2012 Mazda5

[coolmazda5]

Didn't the Popular Package get cancelled for 2009 MY?

No, the Popular Package (1PE) was available for the Sports from 2006 to the 2010 MY, but since the 2008 MY it became only available for the Sport with AT, not the MT one (officially, but mine came with it, possibly a hiccup)...

My defunct 2006 also had the 1PE, but that was normally available for AT and MT regardless...

 

[5zoom]

Drove a 2012 touring today w the moonroof/6disk CD option package and had the opportunity to compare it to my 08 5AT with 68k on it.

Pros:

You can feel the extra torque of the motor
it feels more upscale/interior materials are better
Its a little quieter as well as speed
trip computer
bluetooth on the touring model now
It seems to be slightly taller geared, as the RPM's were a bit lower at speed
It looks better in person, particularly in a dark color, than in print/on a computer screen
The info screen is canted towards the driver
The area above that glovebox might hold a pen or two now the way its curved

Negatives:

You still can't fold the left center seat with the tray in position
No bluetooth on sport model
No coolant gauge and a digital fuel gauge
Still has only 3 digits in the trip odometer, which makes it useless for tracking service intervals(like oil changes)
The interior felt a bit tighter/smaller. I don't know why, but my 08 feels roomier from behind the drivers seat.
Still no switch that allows the driver to turn on the middle/rear interior light
No glasses holder/watch the kid mirror. There is a perfect spot for one behind the maplights/sunroof controls
I'm still not thrilled about the styling.
No accessory plug in the center console/cover for the console like on the 06-07 models
I'd take the 16" tires on the sport over the 17's on the others for replacement cost purposes.
The rear fan vents are still on the floor, not in the ceiling/sides where they would be more effective.

I feel like Mazda needs to do a better job listening to those of us that have owned the van. Its not better enough for me to want to trade in my 08 anytime soon. The dealer was really interested in my 08 for trade in, as they have people coming in looking for them used.

 

[volvovod]

It looks better in person, particularly in a dark color, than in print/on a computer screen.

I second this. I am writing this as I sit in the dealership service department waiting for th fuel pump recall work to be finished. (Why did Mazda corporation decide to be so cheap??? They should have paid for the car rental!!!) In any case, I spent sometime walking around grey 2012 Touring model in the showroom. It does not look so bad in person! In fact (I thought I would never say that after seeing all these photos on the web), I like the way it looks. The ridges on the body are almost invisible and I do like the new rear gate. Yes, it does look a bit like a typical minivan, but hey - it is a minivan (no matter what you guys say). As long as it drives at least as well as my 2009 (and the reports say it does) - I'd take it (in a few years).

 

[chief_wiggum]

I second this. I am writing this as I sit in the dealership service department waiting for th fuel pump recall work to be finished. (Why did Mazda corporation decide to be so cheap??? They should have paid for the car rental!!!) In any case, I spent sometime walking around grey 2012 Touring model in the showroom. It does not look so bad in person! In fact (I thought I would never say that after seeing all these photos on the web), I like the way it looks. The ridges on the body are almost invisible and I do like the new rear gate. Yes, it does look a bit like a typical minivan, but hey - it is a minivan (no matter what you guys say). As long as it drives at least as well as my 2009 (and the reports say it does) - I'd take it (in a few years).

I agree; looked at a silver one while waiting for an oil change on my MS3. However, I have no regrets getting my 2010. How long did the recall work take?

 

[volvovod]

I agree; looked at a silver one while waiting for an oil change on my MS3. However, I have no regrets getting my 2010. How long did the recall work take?

Three hours including oil change...

 

[strictlys]

Where can you buy the rear spoiler online? Let me know my wife would want one too!

 

[5zoom]

One more thing I think they should add is a fold flat passenger seat. Right now I can get an 8 foot table inside, but it would be a lot easier if the front passenger seat folded flat.

 

[coolmazda5]

Where can you buy the rear spoiler online? Let me know my wife would want one too!

I haven't seen it anywhere yet, but should be available sometime soon I guess in places like this:

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

my best friend just picked up a atx 2012 5 last month. was the 1st one on the lot. not a bad car. but i def preferred the styling of the earlier 5's. interior did seem much nicer then the older version though

 

[twintrbo]

One more thing I think they should add is a fold flat passenger seat. Right now I can get an 8 foot table inside, but it would be a lot easier if the front passenger seat folded flat.

I had that on a Pontiac Vibe rental car, it was really nice. My wife was in the back with our one child and it made a nice table for me in front and it opened up the view for her as well.

 

[coolmazda5]

One more thing I think they should add is a fold flat passenger seat. Right now I can get an 8 foot table inside, but it would be a lot easier if the front passenger seat folded flat.

