Gonna check out a GT + PEP on Friday

Don't want the 2016.5 model... for two primary reasons, initially (rear vents and rear USB - my kid will greatly appreciate BOTH in the back seat) and then the new packages added on top of that.
Very sound reasons, I would wait for the right one, at the right price, to come along as well. Good luck!
 
17 Outclasses 16.5 in many ways. If you are spending 27K, you might as well pay a bit extra. Understand that 17 buyers will make up a bit of the 3k difference when they sell theirs. In fact a 17 Touring with a good package >>> 16.5 GT Loaded imo and price wise they are similar.
Big pluses for 17:
You cannot get the quiet interior - you can do all the dynamat stuff - but cant match what Mazda did from factory.
Rear Vents are plus.
Its profile is more apt now - a bit lowered. It wont have that much trouble pushing air when doing 75-80 mph which the 16.5 aka fatboy Tim cant.
Interior is a class above 16.5 - 16.5 is a Cave like interior even with Sand seats. 17 is so cool.

I own a 16.5 but I need one asap so no point waiting. But 17 runs circles around 16.5 in every way. It is a superior CUV.

Don't miss what I don't have - the 2016 is awesome. I regularly run 80+ on the freeway back and forth to work, and have no trouble with it "pushing air." Just this morning, while cruising into work, happened to look down and was doing 90. Never would have known had I not checked. For a 5K savings, I'm happy.
 
Don't miss what I don't have - the 2016 is awesome. I regularly run 80+ on the freeway back and forth to work, and have no trouble with it "pushing air." Just this morning, while cruising into work, happened to look down and was doing 90. Never would have known had I not checked. For a 5K savings, I'm happy.
And we have CD player so that we can EASILY to enjoy the best quality musical source; and sensible DRL design without headlights on ALL THE TIME and that would drown out the good-looking LED Signature DRLs! When the LED headlghts burn out due to the over-usage after several years without warranty, expecting ~$1,500 replacement cost for EASH headlight! ;)
 
I have to admit though, it would be nice if it were a touch quieter. I'm already thinking about getting an undercoating to drown out some of the road noise. Bet it doesn't cost 5K to get that done (I hope!).
 
And we have CD player so that we can EASILY to enjoy the best quality musical source; and sensible DRL design without headlights on ALL THE TIME and that would drown out the good-looking LED Signature DRLs! When the LED headlghts burn out due to the over-usage after several years without warranty, expecting ~$1,500 replacement cost for EASH headlight! ;)

LOL. I have incandescent headlights, and leave my car in auto-on mode for headlights (they turn on by themselves when I go into a tunnel, or parking garage, etc.) No burnouts in 10+ years. LED will last foreverrrrr!
 
LOL. I have incandescent headlights, and leave my car in auto-on mode for headlights (they turn on by themselves when I go into a tunnel, or parking garage, etc.) No burnouts in 10+ years. LED will last foreverrrrr!
Even in theory LED won't last forever! And most of time it's the other components failed first due to heat or quality. Your halogen headlights won't be on during the day most of time even in Auto mode or they would burn out sooner or later. To see how long the LEDs can last on our CX-5 if you keep them on all the time, just see this thread:

Daytime running lights dim/flickering

At least my 2016 CX-5 still can pass annual Texas state inspection even if a section of DRL LED failed. But if the LED headlight failed due to the over-usage, you have no choice but replace it or you either get ticket or can't pass annual inspection! We simply don't need headlights with DRLs!
 
Even in theory LED won't last forever! And most of time it's the other components failed first due to heat or quality. Your halogen headlights won't be on during the day most of time even in Auto mode or they would burn out sooner or later. To see how long the LEDs can last on our CX-5 if you keep them on all the time, just see this thread:

Daytime running lights dim/flickering

At least my 2016 CX-5 still can pass annual Texas state inspection even if a section of DRL LED failed. But if the LED headlight failed due to the over-usage, you have no choice but replace it or you either get ticket or can't pass annual inspection! We simply don't need headlights with DRLs!

