Any 2013 info yet? Rumors, leaks, etc...

[JingChuan]

Hi all, currently own a '08 'speed3 which has been collecting dust for the last couple of months. I bought it in '08 with the intent of being a commuter / family car during the week, and a giant-slayer at the track on the weekend (which it is - too bad I've only done it a couple times). But life intervened, and my free time is fully occupied with kids and home rehabbing. So I've been driving my truck exclusively. I'm thinking of trading the 'speed and my '06 turbo Jetta for a new 5. City life is neither conducive to having three cars or swing out doors in a family friendly vehicle. I'm no fan of the big-deal Nagare design, but then again, I wouldn't be driving it. I'm thinking of something a little more flexible for a family hauler, hence the 5. I'm still amazed there are no real competitors for this vehicle. Small, 6 passenger car with sliding doors? Seems perfect for small families, especially city dwellers.

I've heard mention that Mazda is scrubbing the whole Nagare thing due to lackluster response. Has anyone heard words to the same effect? Also, what about the Skyactiv engine? Seems the 5 would be a great candidate. If this was the case, I might hold off on the purchase til later.

We rented a '10 for a weekend trip to Indy, and it was pretty cool. (Never thought I'd say that about a minivan!) I would probably jump on a new one if it still had the 1st-gen look, but who knows, I may get used to this look. The smiley face wasn't as bad in person as it is in pictures. I checked out a loaded white GT this week, and I could really see the advantages over our current sedan / hatch for a family car.

I've appreciated reading your reviews and thoughts about your '12 5s here. I get the impression that a lot of folks buy this thing and never look back - like they should have bought it a long time ago. If it really is that great, then maybe I shouldn't wait for the refresh anyway...

 

[dieseldriver]

I had 2x '98 VW Jetta GLX's in 5 speed; one was declared totalled in an accident so picked up a same one used back in the day. I liked the A3 chassis Jettas a lot, a real blast to drive, even with reliability issues.

I like the MazdaSpeed3 also, the new ones with turbo. Might be picking down the road as I am into self shifting.

I bought the 2012 Mazda5 and so far, I'm liking it. Though, one of my sons (I have twins in 4th grade) complain that it's too small inside. We're a growing family of five and we have so far used the Mazda5 for short trips that are less than 3 hours, and for my daily commuting. So far, I am happy with it but had to perform some upgrades and still a work in progress. Yes, I know it's a new car but this is what happens when you drove German cars mostly for the past 10+ years.

I performed the stock speaker upgrades with true separate woofer/tweeter setup on front, and 2ways in the rear. Car's also pretty much Dynamatted everywhere and have some homebrew tints on the rear windows but will be taking it to a pro to get them tinted limo black or maybe 5% VLT on all of the passenger windows.

Now, mine's a clear water blue mica exterior and black leather interior. I would definitely go with GT trim that comes with the leather interior, it's really nice and comfortable as I am beginning to appreciate.

It has heated seats which is really nice, and HID manual level adjusting headlamps along with traction control, and handsfree Bluetooth with music streaming. It handles really nice with the 17" alloys but the factory Toyo's are somewhat noisy. It's a little better now with Dynamats on the doors but they still generate bulk of the road noise. Handling is very sharp and it goes where you pointed, but it does feels a bit overly sensitive with electrically assisted power assist steering.

Sunroof is a plus but the A pillars and the sunroof generate a lot of wind noise. So Dynamats helped out a lot.

Trunk area with all seats up is tiny, practically not that useful to haul anything other than maybe two cases of Poland Springs water bottles. But you can store stuff under the left middle row seat cusion.

I was like you, I did not like the Nagare design at first, but seeing the car in person it's different. I actually like the Nagare design now, it took me a day or two to start liking and appreciating the aesthetics of it.

BTW, regarding leather interior, third row, 50/50 folding seats are not leather, they are vinyl. Only the first two rows are leather as I found out accidentally found out.

Car may felt a bit sluggish and you will notice some issue with lag on kickdown -- but solved that issue by adding a ground wire from the throttle body to the chassis ground bolt.

Overall, I will recommend this car, and if you have small children, you may find that this car is very versatile and practical. For a very long trips however, it will definitely not beat out a spacious Odyssey, it's just not physically possible.

If you are set on getting this car for sure, I would recommend sound deadning it like Dynamat or some other competitors, it will be worth it in my opinion, will make you feel 10x better than what it is in stock form.

Hi all, currently own a '08 'speed3 which has been collecting dust for the last couple of months. I bought it in '08 with the intent of being a commuter / family car during the week, and a giant-slayer at the track on the weekend (which it is - too bad I've only done it a couple times). But life intervened, and my free time is fully occupied with kids and home rehabbing. So I've been driving my truck exclusively. I'm thinking of trading the 'speed and my '06 turbo Jetta for a new 5. City life is neither conducive to having three cars or swing out doors in a family friendly vehicle. I'm no fan of the big-deal Nagare design, but then again, I wouldn't be driving it. I'm thinking of something a little more flexible for a family hauler, hence the 5. I'm still amazed there are no real competitors for this vehicle. Small, 6 passenger car with sliding doors? Seems perfect for small families, especially city dwellers.

I've heard mention that Mazda is scrubbing the whole Nagare thing due to lackluster response. Has anyone heard words to the same effect? Also, what about the Skyactiv engine? Seems the 5 would be a great candidate. If this was the case, I might hold off on the purchase til later.

We rented a '10 for a weekend trip to Indy, and it was pretty cool. (Never thought I'd say that about a minivan!) I would probably jump on a new one if it still had the 1st-gen look, but who knows, I may get used to this look. The smiley face wasn't as bad in person as it is in pictures. I checked out a loaded white GT this week, and I could really see the advantages over our current sedan / hatch for a family car.

I've appreciated reading your reviews and thoughts about your '12 5s here. I get the impression that a lot of folks buy this thing and never look back - like they should have bought it a long time ago. If it really is that great, then maybe I shouldn't wait for the refresh anyway...