Could be in market for M5 - what to look for

[RatLabGuy]

Hey guys. Long term P5 owner (lover) here.
Unfortunately last week my wife's much beloved Matrix was totalled, and we're looking for a replacement car.
The family is growing (5.5 y/o and 1 on the way), P5 seems a good choice.

Wife drove one Monday and liked it. She's only 5' tall so few cars are comfy for her.

Anyway, figured I'd coem right to the people w/ experience.
We have probably 13k to spend, or IF justified could go new, but generally thinking an '07 or so.

Few questions
1 - when buying one used, what little thinsg should we look out for (common failures, wear parts, etc)?
2 - which features are really worthwhile, what isn't? Only 2.3L engine, right?
3 - is there a big difference between the 06-07 vs 08+ models? 08+ is 5 spd a/t right? Better MPGs? We'd def be getting an a/t (although I LOVE my p5 5 spd)

Just by reading, would likely look for a Touring (?) but could be convinced otherwise.

 

[DKaz]

1. Suspension and premature tire wear due to excess negative camber. This is more prevalent with 06s and some 07s, although this continues to be a problem with a small number of current models. My 07 seems to be fine btw.
2. Whatever features you like, my 07 GT (Canadian, it's equivalent to the US Touring model) is nice, although I noticed that the fog lamps are only for show and don't really do anything useful.
3. What the 06 and 07 doesn't have that the 08+ has is a front passenger armrest, the second row passengers outboard armrests (though they have inboards), 2nd row cold air vents (it doesn't blow out heated air), bluetooth, and auxiliary audio input. For this I kinda wish I got an 08 but meh, I do get two extra cup holders on the centre console since we rarely pull the 2nd row tray out. Most people seem to like the 5 speed A/T better but I wouldn't know.

If you can spring for an 08+, get one. Oh yea the 08+ Touring has LED tail lights.

Good luck in your search! The 5 is an excellent vehicle for the price.

 

[thaxman]

Unless you are stuck on the 06-07 grille & taillights, go for an 08. Everything is improved that was lacking in the 06-07.

 

[Robotazky]

I will add that in my opinion the Bluetooth is junk. We don't even bother with it anymore because nobody can hear us when we use it.

 

[doctorz]

Most of the issues that you have to watch out for on the '06-'07s were just fixed in the '08: stabilizer bar bushings, negative camber on the rear tires. Don't know if failed shocks are an issue with the '08s; they seem to be not uncommon with the '06s (and we had one). The armrests in the '08s and the center row A/C vents are nice to have as well. No comment on the 5AT versus 4AT other than I thought the 4AT was significantly slower than the manual, and I've seen enough posts that the 5AT has fixed a lot of that.

But the issues on the '07s are mostly suspension related; I'd spend a lot of time looking at that and making sure the tires are worn evenly. The stock Toyos are terrible.

The powertrain is the same throughout the model years and I have not seen any issues. We haven't had any problems.

The forums also report occasional issues with cracked tailgates (we haven't had that problem), power door lock actuators (we've replaced one), and squealing A/C belt (we fixed that). My feeling is that I'd only get an '07 if you get it thoroughly checked out, you have a complete service history, and you get a deal. Having said that, we're still enjoying our '06, although we had to get a lot of these niggling things fixed.

One more thing: if you're in the US, the '06s had a 4/50 warranty, whereas the '07s had a 3/36 warranty. Our '06 only went out of warranty this month.

 

[5zoom]

Definitely go for an 08. I waited for mine(08 5AT sport with popular equip package) and I'm glad I did for the following reasons:

1. 5AT is much better than the 4AT in the power and economy department
2. Rear vents make all the difference in hot weather
3. The aux jack is standard
4. The lighting for the dash is better
5. I think the materials for the dash/seats are better in the 08+ models
6. I have had no problems and currently have 53k on mine. Tires last over 30k if rotated.
7. Auto climate control standard
8. Arm rests for all

 

[Heat]

Look at the dash of the '06/'07 at night, and look at the dash of the '08/'09 at night. Go with at least an '08.

And here is Hertz's used car site, they have a lot of used Mazda5's for sale. All Sports in my area though. http://www.hertzrent2buy.com/Content/Default.aspx

One thing to consider is that if you don't mind (or want) manual transmission, you can get a new '10 Sport for $16,500. Here is the ad for the St. Louis Mazda dealer where I bought my Mazda5 in February ’09 (Bommarito Mazda), maybe some in your region have similar prices?

http://adzone.stltoday.com/rop/ads.aspx?adid=9359434&advid=20721&type=

My final price after taxes, title, and license for Illinois, plus a rear bumper guard was $18,020. Plus I got three years of 0% financing and no money down. And I was able to deduct the taxes I paid on my '09 federal taxes, though that program is now over.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Thanks for teh tips, very helpful.
We will hone in on an 08 or newer.

I'm speccing and emailing local dealers for their best price on '10 models now.

Looking at the spec sheets, I'm no treally seeing much difference between teh Sport and Touring, besides a fancier radio, sunroof (is it an option on Sport), leather wheel/knob, and spoler.

