This is an odd post. No one is going between a T and a GT + Tech. That's big valley there.
No one is going to pay 4-6%. Not even close
The 2014 model has the 2.5L so if you care about performance you're buying the new model.
GT worth the extra cost? Having a hard time justifying it
- Thread starter Evan55
- Start date
This is an odd post. No one is going between a T and a GT + Tech. That's big valley there.
No one is going to pay 4-6%. Not even close
The 2014 model has the 2.5L so if you care about performance you're buying the new model.
A) I said if you want the 2.5L.
B) you're comparing apples to oranges. Maybe if you're trying to compare T w/tech to GT w/tech. But T to GT w/tech isn't a straight comparison.
C) Even without 0.9% no one is going to pay 6% on a car. That's insane.
When I did my research earlier this year before buying the CX-5, I found that you eat the most $$ in getting to the GT trim. If you've already decided on the GT, then the tech package is actually not bad. I compared it to the other 'tech' packages from Honda, Subaru, etc and its the best deal out there by far. If you need to save $$ one way to do it is avoid AWD unless you really can take advantage of it. As many members have pointed out, getting good snow tires for the FWD will actually get better results than the standard tires on the AWD model.
+1. Piecewise loaded CX-5 ventures into territory of cars that do beat it in many respects. $25K Touring is the best option.
Also, things like the wheels and cloth seats can be upgraded to variety of options for lower price.
I bought a Touring with tech and after 4k miles can say I wish went with the GT. Eight way driver seat so you can adjust the seat angle. Advanced entry seems like a small thing, it's not. Just leave your keys in your pocket. Duel climate control lets you set the temp. not just the fan speed, very nice.
Yes, because when you read the multiple posts in this forum on GT/tech pkg features and complaints when those features are missing, it's quite a long list. I will recap below (as culled from the multiple posts, even if some are opinions that I don't completely agree with):
. HID headlights (aftermarket upgrade attempts, none match the performance of Mazda version)
. Leather (some of paid to upgrade seating surfaces in leather, not cheap for labor and materials), ignoring the barf thread lol.
. Door armrests (many have complained about lack of durability of material on door armrest areas of 2013's, not a problem on GT), since been fixed by Mazda on 2014's
. Heated mirrors (a successful upgrade has been accomplished at minimal cost, see How To section for details), standard on lower level models in Canada
. Drivers seat-power / 8 way adjustments (complaints about the lack of adjustment on non-GT drivers seats, for some drivers)
. Keyless remote (on the GT advanced keyless works like proper premium car keyless system should)
. Nav (despite crap voice command feature that nobody uses, Nav works). And nobody has reported a GT w/tech pkg broken into to steal portable Nav.
. Climate control, works great, dual climate control is handy (some people miss it, I don't think its a big deal, but expected in premium cars)
. Heated seats (some can't live without them it seems, still trying to figure out how to do that hack), although some GT owners are disappointed they don't burn flesh.
. 19" wheels look better by far than anything offered by Mazda for this vehicle (and the Toyo tires are nice and quiet)
Last edited:
What's the rush, since most credit unions do 1.79%. Consider refi to get rid of the 4% 6 year loan.
Last edited:
TreyP
2018 Soul Red AWD Touring CX-5
Actually I did a heated mirror upgrade which was relatively simple and 100% successful. I also posted a How-To in the appropriate place.
As for the original question - I was thinking this morning how glad I am that I didn't get the GT, because I finally got sick of the iPod issues and upgraded to a Kenwood head unit. It is absolutely amazing to have things working the way they should have been from the start. I am working on getting the back up camera to work with this unit, and once I do the only thing missing will be the access to vehicle settings. Since I don't have the GT, these are minimal, and I set them all the way I wanted before removing the original head unit.
That's excellent news and useful to many here. I'll fix my above post.
I think that's only on the 2013, the 2014 Touring model uses the same material for the door armrest as the GT.
Another thing to be aware of on the 2014 CX-5 I just discovered with GT w/tech package. The USB doesn't resume play! I emailed Mazda about this but i'm sure it will fall on deaf ears. 30 dollar mp3 players have this but not the Head unit on a 2014. Very lame. The 2013 doesn't have this issue. Anyhow, other than this issue the other stuff included in the GT is great. I really like the HID's. I'm also an ex ford guy. I looked at them all in this category and Mazda by far stood out as the front runner.
The mp3 resume problem is 2014 specific, but not GT/tech specific (my touring equivalent does the same). it is a known problem discussed here a lot. The standard Mazda reply for this is usually that "the feature behaves as designed"... yeah, right. At least playlist support has been added in 2014.
GT armrest material is vinyl.
- :
- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
As is the armrest on the '14 Touring.
Thanks for confirmation. Nice and quick work by Mazda addressing that issue.
Edited version bumped up because same items are still coming up. Input from many here, including mods/upgrades successfully done by owners and minor fixes implemented by Mazda.
Whenever I drive my wife's GT, I feel it was definitely worth paying $7000 more than what I paid for my Sport.
The car just feels complete whereas my Sport feels... like a $23k CUV.
The heated leather under my butt is very satisfying. The firmer ride and superior handling thanks to the 19" wheels give it a more composed feel which I personally think is even better than the 2007 X5 we used to have with 18" wheels.
The 2.5L engine which is also in Touring trim is buttery smooth.
The backup camera and blindspot warning are the two features I envy a lot also.
The only consolation for my Sport is that I spent $7000 less and I get 4 mpg more.
The car just feels complete whereas my Sport feels... like a $23k CUV.
The heated leather under my butt is very satisfying. The firmer ride and superior handling thanks to the 19" wheels give it a more composed feel which I personally think is even better than the 2007 X5 we used to have with 18" wheels.
The 2.5L engine which is also in Touring trim is buttery smooth.
The backup camera and blindspot warning are the two features I envy a lot also.
The only consolation for my Sport is that I spent $7000 less and I get 4 mpg more.
Rob Ciniello
Member
I had the same choice to make back in sept 2013. I chose the touring model instead of the gt. I'm very happy with it and it's powerful 184 horsepower is perfect. Spending the extra money for the get wasn't worth it in my opinion especially the awd. I didn't want awd at all. Rather have a good set of snows. I don't do off roading or drive in mountains. I drive in Vaughan Ontario and the roads are flat. I love my cc5 touring
