I don't get it. I chose the CX-5 in part for it's generous suspension travel and ground clearance. Any automotive engineer can tell you Mazda could have saved money by giving us less ground clearance and less suspension travel to begin with. But then the ride suffers and the car loses it's advantage when it comes to crossing flooded steets or washes. Also it's abilty to get through washouts, mudslides and abrupt driveways. I have to assume you all live where snow doesn't happen and heavy rain is an unknown concept. I can't count the number of times I've had to shovel the deeper parts of a snowdrift just to get where I was going (not to mention a long driveway). Loosing even 1 1/2" of ground clearance would dramatically lengthen the amount of roadway I would need to shovel just to get where I was going. I guess there are never any floods or creeks that spill over onto the roadway in some parts of the world? I once wasted an entire day because my friends Saab sucked water and totalled the engine in a measly 5" of flood water. Granted, even a lowered CX-5 could have got through under those circumstances but who knows how deep the flood water is? It's generally hard to tell where the deepest part is.
If there was a medical emergency in these conditions I would want to get through even more. Yes, I have a F-150 4x4 that could go even deeper than the CX-5 but who knows which vehicle I'll be in when I need it? The F-150 only gets 18 mpg. I guess I don't get why someone would pay extra for generous ground clearance and excellent suspension travel and then pay more yet to get rid of these advantages. If it comes down to cornering performance then why did you buy a crossover SUV? And if it comes down to looks, why didn't you get a car that was lower to begin with? It's your car and your money so do what you want, I just have to wonder why anyone would want to.
This has never been the case for me. I've been driving lowered cars, in the winter mind you, for years and its never much of a problem. Where i drive the roads and lots are paved. Besides, to me, lowering the cx-5 would still leave plenty of ground clearance for every day travels even in in-climate weather. But where you are sounds like it may not be such a good idea. A lowered vehicle certainly has its limitations.
I was figuring "i think we can all agree this platform needs a drop" meant all that want it lowered can agree that it needs a drop. Otherwise I'd say it is a small percentage that want it dropped.
The ground clearance was a huge factor in my choosing the CX5.
There are plenty of lower riding options available but what peaked my interest was getting the ride height and good mpg and good handling.
To each their own but to me it is a bit like buying a Miata and then going "this thing needs a lift kit"
You figured right. As i was addressing only those interested in lowering they're cx-5. While you have a point that lowering an suv may be as silly as raising a miata, I feel there's room for improvement. In handling as well as the aesthetic of the cars stance, while leaving plenty of suspension travel and ground clearance with little penalty in the way of ride harshness.
I wanted a wagon, but all my options were either over priced or ugly (Subaru Forester & VW Jetta wagon), and the wife said the Skyactiv Mazda3 was too small for future baby hauling. I actually didn't want an SUV, but this was the least suv-like vehicle that my wife and family approved of me buying. I want a lower ride height for easier kayak loading on the roof rack, better hwy fuel economy, and style... in that order of descending importance.
Plus I live in Florida, if the water is deep enough for 2" drop to make a difference I shouldn't be driving through it!
That is another good point about a lowered car.
Its definitely not for every one. I started this thread to gauge interest of those who wish to alter the factory setup.
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