What don't you like about your 5, and what fixes have you used?

[DKaz]

The one thing they could do to make me trade my 07 in for an 11 in a heartbeat is replacing the two captain chairs on the second row with a three seater 60/40 bench seat... would be nice if they maintained fore/aft and recline but not completely necessary, being able to carry 5 and still have massive amounts of cargo room in the back would be awesome. This is the one advantage the Rondo had over the 5... but the 5 beats the Rondo everywhere else.

A few minor little things that would be nice but not completely necessary:
-Replace the low minivan type centre console (come on, it's too narrow for anyone to fit between those seats!) with a Mazda 3 type centre console.
-Power driver seats from the Mazda 3 GT.
-2.5 with 6 speed manual
-Even better, MazdaSpeed 5 with 2.3T.
-Expect sales to spike dramatically in North America if the 40mpg capable 2.0L version comes, combined with the 7th seat.

And +1million on not changing the dimensions of the 5. I love that I'm able to get Mazda 3 coilovers for the 5 and love that the 5 is super easy to parallel park.

The commercial where the Mazda 3 is lifted off the chassis and replaced with the Mazda 5 is very fitting. This isn't a minivan... it's a Zoom Zoom people mover!

In Canada, the GS comes with attractive 10 spoke 16" alloys and 205/55R16 tires as shown:

 

[thaxman]

I wouldn't change the wheelbase or anything, but 1-2 inches behind the 3rd row would do wonders w/o negative ramifications.

 

[DKaz]

Maybe they can compact the engine bay by 2" and shift everything forward 2", as if the engine bay wasn't small enough already lol.

 

[Diehonda]

I don't have the many of the concerns that you all do.

• The power seems fine, if I wanted to drive a sports car I wouldn't have bought a 5.
• The storage capacity is fine also. It doesn't matter how much you have, you will always want more.
• The size of the tires....I actually like having 17s and not 16s.

What I would change or like to find aftermarket parts for:

• 07 AC isn't perfect but a couple extra vents would help.
• All weather floor mats, the carpet blows.
• More/larger jack points.

 

[skyhawk]

I was contented with the N.American version of the MAZDA5. (2006 GT).
But then I read the 'Generic MAZDA5 technical description', and now I realized
our version of the mazda5 is not the prettiest in the family.

Some of the Features that we don't have that others maybe having:
- Traction control
- auto leveling headlights
- power sliding doors
- Advanced Keyless entry (i.e. those card keys)

- Power window System. Ours is the most basic variety.

Below is a quote from the Generic Manual.. Our version of MAZDA5
only has the 'Manual open/close'.

=====
POWER WINDOW SYSTEM OPERATION
DPE091258000T06
Manual Open/Close
• The window opens/closes according to the down (push) or up (pull) operation of the power window main
switches and the power window subswitches.

Auto-Open/Close
• The window automatically moves to a fully-opened or closed position when the power window main switches or
the power window subswitches are operated to fully open/close positions, either down (push) or up (pull).

Auto Reverse Pinch Protection Function
• If any object is pinched in the window during auto-close operation, the window automatically opens approx.
200 mm {7.9 in}.

Two-step down function
• If a switch is lightly pushed (manual open operation) when the window is completely closed, the window lowers
a set distance.
• Does not function during IG OFF timer operation.

IG OFF Timer
• Allows operation of the driver’s power window for approx. 40 s after the ignition switch has been turned from
the ACC to the LOCK position.

Fail-safe
• The power window system is switched to fail-safe mode to prevent a malfunction when the P/W CM detects a
malfunction in the pulse signal (Hall IC).

=======================

EXTERIOR OPEN/CLOSE FUNCTION OUTLINE
DPE091258000T08
• A exterior open/close function has been adopted so that the power window system can be operated from
outside the vehicle.
• This function can operate in conjunction with the following:
— Transmitter
— Driver-side request switch (with advanced keyless system, close operation only)
• An auto reverse pinch protection function operates if the door glass is obstructed during close operation.
========================

 

[simonnyc]

Mud flaps for 5's w/ sidesills.....please!

 

[x10dude]

For all the problems and annoyances that everyone has listed (including me)... I still remind myself that if I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the Mazda5 hands down. Even with it's shortcomings it still is one of the best vehicles in its class (if one actually exists for the Mazda5).

