2013~2016 High mileage 2015 CX5...should I buy?

[JBoz]

I've generally had decent luck with late model high-mileage cars, especially Japanese cars...but that was predominantly in the pre-Uber days. And no experience with high-mileage Mazdas though. I need an inexpensive (but safe and practical) car for my son. There is a 2015 CX5 Touring 2.5 AWD for sale near me with close to 120k miles on it. Really high for a 4 year old car, but no accidents and looks to be in great shape. Concern is whether these were highway miles or somebody making some side dough driving for Uber. Might be willing to take the risk for the price (under $10k), but I would like to know what to expect on average from this model and engine over with this many miles.

Thoughts?

Boz

 

[JOE MAMA]

It all depends on the price. I have a 2015 with just under 160k miles and have only replaced a battery, brakes and tires. Its been a very reliable vehicle.

I have maintained the car meticulously since new.

 

[CX-5um]

Wasn't there like an New York Uber driver with 200k miles? OP, I would highly suggest a vehicle inspection by yourself or mechanic to ensure the transmission/engine is not leaking. No coolant leaks, ect. Also, try to obtain service records. This isn't a very complex car to service/maintain unlike a lot of American/German cars.

 

[ruthrj]

If the price is right and it has a complete service history, it should be fine if a trusted mechanic finds no issues with an inspection. Id pass if the service history is lacking or potential issues are found on inspection

 

[ruthrj]

Its due for coolant change and spark plugs too if thats not done yet : )

 

[Unobtanium]

It*s due for coolant change and spark plugs too if that*s not done yet : )

Spark plugs are $120 and 15 minutes of your time if you buy OEM dealership, if you buy aftermarket, I dunno, but less.

 

[ruthrj]

I think I spent a whopping $32 on the Denso Iridium ones. NGK would have been $60 : )

Let us know how the car search pans out. CX5 Touring is an awesome first car

 

[Bruciecx5]

EVERY... Mazda I've own were trouble free! Each one owned up to 275000 miles... only routine maintenance... best cars for the money!! My 2015 had 94000 trouble free miles

 

[Unobtanium]

My high-pressure fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator went out at 106K miles, for reference. It wasn't a cheap repair. 2015 CX5 Touring 2.5 AWD.

 

[CX-5um]

My high-pressure fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator went out at 106K miles, for reference. It wasn't a cheap repair. 2015 CX5 Touring 2.5 AWD.

Did you constantly run near empty on your gas tank?

 

[Unobtanium]

Did you constantly run near empty on your gas tank?

No. I would fill it up every time it got to around 20-50mi left or so on the trip read out. I never once ran it out of fuel, and only a hand-full of times did I run it until the orange fuel light came one. The techs have no idea wtf, and called it a fluke.

 

[alexeyga]

No. I would fill it up every time it got to around 20-50mi left or so on the trip read out. I never once ran it out of fuel, and only a hand-full of times did I run it until the orange fuel light came one. The techs have no idea wtf, and called it a fluke.

Well, 20-50mi left is waaaay past empty. Normally you shouldn't let it dip below 1/4th.

 

[Unobtanium]

Well, 20-50mi left is waaaay past empty. Normally you shouldn't let it dip below 1/4th.

So you refuel every time the trip meter says you have 80mi or more left?

 

[alexeyga]

I don't go my millage left, but by the fuel gauge, basically whenever it gets close to 1/4th left - I get a re-fuel itch.

Wisdom being - as you car ages - the fuel tank starts accumulating gunk, and this gunk gets sucked into the fuel system whenever you're letting the tank go dry - thus clogging whatever is cloggable - which accounts for just about everything on modern cars.

 

[ruthrj]

Lol, 1/4 on the gauge is way too conservative. I get your reasoning but 2-3 gallons left in the tank (2 bars for me or 1/8th by the fuel gauge) is more than enough to satisfy that scenario.

 

[alexeyga]

I'd make an argument that even 1/4th is kinda low with CX-5's tank being soooo tiny. But nobody will give a definite answer as to where the border line lays.

 

[acgolfer]

Now you guy got me worried, I at 50,000 miles and never filled my fuel tank until the light comes on.

Usually put in around 12 gallons. That leave at least 2 gallons reserve as our tanks hold about 15 gal.

I always thought that was sufficient to prevent problems, but apparently not according to this thread.

 

[alexeyga]

At 50K you don't have much to worry about, but you should probably start changing your re-filling habits as your millage keeps growing. It's just good house keeping.

 

[Kaps]

My warning light comes on with 11.5 gallons used. 3.3 still left. The indicator seems wayyyyy to conservative. In my 28000 miles only once i filled 12+ gallons. No need to worry. Mazda is uber conservative with warning light. I think 20 miles after the range becomes 0 is kind of risky. But otherwise you should be ok. 11.5 gallons times 28 is 320 miles range. Pretty abysmal. 250 miles for turbo - arghh. 1/4 tank is too conservative. Of course top tier fuel always.

 

[Avoidin Deer]

My 2019 CX-5 manual says "We recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full." No specific reason is given.

I would worry about water in the gas from condensation. The more day/night hot/cold cycles (temperature extremes) you go through with a partially-filled tank (more moisture-laden air in it), the greater the risk of condensation in the gas. I have no idea how great this risk really is. I can't recall the last time I had a problem with moisture in my gas, excepting lawn mowers that sat for long periods of time in the temperature extremes of sheds & garages.