Hello all.
My better half and I finally found time to get to the dealer and take a test drive on the mazda5.
We didnt really have a preference on which year or model, as long as it was an automatic, since that was what we would be buying, as my wife would have to be driving in heavy traffic a lot, and does not drive a manual, so enough said.
We particularly wanted to see if the vehicle was underpowered(at least according to us), and if the a/c was unpowered, and anything else, so please excuse me, if the post gets long and words, since I want to share my thoughts on this matter.
The dealer we got to only had two mazda5,s in stock. Both 2006,s. They were the same two vehicles they had there for the last two months. Two months ago, when we first looked at them, they had three vehicles. I guess they are not moving too many. They have six 2007,s (at least they told me that) coming in the first week of November.
The vehicle we tested was a pearl white, touring, automatic.
They let us take the car unaccompanied, and since the car had a quarter tank of gas, I told him I would be back in about a half hour, only of about twenty minutes of which I would actually be driving. He said "no problem"
The car was left on the far end of the lot, with the key in it. So we got in, buckled up, and turned the motor on.
Surprised that the motor was so quiet on start up. Very quiet starter motor. Upon startup, the car started to purr, with no detectable vibration.
I adjusted the mirrors, and then we played around with the various controls.
1) Front windshield wipers.
The wipers appear to be strong, and cover a large percentage of the front windshield, and do a good job, of cleaning the windshield wiper fluid off. Of course after about a half minute later, it needed that one last wipe, the way most cars do. 10 of 10
2) Seatbelts
The front seatbelts feel a bit delicate. I dont know exactly, but maybee too thin. My other vans, had a more substantial three point belt, and seemed because they were wider, felt more protective and didnt dig in as much.
Plus the attach point, seemed to be a few inches further back and down then on our other vans. Not totally happy with the flimsy belts.
5 of 10
3) Stereo
Just a note;; we didnt have a cd with us, so this is all based on the radio, and comparing it to my old camry which I drove up there with.
We turned the stereo on, and turned to our favorite fm, rock station. Music sounded very tinny. We found the adjustment knob, and found there was no bass , trebble or any settings adjusted. We adjusted them to our taste, and have to say, the radio is just adequate, nothing more.
Not much bottom or envelopment of sound. Also, we noticed the reception was no where as good as a fifteen year old camry. (We tested this in the same spots)
We are not critical music listeners, and not a very important feature to us, but if it was, we would be unhappy with radio.
6 of 10
4) Air conditioning
Since this was a touring it had climate control. We love a/c and climate control is not important to us, since we usually just crank the a/c to its highest.
Now its unfortunate that this is october in the mid atlantic states, and cant perform an adequate test of the a/c in hot weather, but it seems like it will do the job for us.
99 percent of the time, there will be no more then two people in the car, and the a/c blower seemed very vigorous on the high setting, and the vents blew out very cold air. (I took my instant read thermometer to compare it to my camary, which as a very decent a/c)
The fan speed didnt vary, and we really couldnt feel the compressor going on and off that badly.
The different choices on where the air should come from, worked flawlessly and quickly. When changing from a/c to heat, it worked quickly and strongly.
We could not see anything wrong with it, at least in this cooler weather we had today . It was about 50 degrees at test time.
10 of 10 for front seat occupants
5) Pedals.
I know this is purely subjective, but I though there should be slightly more room between the gas and the brake pedal. Sometimes it seemed that when releasing from the gas, the side of my foot was brushing against the brake pedal. This ceased as I got used to it, but I would have like to see another inch.
The pedals felt (physically) to be of good size and good feel.
8 of 10
6) Pedals mechanically
Gas pedal seemed to have proper response and reaction to pressure place on it. Seemed well modulated.
10 of 10
Brake seemed a bit touchy. I dont know if brakes needed adjustement, but made a few controlled quick stops and slow down, to see what reaction would be with brakes and car.
On quick braking from thirty miles an hour, the car seemed to nose down a bit in front, and vehicle not sure if it wanted to go exactly straight or a bit to left or right.
Tried this several times, at local speeds, and well as trying to go from 70 to 40 on highway.
On highway, the quick slowdown, produced desired results, but not as smooth as other vehicles I have, but seemed well controlled.
On by ways, where doing a quick stop, say from forty to 0, it always stayed in control, but I would like to have seen a more controlled response from the vehicle. Not bad, but I though it would be better.
7 of 10
8) Transmission
This being an automatic, I used both the drive position and the automatic shift position.
The transmission seemed to work flawlessly no matter what the situation. I lugged it, I smoked it, I redlined it, I downshifted , upshifted, took everything I had.
