get a m5 '08 or wait for '09

pulpo

Member
:
mazda5
we are definatley getting a mazda5, but are not in a rush. Does anyone know of new features that would make it worth waiting for the '09 model? (crazy)
 
Seeing that the '08 is new I don't suspect there will be any major changes upcoming for 2009.
 
Get 08!!.. it is smoother, Quieter, Nicer, Cooler, Prettier, than before..(drinks)

I guess i am way to attached to my new M5 ^^

09 should be "same" may be bit different color choices? (like Electron Blue ??)

Oh one more reason to by 08 now.. Special APR from Mazda (that is if you finance your new car )
 
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 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 would think the 2.5L wouldn't trickle down until the next model year in order to keep focus on the 6, but it would be worthwhile to some. I personally wouldn't be too interested unless it had improved fuel economy. The 5 is already plenty fast for my needs... though I don't mid not having the fastest car as it keeps me out of trouble. Plus that 2.3L just sounds great when you wind it out towards 6500 RPM.

For the OP: An '08 5 is a solid buy. We had the decision a while back to get an '07 or wait for the '08 improvements. I'm not regretful of buying the '07, even with less armrests and only the 4 speed auto. It's a great car and should be so for years to come.
 
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 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.

Agreed. we were offered out '07 sport at "Invoice" and the dealer accepted the dealer invoice as printed from Edmunds.com, so I think we did pretty well. It was almost impossible to get below invoice because 5s stay on the lot for a week or 2 at most around here and all the dealers already knew me, as I was just waiting for a Sport with no options...

And as far as underpowered, it depends on what you are used to. My parents' '01 Maxima flat out would dust the 5 no problem, and reviewers these days are driving 300+ HP WRX's and 500+ HP Corvettes and Mercedes, so the 5 is gonna be slooooow to them.
 
My 2 cents:

If you are not in a rush, I would wait until around the end of 08. Once you know what the 09 will have you'll decide: 08 or 09. Also, by that time 08s will have a larger than life "For Sale" sign at all dealers anyway...

In my opinion (mazdadude can correct me here, he seems to have some "brand" experience and exposure (lol2)) I haven't seen Mazda making radical facelifts to cars after only one year, its economy of scale (they are small compared to others) does not let them spend big amounts of money on those things that frequently.
 
The 5 is "slow" but it is plenty adaquate for hauling kids, etc. I actually think it is geared a little low.

I haven't gotten used to the drive by wire yet. I always wonder what is actually going on with the throttle because sometimes it feels like there is a boost. I assume some of this is cam timing and intake runner length changes, but I have no way of knowing what is going on in there. ;)
 
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:
 
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:

[VENTING ON] Translation: we gave the 5 an underpowered engine so that we wouldn't have to include any advanced safety features. Safety features are only for high performance vehicles, not family vehicles. Besides, the 5 does have EBD!!!!!! Happy day!!!!

By the way, this guy's quote: "Since the MAZDA5 is a sporty car, it is far from a high-performance vehicle;" sounds a bit like Warren Brown's "No Zoom-Zoom in the 5" quote.
[VENTING OFF]

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.
 
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.

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 can see wanting Stability Control for safety, but I think the 5 is a case of having to leave some things out in order to keep the price down. Kinda strange it's not an option on the Grand Touring, but never been an issue with me.
 
"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"

(huh)... cough, cough ...:bs:.... cough, cough ...(yawn)... cough...(encourage

But I agree with mrbwa1, ESC is not a must in the Mazda5 (I would love it though, don't take me wrong).

Now, SUVs need it and actually thanks to them the ESC started to become more standard as the rollovers were increasing by the minute (remember the Toyota 4runners?) partly due to having a gravity center as high as the Kilimanjaro.

I used to live in Illinois for some time plus I drove to Kansas City many times during Winter. No problems with snow, but icy road conditions were the order of the day. My Chevy Cavalier not even had ABS, Did I ever feel a real need for ESC? No. Did I feel the need to learn how to drive under those conditions? Oh yes...
 
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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].

Lots of Canadians here, and a bunch in the Toronto area. Would TCS help you?
 
While TCS/ECS is not a must at least give us as an option. As far as I know the 5 is based on the 3. If the 3 Grand Touring comes standard, then at least we should be able to get it as an option...(dunno)
 
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].

I can't argue with what works for you! I think that we're just a much smaller area, and we have such low speed limits, that if forget what a "real" city is like sometimes. I mean seriously, is 30MPH too fast for a main road with 3 or 4 lanes in each direction?

On a side note, our 5 is an AT, but has a mode that lets you start off in 2nd gear, much like a lot of people do with a manual tranny. That can help overcome wheelspin quite a bit on the 5. Also, I think the couple of complaints I have hear about TCS are cheaper systems that don't let you fully turn them off. I had a rental Dodge charge in California in the middle of the canyons (as middle of nowhere as you can get near LA) and found out that even with TCS/ESC off, one you get the rear end out too much, it still freaks out and spoils the fun!
 
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