HELP! Convince me to buy '06 mazda5

[jaedon]

HELP! Convince me to buy '06 mazda5, winter drivers please check-in.

Ok, I'm a first time poster here so be gentle.

My wife and I are thinking of starting a family in the next year or two and our current cars (decade old FWD 4-door sedans) are starting to tank. We both like the styling and functionality of the Mazda5. We even found a used one on craigslist in our area, but there's a catch. We live in Anchorage, Alaska and are thinking of moving to back up north to Fairbanks. Fairbanks (pop. 40k) is one of the few cities in the U.S. that has a average year-round temperature below freezing. It regularly gets to -40-50F in the winter. All of the consumer feedback from online sites suggests that M5s are not great cold weather vehicles. Also, about half of the roads in Fairbanks are unpaved. For this reason AWD Subaru Outbacks and Foresters are king (AWD, similar gas mileage, reasonable storage). However, we keep coming back to the Mazda5 despite it's FWD and low profile tires. Help me problem-solve the cons list so I can buy a 2006 M5 Sport AT with a clear conscious. We are having our mechanic check it out today.

M5 PROS - Good space; Fold down seats for potential intimate car-camping; Appear that we could fit our bikes inside and other cargo; Roof rack; Decent space in rear for passengers and babies; Good gas mileage; and Reasonably comfortable interior.

M5 CONS
Low profile tires are not conducive to unpaved ill-maintained roads - What the biggest R16s possible?

Low ground clearance - Do you all drag on the tops of cement parking lot bumpers? Or, can your front tires safely touch them?

Poor winter driving reviews - Is this accurate? Any refutations from members on this forum?

TSB on cold weather suspension issues - How common are these among M5s with the inclusive VIN#s, such as the one we are interested in purchasing?

The model we are looking at isn't winterized (with oil pan, engine block, battery heaters) - Do any northern drivers here have their M5s winterized? If so, how much did it cost?

We are buying what was formally a rental car (in AZ where it was driven 26k) - Does anyone own a dealer extended warranty? Does anyone have any advice about this?

We are meeting with the current owners in about 5 hours (4:30 AKST, 5:30 PST). I appreciate any feedback that you all have to offer and thank you in advance. EDIT: We didn't meet with the owners today, but are now meeting with them Sunday.

 

[jmcglynn]

Don't do it now...

Wow... you've got some tough challenges to consider.

First, let me say that I really do love my Mazda5, and have recommended it to many people... and some have even bought one on our recommendation or having experienced ours.

That said, the 5 does have it's limitations. It's great in an urban-suburban environment but it sounds like you've got a few too many extremes to deal with. The 5 is definately a street machine... not an off-roader. A CX-7 or CX-9 would seem better suited to your needs.

My next point is a handy tip to remember whenever you're dealing with a large purchase (car, home, etc.)... Be prepared to walk away from the deal. Best not to rush into a deal that may not be the best fit, or does not really have to happen right now. So... you're "planning" for a family... that's great... But you don't really have to buy a car to accommodate one until that day comes. What I'm saying, is, you've got time, and there's always a better deal around the next corner. Your current cars may be getting on in years, but until one of them stops altogether, you've got time. We didn't get our 5 until my second daughter was almost 2, and her sister was 5.

Lastly, don't feel that just because you found this car on Craig's list that you won't ever find another good deal on a Mazda5 (if that's what you finally decide to get). Mazda has made a lot of these, and they'll be making more for the forseable future.

So, as much as I love the Mazda5, I'm not convinced this is the best move for you, or at least not the best move right now. Go look at this car, give it a good test drive, but be prepared to walk away. Or at least give it some thought and sleep on it, and make the final deal tomorrow. It will likely still be available... and if it's not, it wasn't meant to be.

Good luck!
-John

 

[fam]

Ive owned 3 5's. 2 were new and 1 was a former rental car I got with 21k miles on it. Its also a 2006 model. I live in NW ohio where winters can be nasty but nowhere near alaska's.
Drive it and see the condition, but mine they hid alot of faults on that I didnt catch before I bought it (smokey smell came back, alot of scratches that were delicately covered up and the axles\bearings are 10x louder than my other 2 5's. So beware... I will never buy another used rental.

