Official 2011 Mazda5 Thread

[mazda761]

I am going to see if I can rent a 2009 or 2010 Mazda5 at the Seattle airport one of these weekends when it does not rain ( wish me luck on the rain part, I'm in Seattle).

Before this I had interest in the Kia Rondo, I rented it at Hertz and so glad I did. I did not like it at all. I rented a V6 LX model Rondo and nothing was impressive about it. Granted I sensed it was abused, it had 30k on it and felt like hard driven miles. The seats were very uncomfortable and I am only 5 feet 6 135 pds. The car has bad steering feedback and barely average handling.

And than weeks later I tested out a 5 and the car is just so much fun to drive than the Rondo it wasnt even close which is more desirable.

I think I can get a sport 5 for 18k plus tax here, that for an automatic. Not bad at all.

When I see what is out there for 18k the 5 is a excellent bargain.

 

[mazda761]

I rented a 08 5 tonight. Loved everything about the car, power is just fine for its purpose. The handling is 9 out of 10, its zoom-zoom in the dept. If I was to have the heart to leave my Accord this is the one. I would miss the hell out of my VTEC V6 though, the sounds of the motor paired with the manual is heaven sometimes.

Pros- handling is car like, excellent driver's seat ( love the armrest), stylish dash, easy access, spaceship styling


Cons- road noise, not a hugh fan of the 4 cylinder sound except a Honda 4 cylinder.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

dont forget the turning radius is better than a mini cooper!

 

[lindsayt]

I am in the market for a 5. I do not like anything about the 2011 5.

However my problem is I dont have the heart to part with my 2006 Accord V6 6 speed manual. It has 75k and runs like a bat out of hell sometimes. Never one problem too.

I cant afford 2 cars at the moment. I am hoping for a miracle so I can keep my Accord and get a 2010 5.

If you can't afford two cars and you have a V6 manual Accord with only 75k miles on it, why in the world would you trade it in for a Mazda 5? Sorry all here, I love my 5 and it's great, but the Accord you've got is simply a better car. It only seats 5 and has less storage, but you can put roof rails and a top box on your Accord for much cheaper than buying a new 5, and your Accord is going to be more reliable, is already paid for, probably gets better gas mileage, and clearly you love the car. I'd say if you *need* a second car or if your Accord dies, then you'll be very happy with a 5. But why in the world replace a bulletproof, fun, powerful, spacious car that you love with a new car that has a little more space but is going to cost you way more money? Put a Thule box on your Accord's roof and call it a day. You'll be happy you did.

 

[joeboy]

2011 Mazda 5 - what do you think??

Not really my flavor. What about you?

http://http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-1220-All-New+Mazda5+to+Premiere+at+the+2010+Geneva+Motor+Show.html

 

[mpvue]

accord=vanilla
Mazda5=chocolate chip cookie dough

 

[joeym509]

Love the new dash design, like the wheels. Not sure about the wavy lines along the sides, not a fan of the smiley grill. Would love if they would offer the USA the 6 spd tdi version.

 

[skyhawk]

I like it.. But the wavy door surface is a faulty design. After thousand repetition of closing, opening of the slider doors and the swing door, there will be small misalignment (just look at your mazda5 doors today. Compare the gap between doors with that on the other side.). It is not that noticeable because the current door surface is relatively straight. With the 2011 shown in the picture.. any misallignment will be easily noticed.

 

[coolmazda5]

accord=vanilla
mazda5=chocolate chip cookie dough

lol

 

[1WICKED6]

accord=vanilla
Mazda5=chocolate chip cookie dough

That's priceless! (first)

 

[sethro_GT]

accord=vanilla
Mazda5=chocolate chip cookie dough

Ha ha true. People see the accord and say "meh, its a car". People see the 5 and go "WTF is that I LOVE IT!' well until the 2011's roll out anyway... then it will be "WTF is that I HATE IT!" ha ha just kidding I love mazda's, fan for life, have 3 of them, but WHY DID THEY DO IT! WHY THE SMILEY FACE! I'm crying on the inside.

my 2 cents:
2010 or keep the accord.

 

[lindsayt]

Hate to tell you guys, but you're deluding yourselves. Going down the road the 5 is about as vanilla as the Accord to 90%+ of the population - and since it doesn't have the power (or potential power) of the Accord, most of those who don't see them as vanilla would not choose the 5 as the "cooler" car. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome and has zoom-zoom and is a great car, but to most of those who don't drive one, "it's a minivan". They're wrong, of course. But that's the perception - it's not a "cool" car like the 3 or the Civic or even the Smart.

 

[lindsayt]

I like "our" version better stylistically - I think the understated smoothness is elegant and classic, whereas this is begging for attention. But I would gladly trade in that minor quibble for a six-speed manual instead of the five-speed manual currently standard...

 

[x10dude]

I'm upset that the i-stop feature probably won't make it into the US version barring a change in rules by the EPA.

The way the EPA calculates mileage, the i-stop feature would not show up in mileage figures for the Mazda5 even though it is estimated that it would increase city gas mileage by up to 3 MPG. Since this feature costs more than the conventional engine, Mazda probably won't put it in US vehicles unless the EPA changes it's stupid rules.

 

[Antoine]

Excellent Question & Feedback! (2thumbs)

I'm a HUGE fan of the current gen so much so I convinced my Parents to pick one up (My Parents just got a new Mazda5!)...The 2011 is RADICALLY different looking and I'm NOT totally sure yet how I feel...I bet Mazda is hoping that this badboy will REALLY turn some heads...Turn them AWAY from the competition and into Mazda Dealers!

I am looking forward to seeing one in the wild here in Japan...As has happened in the past...I'm sure I'll grow to love this new version as well!

 

[rweatherford]

I think I like it.

 

[al_templeton]

Looks awsome!
Really like the new larger digital readout on the dash.
The new 5 keeps the great lines of the original 5 with some nice styling updates.
Nice job Mazda!

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Like many of Mazdas designs

Not really my flavor. What about you?

http://http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-1220-All-New+Mazda5+to+Premiere+at+the+2010+Geneva+Motor+Show.html

It may take some getting used to. Overall I like it though. The interior looks much better. Body men everywhere will probably curse those wavy lines.

 

[sethro_GT]

yeah you're right. No one has ever asked about the 5. The redesign may get that reaction though, with is many design lines along the side.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

people ask about our 5 all the time. especially when they see the sliding doors. they dont expect it. accord is the vanilla. you dont see them anywhere.