Good price on a '12?

[formulate]

Hi all. After our 2002's Forester ate its transmission last week we're suddenly in the market for a new family car.

I've driven a 2012 Mazda5 Sport 6MT around the block but didn't get a chance to really get a feel for it. Size wise it's about perfect for us (two adults, two small kids).

We're cross shopping this with the new 2012 CR-V aaaand maybe the RAV4, just to say we looked at it.

My local dealer quoted me ~$17.5k for a 6MT Sport as he's eager to get final sales in before the end of the year. This included delivery, but not TTL. Seems like a good deal to me. I thought I read there was a sticky thread regarding prices paid, but I don't see it.

Also, has anyone put a third party trailer hitch on their 2012s?

 

[dieseldriver]

For a Sport '12, I would say that's a very good price. Maybe nag the salesman into throwing in something like all season mats and tailpipe finisher. Maybe even mudguards? Not sure if you will get all three but he may be desparate enough to give you 2 out of 3.

I'd say go for it, can't go wrong with Mazda5 at that price. BTW, Mazda5's come from Hiroshima Japan, something that's rare for Honda and Toyota these days. I have three small children and fit the whole family comfortably. Really comfortable with only 2 kids on board - ages 10+10!

Hi all. After our 2002's Forester ate its transmission last week we're suddenly in the market for a new family car.

I've driven a 2012 Mazda5 Sport 6MT around the block but didn't get a chance to really get a feel for it. Size wise it's about perfect for us (two adults, two small kids).

We're cross shopping this with the new 2012 CR-V aaaand maybe the RAV4, just to say we looked at it.

My local dealer quoted me ~$17.5k for a 6MT Sport as he's eager to get final sales in before the end of the year. This included delivery, but not TTL. Seems like a good deal to me. I thought I read there was a sticky thread regarding prices paid, but I don't see it.

Also, has anyone put a third party trailer hitch on their 2012s?

 

[dieseldriver]

For a Sport '12, I would say that's a very good price. Maybe nag the salesman into throwing in something like all season mats and tailpipe finisher. Maybe even mudguards? Not sure if you will get all three but he may be desparate enough to give you 2 out of 3.

I'd say go for it, can't go wrong with Mazda5 at that price. BTW, Mazda5's come from Hiroshima Japan, something that's rare for Honda and Toyota these days. I have three small children and fit the whole family comfortably. Really comfortable with only 2 kids on board - ages 10+10!

As soon as you do get it, put Dynamats on the two front doors, middle sliding doors, and quarter panels. You could have sworn you just bought a $40K+ car such as Lexus or Mercedes LOL.

 

[manualist]

17.5K is great price. I'm very happy with mine. With my old 07 Odyssey, sometime I had to actively fight off sleepiness on the highway. With 6MT in the 5 so far I've never had to.

 

[formulate]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My wife's going to go test drive one today.

FWIW, we're cross-shopping against the new CR-V. Anyone else do similar?

 

[dieseldriver]

I just got rid of my '07 Ody Touring and it really gave me a bad impression about Honda Motors after owning that vehicle.

I have to say though, if you're looking from a purely financial side of things when it's time to trade it in, Honda would be the best way to go as I would think that it would have a better resale value than the Mazda for sure.

I would also think that if you're in the market for a AWD vehicle, then why not wait to check out the new CX5 instead? I would think that from a driver's perspective, it would be a nicer car than the CR-V hands down. Skyactiv engine is supposed to go into the CX5 and I'm sure it will will outhandle and outperform, and runs circles around the CR-V in terms of fuel economy.

Thanks for the feedback guys. My wife's going to go test drive one today.

FWIW, we're cross-shopping against the new CR-V. Anyone else do similar?

 

[formulate]

I'm not terribly concerned about trade-in, plus the increased trade-in value would be offset by the higher purchase price of the CR-V anyways.

Can't really wait for the CX-5, plus I suspect the back seats will be a bit tight anyways. Yes, it's disappointing that there are more fuel efficient motors just around the corner (I'd love for the new Subaru 2.0 boxer to be in the Forester) but it's akin to getting a new computer, where you can get the current technology or wait x months for the next generation to come out.

Ride height of the CR-V might be a plus, especially because I plan on using a hitch-mounted bike rack.
AWD isn't a key, though if we got the CR-V I'd opt for the AWD, especially since it's passive and won't really affect day-to-day fuel efficiency.

Accessibility, fuel efficiency and storage space seem to be on Mazda's side though. As is the 6MT. Oh, and of course price.

 

[dieseldriver]

6 speed is definitely a nice feature on the M5, but I always have those days more often than not "gee I wish I opted for the auto"

Mazda should really have a 6 speed option for the GT trim level. But I like to smooth shifting auto on my M5GT -- kind of reminds me of the 86 Buick Park Avenue.

My brother has a 2011 Impreza Sports Wagon and he likes it a lot. I think it's a good car too, was thinking of the WRX but I need that extra space so for now, the M5GT foots the bill.