Instantly responsive and easy to use. Tried to downshift from second to 1st when going too fast, to see what it would do, and it refused to downshift, when revs are too high. At redline, you can feel the rev limiter kick in.
I like that even in automatic mode, it shows what gear your in.
All in all, a delightful trannie.
10 of 10
9) Motor
Vehcile had plenty of pickup as far as I was concerned even in the pure automatic mode.
It took off from traffic, blended into the hiway, and accelerated on highway for passing with no problem(zoom, zoom)
I could not see any problem with the power curve. Once you could see what the engine and transmission are capable of doing(and the learning curve is short), I could do just about anything.
I dont mind a high winding engine, as long as it doesnt seemed strained, and happy to wind out, without feeling you are decreasing the life of vehicle. This engine felt delightful, and with the delightlful transmission, felt like a wonderful combination.
10 of 10
Horn
Wimpy horn, like a lot of japanese cars. More like saying, please look at me, I am sorry to bother you. LOL But I hardly every use my horn, so no bother.
8 of 10
Couldnt check out lights, fog lights, didnt try our cruise control(I should have)
Inside parts.
While not perfect, I have seen a lot worse use of plastic and ill fitting panels in a lot of vehicles these days. Nothing wrong with this mazda.
Seat material feels durable and comfortable, should last a long time. I dont like leather seats, so not an option for me.
Some of the speakers, (especially the ones near the side windows) look and appear to be cheap quality. I wonder how long before the speakers develop a buzz or rattle in it.
Road feel and noise
Normal ride felt secure, with some engine noise and road noise coming throught. Sheet metal appears to be thing and not a lot of sound deadening material.
I didnt work the windows, so dont know how it is when the windows are open(Another thing I should have done), but we drive with the windows closed 95 percent of the time.
Liked all the various little pockets to put things in. Glove box is way small, to the extent of why bother.
Would have liked to see a full size spare and not a donut.
Moonroof had paper on it, as well as the paint job, so couldnt work the moonroof, but will not use it that much, so no bother.
I think this covers much of everything. Overall the vehcile seems perfect for us, and our present needs, and the price point is just lovely.
My wife still loves that stellar green(and they got one coming in , in November), and wont fight her on color.
Overall , I give the car an 8 of 10, which is as high a mark as I have ever given a car.
When the 2007,s come in, salesman will call, and then we can start negotiations. I hope to be in one, somtime next month.
Stay safe
My better half and I finally found time to get to the dealer and take a test drive on the mazda5.
We didnt really have a preference on which year or model, as long as it was an automatic, since that was what we would be buying, as my wife would have to be driving in heavy traffic a lot, and does not drive a manual, so enough said.
We particularly wanted to see if the vehicle was underpowered(at least according to us), and if the a/c was unpowered, and anything else, so please excuse me, if the post gets long and words, since I want to share my thoughts on this matter.
The dealer we got to only had two mazda5,s in stock. Both 2006,s. They were the same two vehicles they had there for the last two months. Two months ago, when we first looked at them, they had three vehicles. I guess they are not moving too many. They have six 2007,s (at least they told me that) coming in the first week of November.
The vehicle we tested was a pearl white, touring, automatic.
They let us take the car unaccompanied, and since the car had a quarter tank of gas, I told him I would be back in about a half hour, only of about twenty minutes of which I would actually be driving. He said "no problem"
The car was left on the far end of the lot, with the key in it. So we got in, buckled up, and turned the motor on.
Surprised that the motor was so quiet on start up. Very quiet starter motor. Upon startup, the car started to purr, with no detectable vibration.
I adjusted the mirrors, and then we played around with the various controls.
1) Front windshield wipers.
The wipers appear to be strong, and cover a large percentage of the front windshield, and do a good job, of cleaning the windshield wiper fluid off. Of course after about a half minute later, it needed that one last wipe, the way most cars do. 10 of 10
2) Seatbelts
The front seatbelts feel a bit delicate. I dont know exactly, but maybee too thin. My other vans, had a more substantial three point belt, and seemed because they were wider, felt more protective and didnt dig in as much.
Plus the attach point, seemed to be a few inches further back and down then on our other vans. Not totally happy with the flimsy belts.
5 of 10
3) Stereo
Just a note;; we didnt have a cd with us, so this is all based on the radio, and comparing it to my old camry which I drove up there with.
We turned the stereo on, and turned to our favorite fm, rock station. Music sounded very tinny. We found the adjustment knob, and found there was no bass , trebble or any settings adjusted. We adjusted them to our taste, and have to say, the radio is just adequate, nothing more.
Not much bottom or envelopment of sound. Also, we noticed the reception was no where as good as a fifteen year old camry. (We tested this in the same spots)
We are not critical music listeners, and not a very important feature to us, but if it was, we would be unhappy with radio.