I had that on a Pontiac Vibe rental car, it was really nice. My wife was in the back with our one child and it made a nice table for me in front and it opened up the view for her as well.

Clever

 

[twintrbo]

Clever

If you'll notice, there are tie down points for cargo as well. I think thats what the track is on the back of the seats too, the points slide and lock for various size items.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Not sure if this has been posted amongst all the pages but this article from USA Today has some good feedback. USA Today is an unlikely source for automotive info but I like the author's review/opinion, which I find very much in line with me for the 2012. It does not have much technical specs. Then again, the car is now available so go test drive one yourself!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2011-01-06-2012-mazda5-review_N.htm

 

[twintrbo]

Just swung by the dealer to look at the 12'. I swear they dont really want to sell one. It was outside, sport model, in that light green color. It just blended in with all the other vehicles and unless you knew what it was, it would go unnoticed. Sad, considering its their newest model. I told the guy I was just looking since I just got mine and he didn't even offer to open it for me. Once he realized there really was no way I was buying, he excused himself and went inside to the empty showroom. So I checked and it had been left open, lucky me! So I went about my business without being disturbed lol.

I think the seats are more comfortable, the fronts seem more supportive for sure and the others feel softer too.
I dont like the light interior since its just the seats and there is a black console and carpet now. It might show less dirt but it looks wrong.
The center stack looks way more tech but it looks harder to learn too. The previous one is idiot proof.
The car wasn't on but the new info display looked pretty small and far away now.
I do like the controls on the steering wheel, much nicer execution.

I agree with a lot of the others, nice upgrades, but as a whole not enough to make me wish I waited for it. I think this will be a 2 year model and then a redesign as Mazda brings its new design language to market. Maybe if we get the sky engines by then, it will be worth upgrading.

 

[ryu888]

Finally picked up my new M5 yesterday: White, 6MT GT Canadian model w/o the luxury package. Just drove it home and to work today and here are my initial impressions:

Goods
+ very quiet cabin
+ smooth shifter
+ bluetooth works very nicely; I could play mp3s from my phone and control the tracks from the steering wheel
+ auto lights, auto wipers, auto climate control
+ seats are very comfortable, plenty legroom (though I'm quite slim and only 5'7)
+ controls on steering wheel are well thought out

Not so goods
- Reverse gear not where I thought it would be, but just takes getting use to
- nothing else so far

This is my first Mazda so unlike most of you, I don't have a frame of reference to compare to the 2010 M5 model. As for the styling, I didn't like or hate it from seeing the photos but definitely looks nicer in person, IMO. A friend went with me to pick up the car and he commented how he really liked the styling, especially the waves (seriously).

BTW my M5 came with Bridgestone all season rubbers.

 

[coolmazda5]

A friend went with me to pick up the car and he commented how he really liked the styling, especially the waves (seriously).

(freak)

BTW my M5 came with Bridgestone all season rubbers.

Interesting, I'd think Yokohamas like the Mazda3 out of all options. All the ones I've seen here (south of your border) have the Toyo Crapxes

 

[doctorz]

saw a 2012 at the dealer today. I didn't drive it, but I agree with earlier posts: there's nothing in it that would make me want to upgrade. The size and functionality is the same, except for the extra armrests that already come in the '08s and admittedly would be nice to have in '06. I did think the middle row was smaller, though.

 

[Gil Elvgren]

My wife and I are currently shopping for a new Mazda 5. I am trying to talk her into a '10 instead of the '12 since all the aftermarket accessories are made for the '10. Of course, she likes the '12 better so I will be watching for the release of such items as the WeatherTech floor and cargo mats. Looks like we will be pulling the trigger on a '12 GT soon.

I want to thank everyone on this forum as I used a lot of information and insight to put the 5 on the top of our list.

Thanks, Gil

 

[twintrbo]

I am trying to talk her into a '10 instead of the '12 since all the aftermarket accessories are made for the '10. Of course, she likes the '12 better so I will be watching for the release of such items as the WeatherTech floor and cargo mats.

Good luck trying to sell the 2 year old model to your wife lol On the plus side, the 12 will still sound like you just bought it for the next 2 years. FWIW I think the mats would be identical since the floorpan hasn't changed. The roof didn't change either so the racks should still fit and I dont think Weathertech has an exact fit cargo mat for any year 5. Enjoy your purchase!

 

[SuperJETT]

My wife and I dropped off our 08 for some warranty work this afternoon and saw a 2012 on the lot plus one on the way home. We both really like it, looks much different in person than in pics, the waves on the sides are subtle but give it character.