New to the forum, anybody have a 2012 they want to tell me about?

[shelf3]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and here to introduce myself, just contacted the dealer yesterday and asked him to find me a 2012 GT - Silver. Haven't asked him to get one here, but about to once my current car sells (most likely this week based on interest)

I've pretty much made up my mind, but here are some thoughts on my concerns with buying one, maybe some new owners can give some comments.

Styling:
Wow, is the styling ever polarizing, people hate it or like it, I have grown to like it more and more (and in person like it a lot more) Same was true when the smiley face Mazda3s came out, I remember laughing at them in the show room, now they seem normal and are a favorite for many of my friends and coworkers.

I test drove one day with a load of engineers (I am too) after the test drive we were checking out the motor, exterior, etc. and I made a comment on how the waves weren't as bad as I expected... one said "what waves? It seem the lighting makes a huge difference in how much they stand out.

Front seat Room:
There is already a thread on this, but I have a little to add, I felt a little cramped when driving, but I think it may be I feel that way because I'm usually driving a laid back sedan, am I wrong to think it's more the different seating position that has me feeling cramped?

Power:
Should be better than the last one, I know some have upgraded from an earlier model, what are your impressions?

Bluetooth Audio:
Does it support streaming from a smart phone, the Mazda website doesn't have the details, but since there is no USB, and the ipod integration seems to be a little odd (based on what I've read with the older models). Some reviews have stated it does, anyone know? I have an iphone 3g (don't think this supports streaming), but I'm about to upgrade to the 4g in the next few months.

Dislikes or unexpected items:
This one is really important to me since I may buy in the next few weeks.

Thanks, and looking forward to being a Mazda owning member soon! (guitar)

 

[strictlys]

I traded my Mazda 3 2010 for this since we have a 3 month year old. We were not looking to purchase. We had our eyes set on a Acura MDX, but financially the Mazda 5 was a good buy for us. We were just taking a look since I seen a nice deal on a CX7, but it was very small for us and I could not get in comfortable.

We purchase our 12 Mazda 5 Sport

The seats are ok, but I do wish you can move a little more further back or have the steering wheel adjust in or out.
(We are getting custom Leather from the dealer in a week)

Bluetooth audio... I actually have the base model. I use my headset.

Kind of regret not getting the touring/ Grand Touring
Side skirts, Fog lights, leather and rear spoiler+++ I didn't care for the side skirts of spoiler, but after viewing others with it... BIG REGRET!

I wish it had more then one DC port in front.

Only problem I have.. just purchase last week. 500 miles on it already bought it with 3 miles.

Keyless entry won't arm or unlock all the doors intermittently. I set a appointment for my heated seats, leather and sunroof for next week.
Re-Program the system and seems to still have the problem.

Stupid low coolant light keeps turning on, but the dealer told me, Its a sensor that says your car isn't warmed up yet and fuel economy. The manual states its low, but i tried the other ones that are on the lot... Full of coolant and shows that for a few minutes.

Its sorta late for me, been at work all day. Excuse me for the bad grammar and jumping around.

We like it, saves gas, insurance is cheaper, fits everything we need.
We even got tints done to it already.

 

[shelf3]

Thanks strictlys for the reply, as you put more miles on it let me know if anything stands out. A few more questions/commnets for you or others.

1) strictlys how tall are you?
2) Window tinting: Does anyone know if the GT trim comes with window tinting? I asked the dealer, but haven't heard back yet.

 

[flcruising]

...or have the steering wheel adjust in or out.

Did they remove that feature from the Sport or the 2012? Our '08 Touring has telescoping steering wheel.

Maybe you should try that again as Edmunds lists the Sport with that also - http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda5/

 

[strictlys]

flcrusing you are right it does have a telescoping steering wheel. (YOU LEARN THINGS EVERYDAY!)

i'm 5"10, but I commute a lot anywhere from 10 mins to 5 hours one way.
I didn't recall tints stock on the GT.

 

[ryu888]

Still waiting for my GT MT to arrive, hopefully it'll be here by end of the month. I test drove a white GT AT and my initial impressions were positive:

1. I'm 5'7" and slim so didn't have any issues with the front seats
2. Power was quite good even with 3 adults in the car
3. Handling was also very crisp with responsive steering
4. Must admit I wasn't keen on the waves when looking at pictures, but in person they were much less objectionable; my wife did not have any negative comments on the it and actually liked the overall styling
5. Inside cabin felt spacious enough, I had no problems sitting in the 3rd row seats -- but probably not the most comfortable for long rides

I chose the 5 because of its practicality; we needed something bigger than a compact sedan (with a 1yr old) but didn't want a big SUV or minivan. Since I'll be inside the car more often than outside, I'm less concerned about how it "looks" from the outside and by no means is the new 5 ugly IMHO.