6 of 10
4) Air conditioning
Since this was a touring it had climate control. We love a/c and climate control is not important to us, since we usually just crank the a/c to its highest.
Now its unfortunate that this is october in the mid atlantic states, and cant perform an adequate test of the a/c in hot weather, but it seems like it will do the job for us.
99 percent of the time, there will be no more then two people in the car, and the a/c blower seemed very vigorous on the high setting, and the vents blew out very cold air. (I took my instant read thermometer to compare it to my camary, which as a very decent a/c)
The fan speed didnt vary, and we really couldnt feel the compressor going on and off that badly.
The different choices on where the air should come from, worked flawlessly and quickly. When changing from a/c to heat, it worked quickly and strongly.
We could not see anything wrong with it, at least in this cooler weather we had today . It was about 50 degrees at test time.
10 of 10 for front seat occupants
5) Pedals.
I know this is purely subjective, but I though there should be slightly more room between the gas and the brake pedal. Sometimes it seemed that when releasing from the gas, the side of my foot was brushing against the brake pedal. This ceased as I got used to it, but I would have like to see another inch.
The pedals felt (physically) to be of good size and good feel.
8 of 10
6) Pedals mechanically
Gas pedal seemed to have proper response and reaction to pressure place on it. Seemed well modulated.
10 of 10
Brake seemed a bit touchy. I dont know if brakes needed adjustement, but made a few controlled quick stops and slow down, to see what reaction would be with brakes and car.
On quick braking from thirty miles an hour, the car seemed to nose down a bit in front, and vehicle not sure if it wanted to go exactly straight or a bit to left or right.
Tried this several times, at local speeds, and well as trying to go from 70 to 40 on highway.
On highway, the quick slowdown, produced desired results, but not as smooth as other vehicles I have, but seemed well controlled.
On by ways, where doing a quick stop, say from forty to 0, it always stayed in control, but I would like to have seen a more controlled response from the vehicle. Not bad, but I though it would be better.
7 of 10
8) Transmission
This being an automatic, I used both the drive position and the automatic shift position.
The transmission seemed to work flawlessly no matter what the situation. I lugged it, I smoked it, I redlined it, I downshifted , upshifted, took everything I had.
Instantly responsive and easy to use. Tried to downshift from second to 1st when going too fast, to see what it would do, and it refused to downshift, when revs are too high. At redline, you can feel the rev limiter kick in.
I like that even in automatic mode, it shows what gear your in.
All in all, a delightful trannie.
10 of 10
9) Motor
Vehcile had plenty of pickup as far as I was concerned even in the pure automatic mode.
It took off from traffic, blended into the hiway, and accelerated on highway for passing with no problem(zoom, zoom)
I could not see any problem with the power curve. Once you could see what the engine and transmission are capable of doing(and the learning curve is short), I could do just about anything.
I dont mind a high winding engine, as long as it doesnt seemed strained, and happy to wind out, without feeling you are decreasing the life of vehicle. This engine felt delightful, and with the delightlful transmission, felt like a wonderful combination.
10 of 10
Horn
Wimpy horn, like a lot of japanese cars. More like saying, please look at me, I am sorry to bother you. LOL But I hardly every use my horn, so no bother.
8 of 10
Couldnt check out lights, fog lights, didnt try our cruise control(I should have)
Inside parts.
While not perfect, I have seen a lot worse use of plastic and ill fitting panels in a lot of vehicles these days. Nothing wrong with this mazda.
Seat material feels durable and comfortable, should last a long time. I dont like leather seats, so not an option for me.
Some of the speakers, (especially the ones near the side windows) look and appear to be cheap quality. I wonder how long before the speakers develop a buzz or rattle in it.
Road feel and noise
Normal ride felt secure, with some engine noise and road noise coming throught. Sheet metal appears to be thing and not a lot of sound deadening material.
I didnt work the windows, so dont know how it is when the windows are open(Another thing I should have done), but we drive with the windows closed 95 percent of the time.
Liked all the various little pockets to put things in. Glove box is way small, to the extent of why bother.
Would have liked to see a full size spare and not a donut.
Moonroof had paper on it, as well as the paint job, so couldnt work the moonroof, but will not use it that much, so no bother.
I think this covers much of everything. Overall the vehcile seems perfect for us, and our present needs, and the price point is just lovely.
My wife still loves that stellar green(and they got one coming in , in November), and wont fight her on color.
Overall , I give the car an 8 of 10, which is as high a mark as I have ever given a car.
When the 2007,s come in, salesman will call, and then we can start negotiations. I hope to be in one, somtime next month.
Stay safe
