2yr old 2008 - any specific concerns?

[rscottg]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2008 Mazda 5 GT. It's about at the two year old point and I was wonder if there are any issues I should be more concerned about? I'm thinking of having someone other than Mazda (mostly because of convenience) check out the car for general issues.

In general, the car has been a good vehicle and this one was even a rental for its first 24000km of its life.

Thanks

 

[coyfish]

Think the mileage is more important than the age at this point . . .

 

[rscottg]

I should have mentioned the mileage is 42,000km (26,000).

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

You're right on track, maybe a little high on miles/KM but hey who can resist dring such a fun car oh and get out the manual and read, there will be a service interval page someplace, tells ya what to do at certain intervals. Like cabin filter, tires, brake pads checked, etc. (sun)

Peace(rei)

 

[njaremka]

26k miles is high? ours is an 08, bought it brand new off the boat in june 08, and we have 31k miles.

we are having some noises coming from the rear springs when we have an adult sit in the back row. the suspension gets close to bottoming out, and the spring rubs ont he upper subframe seat. i still have to get it to the dealer for warranty evaluation. i would start with that when you take it for a test drive. seems that some have the issue, and others dont. unfortunately, ours does.

 

[rscottg]

26k miles is high? ours is an 08, bought it brand new off the boat in june 08, and we have 31k miles.

we are having some noises coming from the rear springs when we have an adult sit in the back row. the suspension gets close to bottoming out, and the spring rubs ont he upper subframe seat. i still have to get it to the dealer for warranty evaluation. i would start with that when you take it for a test drive. seems that some have the issue, and others dont. unfortunately, ours does.

Thanks....we're just trying to get rid of winter here, but I'll have a listen when the streets are clear and its easier to tell where some noises are coming from.

 

[switz]

42,000kms is not a lot. I already have 79,500km on my '08 GT 5-spd manual, and I bought it brand new in March of 2008. Just got the 72,000km check-up done at Mainway Mazda in Saskatoon a couple of days ago. They changed the manual transmission fluid and said the rest of the vehicle was in great shape. Cost me over $300 to tell me what I already knew. Oh well

I'll get them to do the last once over at 96,000km (probably this fall) before the warranty runs out and then I'm on my way to 250,000km before I even think of getting rid of it.

Oh, in case you're wondering, I always do my own oil changes in-between dealer check-ups every 7500km apart. 5000km is too close together for my high highway-mileage lifestyle.

Great Car. Love it!

 

[KBrian]

5000km is too close together for my high highway-mileage lifestyle.

My 07 GT service interval is 4 months or 8000km. Is 5000km reccommended by your dealer or from the owner's manual?

 

[switz]

5000km is what my dealer recommends, something to do with the 'severe service' the 5 encounters in our harsh climate. Most shops around here recommend 5000km as well. I followed that on my last car, an '03 Corolla, and it is still running strong at 280,000km. The engine in that car is in perfect condition.

Engines last a long time if you change the oil regularily. I'm going to hope that the 7500km interval I've deciced to use with my 5 will work as well as the 5000km interval I used with my old Corolla.

Other than staying on top of regular fluid changes (engine and transmission oils, coolant, etc.) and investigating strange new sounds that the car makes, todays cars (the 5 included) can go an aweful long way before major repairs are needed.

If you don't stay on top of routine fluid changes, they won't last long at all. I know a guy with an oil burning '06 Cobalt. When he said he routinely went 15-20k between oil changes, I was not suprised. He has 100,000km on it now and it's a piece of junk.

 

[KBrian]

oil burning '06 Cobalt

Is there any other kind? (wedge)

 

[Mazda5Lover]

26k miles is high? ours is an 08, bought it brand new off the boat in june 08, and we have 31k miles.

we are having some noises coming from the rear springs when we have an adult sit in the back row. the suspension gets close to bottoming out, and the spring rubs ont he upper subframe seat. i still have to get it to the dealer for warranty evaluation. i would start with that when you take it for a test drive. seems that some have the issue, and others dont. unfortunately, ours does.

Yes, I had the same issue. Took it to Mazda and they replaced the left rear shock under warranty. It was leaking. Since then, the problem has gone away. I wonder, though, if the other shocks will display similar behavior - and right after warranty expires, too!

 

[Mazda5Lover]

Another issue I'm having with my 2008 5 GT, which I just posted about, is a loud and constantly running radiator fan. Is this normal? What could this mean? Should I have it checked out?

Another issue, which seems to have started pretty recently - before the loud radiator fan - is an increase in idle vibration. For instance, when I'm stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake and the tranny on drive. It idles a lot more than it used to. Should I have this checked out, as well?

I recently changed all four tires since I found TWO huge sidewall bumps and TWO different tires. I had to change those two first and then put them in the front. I didn't like the idea of having mismatched tires, so I changed the other two a week later. Got Bridgestone Potenzas G019 tires, and, so far, they're GREAT! I feel they have quieted the ride a little, and that the ride is more comfortable AND that I have more grip in turns.

Other than the issues mentioned above, I have been totally HAPPY with my 5!

 

[rscottg]

Now I have the very noisy rear sway bar bushings, so that is next under warranty.