A few questions

[m5forme]

As a potential Mazda5 owner, I'm curious how everyone likes their '5' and forums like this are a great tool for prospective buyers like me. I think the '5' is potentially the perfect vehicle for our family of 3, who have an occasional need to transport 6 people (in-laws, nieces & nephews, school friends etc.)
We are also avid campers and need a vehicle big enough for our stuff but still good on gas and economical to run. That the '5' sounds like it's very entertaining to drive is just icing on the cake. I do have a few issues with the '5'.....just about every review, and many comments as well, have mentioned the lack of a front passenger armrest....this is something Mazda should really address. A 5 speed automatic would be welcome as well, though if I can convince my wife to go for the 5 speed manual, that would be even better. It definitely also needs an mp3/ipod jack and, as I'm not crazy about the side skirts that are forced upon us no matter what model you choose here in Canada, a delete option on these would be most welcome. (as an aside....has anybody removed their side skirts? I read in another forum that someone tried this but there were holes in the rocker panels underneath). I guess the only other thing stopping me from buying one at this point is the lack of towing ability. (Perhaps Mazda should stop calling the '5' a MAV..multi activity vehicle and start calling it a LAV..limited activity vehicle). Seriously, the '5' is rated for towing in Japan, Europe and just about everywhere else in the world (in Britain, for example, the towing limits are 600kg unbraked and 1300-1400kg braked.....that's 1400lbs unbraked to over 2800 lbs braked), so what's the problem here in North America? I don't want to pull a travel trailer or horse trailer.....just a small utility trailer or a 1960's Apache (about 750 lbs), and also mount a hitch for a bike rack (much easier than lifting them up to the roof!). I see a few in this forum and others have mounted hitches for bike racks etc and I'm encouraged by this, but still a little wary, as Mazda seems to be dead-set against it. If you're going to call your vehicle a multi-activity vehicle, then it should be able to tow something. Even a Toyota Yaris can tow 700 lbs. Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I hope Mazda will address some of these issues and I look forward to becoming a Mazda5 owner in the not-too-distant future.

 

[gemino]

Yeap I agree most of the point, but even without the ipod/mp3 connection, 5sp auto... I still rank it 9/10.
I hope the 07 model will fix the above issues.

Happy black5 driver

 

[jandree22]

Mazda5 sounds just right for you... so long as you not towing on a super-frequent basis. That load would probably be okay occasionally, but otherwise I'd say it's worth it to invest in something with a little more grunt. If you do plan to tow with the 5, I'd say opt for the 5MT to more efectively make use of what power you have.

 

[ntron1]

Towing

jandree,

Do you have to remove the tow hitch when you take it to the dealer? I'm curious because I've avoided towing to keep the warranty but if you remove the tow hitch will they ever know??

 

[jandree22]

I don't know from experience, so take it with a grain of salt. A) I don't tow B) I don't own a 5 yet. However my advice goes off my three separate test drives and knowledge of the engine stats, and while the engine is great for the car itself, adding 800lbs will bog it down... especially if you're already carrying that much weight in passengers/other cargo. It can handle towing that load, but it simply doesn't have the strong torque numbers for optimum towing. Not sure what the brake's limits are, either... when you pass a certain point with towing weight you can really start to heat those puppies up!

That being said, if Mazda says not to tow with it and the dealership sees a hitch it may or may not cause problems for you. Your dealership's service dept could act one of three ways depending how they are. A) They'll act like they didn't see it and it won't be a problem. B) They'll let it slide, but if you mess up your tranny or motor they'll draw the line there and blame it on the tow hitch. C) They'll be total jerks about it and yell at you at the first sight. All that being said, if it's feasible, yeah, I'd take it off.

 

[jmcglynn]

Some valid points

Sounds like you're a little north of California, so I know there's a few differences in what's offered up there. Most of your points are well taken, keeping in mind that finding the right vehicle is always has a little give and take.

I chose the 5 mostly because I still wanted something small, but wanted seating for more than the standard 5 bodies for those times we need to fit a couple extra passengers besides my two kids and their car seats (ages 2 and 5), as we need on occasion. I also didn't want a minivan, nor an SUV. I wanted the gas-sipping 4 cyl, and a 5 speed manual was a must (we're just control freaks when it comes to drivetrain).

You point about towing is a sore point... I was replacing a small pickup truck and wanted to keep a minimal towing capacity. Bottom line... the car can handle it, but you will void your warranty if you do so. This isn't a case of engineering, but rather an issue of too many lawyers and insurance companies in N America wanting to limit their liability. If you're looking for towing, and want to keep your warranty, then look at the owner's manual before you buy... don't take the word of a salesman nor anyone else.