 

[thaxman]

The front seating in the 5 is definitely "cockpitlike." Wonder if they do that to enhance the "Zoom-Zoominess." Anyway, I think there is more room there than appears to be. As you said, coming from a sedan (we had a early-90s Subie Legacy, mid-90s Accord and a big ol' Ram, so yeah, we were used to spacious-feeling dash areas and the 5, well, its more like being in an old 240Z, but not because there is no space, but because the ergo engineers took it all up!

 

[ljmattox]

Re: only one DC power outlet, I had that same lament, and posted this how-to on one solution a while back:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123769475-Glovebox-power-outlet(s)-install&p=5143006&highlight=#post5143006

 

[shelf3]

Well I've put about 600 miles on the car (total is just over 800, had to have the car transferred here from TN so that's where the other 200 came from). It may be a little early to give a full review but here goes...The bottom line, I'm loving it. Here's some of the details of my experience so far...

Best things (no specific order)
1. BT audio is great, I have an iphone and love how easy it is use and it sounds good too.
2. Versatility - my family is small, wife, 4 year old, and me, but today I got to use the back row as some friends traveled with us for a 30 mile trip, 5 of us total. Everyone was comfortable and had an enjoyable drive. I usually have the back row down and have used it for trips to Sam's Club already, works perfect. I got the cargo cover and net, the net works well when strapped to the floor, I slide everything under it so I don't have to listen to things move around. Cargo cover is nice too, give a very clean look.
3. Interior/Exterior styling, both are great, I say that as a former doubter on the exterior, but it has really grown on me, and my son likes it a bunch too (OK so the car appeals to 4 year olds, ha ha). When we go to a parking lot after shopping he is always looking for the smile to figure out which car is the "new one". The lines on the side have also grown on me, a good friend of mine summed it up by reminding me it's better than a flat door with no style. The interior is great on style, simple with the red piping and stitching in the seats, everyone that I've shown it to comments on how great the interior looks, and the comfort of the seats.
4. Auto sensing wipers/auto headlights, I never knew how cool it felt to be lazy, both work well and I haven't had any problems, on the way home tonight it started raining, I stopped at a light and a bunch of water on the roof came onto the windshield, both me and my buddy were amazed a how quickly the wipers adjusted both up and down to clear the excess water.
5. Controls, this counts as interior, but they really do seem to be in the right place for all the main controls.
6. BT Phone, this option is great and works really well, I've only programed about 6-7 numbers but it seems to recognize my voice really well for voice activated dialing, also great cause I feel like I have a conference all with my parents when we call so they can talk to all of us at the same time.
7. Handling, I love driving the car, the suspension is a little hard, but is worth it for the great response and fun level of driving, to me it's a great balance and leaves me wanting to drive more. It really feels like it's hugging the road around corners and with little to no body roll, for a car this tall, outstanding.
8. Power, this is the area I was the most concerned with, I went from a 200 hp sedan, and even waited for the 2012 model to come out to have the bigger engine. I don't drive around fully loaded a lot, but I have not had a situation where I felt I needed more power, as I've read in other posts the car drives so well it's easy to go over the speed limit and I've had that happen more than once.
9. Build Quality, a little early to tell, but so far feels really solid with no rattles, noises, etc. you wouldn't expect.
10. Glove box, man is it big, after getting all my paperwork together I put them in a file folder, when I picked up the car I was looking for a place to put all the paperwork until I got the new registration etc. Tried the storage under the second row, that was fine, then I thought about the glove box... the folder fit in there without folding it! I could put a text book in there with all the normal stuff and still have room! Side note storage under the second row= handy.
11. Space in the 2nd and 3rd rows is perfect for a little one to switch seats as people are added, my son can move back quickly and comfortably as we pick people up and there's room to move his booster seat without any hassle and without opening the doors.
12. Parking/U-turns... this one may be strange to some, but I'm coming from a long mid sized sedan, and it is great when I pull a u-turn (legally of course) or pull in a parking spot without having to plan ahead to pull in cleanly. It turns so well. This is 10 inches shorter than my old sedan, with a much shorter wheel base.

Well that's a pretty good "good" list.

