More power...

[chief_wiggum]

How often do you really wish your 5 had another 20-30 HP/FTLBS?

I'm in the market for a 2003 CR-V replacement that seats 6 at a minimum. I like the looks of the current Odyssey and am very intrigued by the 2011 Odyssey, especially since early rumors are 28 HWY MPGs are expected. However, I really don't need all that room and a 5 would be at least $9K cheaper. I have two girls (4 & 2) and would like to have the extra seats for when grandparents are around or for carpooling to school. I've poked around the 2010 Mazda5 while getting the oil changed in my MS3; it seems like a really good size for us; not too big, but with extra seats for the 5 or 6 times a year we would need them. I'm guessing the 2011 5 will get the new Mazda 3 engine which will boost engine output, but to be honest, i really like the looks of the 2010 much better.

So, to get to the point, how often do you think this car is underpowered. I should state, my wife will be the primary driver.

Thanks for reading the novel and I look forward to your real world experiences and opinions.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

I don't any more and I'd be in trouble, I gave up on the Skyline GT-R over here, the Skyline GTS-t4 and the Japan Skyline models, I got into trouble in all three. (stoned)

So this is why I drive the HEAVY 2.0 ltr Premacy (Mazda 5)

Peace!(rei)

 

[thaxman]

I have never had it underpowered - esp not whan compared to my 97 Accord VTEC. But now that's gone & I have a Volvo V70 T5 w/the 247 hp turbo. Now the 5 feels sluggish, but its not underpowered - just different. But we also get 24 mpg stoplight-to-stoplight in city traffic. The V70 gets 19.5 & an Odyssey would be 16.5-17.5 if lucky. So, knowing I can drive the 5 and get compact car mpgs while I have a sub-rocket for when I want it is pretty satisfying.

 

[chief_wiggum]

Thanks for the replies. I'm obviously not looking to race this thing -- by underpowered I mean 4 people in the car and feeling like the car is struggling to maintain hwy speed, sluggish merging onto interstates, feeling like its dying going up hills on the hwy; average driving conditions.

 

[coolmazda5]

Get her a 5MT, problem solved

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

I have an 06 5MT, and my family of four (total weight 760 lbs) have no trouble merging onto interstates, driving up mountain passes and the only trouble I have maintaining highway speeds is keeping the speed DOWN!

 

[Snagjim]

I've just bought a 5AT to replace my older 5MT. The manual definitely feels more responsive in all the conditions you mentioned - loaded and going up hills, etc. The automatics have a taller (numerically smaller) overall gearing, which is a big part of the difference: at 100 km/h in the MT, the engine's running 3000 rpm, but only 2400 in the AT. With peak torque at 4500 rpm, I'm regularly shifting the AT manually to get the revs up, and to keep the gearbox from hunting. The engine is almost Honda-smooth all the way to redline, though, so I don't mind.

 

[chief_wiggum]

Get her a 5MT, problem solved

I have an 06 5MT, and my family of four (total weight 760 lbs) have no trouble merging onto interstates, driving up mountain passes and the only trouble I have maintaining highway speeds is keeping the speed DOWN!

Unfortunately, a MT is not an option.

I've just bought a 5AT to replace my older 5MT. The manual definitely feels more responsive in all the conditions you mentioned - loaded and going up hills, etc. The automatics have a taller (numerically smaller) overall gearing, which is a big part of the difference: at 100 km/h in the MT, the engine's running 3000 rpm, but only 2400 in the AT. With peak torque at 4500 rpm, I'm regularly shifting the AT manually to get the revs up, and to keep the gearbox from hunting. The engine is almost Honda-smooth all the way to redline, though, so I don't mind.

Thats good information, thanks!

 

[FOCUSGuy]

-- by underpowered I mean 4 people in the car and feeling like the car is struggling to maintain hwy speed, sluggish merging onto interstates, feeling like its dying going up hills on the hwy;

We (6 passengers [Grandparents, two kids, and my wife and I, plus luggage carrier on top]) crossed the Appalachian mountains (Ohio to Maryland), with our 2009 Mazda 5 (Touring), and had no problems keeping up with traffic.

 

[sethro_GT]

Could be your specific car has a problem.. Also Our 5 with 40k on the clock seems like it pulls up hills on the freeway much better than it did when new.

Perhaps the usual intake, exhaust and a chip will give you that little sumthin sumthin you need (5~10hp boost).