I plan to add one of the commercially available hitches to my 5 as soon as the warranty expires. Overall, however, it's worked out very well for us, and I'm extremely pleased.

 

[m5forme]

We'd tow maybe once or twice a year....to be honest, the Apache needs a bit of work, including a new tent section, before it would even be suitable for use. Still, it'd be nice to have the ability and if Euro versions, with even smaller engines than we get, are rated to tow over 1300 lbs unbraked, I don't see why Mazda can't conservatively rate it to tow at least 1000-1200 lbs here. For sure I'd want a hitch for a bike rack, though.
Anyone care to comment on seat comfort, especially the 1st 2 rows?
Also noise levels, especially on the highway, and ride comfort as well...differences between the 16" and 17" wheels & tires? (that last bit is for Canadian drivers, as I think all US versions come with 17 inchers).
Also curious about engine revs at highway speeds (100-120kph or 60-75 mph)
for both the 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic.
(Next step is a nice long test drive!)

 

[jandree22]

(Next step is a nice long test drive!)

Bingo

 

[jmcglynn]

To follow up on a couple of your questions...
The 2nd row seats are, I think, as comfortable as the front row, but without a door side arm rest they feel a little awkward (Mazda... are you listening?).
The 3rd row... let's face it, is really for kids, but can fit an adult, although a bit snugly. I can say this, the 5's third row is more comfortable for adults than a lot of other 3rd row seats in some SUV's that I've tried.
Highway ride is, in my opinion, very stable and quiet. At highway speeds (legal and above) you're between 3000 and 4000 RPM on a 5 speed manual, so not a lot of engine wine. I have noticed a lack of "pep" in the higher end, but it's still a balanced trade off for the low end zoom-zoom.
Can't say anything about the wheels... US stock size is 17", and so far I find they handle real nicely (although I'm not looking forward to the price of replacement tires). Theoretically you would get a softer ride on the 16"ers, but the suspension is so nicely tuned I don't know if you would notice a serious difference... I'm curious to hear what others experience on this.

 

[mazdaFIVEmike]

That being said, if Mazda says not to tow with it and the dealership sees a hitch it may or may not cause problems for you. Your dealership's service dept could act one of three ways depending how they are. A) They'll act like they didn't see it and it won't be a problem. B) They'll let it slide, but if you mess up your tranny or motor they'll draw the line there and blame it on the tow hitch. C) They'll be total jerks about it and yell at you at the first sight. All that being said, if it's feasible, yeah, I'd take it off.

My dealer did not have a problem with a hitch being installed for a bike rack - it would be the presence of wiring that would give away the fact you were doing some towing - at least legally towing...

 

[Rocket]

I tow a utility trailer for trips to home depot etc. and it pulls just fine. I also have a small jon boat that probably all told weighs about 800 lbs. You can definately tell it is back there. I don't tow it far to the boat ramp, about 6 miles, but it is noticeable. I don't think you would have a problem towing, but it is not a vehicle that you want to tow alot with.

The road noise has more to do with the tires than the wheels. I have 17" because that is all that is offered, but I would have preferred 16" for more comfort and cheaper replacement tires.

I have not ridden in the rear seats, but they seem just fine to everyone that has.

For a family of three, it is a great car. We are a family of four, and it is still a great car. The rear seats are just for the kids when grandma and grandpa are in town and we all want to go to the beach or the zoo. But not for a long trip.

The main complaints seem to be engine power and A/C output. I think the engine is about right for the main mission of driving around town with the family. It is fine on the highway also. If it had more power, you would probably just spin the front wheels on take off. The A/C so far works just fine around here. We have already had a few 90 degree days and it keeps up just fine. In fact, it gets too cold sometimes and I have to turn the fan down.

Take the reviews with a grain of salt. One thing I have noticed is that they almost seem to quote each other! One writer says it is underpowered, and they all say it. Go figure. A herd of sheep I suppose.

 

[jandree22]

Take the reviews with a grain of salt. One thing I have noticed is that they almost seem to quote each other! One writer says it is underpowered, and they all say it. Go figure. A herd of sheep I suppose.

Adding on to this, Mazda5 owners in other countries including the UK do just fine with 1.8L and 2.0L engines, and they've had this car for years now. North America gets the gutsiest motor, and we still complain that it's not enough. For some reason this country is all about who has the most HP. So long as you're making safe merging and passing on the highway, why demand a larger or boosted engine that would require more gas or premium to boot?