPV
The basic warranty on Mazda vehicles covers all parts found to be factory defective for 36 Months or 80,000 km, whichever comes first. Additional warranties cover Powertrain components for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km whichever comes first, body sheet metal perforation for 5 years and unlimited mileage and specific emission control components for up to 8 years or 128,000 km."
You are correct, It must suck to be in Canada. we in the USA got 4 years and 50K MILES on our 2006 models.....:)
Factory tinting is not desireable for many with visual problems and night driving. It prevents them from seeing what is behind when they back up, seeing overtaking vehicles, and general visibility.
fowler3
PF Flyer
Host
Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
My example: I have a 2001 Protegé which has an EPA rating of 25 city - 31 highway. The longest trip I have taken, 430 miles, I got 36mpg and I was trying for the highest economy possible by keeping the RPMs at or below 3000 and the speed not higher than 60mph. Above that speed most cars will get less mpg than possible.
Note that I was carrying no passengers.
If the Mazda5 is rated at 26mpg it should be able to get at least 30mpg, the same ratio, after they have 5000 miles on the Odo. But do not expect that at 70mph or higher.
The best way to test fuel economy is to fill up at the same gas station, set the nozzle for auto-shutoff, do not overfill. Write down the mileage and gallons. Return to the same station and use the same pump. Repeat the fill up. Do this several times and average.
Fun to drive comes at a price -- at the pump.
fowler3
For some reason, 70mph seems to the magic # for the Mazda. If I stay at or below 70mph, I can get the EPA highway mileage with no problem. But once I venture above 70mph, my gas mileage suffers.
The same thing happened with the Mazda3 I owned. If I kept it under 70 mph, I can easily get 30-31 mpg (EPA rating is 29 mpg). But when I frolic above 75mph, I get 25-26 mpg.
You should also check your tires' air pressure. You'd be surprised how big of a difference a couple of lbs of air makes.
Motorweeek must have made an error in their calculations.
I imagine someone added fuel somewhere and didn't document it or else a math error on their part.
The right tire pressure is posted on a sticker in the driver's door jam down low near the seat base.
It must be the weight, being the driving wheels, and steering -- FWD tires seem to lose pressure quickly. When you rotate them (move front to back) they still lose pressure. And you can't tell it by eyeballing them.
With a new car, check the tires often so you will know how long it takes for them to lose pressure between pumping them up. Then make a habit of checking and filling on a regular basis. Those low-pro tires can fool you.
fowler3