2010 Mazda 5 Sport Vs Touring (which one should I buy)?

[Rockin03mp5]

i dont see a popular package on the mazda site anymore.

and... $900 bucks for an unpainted spoiler? wtf? sounds like the price for the whole liftgate.

 

[wmzda5]

I think it is the whole liftgate.

 

[wilkens21]

a quickie...have any you had the dealer put in the HID's and the LED tail lights btw on the Sport?

if so, about how much should I expect those upgrades to be (not including the price of the 5 itself I mean)?

 

[Heat]

The dealer's mechanics wouldn't be installing the ceiling DVD player, they would hire a local mobile electronics company to do. What you need to do is to call the local electronics companies (like Best Buy and whatever local install shops you have) and talk to them directly.

Or install it yourself, you can buy a nice one from Crutchfield for around $400, or the Alpine for about $700.

 

[x10dude]

This may sound weird but I'd say try an negotiate for both. The difference in MRSP might be $2975 but that might not be the difference in the final prices. It really depends on the dealers. Sometimes they are more motivated to get rid of Touring vs Sports or vice versa.
If the price difference is close to $3K then go for the sport. If it is considerably less the I'd say take a look at Touring.

 

[Spo]

that was my suggestion too. some players out there have 2 portable monitors as well. much cheaper than actual headrest monitors. i will probably be looking for some of them in the near future.

Just added 2 headrest DVD players to my 5 from a company on Ebay. Less than $220 if bought through their web site. Here is a link to my post with photos of the installed DVD players.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123786442-New-Mazda5-in-the-family

 

[rodslinger]

Go with the Sport instead... Rodslingers reasons why....

1. Halogen fog lights. They contribute next to nothing. Skip.
2. Power sliding-glass moonroof. - If you want it get the Touring. Don't hack the roof for an aftermarkeet unit.
3. Side sill extensions. - Part of PEP package for sport.
4. Rear liftgate spoiler. - See above
5. LED taillights. - Skip
6. Leather-wrapped steering wheel. - $100 from junkyard. Install in five minutes.
7. Leather-wrapped shift knob. - $25 rom junkyard. Install in five minutes.
8. In-dash 6-disc CD changer with 6 speakers. -You already get six speakers. If you want the 6CD it comes with PEP or you can get from a junkyard for $50.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

i still dont see this popular equipment package thing on the mazda website.

i see fog lights for 300 bucks, and the 6-disk changer for 500. (for the sport)

maybe it was an option in the past, but im not sure they are doing it now. maybe it is a dealer thing though?

 

[rodslinger]

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=MZ5

Open up the Options and Packages tree.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

ah thank you. i was trying to build one and didnt see it since the PEP is for auto trans only. oh well.

 

[king57721]

Go with the Sport instead... Rodslingers reasons why....

...
6. Leather-wrapped steering wheel. - $100 from junkyard. Install in five minutes.
7. Leather-wrapped shift knob. - $25 rom junkyard. Install in five minutes.
...

Really?! You want to put parts from a wracked car in your brand new car, and also take the chance of voiding the warranty because you disassembled the steering and the air-bag. You are brave!

Anyway, $3k different is around $50+tax per month if you are doing 5 yrs loan, max $2 per day. it is not that much different.

 

[rodslinger]

Wrecked from a junkyard doesn't mean old and busted. Could be a low mileage theft recovery, rear end collision, etc.. Mine came from a rear smashed 5 that had about 3k miles on it. Looked brand new and definately looks better than the plastic crap that was on there. Feels better too.

Mazda also can't void your warranty for changing the steering wheel unless the swap DIRECTLY caused the failure. I did the same swap on my 06 and the lighting on the steering wheel audio control actually went out about six months later. They warrantied it. No reason they shouldn't as it was installed correctly and is an OEM part.

If you are capable of doing the swap, do it. It was easier to change the steering wheel than it is to change the oil. I'd rather not spend the $3k on stuff I can do for $300. That leaves me more money for the stuff that matters.

 

[x10dude]

Anyway, $3k different is around $50+tax per month if you are doing 5 yrs loan, max $2 per day. it is not that much different.

Depends upon your perspective. $3K is a chunk of chainge in my eyes.

 

[DKaz]

If he evens needs a lot of that stuff. I find no difference in quality between the Mazda 5's leather wrapped steering wheel and my Corolla CE's plastic steering wheel, as the leather is stretched so thin it doesn't provide any noticeable increase in comfort except it doesn't get quite as hot in the summer.

 

[Heat]

i see ... the 6-disk changer for 500. (for the sport) ...

For the original poster, don't let the 6-disk CD changer make you choose the Touring. First, CD changers went obsolete about seven years ago, second the CD changer doesn't play .mp3s. The premium audio option is junk - the only reason to have it is if you must go with the OEM look because of crime in your area.

You can get a really nice aftermarket radio for under $200, one that plays .mp3s, supports iPods, has aux. input, a USB port (so you can plug in a flash drive with .mp3s), etc.

 

[DKaz]

Or plug in an iPod or other MP3 player to the auxiliary input. Or get an iPod connector for about $300ish, which is an option on every trim level anyway.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

or... get the aftermarket head unit for less, and sounds soooo much better! heck, for $300 bucks you could get a new head unit and new front speakers installed. pretty much anything aftermarket will sound better than the stock speakers. my 5 has the 6 disk changer, and it is ok, but my p5 is all aftermarket so im kinda biased.

 

[DKaz]

Will the steering wheel controls interface with an aftermarket unit though?

 

[thaxman]

Wise trim level choices are often dictated by length of ownership. Unfortunate for the 1st owner, but great for the subsequent owners, higher trim levels are money wasted in a short term purchase, since they depreciate more than the vehicle itself. If you are trying to minimize overall money spent on the vehicle, and plan to keep it less than 5 years, get the lowest trim level you can suffer with, but for long-termers, it is SOOO worth it to get the good stuff! I always buy used, and I always get higher trim levels for 2 reasons: the more expensive trim is a deal secondhand, and more importantly, people who spent more on their vehicle tend to take better care of it. Often, someone who can barely qualify gets sold a stripped out base model and they can't even afford oil changes once payments kick in.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Will the steering wheel controls interface with an aftermarket unit though?

you can get a module that will let them work... for additional money.

i had this issue with the wife. when im driving the 5, i never use the steering wheel controls because i can reach the stereo and there is limited control on the steering wheel. i asked her if she uses them, and she says she does all the time. to me, losing those controls is a non-issue, but obviously it is different for many others.