I'm not terribly concerned about trade-in, plus the increased trade-in value would be offset by the higher purchase price of the CR-V anyways.

Can't really wait for the CX-5, plus I suspect the back seats will be a bit tight anyways. Yes, it's disappointing that there are more fuel efficient motors just around the corner (I'd love for the new Subaru 2.0 boxer to be in the Forester) but it's akin to getting a new computer, where you can get the current technology or wait x months for the next generation to come out.

Ride height of the CR-V might be a plus, especially because I plan on using a hitch-mounted bike rack.
AWD isn't a key, though if we got the CR-V I'd opt for the AWD, especially since it's passive and won't really affect day-to-day fuel efficiency.

Accessibility, fuel efficiency and storage space seem to be on Mazda's side though. As is the 6MT. Oh, and of course price.

 

[formulate]

So last night I took a longer test drive in the Mazda5 and damned if I don't have enough leg room. I think the first time I drove it I was so focused on finding something with decent rear leg room that I didn't really pay attention to my driving position.

If the driver's seat rails were just 1" longer, I would have been much more comfortable. So great price aside, I'm going to eat my words and probably wait for the CX-5. In reading reviews yesterday they said overall dimensions of the CX-5 are slightly larger than the CR-V, so maybe there will be sufficient leg room. And, if they bring the diesel over then that would add another level of appeal.

 

[chandlerGTi]

I was worried about leg room but I drive up close anyway, I'm 6'1" and drive two hours a day without leg or back strain. Everyone is different though.

 

[dieseldriver]

That stinks. Hopefully, CX5 will work out for you. I do like the design of the new CX5.. Mazda's really coming out with some good models lately. I do like the Mazda3 hatchback style too, with Skyactiv, but checked the Mazda's website and it looks like the only tranny available with the Skyactiv on the 3 is auto. Oh well....

So last night I took a longer test drive in the Mazda5 and damned if I don't have enough leg room. I think the first time I drove it I was so focused on finding something with decent rear leg room that I didn't really pay attention to my driving position.

If the driver's seat rails were just 1" longer, I would have been much more comfortable. So great price aside, I'm going to eat my words and probably wait for the CX-5. In reading reviews yesterday they said overall dimensions of the CX-5 are slightly larger than the CR-V, so maybe there will be sufficient leg room. And, if they bring the diesel over then that would add another level of appeal.

 

[Nurburgringer]

So last night I took a longer test drive in the Mazda5 and damned if I don't have enough leg room. I think the first time I drove it I was so focused on finding something with decent rear leg room that I didn't really pay attention to my driving position.

If the driver's seat rails were just 1" longer, I would have been much more comfortable.

Bummer, that was a great price! About $1k less than we paid.
I hear you on the legroom. I'm 6' but with the arms and legs of a 6'2" dude. Getting in after my wife I move the seat all the way back to the stops, and while it does feel a tad bit close I've never found the seating position uncomfortable. The more upright seating position and roomy foot well (with the nice dead pedal) make the relatively close position seem appropriate.
I drove 12 hours+ in one day and absolutely no cramping or discomfort in my legs, which I often get in other cars.
I'm curious now to look under the seat to see how hard it would be to move the rails back an inch or so.
Funny that I don't even put the driver's seat all the way back in my 1986 CRX, but in the 5 they couldn't find another inch or two of seat travel.
Good luck with whatever you end up getting!

 

[kgardnez]

I'm 6'1" and for some reason I can nearly drive our Mazda 5 with 6-speed in the same seating position as my 5'6" tall wife. I also found the 2012 seems to have more room than the 2008 of my neighbor.

 

[fitzski]

Mazda should really have a 6 speed option for the GT trim level.

They do... in Canada! We put our order in for a 2012 GT 6MT (Copper Red on Sand Leather). Without the 6-speed, not sure it what have been as easy a sell for me or my wife. Unfortunate that you guys don't have the option in the US, but I guess Mazda Canada was able to prove enough of a niche to justify it.

 

[hriehl1]

Jan 4 bought a 2012 Sport MT for 17,700 included all dealer Doc Fee charges but not TTL.

 

[torquelover]

They do... in Canada! We put our order in for a 2012 GT 6MT (Copper Red on Sand Leather). Without the 6-speed, not sure it what have been as easy a sell for me or my wife. Unfortunate that you guys don't have the option in the US, but I guess Mazda Canada was able to prove enough of a niche to justify it.

Wow that sucks. A M5T or M5GT 6MT would have been great.

That being said, I got my wife's Touring with Moonroof+Audio package for $19,999 (tax and doc fee not incl). I looked at a lot of cars in the $20k-$23k range and this was the best buy by far.

 

[JingChuan]

Still shopping; best offer so far is $21.5k for a silver GT. I may trade my 'speed3 + 2.0T Jetta for a '12 MZ5, all fees paid, plus some extra $ back. Depends who want to give me the most $. I actually wouldn't mind "thinning the herd" so to speak.