Inspections are (possibly/probably) going away, btw. State senate passed their bill:

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/0...to-eliminate-safety-inspections-for-vehicles/
 
Inspections are (possibly/probably) going away, btw. State senate passed their bill:

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/0...to-eliminate-safety-inspections-for-vehicles/

I had heard about this, I SO hope it happens! State inspections are such a pain, and now you have to have one before your registration can be renewed. I have two trailers that work fine, but try finding an inspection station that will also inspect trailers.... wound up going to a trailer place instead, X's 2. Such an unnecessary hassle.
 
Don't miss what I don't have - the 2016 is awesome. I regularly run 80+ on the freeway back and forth to work, and have no trouble with it "pushing air." Just this morning, while cruising into work, happened to look down and was doing 90. Never would have known had I not checked. For a 5K savings, I'm happy.

Agree completely. To add, I'll never completely like the looks of the 17, so why buy it to begin with. This one will suit us just fine until I decide on something else, whenever that time comes. Hopefully this Mazda treats us right...
 
Don't miss what I don't have - the 2016 is awesome. I regularly run 80+ on the freeway back and forth to work, and have no trouble with it "pushing air." Just this morning, while cruising into work, happened to look down and was doing 90. Never would have known had I not checked. For a 5K savings, I'm happy.

That happens to me too.

I don't understand this "pushing air" thing at all.
 
And we have CD player so that we can EASILY to enjoy the best quality musical source; and sensible DRL design without headlights on ALL THE TIME and that would drown out the good-looking LED Signature DRLs! When the LED headlghts burn out due to the over-usage after several years without warranty, expecting ~$1,500 replacement cost for EASH headlight! ;)

(deadhorse

Generally, LEDs have a lifetime of about 50,000 hours. I think the LEDs burning out are the least of our worries. If that's true, you could have your headlights on 12 hours a day, every day, and not have to replace the bulbs for over 11 years.
 
And we have CD player so that we can EASILY to enjoy the best quality musical source; and sensible DRL design without headlights on ALL THE TIME and that would drown out the good-looking LED Signature DRLs! When the LED headlghts burn out due to the over-usage after several years without warranty, expecting ~$1,500 replacement cost for EASH headlight! ;)

Your grasping at straws here.
Ofcourse you wont bring up the fact that 16.5 windshield cracks even if you look at it the wrong way. And I do not believe anyone here has nailed it to a range of VINs. So its pretty much possible it can happen to last of the 16.5s.
17 is superior, no doubt. Infact my fear is Mazda has done too much for 17, not sure what the next big refresh can bring.
Money is the only reason you dont go 17. If you can afford a 17 Touring with a package >>>>> 16.5 fully loaded GT.
If you sell your car soon - you will get a better resale and recoup most of it - the body styling of 16 is now "OLD".
If you sell after 10 years - you will be a using a vastly superior car for 10 years and still get some better re sale.
 
Money isn't the only reason you don't go 17, far from it, a lot here have posted they wouldn't take a 17 no matter the price because of the looks. I am one of those. I will never like the looks overall of it, so why buy it. The 16.5 will suit us just fine considering ole girl likes to keep cars for 15 years. Glad to have it in the stable...
 
(deadhorse

Generally, LEDs have a lifetime of about 50,000 hours. I think the LEDs burning out are the least of our worries. If that's true, you could have your headlights on 12 hours a day, every day, and not have to replace the bulbs for over 11 years.

Not so much the LED bulb I would be worried about. Its the components associated to the bulbs such as the housing, motors that move the bulbs, the power and electrical components related to the LEDs. Going back to the actual LED bulb itself yes it does have a ridiculous "potential" lifespan but I've seen plenty give out. Again it may or may not be the buld but regardless it's not being lit. From cheapo LED christmas lights to Audi LED DRLs going bad.

That said I'd highly prefer to have user replaceable LED headlights. In automotive LED head-lighting defense I've yet to see LED headlights give out.
 
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