Is the premium radio really any good? I know it has an aux in, but is it just an audio line, or doe it have a real USB hookup? The $100 unit we have now is great and we just run off of USB flash drives... I'm suspicious we;ll end up just replacing the radio unless it has that.
Leather seats an option for non-Touring?

 

[RatLabGuy]

Also, if the fog lights are junk (??), are all te hvehicles pre-wires for them (liek I'd expect) so that a set coudl be easily added later? I'd like to have fogs but for the $$, I don't mind adding my own.

 

[Robotazky]

Also, if the fog lights are junk (??), are all te hvehicles pre-wires for them (liek I'd expect) so that a set coudl be easily added later? I'd like to have fogs but for the $$, I don't mind adding my own.

I don't think the fogs are junk at all. I'm not even sure why anyone would say that. They're pretty standard in my opinion.

Regarding looking at '10s, I would not buy one right now. With the new one coming out soon you will be able soon to either buy the new one for about what you'd pay for a '10 right now, or get a smoking deal on the '10 because they're clearing them out. However, you do have to take into consideration that if you want a very specific model/color/option pkg/etc then the choices are getting smaller and smaller as we type.

Personally, unless you have the free cash to buy a new car or have a dealer that has incredible deals (like mine did), I would buy a good used '08 or '09.

 

[Heat]

The premium radio includes a 6-disk in-dash CD changer, no USB port. I put in an aftermarket radio into my ’09 Mazda5, the kit from Crutchfield looks fine and I enjoy my USB port – I listen to stuff off of my flash drive probably 90% of the time that I’m in the car.

Leather seats from the factory are not an option in the Sport, but you can buy them for about $800 or $900 from http://www.katzkin.com/main.html if you do the work yourself, or about $1,500 if you hire somebody to do the work for you.

Sunroof is not an option on the Sport though you can have an aftermarket one put in. I don’t know the current prices but back in ’93 I had a manual sunroof put into my car for about $170. I doubt that a manual sunroof would run more than $250 or $300 now. An electronic one would cost more of course.

Also, just wanted to mention that Mazda currently has a $500 cash back and 0% financing for three years on ’10 Mazda5s. I personally would take a '10 over a used '08 or '09, the prices aren't that different, especially if you take the zero percent financing into consideration.

 

[RatLabGuy]

I don't think the fogs are junk at all. I'm not even sure why anyone would say that. They're pretty standard in my opinion.

Regarding looking at '10s, I would not buy one right now. With the new one coming out soon you will be able soon to either buy the new one for about what you'd pay for a '10 right now, or get a smoking deal on the '10 because they're clearing them out. However, you do have to take into consideration that if you want a very specific model/color/option pkg/etc then the choices are getting smaller and smaller as we type.

Personally, unless you have the free cash to buy a new car or have a dealer that has incredible deals (like mine did), I would buy a good used '08 or '09.

Just for clarity - wife's car was totalled, right now she is bumming a loaner. So we have a few days (maybe ven a week) but cannot wait for the '11.
Chances are good we will get an '08 or 09, but I want to get a best-price o na '10 for comparison, w/ the rebates + 0% + loyalty cash, may not be much difference.
I'm not a fan of buyin ga brand new car, but it may just make more sense here.

The premium radio includes a 6-disk in-dash CD changer, no USB port. I put in an aftermarket radio into my 09 Mazda5, the kit from Crutchfield looks fine and I enjoy my USB port I listen to stuff off of my flash drive probably 90% of the time that Im in the car.

Leather seats from the factory are not an option in the Sport, but you can buy them for about $800 or $900 from http://www.katzkin.com/main.html if you do the work yourself, or about $1,500 if you hire somebody to do the work for you.

Sunroof is not an option on the Sport though you can have an aftermarket one put in. I dont know the current prices but back in 93 I had a manual sunroof put into my car for about $170. I doubt that a manual sunroof would run more than $250 or $300 now. An electronic one would cost more of course.

Thanks for the tips, I was just reading around about the integration etc. I don't mind buying extra cabling etc if necessary to regain teh steering wheel controls/dash LCD - is that possible? The $200 for a good radio + adapters is still less than the factory "upgrade" - unless that upgrade also give you something like better speakers, an extra amp, etc?

Wouldn't bother w/ aftermarket sunroof. Leather kits though - hmmmm - really just needed for the back seats... kids + cloth = stains.

 

[DKaz]

If you get a Grand Touring with the NAVI, I believe you can MP3s of CDs, or get a dirt cheap MP3 player USB thumbdrive.

I personally like the green backlit lights, no it's not pretty but it's easier on the eyes.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Well, so we did it...

Got a '10 M5 Sport, copper red. Seems to have zero extras/options.
At only $17,7 total (incl all fees) before state taxes, the price difference between new (w/ a whopping 32 miles, 6 of which we put on during test drive) and a low-mileage '08 being only a few thousand bucks, it was an easy choice.

FYI there is currently a $500 "loyalty cash" but it applies to all Mazda vehicles except this one (??? grrrr)

Happy to be part of the M5 family now (joining my P5 side). Now you guys can look out for lots of questions from me ;-)

 

[KBrian]

Congrats, Rat. Think of all the mods you can do with the money you saved
Excellent buy on the 10' 5













32000 km

 

[Robotazky]

Cool man. Congrats.