Help me off the forum ledge

[Steve1]

I think i am over analyzing my hunt for a new SUV. I have been looking for a while now trying to find a vehicle that hits all my boxes. The CX-5 does, but again i start reading things that throw me off. I keep my cars for about 10 years. All my past cars have been rock solid from Honda Accords to my current 2011 Nissan Murano.

Here is where I struggle. I am reading posts about the paint on Mazdas. Looks like the company went to a more environmentally friendly process at the expense of thickness and durability. This is a big thing. I don't want the paint chipping off and definitely do not want rust. I even read the thickness of the paint is as think as a sheet of paper. Is this true?

Then i am hearing about the folding mirrors using plastic gears that fail in normal use. The cost to replace the motors i very expensive. Is this true?

Please say it ain't so, and that I need to stop reading too much into the problems and that there are many more people just happy with their cars and they don't post.

I know there are a lot of very happy people with their CX-5's. So know I am not doubting your decision. They are either number 1 or 2 in so many reviews by very reputable sources. I am just looking for some reassurance that not everything I read is true.

 

[172499]

I think you have already made up your mind that your new SUV will not be a CX5. If you look close enough at any vehicle they all have flaws. Good luck in your search.

 

[MyFirstMazda]

If you are fine with your 2011 Murano, you will be more than fine with a CX-5. The biggest concern people have with the CX-5 is with cylinder deactivation which potentially could be trouble down the road.

 

[dlsea]

I also keep my cars at least ten years. I have just come off of a 2005 Subaru Outback, which I loved. But every day for the past 11mos. I get excited driving my CX-5! It is so much fun to drive, I just love it. I have the Soul Red, the paint color most known for chipping. So far, it has held up beautifully and I've had no issues. From what I understand, the paint issue is universal, not just Mazda. It's due to new global guidelines on environmental concerns and the paint has now been water based for about 15 years. It's up to you, you have to choose the best car for you - for me, it was the CX-5 .

 

[GAXIBM]

You can turn off the autofold mirror then they will not fail. All new cars have to have water based paints and are not as durable as older cars due to paint regulations. You can put coating on front to protect paint...

 

[Natey]

I've never heard of someone's mirrors stopping folding, and if you came from a 2011 Nissan you already know about Japanese paint. Also, if you're coming from a Murano, drive a CX-5, then make a decision.

There will be no comparison. The CX-5 will be quicker, more comfortable, more high-tech, will have better interior materials and design, and it will go for 10 years easy.

My Mazda is 28 years old.

 

[bsaman]

I know there are a lot of very happy people with their CX-5's. So know I am not doubting your decision. They are either number 1 or 2 in so many reviews by very reputable sources. I am just looking for some reassurance that not everything I read is true.

What you won't find in any auto forums is this post:

"I got in my car this morning and everything was fantastic and I had an awesome drive"

These forums specifically highlight issues which, more often than not, impact a minority of owners. Different owners also have different tolerances for what they consider an issue rather than a minor annoyance. (example: search the forum for a high pitched "mosquito sound" on turbo models)

This will be true of all brands and models.

 

[meow_man]

Over 2 years I test drove just about every comparable SUV out there. When the turbo showed up in the CX-5 I made my decision. 4 months in, my 2019 GTR was rear-ended & totaled. While I waited for the financial dust to settle I re-test drove almost everything I had driven before as several had been replaced/upgraded since I bought my GTR.

I replaced my totaled GTR with it's clone.

 

[yrwei52]

I've never heard of someone's mirrors stopping folding

There’re 2 discussions currently going among top 10 topics in CX-5 General section about failing power folding mirrors which just started available since 2019 CX-5 MY in US market.

Mirrors not folding completely

Folding Mirrors

 

[Buzzman12]

What you won't find in any auto forums is this post:

"I got in my car this morning and everything was fantastic and I had an awesome drive"

These forums specifically highlight issues which, more often than not, impact a minority of owners. Different owners also have different tolerances for what they consider an issue.
This will be true of all brands and models.

This is so true.
I peruse different forums, read lots of car reviews, read different car magazines, etc, etc, and believe me, there is no perfect vehicle out there.
They all have real or perceived issues. Oil dilution, crappy electronics, noisy cabins, poor paint, not enough power, CVT's vs. traditional auto transmissions, uncomfortable seats, poor ergonomics, and on and on and on.
You can drive yourself crazy analyzing this stuff.
I don't have the answer to the OP's dilemma, except to say that start by eliminating the obvious duds.
Those won't be difficult to find.
Then whittle your choice down to your top 3 or 4 candidates, and go from there.
Sometimes the final choice comes down to gut feel and butt dynamics.
Good luck

 

[RedBaron]

I got in my car this morning and everything was fantastic and I had an awesome drive.