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

GRIPE: A button that I push and cash money starts
spitting out of the dash in large sums until I push
another button and that changes it to electronic
input to my bank account.

LOL!
--------------------------
(pissed)

Listen folks, cars are like women, (boobs2) some are big,
some are fast, some even come with fancy sparkly things,
some are old, some are used, some cost a butt load of
money to maintain, no lie. However, in the end, you have
to pick one, settle down, invest in her / it and be happy.

Oh and don't get caught looking at another car/wife while
with the current one. (evil)

NO CAR (WOMAN) IS PERFECT, BUT DAM IT, I LOVE MY WIFE
AND I LOVE MY PREMACY and as with my wife, we WORK on
adjusting and fitting things to work or be original (Think outside
the box folks).

So it all depends on:

1. Your needs
2. Your tastes
3. WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP
4. What you can afford !


Lastly, most of the things people listed would ADD $$$$1,000's
of dollars / millions of yen to the cost of the car, who wants to
pay $83,000 for a mini van? Not me.

BY THE WAY here is a good slap in the face reality check:

1. Go to www.toyota.com
2. Select and CUSTOM BUILD on their site a 4 DOOR TITAN
TRUCK, ADD EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, NAVI, AUDIO, 4X4,
custom wheels, etc. etc. really poor it on, I crapped my pants
when I saw the TOTAL PRICE COMES TOO:

$81,000 or close to it ! :mad:

Muahahahahahahahaa! buy it? NOT! Its a freaking pick-up
truck, you can get a really nice sports car, used Porsche for
that kind of money!

Peace!(rei)

P.S. Most of what people listed, floor mats, etc. GO BUY
aftermarket stuff, that is what you are supposed to do,
support the economy and make it your own, I cringe at
the sight of STOCK rims and tires if you cant find it,
make it yourself, that is what I do. (crazy)

 

[KBrian]

I cringe at
the sight of STOCK rims and tires (crazy)

SGT, this is the 1st car of any kind I have owned with 17" wheels. Except for our 96 olds with 16's (hideous), every other car/truck has had 15's or smaller.

Not only do I like the styling of the 07', 17" rims on my 5, I am not seeing other 5 GT's on every street, so I am loving the look.

Someone else on this forum said it best about looking back as you walk away from your 5 because you cannot get enough of that great look(nana)

 

[OldGreyMike]

Mud flaps for 5's w/ sidesills.....please!

What he said! I would be very delighted to have this feature.

It's my only gripe, really. One of the best rides I have ever had.

 

[skyhawk]

What he said! I would be very delighted to have this feature.

It's my only gripe, really. One of the best rides I have ever had.

Many have given up on this and have resorted to making their own.

Not pretty but functional:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=121924&d=1198717335

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=121923&d=1198717335

 

[DGF]

I am very happy with my 09 5. If I had a complaint I would have to agree that the accelerator is too close to the brake pedal and my size tens occasionally catch on the pedals.

 

[62Lincoln]

- More power via a DI Turbo engine
- Much more sound deadening in the GT
- Offer the "nice touches" mentioned by others: self adjusting bi xenon, etc.

Maybe offer the above as a package, to allow those not interested to continue to buy the vehicle as currently packaged.

I'd really like to see Mazda offer a smaller engine with direct injection and turbocharging - the DI really benefits from the turbo, and the smaller displacement allows good highway milage without killing low end grunt.

 

[Big Wheel]

You can buy the front mudguards form your dealer, and there are instructions to remove a portion of your sill, and cut them back a bit. There's even a plastic clip on the base of the mud guard to secure the cut-end when you mount the flap in place. If I can find the instruction sheet from the set I got, I'll post'em.

 

[OldGreyMike]

You can buy the front mudguards form your dealer, and there are instructions to remove a portion of your sill, and cut them back a bit. There's even a plastic clip on the base of the mud guard to secure the cut-end when you mount the flap in place. If I can find the instruction sheet from the set I got, I'll post'em.

You got pix of these installed on your car?

I just got the rear ones from Europe sent to me, they will take a little "adjusting" to install, but I think they are going to work.

