I have a feeling that the 09 Mazda 5 might have the new 2.5l that they will be putting in the new mazda 6. Just a feeling....
I too enjoy the 2.3L. Fine powerplant if you ask me... critical reviewers citing underpoweredness can kiss my booty!
08 will equal 09 IMO. The better question is, 07 or 08? The 2008 definately is better in terms of features, but you also have to consider that the remaining 07's festering on dealer lots will offer a good bargain.
I'm in the same situation - my only wish is they'll have traction/stability control so I'm waiting to see if 09 will have it. The "official" response from Mazda when inquire abou the traction/stability control is:
"Hello,
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the
opportunity to respond to you.
Traction Control has traditionally been a safety feature in high-performance
cars, which would otherwise need very sensitive throttle input to keep them from
spinning when accelerating, especially in wet or snowy conditions. Since the
MAZDA5 is a sporty car, it is far from a high-performance vehicle. On the other
hand it is equipped with the latest Electronic Brakeforce Distribution or EBD is
an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force
applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading,
etc. Often coupled with anti-lock braking systems, EBD can apply more or less
braking pressure to each wheel in order to maximize stopping power whilst
maintaining steering control.
Regards,
Scott V.
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business":bs:
Sorry, had to do that. This [no ESC/TCS] is the main reason I'm not in a 5 today. Gotta haves for where I live.
"Hello,
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the
opportunity to respond to you.
Traction Control has traditionally been a safety feature in high-performance
cars, which would otherwise need very sensitive throttle input to keep them from
spinning when accelerating, especially in wet or snowy conditions. Since the
MAZDA5 is a sporty car, it is far from a high-performance vehicle. On the other
hand it is equipped with the latest Electronic Brakeforce Distribution or EBD is
an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force
applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading,
etc. Often coupled with anti-lock braking systems, EBD can apply more or less
braking pressure to each wheel in order to maximize stopping power whilst
maintaining steering control.
Regards,
Scott V.
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business"
I see you live in Minnesota. I know that Spokane, WA here isn't exactly the deep freeze of Minnesota, but we get our fair share of ice and snow. Not have Traction Control has never been an issue for me. In fact I have seen traction control stop some vehicles in their tracks on icy roads or deep snow when the only way to get moving is to have some wheel spin.
I'm a special case, but extra traction is very important for me. I live in the Twin Cities, in the city. I travel on a lot of side streets that don't get plowed much (and snow hangs around here a while), and have to pull onto faster streets. Anything that helps you start out without wheel slip is a big plus for me. My wife's A3 with snows works pretty well. I went for a while without AWD or traction control, and then used a Subaru for a while (wife's old car). Huge difference for my daily travels. No way to go back to a vehicle without AWD or at least TCS.
I agree that there are times when wheelspin is needed. That's what the kill switch for [and why it should be provided].