I don't mind Mexico, my HHR SS wasn't too bad and that was GM Mexico. But made in Japan is one of the reasons I bought the 5. My 2014 looks have grown on me. I wish I could easily source a Nissan Lafesta Highway Star front end, or someone would make a poly version of the Autoexe front fascia.
Future of the Mazda5
- Thread starter idmd
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- 2008 Mazda5 GT
I've read some good things too but then there are also other sectors that went down and turn complete crap. I guess there are local factors we are not privy too. Nonetheless, I'm a late lagger and I'm ok with that 
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I bet a front end conversion to <'10 could be done ($$$)! I do agree and would buy the Lafesta in a heartbeat.
Btw, did the new car ever get a mid-cycle refresh? I don't' think they change the design at all, right!?!?
.I bet a front end conversion to <'10 could be done ($$$)! I do agree and would buy the Lafesta in a heartbeat.
Btw, did the new car ever get a mid-cycle refresh? I don't' think they change the design at all, right!?!?
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The Lafesta Highway Star is just a Mazda5 without the Nagare lines on the side and a more conventional front end.
Pro photog + overdone photoshop + body kit = more interesting looking in this picture than it actually is.
Barf. That is some sick menage a trois of Honda Fit grill, WRX lower valence, and JC Whitney accessory catalog.
You should be OK with self maintenance, so long as you documented it properly
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- 2008 Mazda5 GT
What do you think of the Mazda5? Good, bad, ugly?
Eye of the beholder I suppose. It doesnt look interesting to me, in fact more bland, which is why I like it. It looks almost like the <10 but with a slightly longish nose and wearing a different mustache
. The only body kit aspect is the lower front lip and even that is very subtle. The thickish horizontal grill makes me think baby Ford Flex, in a good way, and the chromo adds a touch of luxury (spoken very softy). I much prefer the traditional trapezoidal angry/mean looking lower grill, not the upside down happy looking one on the current model. But the BIGGEST differences are those damn doors! I can put up with the salamander face but I just cannot and will not accept those doors! I did a 5min MS Paint edit on a 12 to removing the middle and lower crease leaving just the top, like the Lafesta, and it looks 1000000000% better (may be my eyes are so fixated on the door differences). Try it and tell me what you think. Take away the Photoshopiness and you get this. Still looks MUCH better to me - eye of the beholder.
Agree on this one. This body kit is over done. The snow plow front end and massive scoops is so pass.
You know, I felt the same way about the "uglified" 2nd gen when it first came out. Then a couple of years later I bought one. At first I also didn't care for the smiley face, the Frankenstein looking rear end and specially the Nagare body lines. However, after owning it for over a year and seeing it everyday plus the addition of my 18" MS3 wheels I actually have learned to love it. And now that I saw the LaFesta picture again. I am glad that my MZ5 has the Nagare lines and the smiley face front end because it looks a heck of a lot better then the plain Jane version for Nissan.
The components (inner parts) of Mazda, when Ford had a major stake in 07, are made up of Ford parts due to cost sharing while Mazda provided the engine. The main difference is that the Mazda5 was assembled in Japan (affects the build quality as there is still a human factor) and different paneling. This is the first Ive seem to claim Mazdas dont rust or rust less, esp since you are in the rust belt. My experiences (2 Mazda5, 1 Miata, friends cars) and those that Ive come across say otherwise. How do you think Mazda is able to keep their price down (they save their marketing dollars and pass the saving onto you
As an enthusiast, I try to be sensible and remember that at the end of the day it is still a piece of machinery, some better than others, with perceived soul/spirit/character. In reality it gets used and abused (if not then you are not enjoying it!) and will eventually be dumped/passed on like an old fling.
http://www.6crew.com/forum/showthread.php?21500-Duratec-MZR-family-history-(GOOD-READ)
Now that I think about it, Im not so sure Id be interested in a newer Mazda b/c the N.A. car would likely be made in the new Mexico plant. Nothing against Made in Mehico but I prefer my JDM Mazda 5 and let the early adopters take on the change. Goddammit. Why couldnt they have made the +12 a little less ugly With the whole end of lifecycle looming, new crappy IIHS rating, and suckers falling for _UVs, it is prime to pick up an unwanted Mazda5 in the upcoming/inevitable closeout.
I will go out tomorrow and take a couple of photos of my 7 year old mazda 5, living in the biggest rust belt there is. hell, there are hardly any 7 year old toyotas on the road here because they are full of cancer (i.e. RUST). I know of 2 second gen tundras brought into the shop here alone for replacement chasis. thats crazy! My jeep has NO rust either and that is a 2011. Toyotas are made from cheap garbage. Yes you can light one on fire, drop it off a cliff and the motor will still start. But leave it outside for more than 24 hrs and it will crack in half.
Yep, the new Gen 5 is awesome. actually, any 5 is awesome, what a purposeful, useful, fun to drive car. We love ours.
And there's the rub (wiggle)
Even if you were anal enough to keep such records, it still leaves them an opening to deny your claim. Not saying that it is a definite thing, but I know of people (with other brand cars) who did their own oil changes and were denied warranty repairs
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Well stock I think it is pretty ugly, but with the changes I have made (lowered, bigger wheels, tint) it appears a lot more aggressive and I like the looks a lot now. I get a lot of compliments on it and people asking me what it is, and comment on how "modern" looking it is.
I was previously dead set on getting the 1st gen but now I think it looks dated and like the looks of the 2nd gen better
I think the Lafesta is too vanilla, but I am sure if the 5 looked like that here, it would have sold a lot better. The looks of the 2nd gen 5 are too polarizing
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I agree with your entire post 100%. I love my 2nd gen too. Far beyond the looks alone.
Having seen a Lafesta in person, I agree.
And thanks for the inspiration for my Mazda5, since I am your copycat
I have the springs here, just need to install them nowInterestingly, i LOVE the smiley face on my Mazdaspeed3, but HATE it on my Mazda5.
Also, opposite to you, I LOVE the tail lights.
On the 09/10 mazda5, I couldn't STAND the ugly tail lights.... especially when clear, looked like Pep Boys special.
I modified my mazdaspeed3 tails, so they aren't garish clear anymore.