OK, the 2006 doesnt have an armrest on passenger front seat..annoying as hell. ;-)


The 2008 seams quieter and has another forward gear if you can find a used 08.

It does scrape on high curbs in parking lots if you drive almost completely over it, but its more of a rub sound than a sound of you messing anything up, you generally wont do any significant damage with it on a curb.

Now curb rash on these wheels is a hella problem because of the lack of rubber protecting it, one slight miscalculation at a bank or drive through and you can join my curb rash club.



As for snow, front wheel drive with electric steering, the "feel" you are used to getting in the snow isnt really there with electric vs pneumatic, takes some getting used to. Set up as stock, most of your snow annoyances come from the 0-10mph takeoff, once its up to speed, shes a tank, shes straight as an arrow under takeoff and breaking in most circumstances.

All I can help you with, the canucks here should be able to give you more details on what to do for snow.

 

[jaedon]

Wow... you've got some tough challenges to consider.

First, let me say that I really do love my Mazda5, and have recommended it to many people... and some have even bought one on our recommendation or having experienced ours.

That said, the 5 does have it's limitations. It's great in an urban-suburban environment but it sounds like you've got a few too many extremes to deal with. The 5 is definately a street machine... not an off-roader. A CX-7 or CX-9 would seem better suited to your needs.

My next point is a handy tip to remember whenever you're dealing with a large purchase (car, home, etc.)... Be prepared to walk away from the deal. Best not to rush into a deal that may not be the best fit, or does not really have to happen right now. So... you're "planning" for a family... that's great... But you don't really have to buy a car to accommodate one until that day comes. What I'm saying, is, you've got time, and there's always a better deal around the next corner. Your current cars may be getting on in years, but until one of them stops altogether, you've got time. We didn't get our 5 until my second daughter was almost 2, and her sister was 5.

Lastly, don't feel that just because you found this car on Craig's list that you won't ever find another good deal on a Mazda5 (if that's what you finally decide to get). Mazda has made a lot of these, and they'll be making more for the forseable future.

So, as much as I love the Mazda5, I'm not convinced this is the best move for you, or at least not the best move right now. Go look at this car, give it a good test drive, but be prepared to walk away. Or at least give it some thought and sleep on it, and make the final deal tomorrow. It will likely still be available... and if it's not, it wasn't meant to be.

Good luck!
-John

I like your attitude. We have been thinking about this since last week when we test drove the car. I hear you loud and clear about the distinction between planning and needing a car. Would we be making a premature purchase?

That I don't think so. We definitely need a new car. Mine probably won't pass the next emissions test in 5 months and the transmission is going out on my wife's. Waiting until then is bad because all cars are worth 1,500 dollars more in the winter because folks are desperate for something new if they have a serious malfunction (that's what I'm trying to avoid). In the last 10 weeks I've seen only only 2 used mazda5s up for sale in our city of 250k.

I guess the reason I am not sold on a Subaru is that I know we are going to have a family, but I doubt we will live on an unmaintained road. We do like downtown Fairbanks with paved streets and city water. We lived in Fairbanks with our 99 Oldsmobile intrigue for 5 years and had few problems with the roads once we purchased the right tires. We even rented out in the boondocks one winter.

In short, we'll definitely be sleeping on it.

Any more thoughts?

 

[Heat]

I wouldn't buy an '06 or '07 Mazda5, too many issues that were for the most part straightened out for '08. Plus, the '08s (and '09s) have a 5-speed automatic transmission - that '06 has a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The major two are rear wheel issues caused by bad alignments at the factory and suspension issues. Get something else for now and be saving up money to buy a new Mazda5 in the future.

If others are using Subarus in Fairbanks, you should too. More support in the event that you need repairs, parts, etc.

 

[bulwnkl]

We have an '06 5, and live in a pretty cold part of the lower 48 (which is nothing at all like Fairbanks). We love the vehicle. I find its traction, handling, and dynamics on the snow and ice, even with dedicated snow tires, to be very poor. I think that this stems mainly from the stiff suspension and suspension geometry. The Zoom-Zoom that Mazda sells so well is bad mojo in the slick stuff.