 

[Buzzman12]

I got in my car this morning and everything was fantastic and I had an awesome drive.

Haha, that's awesome.
I went out to my 18 year old Pathfinder that has been sitting for a week, and the battery wasn't dead and it started. Happy camper.

 

[wlong01]

2016 CX-5 going on 6 years. Zero problems, still fun to drive.
2019 GT-R 1.5 years. Zero problems, mucho fun to drive. Turned the auto-folding mirrors off on day 2, don't need them.

 

[yrwei52]

2016 CX-5 going on 6 years. Zero problems, still fun to drive.

Your 2016 CX-5 is 6 years old? I got my 2016 CX-5 GT AWD with Tech in March, 2015 when they just started available in early February 2015. Mine has had 4 safety recalls so far. I accumulated 3 recalls and 8 other problems mostly from TSBs I saw here, and took my CX-5 in for one warranty service right before my new-car warranty ended, The cost to Mazda on my bill for that warranty service was near $5,500 including 2 expensive LED headlights、Automatic Climate Control panel、Bose 9” door woofers、and the whole rear brake system with revised calipers from critical rear EPB dragging issue TSB.

Pending problem now is the leaky belt tensioner since 40K miles and waiting for a stable version of OEM tensioner (MSRP $147.86) and then will replace it with my own expense. There’s a TSB for it too. Check yours and most likely yours is leaking too.

Belt Tensioner - Shouldn't this be a warranty item?

 

[sm1ke]

Paralysis by analysis. Invest in PPF for the front end if you're worried about the paint (sometimes you can negotiate this with the dealership - that's what I did), and if you're worried about the auto-folding mirrors outside of warranty, turn the auto-fold feature off when the warranty expires. Neither are ideal solutions, but they are solutions nonetheless. If they aren't enough to satisfy you, then you may need to start considering a different vehicle, unfortunately.

I guess you can take solace in the fact that if you buy a CX-5, you'll be aware of most of the potential issues thanks to the owner feedback and general info found here and on other forums/social media platforms.

 

[murky]

What you won't find in any auto forums is this post:

"I got in my car this morning and everything was fantastic and I had an awesome drive"

These forums specifically highlight issues which, more often than not, impact a minority of owners. Different owners also have different tolerances for what they consider an issue rather than a minor annoyance. (example: search the forum for a high pitched "mosquito sound" on turbo models)

This will be true of all brands and models.

Good context. I see the posts about a crease in the seat leather. It would never occur to me to notice, let alone complain about that.

 

[wlong01]

Your 2016 CX-5 is 6 years old? I got my 2016 CX-5 GT AWD with Tech in March, 2015 when they just started available in early February 2015. Mine has had 4 safety recalls so far. I accumulated 3 recalls and 8 other problems mostly from TSBs I saw here, and took my CX-5 in for one warranty service right before my new-car warranty ended, The cost to Mazda on my bill for that warranty service was near $5,500 including 2 expensive LED headlights、Automatic Climate Control panel、Bose 9” door woofers、and the whole rear brake system with revised calipers from critical rear EPB dragging issue TSB.

Pending problem now is the leaky belt tensioner since 40K miles and waiting for a stable version of OEM tensioner (MSRP $147.86) and then will replace it with my own expense. There’s a TSB for it too. Check yours and most likely yours is leaking too.

Belt Tensioner - Shouldn't this be a warranty item?

Going on 6 years, that's what I said, purchased April of 2015. Yours will be 6 yrs old this coming March.
There's only been 2 safety recalls, Fuel filler pipe and hatch dampers. Don't know what your other 2 were.
Sounds like you got a lemon or the dealer was milking Mazda.
Like I said - ZERO problems.

 

[Ceej007]

Good God man do some research! ALL car companies are using the more environmentally friendly paint!

 

[yrwei52]

Going on 6 years, that's what I said, purchased April of 2015. Yours will be 6 yrs old this coming March.
There's only been 2 safety recalls, Fuel filler pipe and hatch dampers. Don't know what your other 2 were.
Sounds like you got a lemon or the dealer was milking Mazda.
Like I said - ZERO problems.

Still ZERO problems? So you don’t consider 2 recalls you acknowledged were problems? You missed the passenger side air bag re-programming recall which was the third one. The 4th one for me was the LED headlight / DRL recall happened earlier this year.

No, my 2016 CX-5 is not a lemon, and most problems were having the TSB issued, meaning there’re enough examples of same problem happening at the time and also discussed here in this forum, mine was not the only one. My Mazda dealer is a top-rated dealer in DFW area, no, they wouldn’t be milking the Mazda for something it didn’t exist.

And again, check your belt tensioner ⋯

 

[MyFirstMazda]

11 problems is a lot of problems