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You're replacing the CX-5 with another vehicle right? If so, investigate how the sales tax would be computed on the car you're buying, depending on whether you trade your car in or not. In many (most) states, it is almost always advantageous to trade when the trade-in is of significant value...

One of my cars (not a Mazda) often sits a week (or two) out of every month. Been like that for several years. Not the slightest problem. - Mark

Most publications don't think aftermarket rust proofing does any good and some think it actually does harm. I think the best you can do is frequent washing, working as you are doing to try and hit the undercarriage and wheel wheels. With a modern car and frequent washings, I'd be surprised if...

Most new cars these days have some prediction software that tries to sense if the driver needs engine braking when going downhill to save the brakes from excess wear and overheating. I think they look at how the throttle/brakes have been used and possibly the incline. On my VW, it will...

Could be a lot of things - more cooling margins, larger brakes, stiffer springs, etc. Need to have the car get in tester's hands to know more. Turbo to diesel, the diesel does do somewhat better (28 combined vs. 24) which could add up to be significant if you drive a lot of miles. Of course...

Looks like port shipping damage/repair to me. There is some rule about when repairs have to be disclosed to customer, something like >$750. I'd pursue with the dealer to get a goodwill repair. - Mark

I would lean that way, but my wife really doesn't like the styling and how hard it is to get in/out. I'm ok with the creased styling and don't notice getting in/out being much different. Most of the road tests of the Rav4 say the interior is pretty spacious, but it just doesn't "fit" my wife...

Yeah, if I was to get the Rav4, it would be the XSE. It seemed a little faster than the CX-5 turbo to me, but that may have something to do with the way it accelerates initially with the electric torque. I think one road test said they were about the same 0-60. Toyota hybrid systems have been...

I'm sorta in the market, so I test drove a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid in XLE trim back-to-back with ah 2019 CX-5 GT-R. I have to be honest and say I was more impressed with the Toyota drivetrain - the hybrid setup just seemed smoother and more refined with a little more power when you really romped on...

Most cars get their absolute best mileage in the range of a steady 40-45 mph. This is the "crossover point" where the increase in drag overcomes the inherent losses of the engine running at very low power levels. It's also the point where most cars will shift to their highest gear and you want...

With red, I'd worry less about it chipping and more about it fading and becoming dull due to sun exposure. By the physics of light reflection and absorption, red cars are the most susceptible to sun fading. If you wax regularly and routinely garage your car, it's not much of an issue, but I'd...

The criticisms about the price seem a little harsh to me. Given the the diesel only comes in top-level signature trim, the premium for the diesel is about $4K above the gasoline signature trim 2.5t. This isn't totally out of line - in all vehicles where you can get the save basic vehicle with...

2016. As I said, it has been flawless in 25K. I'll probably sell it before the end of warranty. I'm driving it more out of convenience than choice, although it is a nice driving car that gets exceptional fuel mileage. - Mark

Yeah, I'm not thrilled by VW reliability also, but it's a mixed bag.... some models have big issues, but others are more/less Okay. I'm currently driving a Jetta (not by choice - I inherited it from my daughter who wanted to get out from under car payments) and it has been flawless in 25K...

As you mention, I think we're looking at a pricing anomaly as Mazda attempts to move each of their models successively upscale into the gap between mainstream Japanese car pricing (e.g., Honda, Toyota, Nissan) and near-luxury brands (Acura, Lexus, Audi). Whether this works out for them remains...

Back to why 85 is sold in high-altitude areas, as someone mentioned, for a normally-aspirated engine (i.e., no turbo or supercharger), the engine is essentially derated to 85% of so of its maximum power at 5K feet MSL simply by virtue of the thinner air at altitude. Since engine knock potential...

I have no hard data but Id be flabbergasted if the 6 and CX5 has the same seats given how different sedans are from crossovers in height and seating position. Seats are usually not very interchangeable between different models of cars. - Mark

I was a bit skeptical of the reports of dramatically different resale values for the CX-5 vs. Rav4, but for kicks I went to KBB and looked up average trade for a 2015 CX-5 and a 2015 Rav4, both with 100K miles, mid-level trims, and everything else being the same. I was surprised to get back...

To those who think the Miata has risen in price too much..... take the original (and wildly popular with long waiting lists) Miata's $14K base price in 1990 and convert to 2018 $ and you get about $26K. Guess what the base price is of a new 2019 Miata? About $26K. And you're getting a hell of...

I agree with the consensus that it doesn't really matter, but the habit of doing an orderly shutdown so that the vehicle is in a known/stable configuration on restart is engrained in me from thousands of hours of flying a variety of aircraft which all have shutdown checklists. And I still get...