 

[wmzda5]

I have an 06 5MT, and my family of four (total weight 760 lbs) have no trouble merging onto interstates, driving up mountain passes and the only trouble I have maintaining highway speeds is keeping the speed DOWN!

Haha +10 on that. Keeps getting in trouble w/ the wife always patrolling my speed gage....cant help driving past 120kph if I don't watch it

 

[thaxman]

Chief - just dive in. Your wife will absolutely love the added room over a campact SUV. She'll also love that it drives/rides like a car. Oh, and my MT gets 23-24 mpg stoplight-to-stoplight. The new AT is supposed to be even more efficient than the 06 MT, so consider that drop in fuel bills too. Overall, this vehicle's been great for us and I Cannot offer better testimonial than I have!

 

[doctorz]

never wished for any more power than we already have. We do have the MT and I did think the 4AT was noticeably slower.

Having said that, I don't think any cars are truly underpowered these days. The last car I drove that I thought was dangerously underpowered was a mid-80s Subaru, which couldn't maintain speed going up a hill at 40 mph with four people. The slowest car I've owned in recent years was a '97 Honda CR-V. That vehicle, with 126 hp, still had enough power to keep up with traffic and merge onto highways. It just needed to be driven a little more carefully on NY area parkways that had no merge lane, but truthfully, that is not a bad thing.

As long as you don't expect the 5 to be the MS3, I think it'll be fine.

 

[crempel]

More power would always be more fun, but our family has never had trouble keeping up with traffic. Only time that the lack of power was evident was driving through the Rockies with 6 passengers and luggage. Had to downshift alot to keep up on the hills. Amazingly, our gas mileage was 7-8L/100km the whole time, like the car enjoys being worked that hard. BTW, we have an '06 manual.

 

[SEHMIATA]

I'd like more torque because mostly I find that it lacks for power when I accelerate from a rest and when going uphill.

 

[5zoom]

Our 08 5AT has adequate power. I've only felt a need for more power when the car was seriously loaded down. Usually I have 1-4 people in the car and it seems fine. I think the extra gear in the 08 makes a difference. I drove 06-07 models with the auto and they felt a little underpowered, as the ratio change from third to fourth is pretty big on those models.

 

[DynoBunny]

I have been thinking of getting one of these to accompany my ms3 as well. I had a grand touring for about a month with the 5sp auto. I loved the car, it was very fun to drive, however I do feel that it is horribly underpowered, I understand it is a minivan, but I still want more power under the hood. I've been thinking about getting one and throwing a turbo on it, but I'm worried about the trans holding up. 200hp to the wheels would be satisfying for me in this type of car.

 

[raspykart]

I've noticed the 2010 5at is punchier than the 2007 4at was, either one was sufficient for our needs... I like the power trade off for the gas mileage. If you drive it right, its fun and snappy... and this coming from an ex 350hp FC owner and F125 shifter kart owner.

 

[chief_wiggum]

Chief - just dive in. Your wife will absolutely love the added room over a campact SUV. She'll also love that it drives/rides like a car. Oh, and my MT gets 23-24 mpg stoplight-to-stoplight. The new AT is supposed to be even more efficient than the 06 MT, so consider that drop in fuel bills too. Overall, this vehicle's been great for us and I Cannot offer better testimonial than I have!

I can't even get 23-24 on the hwy in the CR-V!

More power would always be more fun, but our family has never had trouble keeping up with traffic. Only time that the lack of power was evident was driving through the Rockies with 6 passengers and luggage.

I'd like more torque because mostly I find that it lacks for power when I accelerate from a rest and when going uphill.

Our 08 5AT has adequate power. I've only felt a need for more power when the car was seriously loaded down. Usually I have 1-4 people in the car and it seems fine. I think the extra gear in the 08 makes a difference. I drove 06-07 models with the auto and they felt a little underpowered, as the ratio change from third to fourth is pretty big on those models.

Good points, thanks -- maybe I'm too hung up on the reviews citing the car is underpowered.

I have been thinking of getting one of these to accompany my ms3 as well. I had a grand touring for about a month with the 5sp auto. I loved the car, it was very fun to drive, however I do feel that it is horribly underpowered, I understand it is a minivan, but I still want more power under the hood.

most cars seem underpowered after driving a MS3!

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

 

[DKaz]

My 5 is powerful enough that I enjoy driving it, I accelerate like a grandma anyway to save gas so it's not like I'm missing out on power. If I had an MS3 or something, I fear I would one day get in trouble for street racing. I don't need that temptation.