2008 Mazda5

starlightmica said:
opus said:
The JDM Premacy doesn't have a center console whose lid gets in the way of the passenger side arm rest. Suggested alternatives:

1. get an extra-wide black cloth armrest from this company which makes them for Scions, Acuras, etc. http://www.jjproducts.net/index.html

2. get a passenger side 2nd row armrest and bolt it to the seat frame, lots of companies make Scion arm rests that bolt to the frame which could probably be used.

Got it, thanks. And according to the site you posted it seems that some seats have their frame "ready" to install an armrest, it is not just used in some trims (i.e. CR-V).
 
starlightmica said:
http://digiads.com.au/car-news/latest-MAZDA-news/2007_Mazda_Premacy_200702/photos_0.html

article_9157-img_21.jpg

Yikes, no hard feelings but the contrast seems a little bit exaggerated for a Mazda5, innit? I wouldn't mind it on an M-Series Beemer or an Audi TT though (thinkbeer)
 
coolmazda5 said:
Yikes, no hard feelings but the contrast seems a little bit exaggerated for a Mazda5, innit?

I think red leather might look good in a white, silver or even black car. But not this red.
 
coolmazda5 said:
starlightmica said:
And according to the site you posted it seems that some seats have their frame "ready" to install an armrest, it is not just used in some trims (i.e. CR-V).

Usually the seat frames are configured to accept an armrest, even if the armrest is not installed. So it might be a matter of ordering an armrest from overseas and cutting the foam away to access the bracket.
 
No more manual 5speed?

coolmazda5 said:

Based on these specs it looks like they're going to drop the 5 speed manual gearbox... a sad day and a real shame... I think there's a lot of us who bought our 5's because it was the only vehicle like it that came with a stick. People-haulers worldwide seem to be dropping manual trans... I would hate to see Mazda loose that part of their zoom-zoom. They would loose me as a customer. No 5 speed has chased me away from the CX series (although nice looking and nice driving). I'm considering a 6 wagon, but if they drop the 5 speed from that then I'm out.
 
jmcglynn said:
Based on these specs it looks like they're going to drop the 5 speed manual gearbox... a sad day and a real shame... I think there's a lot of us who bought our 5's because it was the only vehicle like it that came with a stick. People-haulers worldwide seem to be dropping manual trans... I would hate to see Mazda loose that part of their zoom-zoom. They would loose me as a customer. No 5 speed has chased me away from the CX series (although nice looking and nice driving). I'm considering a 6 wagon, but if they drop the 5 speed from that then I'm out.
Seeing as how Mazda never sold a car without a manual trans available except the MPV until the CX's came along, I wouldn't be suprised to see them drop it from the 5 as it's technically a van like the MPV, or a SUV like the CX's.
Shame.
 
I've heard talk for years that manual transmissions will have to go away in order to meet emissions standards and it seems to be coming true. Too many variables when the driver controls the shifting. In the past the dominance of automatic transmissions was largely a USA thing but automatics seem to be the trend worldwide these days. A manual transmission option was definitely a key factor in us getting our Mazda5.

Jon
 
Benfolio said:
Seeing as how Mazda never sold a car without a manual trans available except the MPV until the CX's came along, I wouldn't be suprised to see them drop it from the 5 as it's technically a van like the MPV, or a SUV like the CX's.
Shame.


  • If no more manual tranny after 2007: Sad, very sad. It was good while it lasted though (notcool)
  • If Mazda manages to make the business case to keep the manual tranny alive (Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific might help sustaining it): get us the 6MT like the Diesel model please :D
 
This really isn't a shocker anyway. As time flys by, manual trannies are slowly going away. And the replacement are either new DSG gear boxes, SMG, and those type where you use the flipe of the hand. Many high end sports are going to move to those sooner or later. So when 5's are loosing there 5-speed in 08, to a 5 speed AT, not surprising.
 
I would hate to see Mazda loose that part of their zoom-zoom. They would loose me as a customer. No 5 speed has chased me away from the CX series.

Me too, though I can't say they would lose me as a customer... I really want to get a MX-5 as a commuter car. :)
 
jmcglynn said:
Based on these specs it looks like they're going to drop the 5 speed manual gearbox... a sad day and a real shame... I think there's a lot of us who bought our 5's because it was the only vehicle like it that came with a stick. People-haulers worldwide seem to be dropping manual trans... I would hate to see Mazda loose that part of their zoom-zoom. They would loose me as a customer. No 5 speed has chased me away from the CX series (although nice looking and nice driving). I'm considering a 6 wagon, but if they drop the 5 speed from that then I'm out.
6 Wagon is discontinued for MY2008 FYI
 
07MZ5SA said:
I like the steering wheel mounted shift buttons.

I was wondering if they phase out the manual trans - at least they would make the steering wheel shift buttons an option. I know on the new MX-5 AT's have them and I've heard that they're pretty fun.

Secretly I've always been afraid that when I get old, I'll end up having to get rid of my fun car because a bum knee won't allow me to clutch - the appearance of the paddle shifts in the mx-5 puts my fears to rest.
 
It really is sad that the manuals are going. A big reason we bought the 5 , not the only one, but a big one, is because the 5 is available with the stick. The paddles are not nearly as engaging because you don't engage a clutch :(. One of the other reasons I have heard for the dissapearance of sticks is because the automakers have to crash and emissions certify both the stick and the AT version of the car. As if the trans makes that much of a difference in the event of an accident, but that cost could become prohibitive, and may be another reason for the decline of the manual transmission. Oh well, I guess I will just have to try and keep my 5 running for as long as possible :).
 
The MTX disappearing would be hard to believe, as this car is really big in Europe, and they're not shiftophobic over there like 90% of fat-ass lazy Americans are. (second)

That being said, being a lazy American myself, albeit not a fat-ass, I've never minded driving an AT. It would be a shame, though it it were true.
 
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