I wouldn't tell you to not get the vehicle based on this alone. There are many trade-offs when choosing a vehicle. Just know that there are a large quantity of other vehicles that are much better on snow and ice. Also know that there are very few vehicles indeed that have the combination of space, versatility, mpg, and convenience of the 5.

Good luck!

 

[jaedon]

We have an '06 5, and live in a pretty cold part of the lower 48 (which is nothing at all like Fairbanks). We love the vehicle. I find its traction, handling, and dynamics on the snow and ice, even with dedicated snow tires, to be very poor. I think that this stems mainly from the stiff suspension and suspension geometry. The Zoom-Zoom that Mazda sells so well is bad mojo in the slick stuff.

I wouldn't tell you to not get the vehicle based on this alone. There are many trade-offs when choosing a vehicle. Just know that there are a large quantity of other vehicles that are much better on snow and ice. Also know that there are very few vehicles indeed that have the combination of space, versatility, mpg, and convenience of the 5.

Good luck!

This is the exact handling-space conversation we've been having. I've owned an early Subaru AWD wagon in the past, so I know what to expect from those. When they age, they chirp when cornering on dry pavement because AWD is always on. I prefer push button 4WD which is now quite rare.

Can you describe the very poor winter handling more? Does your M5 slide excessively? Have you been in a ditch? Do you use studded tires? Do you think that softer R16, like what the Vancouver folks are doing, would make winter driving more manageable?

I've just talked with the owner and he's wanting to go fishing until Sunday, so we have plenty of time to sleep on it.

 

[DKaz]

Low profile tires are not conducive to unpaved ill-maintained roads - What the biggest R16s possible?

I went crazy on a gravel road on my 5 like a rally racer and it was really fun, not too bumpy at all, even with a few (very small) potholes.

Low ground clearance - Do you all drag on the tops of cement parking lot bumpers? Or, can your front tires safely touch them?

Never been a problem, although I am amazed how little space there is between parking bumpers and my bumper lol. It makes my 5 look slammed.

Poor winter driving reviews - Is this accurate? Any refutations from members on this forum?

I'm planning to run on 205/60R16 (as opposed to 205/55R16) or even 195/60R16 (Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 comes in that size), the beefier sidewall and narrower width should help with winter traction. I see no reason that the 5 won't perform as well in the snow as any other FWD out there.

TSB on cold weather suspension issues - How common are these among M5s with the inclusive VIN#s, such as the one we are interested in purchasing?

My suspension kinda squeaks but my lowered 08 Corolla did too so meh. I do have to get an alignment though.

The model we are looking at isn't winterized (with oil pan, engine block, battery heaters) - Do any northern drivers here have their M5s winterized? If so, how much did it cost?

I find that more and more newer cars in Edmonton (which experiences -40, -50 winters) do not have engine block heaters... but they're about under $100 aren't they? I'd definitely go for a battery with more cold crank amps though... it can't be too much bigger though, quite cramped in that engine compartment.

 

[bulwnkl]

This is the exact handling-space conversation we've been having. I've owned an early Subaru AWD wagon in the past, so I know what to expect from those. When they age, they chirp when cornering on dry pavement because AWD is always on. I prefer push button 4WD which is now quite rare.

I agree with you. The older Subies get, the more prone the viscous center power divider is to locking up. Part-time AWD, or one of their other power divider systems like the planetary system in the VTD cars (to include later-model turbo Bajas), is preferable to me.

Can you describe the very poor winter handling more? Does your M5 slide excessively? Have you been in a ditch? Do you use studded tires? Do you think that softer R16, like what the Vancouver folks are doing, would make winter driving more manageable?

Traction to start moving from a stop, or for even moderate acceleration, is very poor. For lack of a better term, the vehicle feels 'twitchy' compared to many other vehicles. We do not run studs here; too easy to tear them up during one of the frequent frigid but bone dry spells. We've tried a couple different brands and approaches to snow tires; neither has been significantly better than the other. My experience with snows overall is primarily Nokian, Hankook, and an Italian brand whose name escapes me just now. I'm sure studs would improve the traction, and make the twitchiness less problematic. However, these experiences/observations are relative to other vehicles with non-studded tires under the same conditions, so I think the comparison remains useful.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Ok, I'm a first time poster here so be gentle.

