My first foray into the Mazda world
- Thread starter OMG Lumens
- Start date
FWIW a simple turbo kit would bring it to life fairly cheaply. Get an OEM turbo manifold and a small turbo, run it at low boost and it could make an easy 40 hp without stressing anything. You dont even have to bother with an intercooler if you have modest goals. Of course its a good idea, but not essential. You could probably get it all done for less than $3000 too.
That being said, for the weight of the 5 and its rated capacity, it should have at least 170 HP/TQ. I dont think it would hurt the EPA ratings much and it could be had by minor upgrades to intake, exhaust and fuel tuning.
That being said, for the weight of the 5 and its rated capacity, it should have at least 170 HP/TQ. I dont think it would hurt the EPA ratings much and it could be had by minor upgrades to intake, exhaust and fuel tuning.
Wishmaster
Member
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- 07 Galaxy Gray AT Mazda5 GT
Not the same... with the new style, it's just another SUV.... this is what I was talking about.
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Are you talking about aesthetics? The XT in the photo you posted has hood scoop (as does the new one), different wheels and a lip? The new one is really tall though, I'll give you that.
Wishmaster
Member
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- 07 Galaxy Gray AT Mazda5 GT
They're basically completely different vehicles. The new one is an SUV with SUV-like handling.
The previous generation was more like a slightly taller, longer wagon-like vehicle that wasn't like any other vehicle on the market, it fit a niche (sound familiar... Mazda5 maybe??).
And so, I'm repeating myself now, it would be great if Mazda would take the MP3 engine and toss it into the MP5 as an option, a sort of mazdaspeed5, so that we could have this great niche vehicle that already drives and handles much better than it closest competitors (other vans, SUV's), but all hotted up. Very similar to what Subaru did with the Forester and WRX. Yes the new XT does have the WRX engine, but in its current guise all that allows it to do is go fast in a straight line.
What he means is slightly skewed by what the Forester XT used to be vs. what it is now. To understand, think of the old XT as an STI model of the new one. It was not just an engine package, it was a performance package for the whole car.
That being said, the new Forester would be in my driveway if it had a third row. It may be classified as an SUV but its still not as far as driving dynamics. Once my kids are old enough to not need mom to sit with them, I will be looking at the newest Forester. Its not wagon enough to turn off my wife and not SUV enough to turn me away. We had all but decided it would be our next car til we realized how hard it is to have a rear facing infant in the back and not be able to get to her. The all weather capability and potential to drive it onto the beach occasionally is what I truly wanted. Then again, aging Grandparents may mean an AWD Sienna is in the future instead..... Sigh...........(dunno)
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- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
Welcome
It does, it is a lot of fun, stick shift is not just about more power, it is about more man-machine interaction IMO. The RPM-to-Gear ratio is nice too. While it would be cool to have tons of torque, I don't see it as a must, especially when heading to "Target" or to the soccer practice
It is all about costs
Not for many of us, the car dynamics are great, just drive any other similar priced car (i.e. a Rondo V6 or a base Dodge Caravan). More power, but boring as hell. To me that is the Zoom-Zoom side of it...
STI? Somebody got the idea and the car looks great, I think it is more of the off-road suspension that makes it look bad, not the design itself
Convenience is king, I bought the first one for wife, and I then learned to appreciate it so bad I got one for myself
It does, it is a lot of fun, stick shift is not just about more power, it is about more man-machine interaction IMO. The RPM-to-Gear ratio is nice too. While it would be cool to have tons of torque, I don't see it as a must, especially when heading to "Target" or to the soccer practice
It is all about costs
Not for many of us, the car dynamics are great, just drive any other similar priced car (i.e. a Rondo V6 or a base Dodge Caravan). More power, but boring as hell. To me that is the Zoom-Zoom side of it...
STI? Somebody got the idea and the car looks great, I think it is more of the off-road suspension that makes it look bad, not the design itself
Convenience is king, I bought the first one for wife, and I then learned to appreciate it so bad I got one for myself
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The Mazda5 with the MT is adequate, not fast, I couldn't imaging driving the automatic! The zoom zoom really comes from the handling department... my stock Mazda 5 handles better than my 2008 lowered with wider tires Corolla.
BTW I never thought of much about Saab before either until I drove one. A true drivers' car marred only by its ugly looks 20 years ago. The timeless cockpit just somehow works and it's truly a great balance of power and handling. Thankfully GM did not hold on to Saab long enough to ruin it too much. Let's hope that Spyker returns Saab to its old faithful and keeps it that way.
Definitely not a knock at Mazda, they're the ones who brought the drivers' cars to the masses, and I'd be reluctant to give up my 5 for its balance between fun to drive and family practicality, but don't knock a Saab until you drive one.
BTW I never thought of much about Saab before either until I drove one. A true drivers' car marred only by its ugly looks 20 years ago. The timeless cockpit just somehow works and it's truly a great balance of power and handling. Thankfully GM did not hold on to Saab long enough to ruin it too much. Let's hope that Spyker returns Saab to its old faithful and keeps it that way.
Definitely not a knock at Mazda, they're the ones who brought the drivers' cars to the masses, and I'd be reluctant to give up my 5 for its balance between fun to drive and family practicality, but don't knock a Saab until you drive one.
Silver Ecstasy
Member
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- 11 MS3 Sport
Congrats!! Now buy an OEM ms3 rear sway bar!!
Whoa never heard of that! Does that decrease body roll??
chief_wiggum
Member
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- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3-2010 Mazda5 GT
I wonder if my wife would notice; i've got one laying around since I swapped it out for a Cobb unit on my MS3.....
Highly doubt it.
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- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
That and the MS3 springs. It makes a difference. Another good thing about the platform sharing and owning a Mazda3 sibling...
I don't know about the MS3 front springs though... I've come to a bit of a conclusion that the reason that the Mazda 5 and regular Mazda 3 get the California drag effect (back end gets lowered a lot, front end not so much) is because the front end of the MS3 is heavier than the M3 and M5's front end. Add that the M5's back end is probably heavier than the MS3's back end. I think the Mazda 3's aftermarket springs (see reputable names like H&R and Eibach) would be best for the Mazda 5, or better yet get coilovers.
Silver Ecstasy
Member
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- 11 MS3 Sport
It makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE! Ask Mazdaspeedster3, he owns a MS3 and a MZ5 and we swapped the MS3 sway bar on the MZ5 after he got the Cobb RSB. That car totally transformed after that!
chief_wiggum
Member
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- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3-2010 Mazda5 GT
that seals it; my next mod!
FWIW there are tons for sale on the MS3 and regular 3 Marketplace. I just looked myself I think its possible to get one for under $100 shipped. Damn, I wish I wasn't so honest with my wife about stuff, I would have bought one already instead of even asking about it. Since its her car I have to ask, how can I put a spin on it so she thinks its essential............?
I think its possible to get one for under $100 shipped. Damn, I wish I wasn't so honest with my wife about stuff, I would have bought one already instead of even asking about it. Since its her car I have to ask, how can I put a spin on it so she thinks its essential............?chief_wiggum
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3-2010 Mazda5 GT
FWIW there are tons for sale on the MS3 and regular 3 Marketplace. I just looked myself
Luckily, I have one sitting in my basement!
Def let me know how it feels, I'm dying to do this one! I hear its great with no ride penalty, so if you confirm it, I might have to sneak it somehow
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