2008 Mazda5: SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES!!!!

[rotorbaru]

35 hwy MPG is a bit optimistic with a 2.3L, no DISI and auto.

JDM Premacy 2WD:

2.3L 4-AT: 11.2 Km/L (US 26 MPG)
2.0L DISI 4-AT: 14 (32.5)
2.0L DISI 5-MT: 15 (34.8)

By comparison JDM Honda Stream (2.0L 5-AT) gets 14.8 Km/L (34.3 MPG)

It is interesting the 5sp AT increase mileage by 2, I hope we see the same here for the 08 model year. I also hope we get a 2.3 DISI, the motor is the same as the 2.0 except with a longer stroke.

 

[AIMWO4]

Usually..

... i get about 80-90 miles per 1/4 tank reading. I did a little highway driving yesterday, and got about 120 miles between readings. I was flying from Denver to Colorado Springs at about 80 MPH in most places. (freak)

 

[Revenant]

If they go through with all those changes, I'll definitely consider getting one when I get back from overseas in 2009. My main issue has always been the lack of rear a/c. The az heat is too much for it.

 

[britvan]

Anyone have a rough idea on when these will hit the US and Canada ?

I'm in market for a new vehicle but the 4 speed AT is keeping me from considering the Mazda 5.

Thanks

 

[Antoine]

I'm pretty sure this Forum has a little something to do with some of the "sudden" updates for '08...Mazda is known to check out these Forums to see what you guys think...especially in regards to recent additions to the lineup like the Mazda5

On the plus side...I think the current Mazda5 rocks so the '08 is going to be that much better! (thumb) plus all you "1.0" guys can add the "updates" as mods!

 

[atito]

Do you think that the new touch screen nav will be compatible in the 2007's? if so that might be something i will have to get. or is the car gonna look completely different inside and out.

 

[changsta]

awwww this sucks! basically everything that annoyed me about my 2006 GT has been adressed for 2008.... but there's no way i'd lose so much money to trade up. I wish they had the 2008's changes from the get go

what i wonder is if they have finally fixed the suspension groaning in cold weather!

 

[Whidbeyone]

Sure, the rear sliding doors on the Mazda5 are easy to open and may not require power but for those who want/need it why doesn't Mazda offer this option, so popular in the Japanese market, in the North American market for those willing to pay and wait for it? Are the marketing boys waiting for the end of the model run as a last-ditch enticement or what?

 

[AIMWO4]

Who needs power sliding doors? If it's that big of an issue, get a Honda.

Sure, the rear sliding doors on the Mazda5 are easy to open and may not require power but for those who want/need it why doesn't Mazda offer this option, so popular in the Japanese market, in the North American market for those willing to pay and wait for it? Are the marketing boys waiting for the end of the model run as a last-ditch enticement or what?

 

[07MZ5SA]

Open/close MZ5's sliding door is comparable to similar size hinged doors. There's no need for power feature.

 

[psychoart]

Well, it's about time. I'm 95% sure that I'll be getting an 08 "Premacy" GT (Mazda5) in the US for my wife/family.

Now, I'll have to upgrade my "Axela" SP23. I'd love to get a Miata, or a new RX-8 in 2009 for myself (no rear LED yet?). But I'm thinking diesel and awd. Hopefully, Mazda will have something against the new Impreza WRX hatchback that is rumored to have a diesel in 2009.

 

[doctorz]

Sure, the rear sliding doors on the Mazda5 are easy to open and may not require power but for those who want/need it why doesn't Mazda offer this option, so popular in the Japanese market, in the North American market for those willing to pay and wait for it?

My guess is that it's a price issue. Load up the 5 with features and the price closes in on Odyssey/Sienna et al, not a good idea in the NA market where size and price go hand in hand.

Power doors are nice to have--we had 'em in our MPV--but we're fine without them. Every now and then my seven year old complains about opening the sliding door uphill, but that's it.

 

[opus]

My guess is that it's a price issue. Load up the 5 with features and the price closes in on Odyssey/Sienna et al, not a good idea in the NA market where size and price go hand in hand.

Power doors are nice to have--we had 'em in our MPV--but we're fine without them. Every now and then my seven year old complains about opening the sliding door uphill, but that's it.

I couldn't agree more. In some ways, it is just another component that may break down the road, and I am sure it would not be inexpensive to repair. It really is unnecessary considering how easily the 5's doors slide open anyways. Also, I always seem to forget when doors are power operated that you have to push the button to close them, rather than just doing the natural "grab the handle and pull" motion of non power doors. Everything said if there was the choice between power doors, or Electronic Stability Control, I would take the ESC as a new option in a heartbeat.

 

[HotRodSaint]

And don't forget that power sliding doors adds additional weight which effects performance and fuel efficiency.

 

[AIMWO4]

My 6-year old

My 6-year old has no problem with them.

My guess is that it's a price issue. Load up the 5 with features and the price closes in on Odyssey/Sienna et al, not a good idea in the NA market where size and price go hand in hand.

Power doors are nice to have--we had 'em in our MPV--but we're fine without them. Every now and then my seven year old complains about opening the sliding door uphill, but that's it.

 

[doctorz]

opus, regarding reliability of power doors, we did have one problem with our MPV. My wife called me at work in the middle of January because the driver side power door would start to close, beep, and reverse, and needless to say she was rather upset. She was able to close the door--with some coaching--by shutting the power doors off and closing the door manually. Turns out a piece of trim we couldn't see worked itself loose and partly blocked the track.

Regarding the operation, though, you could activate the power doors by pulling on the door handles. It was rather well executed, but I do think it's also something extra to break. Pulling the doors manually was not particularly easy on the MPV.

AIMW04, my seven year old is usually okay with the 5's sliding doors. I think some times when she says she has trouble, she's just whining, which I bet your six year old NEVER does.

 

[coolmazda5]

opus, regarding reliability of power doors, we did have one problem with our MPV. My wife called me at work in the middle of January because the driver side power door would start to close, beep, and reverse, and needless to say she was rather upset. She was able to close the door--with some coaching--by shutting the power doors off and closing the door manually. Turns out a piece of trim we couldn't see worked itself loose and partly blocked the track.

Regarding the operation, though, you could activate the power doors by pulling on the door handles. It was rather well executed, but I do think it's also something extra to break. Pulling the doors manually was not particularly easy on the MPV.

LOL (but not at your case though, wife and kid are my concern for this as well). That reminded me that once we were taking a stroll in the neighborhood and a show-off neighbor (all family on-board) had his Ford Windstar w/ the right power sliding door fully open obstructing in the middle of the curb. When he saw us walking towards him he pressed the close "button" (or whatever it is) so they could move out of the way. The power door started nicely sliding to a close, but on its final step some crap happened and started making a squeeky noise, bouncing back open. A 2nd try and the same failure. Finally one of his kids needed to get out through the "other" sliding door and close it manually making a big "tunk" noise. All this with us watching the show with a big grin . At the end wife asked: Do we need that?

 

[AIMWO4]

I think he enjoys "being a grown up" by doing everything himself. He had a terrible time trying to open up the Saab wagon rear doors.

AIMW04, my seven year old is usually okay with the 5's sliding doors. I think some times when she says she has trouble, she's just whining, which I bet your six year old NEVER does.

 

[Whidbeyone]

Nobody "needs" power doors any more than they need AWD. The point is that, shortly after the 5 was released, Mazda proudly announced that 70% of the Japanese home market chose power doors as an option. Why don't we have that choice?

 

[HotRodSaint]

Nobody "needs" power doors any more than they need AWD.

One could easily argue that AWD is a safety feature.

It would be much harder to argue that power doors are a safety feature.