2008 vs 2007 air conditioning

[radiohead]

My wife and I are ready to buy a Mazda5 GT (cool). The only remaining question is 2007 or 2008 model.
Those of you with a 2007 model, is air conditioning a problem? Is the extra AC vent for the second row a big or is it just a convenience?

I look forward to your feedback.

 

[doctorz]

If you poke around on the board, I think you'll find that most of us think the A/C is fine. You might have to put the A/C on the highest fan speed and turn it to "recirc," and one other trick I have is to direct the air flow upwards. But I don't get any complaining in 95+ degrees.

We had rear A/C with our MPV and it was nice to have--it did cool the kids down a little faster. But it was definitely convenience and not a necessity. Rear A/C was just one of the many gadgets we gave up when we traded in a loaded MPV ES that we don't miss.

 

[rodslinger]

I think the A/C works pretty well. It actually seems to cool better and faster than the system on my 3. I've heard no complaints from rear passengers either.

 

[opus]

The AC is fine if you tint the windows. If you do not tint the windows than the AC has a nearly impossible task to accomplish. All of my windows except the driver and passenger door windows are tinted and we just made it through a week at Hilton Head Island, with six people in the car, and 115 degree heat indexes without a complaint. So I would say the extra AC outlets are more of a convenience than a necessity.

 

[coolmazda5]

It is not the most powerful A/C around but it does its job (yeah, the recirc option is a popular feature on hot/humid days as doctorz states ). The only place where I would say it can be insufficient is for the 3rd row, but we barely use it...

 

[kyoshiro]

get a fan for 12V, theres a 12V out at the back

 

[coolmazda5]

I just found out that you don't need to wait for a 2008, you can act on a 2007 now!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/10/how-far-would-you-go-for-a-c/

Hahaha, Sorry, couldn't help it

 

[paging_drburgos]

some people just like to nit pick. I think the AC does a great job at cooling down the car. All cars take a little time to cool down when parked in the hot sun all day.

 

[SMR_BB6]

(rofl)

some people just like to nit pick. I think the AC does a great job at cooling down the car. All cars take a little time to cool down when parked in the hot sun all day.

try sit in the 3rd row for 20min in summer @35c degrees

 

[AIMWO4]

With the car stopped? That's only 95F degrees. My son has been back there for longer than 20 minutes in real heat. Never a whine.

(rofl)

try sit in the 3rd row for 20min in summer @35c degrees

 

[doctorz]

Maybe I'm just used to the A/C in Hondas and Mazdas, which aren't acknowledged for their strength, but I do remember renting a Neon and driving it in the desert when it was 100+ degrees. The Neon had a great air conditioner, far better than any car I've owned. It was also the only thing about the car that was great. I don't think the A/C on the 5 should be a deal breaker.

 

[airman_slacker]

I know on our 06 the kids get pretty hot in the back and it doesn't cool down anytime soon (you also need to consider I live in Louisiana and our car is black). One of the few things I don't like about the 5.