My wife and I are thinking of starting a family in the next year or two and our current cars (decade old FWD 4-door sedans) are starting to tank. We both like the styling and functionality of the Mazda5. We even found a used one on craigslist in our area, but there's a catch. We live in Anchorage, Alaska and are thinking of moving to back up north to Fairbanks. Fairbanks (pop. 40k) is one of the few cities in the U.S. that has a average year-round temperature below freezing. It regularly gets to -40-50F in the winter. All of the consumer feedback from online sites suggests that M5s are not great cold weather vehicles. Also, about half of the roads in Fairbanks are unpaved. For this reason AWD Subaru Outbacks and Foresters are king (AWD, similar gas mileage, reasonable storage). However, we keep coming back to the Mazda5 despite it's FWD and low profile tires. Help me problem-solve the cons list so I can buy a 2006 M5 Sport AT with a clear conscious. We are having our mechanic check it out today.

M5 PROS - Good space; Fold down seats for potential intimate car-camping; Appear that we could fit our bikes inside and other cargo; Roof rack; Decent space in rear for passengers and babies; Good gas mileage; and Reasonably comfortable interior.

M5 CONS
Low profile tires are not conducive to unpaved ill-maintained roads - What the biggest R16s possible?

Low ground clearance - Do you all drag on the tops of cement parking lot bumpers? Or, can your front tires safely touch them?

Poor winter driving reviews - Is this accurate? Any refutations from members on this forum?

TSB on cold weather suspension issues - How common are these among M5s with the inclusive VIN#s, such as the one we are interested in purchasing?

The model we are looking at isn't winterized (with oil pan, engine block, battery heaters) - Do any northern drivers here have their M5s winterized? If so, how much did it cost?

We are buying what was formally a rental car (in AZ where it was driven 26k) - Does anyone own a dealer extended warranty? Does anyone have any advice about this?

We are meeting with the current owners in about 5 hours (4:30 AKST, 5:30 PST). I appreciate any feedback that you all have to offer and thank you in advance. EDIT: We didn't meet with the owners today, but are now meeting with them Sunday.

I am going to say the 5 is not well suited for your usage....you should be in a larger wheelbase/stronger vehicle for your needs/expectations

 

[fam]

As much as we like our 5's I would say there is something better suited for you but its your call.

 

[jaedon]

I am going to say the 5 is not well suited for your usage....you should be in a larger wheelbase/stronger vehicle for your needs/expectations

Ha! I currently own a 94 geo prizm and an 99 oldsmobile intrigue. I'm replacing the olds. It has more power, but is also FWD and with low clearance.

 

[dbthompson]

A lot of good advice here. If you want to go new, another option beyond Subie is the Pontiac Vibe. It's available in AWD, and with Pontiac going away, there should be a bunch of good deals on them. It's really a Toyota (same as Matrix), built at same factory (Nummi, now probably being closed).

I strongly recommend wagon / vans for new families: we had an Outback when our first was born, and you won't believe how much big stuff you need to carry around. Elsewhere, the 5 is a good choice (particularly for 2010 if the 5 finally gets stability control), but I'd say you can do better.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

not as much experience with the 06's here, but some with the 08.

if you can find a used 08, i would suggest them like the others say. more features, and has the little things worked out.

however, for your use, an all wheel drive vehicle sounds better. last year we had a little more snow than usual here, and it was interesting. they 08 seems to have a lower front lip than the earlier years, so it does catch on most parking curbs. i try to stay back. the car is hard to get moving in the snow. i drove on the stock toyo's all winter. getting going was tough, but was nice and true when moving. the nice feature of starting in second with the tiptronic automatic always helps though. when taking corners, the ass will try to swing around if you go too fast. it is rather light. the "twitchy feeling" from someone else here, im guessing is due to the fact that the 5 (and i believe all mazdas after 03) have fly by wire throttles, meaning there is no direct cable connection from the gas pedal to the engine. it is electronic. our 5 can be quite twitchy in the get go, but the brakes are solid.

looking at some of the recent threads, i would get the battery checked, and maybe even replace it with a good cold cranking amp one, if you get an 06. i have been seeing a lot of new batteries needed for them lately.

and get a block heater for sure. i had one on my old car, and it helped very much.