OK, things that aren't as good as I would like (this is the short list, but the 1st one is the biggest)...
1. Front seat travel/leg room, I've found it to be comfortable when driving, but sometimes feel like being an additional 1/2 inch back would be a little better, the steering wheel adjustment is great and leg room is not bad, but when I have cruse on I usually put my legs in different positions, that's a little limited in this car. This also includes the center area around the shifter, my right knee has gotten sore leaning against this for extended lengths of time.
2. Lacks a cover over the center storage area in the front seat, I like a cover since it keeps it looking clean even when it may not be, but I also appreciate that I can put larger items in there that stick up and expand the storage (arm rest on the seat means I'm still comfy)
3. A few more drink holders would be nice for the second row, the fold out holder in the second row works well, but if it isn't out there isn't any option if you add drinks at a drive through without someone getting out to pull them from under the seat. (this one is a stretch but something I did notice)

Summary:
So based on my experiences so far I'm incredibly happy with my choice to buy this car/van/wagon/whatever, it's just good and fits our needs/wants really well. I recently rented a new Town and Country for a week at work, and although there were things that were nice (power doors, tons of storage everywhere/stow and go/drink holders/etc.) I missed my car after a few days, the driving experience is just that good. And a similarly equipped normal sized mini van would cost around $8000-12000 more, and be less fun to drive.

If anyone has any questions about the new model feel free to ask, I'm having a good time talking about this car!

 

[shelf3]

Side note, no tinting on the windows, but I'm hoping to fix that soon.

 

[shelf3]

I traded my Mazda 3 2010 for this since we have a 3 month year old. We were not looking to purchase. We had our eyes set on a Acura MDX, but financially the Mazda 5 was a good buy for us. We were just taking a look since I seen a nice deal on a CX7, but it was very small for us and I could not get in comfortable.

We purchase our 12 Mazda 5 Sport

The seats are ok, but I do wish you can move a little more further back or have the steering wheel adjust in or out.
(We are getting custom Leather from the dealer in a week)

Bluetooth audio... I actually have the base model. I use my headset.

Kind of regret not getting the touring/ Grand Touring
Side skirts, Fog lights, leather and rear spoiler+++ I didn't care for the side skirts of spoiler, but after viewing others with it... BIG REGRET!

I wish it had more then one DC port in front.

Only problem I have.. just purchase last week. 500 miles on it already bought it with 3 miles.

Keyless entry won't arm or unlock all the doors intermittently. I set a appointment for my heated seats, leather and sunroof for next week.
Re-Program the system and seems to still have the problem.

Stupid low coolant light keeps turning on, but the dealer told me, Its a sensor that says your car isn't warmed up yet and fuel economy. The manual states its low, but i tried the other ones that are on the lot... Full of coolant and shows that for a few minutes.

Its sorta late for me, been at work all day. Excuse me for the bad grammar and jumping around.

We like it, saves gas, insurance is cheaper, fits everything we need.
We even got tints done to it already.

Hey wanted to add something, you mentioned the intermittent working of the auto door locks, I've not had any problem opening mine, but I have had a small problem locking them. When you push the lock button the first time you can hear them lock, the second time the horn sounds, sometimes my horn would not sound, after a little investigation I found that when the horn didn't sound there was always a door not fully closed (usually a slider). There have been a lot of different people checking out my car, I think this is why this keeps happening, they are being a little to soft or slow on closing the sliding doors. My guess is that a little more speed is needed to overcome the weather stripping, I look at this as a positive thing 1) the weather stripping is probably a tad thick to keep out noise and 2) as I walk away from the car I know if all the doors are closed completely based on the horn not sounding when I push the lock button the second time.

 

[thaxman]

Hey wanted to add something, you mentioned the intermittent working of the auto door locks, I've not had any problem opening mine, but I have had a small problem locking them. When you push the lock button the first time you can hear them lock, the second time the horn sounds, sometimes my horn would not sound, after a little investigation I found that when the horn didn't sound there was always a door not fully closed (usually a slider). There have been a lot of different people checking out my car, I think this is why this keeps happening, they are being a little to soft or slow on closing the sliding doors. My guess is that a little more speed is needed to overcome the weather stripping, I look at this as a positive thing 1) the weather stripping is probably a tad thick to keep out noise and 2) as I walk away from the car I know if all the doors are closed completely based on the horn not sounding when I push the lock button the second time.

Yep, found that when the 4YO is the last one out, the door doesn't get closed all the way. I usually just click 1X & listen for the locks and look for the flash, but when she doesn't get it closed all the way, nothing happens. Also, when the door is ajar, the interior lights DON'T light back up when you open a door unless you go back & close all of them first.

 

[koosie]

you can check out my post of our new 2011 mazda 5.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123794564-2011-Mazda-5