I have been shopping a car that has some room where I can carry a lot of things. Initially started by looking for the 09 Outback, as I don't like the design of the 2010 and the CVT tranny in the 2010 has been having some issues. For me reliablity was key, as the car needed to be able to handle 20-25K miles a year, haul lots of things (on the inside of the car), and do it with pleasant driving manners. I didn't care for trucks. My initial budget was 20K, but then I went up to 30k.
I looked at Subaru Baja (the thinking man's El Camino), 09 Outbacks, and TSX Wagon. IS300 SportCross was thrown out, because newest one was 6 years old.
I just could not locate a TSX Wagon in the color I wanted. Didn't want boring color ones. So that went out as I really liked the car.
Odyssey and Siena were not considered because didn't want that size of a vehicle, as I need to park in Santa Monica quite often, and didn't want to deal with a "behemoth."
Used Outback prices were equal to 2010 ones, so that went out for me
Friend (GarnetMica) suggested Mazda5. I was hesitant, but I drove their 2010 manual tranny model last year in Boston when they bought it, and it wasn't too bad.
The 2012 has controversial "design," but I wouldn't buy this car for the looks, so that isn't an issue for me, as this was more of a "tool" for home improvement projects and airport runs.
So I decided to rent a 2012 Mazda 5 from Hertz for a week. I had to wait 6 days to get one, as they seem to be in high demand
My rental was a 2012 white Sport (base) model with 3400 miles. I drove it 950 miles during the time I had it, and subjected it to many a trial (from 6 people, to strollers to mulch hauling).
Engine
The car has the 2.5 Motor. Most reviews I read said the car was underpowered and would have tough time on the hills. Driving with me in it, car did 75-80mph fine with no issues. Acceleration was average, and kept up with Los Angeles aggressive traffic without a hitch.
I had the car with 2 people, no issues, and then with 5 people (including me), and went up the grade (Grapevine those of you who are local). The car never felt underpowered (for its purpose) to me. Torque was decent and met all my expectation on its usage.
Transmission
I have driven the manual tranny in the 2010 which is a 5 speed. I have test driven a 2012 with a 6 speed manual, and it was quite satisfying. However, the 5 Speed Auto was great. The tranny never hunted for gears, and it was in the right gear all the time. Those of you who are local, I subjected the car through Lattigo, Topanga, and Malibu Canyon, and this is the ONLY auto tranny I have driven where I NEVER needed to shift it manually. Car really knew what gear to be in at all times. I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised by the transmission.
Interior
The quality of materials in the interior gives away why this is a sub 20k car. The dash is VERY cheap and plasticky. Both front door panels are of the cheapest quality. Worst is the plastic around the tranny surround. It makes late 80s Hyundai Excels seem like Maybachs. Other than that, seats are firm and comfortable and interior controls are all logically and well placed, though material isn't up to par. The steering and shift knob on the Sport model looks cheaper than things on a Ford Ka. Though Touring/GT models offer better steering/shift knob.
The Mazda 5 is definitely a car of compromises. It subscribes to the European theory of making do with what you have instead of the American theory of lets just buy the biggest thing whether we need it or not. So if you have 6 people in the car, the rear "hatch/trunk" space is very very tight. One of the smallest most compact single stroller barely fits back there horizontally. It fits BUT it touches the car end to end. If you put the seat down, of course there is plenty of space. I personally sat in the front seat, adjusted it, sat in the 2nd seat, adjusted it, and I could easily sit in the 3rd seat. Sure I wouldn't want to travel from LA to Phoenix in the 3rd seat, but for trips of 2 hours or less, it is totally manageable.
Dislikes
1) Instrument cluster/Audio-Everything is red lit at night, except speedo/rpm is white. Doesn't work for me
2) Only drivers window switch at night has light on. Nothing else. Hard to find the button at night.
3) Most glaring There is no switch (that I could find) while you drive, to turn on the rear interior lights I think that is a must have
4) The instrument cluster bright/dim button keeps "going and going" you can turn the knob whichever way and it never "stops."
5) No engine coolant temp gauge
6) Transmission shifter selector too low
Overall Drive
So during my test drive, I averaged 27.1 MPG, which I was happy with, and the car takes 87, which is splendid. Given the compromise of the car (you can take lots of stuff, or you can take 6 people, you can't do both), I was lukewarm about the car. I was thinking of going out of state and finding a Outback wagon, even after driving the Mazda 5 for 3 days.
Then I took the Mazda 5 to the canyons, and boy was I sold!! The car had the 205/55/16s on the Sport instead of the 205/50/17s of the other models. But in the canyons, the car REALLY came alive. The suspension was taught, and the car handled and drove excellent. Body roll was to a minimum (relatively speaking), but for the height/weight of the car, it was fantastic.
The car had definitely the best driving dynamic of my choices, and I was thoroughly impressed.
I know Mazda doesn't spend much ad $ on this car, but last 3-4 months in the Mazda commercials you can see a Silver Mazda 5 drifting along with a Miata. Also though people on miata.net hate the 2012 design, it has been an incredible sales success, posting its best sales month last year.