 

[DKaz]

I dunno if you made your decision yet but try the Kia Rondo, the closest 5 competitor.

The 5 is great if you have two kids. Lots of space behind the 2nd row, and space to carpool two additional kids when you need to. The car may fit your needs for the next 5 years until you're ready to upgrade, or keep the 5 and get a 2nd larger vehicle since the 5 is quite nimble and decent on gas. If you plan on having more than two kids in the next 5 years... then all the power to you. I'm too sleep deprived to think about even having the 2nd one.

 

[wmzda5]

The 5 is decent enough for driving in snow with a decent snow tire (I'm using a Yoko IG20 ice tire not snows for almost 6 months last winter. Not a problem with 6-8 inch snow on the road it just hops on and ride on top of it.

But Fairbanks? I don't know. A bit of an extreme condition for the 5

 

[just ang]

Everyone has given you great advise and much to think about. The only thing I wanted to add is that you said that your reason for wanting to purchase the 5, besides needing to replace a vehicle is that you are going to start a family. My first thought, after I read that it gets down to 40-50 below there in the winter, was that I would never buy a car without rear heat. Maybe that sounds crazy but with an infant in the back, that seems like a big thing to me.

Just my two cents. Good luck with your decision and starting that family!

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Ha! I currently own a 94 geo prizm and an 99 oldsmobile intrigue. I'm replacing the olds. It has more power, but is also FWD and with low clearance.

Well it seems your a domestic buyer and there are plenty of GM products to match your needs....I am only a professional seller who knows how to align cars to needs..hell its your money eh..(these comments are not to be negative but accurate)

 

[jaedon]

There has been a lot of good advise here. First I want to say that our mechanic has checked out the Mazda 5 we are looking at and has given it a thumbs up. They found only a few very minor issues. The car does have the #3 motor mount minor issue advised in the TSBs, but is still under warranty and can be fixed after purchase. I've checked with the dealer. The mechanic has estimated a fair price of $650 dollars for a complete 4-point winterization, if purchased. Again, the owner is out of town so final decisions will be made in a couple of days.

Many of you have addressed the winter driving conditions (i.e. twitchiness). I appreciate your feedback. I will need to look into what other cars have this degree of electronic control. I am actually not as concerned about the performance because of Fairbanks' extreme cold. It's too cold for friction to cause water to form on top of ice. Therefore, the ice really isn't too slippery. Also, Fairbanks has a continental climate and doesn't receive too much snow fall, about 20-45 inches annually. I am mostly concerned about how the cold will affect the computer itself. Electrons don't flow well in the cold.

I am looking into used vibes and rondos, however zero of these are on craigslist or the paper's online classifieds. I wouldn't say I am looking for something domestic, we just happened to own these two cars now. I've had a Subaru Legacy Wagon and an 85 Volkswagen van in the past. I'm mainly looking for something that has most of the PROs on my original list, is less than 5 or 6 years old and has fewer than 65,000 miles. I'm a graduate student on a budget.

Again thank you and I welcome more feedback.

 

[skyhawk]

I am looking into used vibes and rondos, however zero of these are on craigslist or the paper's online classifieds. I wouldn't say I am looking for something domestic, we just happened to own these two cars now. I've had a Subaru Legacy Wagon and an 85 Volkswagen van in the past. I'm mainly looking for something that has most of the PROs on my original list, is less than 5 or 6 years old and has fewer than 65,000 miles. I'm a graduate student on a budget.
Again thank you and I welcome more feedback.

The MAZDA5 will be a 'future proof vehicle' budget-wise. There is no need to get another vehicle when the family grows in number. As for winter, Our mazda5 is in Saskatchewan, where winter is dry and cold and frozen snow stays on the roads the entire winter. Mazda5 with decent winter tires is just doing fine. There are some days when there is heavy snow storm, and snow piles up in the drive way. Then in those very few days in a winter, I wish I had an suv. By the time I decide to window shop for suvs, it will be spring again. .

I have not experienced the M5 not starting because of the cold. I do try to use the block heater.

As for 'heated seats' and heat in the back of the car, I feel it is redundant.
In winter, when its real cold, we are all 'bundled' up anyway before we go out of the house and into the car.

a remote starter is highly recommended.