Another Trip for the 5

[2cam16]

Took it up north from the SFO area to Santa Rosa, Petaluma and a stay in Clear Lake. About a 400 mile trip total. The 5 performed flawlessly as always. Mileage was pretty good, 24mpg going, 28 mpg return.
Here are a couple of pics taken behind our resort right by the lake on a rainy Wednesday:

 

[Mntnbkr]

Nice! I like the look of the back w/o the spoiler (or at least with one different than on my 06 which has more overhang) - yours has a good clean muscular look. Is that a different version of a spoiler or just the look w/o one?

 

[Wuster]

How did ya keep you back hatch so clean?

Whenever I drive in the rain or if the roads are wet, the back hatch ends up getting filthy...

 

[coolmazda5]

Nice pics!

I love the color. I'm pretty sure my carbon gray would look pretty dirty under the same circumstances

Just curious. For those MPG numbers, How many were you carrying on this MZ5 people mover?

 

[flomobile]

Is that a Marine Corps sticker next to the rear wiper?

My wife's 5 identical to that one. So far (we've had it since Jan 06) it's been a good car, minus the freezing doors issue. It's been from one coast to another, and already is up to 17,000 miles!

 

[2cam16]

Thanks all !
To answer questions:

Mntnbkr: That's just a Sport model, no spoiler.

Wuster: Believe me, it get's dirty just like everyone else's ! That was the first day of rain after being clean.It hasn't gone on the road yet in that picture.

Coolmazda: 2 adults,1 9 y/o, almost full cargo area.

Flomobile: It's an SCCA decal.

 

[halfgreek]

Looks like a good trip. How did it handle on the twistys up to Clear Lake?

 

[2cam16]

Looks like a good trip. How did it handle on the twistys up to Clear Lake?

There weren't too many twisties. More when we went to Tahoe and Yosemite last year. Now the Yosemite trip was another story I did a review on last year. I think I mentioned it was even more responsive than my stock WRX in the twisties.

 

[jandree22]

I think I mentioned it was even more responsive than my stock WRX in the twisties.

Yeah, there's a good section of road with tight, hilly 60* turns by my work. The other day I put my 5 in 2nd gear and tore it apart. Fun stuff!

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[$chocker]

Looks better than mine

I have a sport 5spd in platinum with the spoiler and the side sills - I have to say, I much prefer the look of yours without them. Much cleaner and tougher looking. Nice ride!

 

[coolmazda5]

2 adults,1 9 y/o, almost full cargo area

Thanks 2cam16. Yup, to me is decent mileage given the hilly conditions and spirited driving

I have a sport 5spd in platinum with the spoiler and the side sills - I have to say, I much prefer the look of yours without them. Much cleaner and tougher looking. Nice ride!

Hmmm, interesting. The 06 Sport we own also has the side sills and the spoiler (Popular Package I believe). Yet, in our case, we liked it better than the Sport without those. Oh well, good thing the Mazda dealer had the 2 options back then, although, to be sincere, I'm afraid I'll see one of those side sills "decorating" the curb of a tight corner one of those days (cryhard)

 

[doctorz]

We don't have the side sills and spoiler either (nor the CD changer). We do have the perpetually filthy rear end, though...