mazda5 = underpowered ??

[DKaz]

Ok I used vimulator.com to race my Mazda 5 GT manual (ID 1089) vs. a 2010 Dodge Caravan the only minivan I could find on it (ID 510) and the 5 beats it.

I can probably go 0-60 in 9 seconds but I don't have the mad skills required to go under 9 seconds... I shift like a granny.

 

[ljmattox]

Been reading through here, don't know if I have much to add.

It *is* the case that some vehicles are more powerful than the Mazda 5 (no, really?).

"Underpowered", meaning "inadequately powered"? Well, gee, not usually. Mine's actually a lot of fun to drive, even "spiritedly". It handles freeway merging great, 3rd gear pulls for a good long way, it even "gains speed nicely" from 70-90+ in top gear, level ground. And gets 25-30 mpg, depending.

Driving 6-up, with a top box full of luggage, trying twisty-road passes in the Rockies? Okay, maybe then.

"Underpowered" was my 1987 Nissan Sentra, 1.6 AT, carrying a family of four, their luggage and other cr@p, trying to merge onto freeways as we made our relocation trip to Texas. Painful memories, those!

 

[mpvue]

Been reading through here, don't know if I have much to add.

It *is* the case that some vehicles are more powerful than the Mazda 5 (no, really?).

"Underpowered", meaning "inadequately powered"? Well, gee, not usually. Mine's actually a lot of fun to drive, even "spiritedly". It handles freeway merging great, 3rd gear pulls for a good long way, it even "gains speed nicely" from 70-90+ in top gear, level ground. And gets 25-30 mpg, depending.

Driving 6-up, with a top box full of luggage, trying twisty-road passes in the Rockies? Okay, maybe then.

"Underpowered" was my 1987 Nissan Sentra, 1.6 AT, carrying a family of four, their luggage and other cr@p, trying to merge onto freeways as we made our relocation trip to Texas. Painful memories, those!

well stated. 3rd gear is very satisfying. you can run it out to 80mph or so and still have 2 more gears. running in 5th @ 80+ and downshifting to pass, running it to redline is a wonderful experience.
underpowered described my '93 saturn SC1; 85 thundering horses, can barely run at 65mph. turning on the A/C it would actually slow down w/ the gas pedal floored. still only got 25mpg on a good day.

 

[morethan5]

morethan5 and robotaz both chose to ignore my last point: the 5 will easily outhandle the ody and sienna.

I didn't meant to. That was the reason for the skid pad numbers. (0.76g v 0.80g)

 

[Robotazky]

Well, now we're looking like the verdict is going to be not underpowered. Honestly, I find the debate amusing. It is an interesting question. Imagine how many hours were spent at Mazda debating the very issue that we discuss here now. Fuel economy? Power? Regardless of all the numbers posted, including the ones I posted, I never feel like the 5 is a dog. I've had plenty of those and the 5 is not one.

 

[KBrian]

Is there anything I would change if I could? Yeah, sure. I'd like more torque and horsepower with the same or better mileage. I'd like a manual with a lower (numerically) overdrive to drop the revs at highway speeds. I'd like a 6 speed manual. I'd like a turbo or supercharger. I'd like more storage space...etc. What I love is the purchase price, compact size, great looks, cool features, and fun to drive zoom zoom.

So really, the only question that really means anything to me is "Do you love to drive your 5"? You bet.

 

[flcruising]

...I'd be looking at big minivans.

Oxymoron?

I'm amazed those things are still called mini. My mother has an '09 Odyssey and there is nothing 'mini' about it.

 

[Robotazky]

Oxymoron?

I'm amazed those things are still called mini. My mother has an '09 Odyssey and there is nothing 'mini' about it.

Maybe. But that is the correct term in this context so I still use it. I hadn't thought about it before, but vans will probably get huge again as engines get more and more efficient.

 

[josh1581]

After taking a roadtrip from Portland to Southern Cali with the wife, our 2 year old, and 5 month old with all their stuff while running AC I definitely think they 2.3 could do with a turbo or supercharger and maybe even a 6th gear for overdrive purposes. While it is true it has no problem cruising at the 80-90 mph range (The CHP wasn't too pleased with me on that fact), trying to get up and go when some idiot made me lose my momentum going up all the various 6% grades was annoying. It was great being able to fit everyone and their crap in the car. It was also nice being able to fit two adults in the 2nd row and the kids in the 3rd row, but still ran into the being bogged down, especially with the AC on.

 

[1sty]

I would commit suicide if I had to drive a car that slow again.
My Xterra is good enough to keep me happy.
A 9.0 second 0-60 just isn't acceptable to me in 2010.

 

[skyhawk]

Obviously a loaded mazda5 (3 adults 2 children and belongings) cannot 'jump' from stopped position. But at cruising speed say, 100kph and up, It is more than happy to pass the vehicles in front. Although I wish I had a radar detector.

If the children grow up and gets heavier, my wife is curious about the cx-9. But that is
unlikely because, children will then have their own vehicles. So we are stuck with the Mazda5. Not easy to justify purchase of another vehicle.

 

[mpvue]

Obviously a loaded mazda5 (3 adults 2 children and belongings) cannot 'jump' from stopped position. But at cruising speed say, 100kph and up, It is more than happy to pass the vehicles in front. Although I wish I had a radar detector.

If the children grow up and gets heavier, my wife is curious about the cx-9. But that is
unlikely because, children will then have their own vehicles. So we are stuck with the Mazda5. Not easy to justify purchase of another vehicle.

we're in the same boat. I hope to have the 5 until my oldest (he's 10) starts to drive, it should be a good 1st car for him. until then, the 5 suits us just fine as our one vehicle for our family of 5.

 

[DKaz]

Fully loaded with 3 adults, a teen, a baby, and lots of camping gear (I mean LOTS of camping gear) and a bike on board, I was going 120-140km/h just fine from Vancouver to the Okanagan. The only time the car struggled was up the snow shed chugging along at 90km/h, but this particular stretch will bring any sub 200 hp car to its knees.

 

[Robotazky]

we're in the same boat. I hope to have the 5 until my oldest (he's 10) starts to drive, it should be a good 1st car for him. until then, the 5 suits us just fine as our one vehicle for our family of 5.

A 5 sounds perfect for your scenario. You're lucky you don't HAVE to have two cars.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

Fully loaded with 3 adults, a teen, a baby, and lots of camping gear (I mean LOTS of camping gear) and a bike on board, I was going 120-140km/h just fine from Vancouver to the Okanagan. The only time the car struggled was up the snow shed chugging along at 90km/h, but this particular stretch will bring any sub 200 hp car to its knees.

I just HATE that section of road. The last time I went up the snowshed hill was the year before last in the winter. Numerous cars off the road, rigs were just spinning their wheels. My 06 5 with Nokian tires just purred up the hill with no problems.

I certainly had no issues climbing the Rogers Pass fully loaded. The only car that passed me was an Albertan in a Ferrari!