All in all, the 5 isn't for everybody, but if you take the price point into account, the amount of versatility/space you get, the incredible driving dynamics, and overlook the interior quality, the car is definitely a winner
I have pics to show the things I didn't like, but will have to post them tomorrow.
I looked at Subaru Baja (the thinking man's El Camino), 09 Outbacks, and TSX Wagon. IS300 SportCross was thrown out, because newest one was 6 years old.
I just could not locate a TSX Wagon in the color I wanted. Didn't want boring color ones. So that went out as I really liked the car.
Odyssey and Siena were not considered because didn't want that size of a vehicle, as I need to park in Santa Monica quite often, and didn't want to deal with a "behemoth."
Used Outback prices were equal to 2010 ones, so that went out for me
Friend (GarnetMica) suggested Mazda5. I was hesitant, but I drove their 2010 manual tranny model last year in Boston when they bought it, and it wasn't too bad.
The 2012 has controversial "design," but I wouldn't buy this car for the looks, so that isn't an issue for me, as this was more of a "tool" for home improvement projects and airport runs.
So I decided to rent a 2012 Mazda 5 from Hertz for a week. I had to wait 6 days to get one, as they seem to be in high demand
My rental was a 2012 white Sport (base) model with 3400 miles. I drove it 950 miles during the time I had it, and subjected it to many a trial (from 6 people, to strollers to mulch hauling).
Engine
The car has the 2.5 Motor. Most reviews I read said the car was underpowered and would have tough time on the hills. Driving with me in it, car did 75-80mph fine with no issues. Acceleration was average, and kept up with Los Angeles aggressive traffic without a hitch.
I had the car with 2 people, no issues, and then with 5 people (including me), and went up the grade (Grapevine those of you who are local). The car never felt underpowered (for its purpose) to me. Torque was decent and met all my expectation on its usage.
Transmission
I have driven the manual tranny in the 2010 which is a 5 speed. I have test driven a 2012 with a 6 speed manual, and it was quite satisfying. However, the 5 Speed Auto was great. The tranny never hunted for gears, and it was in the right gear all the time. Those of you who are local, I subjected the car through Lattigo, Topanga, and Malibu Canyon, and this is the ONLY auto tranny I have driven where I NEVER needed to shift it manually. Car really knew what gear to be in at all times. I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised by the transmission.
Interior
The quality of materials in the interior gives away why this is a sub 20k car. The dash is VERY cheap and plasticky. Both front door panels are of the cheapest quality. Worst is the plastic around the tranny surround. It makes late 80s Hyundai Excels seem like Maybachs. Other than that, seats are firm and comfortable and interior controls are all logically and well placed, though material isn't up to par. The steering and shift knob on the Sport model looks cheaper than things on a Ford Ka. Though Touring/GT models offer better steering/shift knob.
The Mazda 5 is definitely a car of compromises. It subscribes to the European theory of making do with what you have instead of the American theory of lets just buy the biggest thing whether we need it or not. So if you have 6 people in the car, the rear "hatch/trunk" space is very very tight. One of the smallest most compact single stroller barely fits back there horizontally. It fits BUT it touches the car end to end. If you put the seat down, of course there is plenty of space. I personally sat in the front seat, adjusted it, sat in the 2nd seat, adjusted it, and I could easily sit in the 3rd seat. Sure I wouldn't want to travel from LA to Phoenix in the 3rd seat, but for trips of 2 hours or less, it is totally manageable.
Dislikes
1) Instrument cluster/Audio-Everything is red lit at night, except speedo/rpm is white. Doesn't work for me
2) Only drivers window switch at night has light on. Nothing else. Hard to find the button at night.
3) Most glaring There is no switch (that I could find) while you drive, to turn on the rear interior lights I think that is a must have
4) The instrument cluster bright/dim button keeps "going and going" you can turn the knob whichever way and it never "stops."
5) No engine coolant temp gauge
6) Transmission shifter selector too low
Overall Drive
So during my test drive, I averaged 27.1 MPG, which I was happy with, and the car takes 87, which is splendid. Given the compromise of the car (you can take lots of stuff, or you can take 6 people, you can't do both), I was lukewarm about the car. I was thinking of going out of state and finding a Outback wagon, even after driving the Mazda 5 for 3 days.
Then I took the Mazda 5 to the canyons, and boy was I sold!! The car had the 205/55/16s on the Sport instead of the 205/50/17s of the other models. But in the canyons, the car REALLY came alive. The suspension was taught, and the car handled and drove excellent. Body roll was to a minimum (relatively speaking), but for the height/weight of the car, it was fantastic.
The car had definitely the best driving dynamic of my choices, and I was thoroughly impressed.
I know Mazda doesn't spend much ad $ on this car, but last 3-4 months in the Mazda commercials you can see a Silver Mazda 5 drifting along with a Miata. Also though people on miata.net hate the 2012 design, it has been an incredible sales success, posting its best sales month last year.
All in all, the 5 isn't for everybody, but if you take the price point into account, the amount of versatility/space you get, the incredible driving dynamics, and overlook the interior quality, the car is definitely a winner
I have pics to show the things I didn't like, but will have to post them tomorrow.