 

[Big Wheel]

Hey - I just looked for the install sheet, and it looks like I tossed it. Ask your dealer parts guy for a peek. Just to clarify I have a Sport model, and no side sill extensions.

See the pics I just snapped - sorry for the leafy mess on the rocker panel. on one of the shots I inserted a twig to show that there is a space between the plastic and the sheet metal. The black plastic pieces in the last photo came mounted between the screw and the flap, and would have been facing you (pointing toward the rear). From the diagram on the instruction sheet it appears that with the aforementioned gap, plus the plastic piece, the front part of the sill you would clip off would mate with the flap.

 

[wedginator]

The seats don't tilt or the fact the seats are slightly in a downward slope. I don't have much support under the thighs so my legs get tired in stop and go traffic. This is probably the top of my list of things I don't like.

Pedals too close together. When I wear my work boots and I go and use the clutch I end up mashing the brake. Kinda gotten used to it to use the edge of my foot on the clutch. Not a huge issue.

Sunroof tilt can open a crack more. I just use the open button and manually press it to the tilt angle I want.

The Canadian 5 doesn't have HID's as a factory option. I put aftermarket HID set in. Then I had to figure a way around the factory DRLs. Found out if you use the chassis ground instead of the headlight plug ground, this will work. However I still didn't like it that the fact my HID's are on all the time. Re-wired the HID's to turn on when the parking lamps come on (ie when the auto light sensor realizes it's night). I still wasn't satisfied that now I didn't have a daytime running light. But at this point, I had some after market bulbs in the fogs that burned out the wiring. (more headaches). I re-wired it again to completely eliminate the the fog light circuit (which was FUBAR) and re-use the factory DRL's to the fogs. I added an extra switch to turn on my HID's separately because I found out when you drive under multiple bridges it flashes the HID's which is bad for them. So to sum it up, I now have the fog lights functioning as the factory DRL's, HID's turning on when the parking lights come on and a switch to turn them off when I dont need them on. I think the Mazda 5 should have come like this from the factory.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

SGT, this is the 1st car of any kind I have owned with 17" wheels. Except for our 96 olds with 16's (hideous), every other car/truck has had 15's or smaller.

Not only do I like the styling of the 07', 17" rims on my 5, I am not seeing other 5 GT's on every street, so I am loving the look.

Someone else on this forum said it best about looking back as you walk away from your 5 because you cannot get enough of that great look(nana)

I totally understand KBrian, and agree, it's for you
not the other person. Don't get me wrong, 17" Inch
wheels are 10X better than many other FORD, PONTIAC
etc. 15" steel with caps, ((Cringe)).

Great choice Mazda, they did their best to get as much
they could without putting more $$ on the sticker price.

Me impersonally I can't stand any stock rims on any car,
it just drives me bat crap crazy. Sorry I have to be outside
the box and original all the time, but when it comes to
vehicles I think it's like clothes, there are many kids of
shorts, pants, socks, shoes, hats, gloves, jackets and
canes to choose from, it's up to us to mix and match as
we like and want to feel comfortable in.

Imagine if there were only 26 different types of shoes in
the whole world?? Do you wear the same shoes as everyone
else all the time? I hope not, that would be boring no?

(usa)

Note:
I was going to go 20" but that would add another 1.5 K to
the initial purchase and extra 800 MORE than the 1000 I'm
going to have to spend a few years from now when I need
new tires. (boom02)

Peace!(rei)

 

[monsta]

The door that covers the access to the spare wheel and lug wrench can be put up against the seat where it will then fall into a little channel. This will keep it upright. You can then put things back there without them falling out when you open the hatch. Plus you can remove that plastic tray when you know you're heading to Costco or something.

 

[ExDusterRacer]

Backwards shift control

I realized there is another feature that I find objectionable. When you move
the shift lever into the manual shift gate, you must push the lever the wrong
way to get it to shift. In all other vehicles I have driven, when you want to
up-shift to a higher gear, you push forwards, but not this Mazda 5 grand
touring edition.To go to a higher gear in mine, I have to pull to the rear. To
down-shift to a lower gear I have to push forward.

It is not intuitive. When I want to use the manual shift feature, I have to
think about it for a couple of seconds before I move the lever.

Fortunately I don't have to do this very often!