Mazda5 vs. Volvo V70?

[dgb]

We're in the market for a reliable and fuel-efficient family wagon with room for 2 kids and a bale of hay.

I've narrowed it down to two options:

- 2006 Mazda5 with < 20,000 mi.
- 2003 Volvo V70 FWD with < 35,000 mi.

In the Portland area, I've found both of these cars advertised for $17-19k (with the V70 on the high end). Both get about the same gas mileage, have about the same cargo room and both have plenty of seating (7 in the V70 with the rear-facing 3rd seat).

My wife is mainly concerned with reliability and low costs for the next 3-5 years (until she starts working again). I'm concerned about costs too, but I also can't get over how much more car we'd get for the money if we bought the V70. Ultimately we're talking about a car that was $18k new versus a car that was $38k new. So, is it worth buying the newer car for the warranty and the zoom-zoom? I've driven a Volvo 240 turbo wagon for the last 10 years, so I know Volvos are made to last forever. How about the Mazda?

Here's my pro/con list so far:

Mazda5
PRO: 3 years/20,000 mi left on the warranty; unique and stylish; sliding doors and raised rear seats for easy kid access; simple with fewer electronic gizmos to break; very safe (in European tests); reliable Mazda 3.2 engine
CON: seats aren't that comfortable; no history of model reliability one way or the other; no traction control; relatively underpowered

Volvo V70
PRO: leather heated seats; solid Euro construction; traction control; built-in booster seats; feels safer; better driving experience
CON: less than 1 year left on the warranty; pretty common/boring car; a little fancier than we picture ourselves; more gizmos to break

Am I missing anything here? Thanks for your opinions!

 

[jackd]

The mazda 5 would have more inside room and be a bit more frugal on gasoline.
However, comfort, reliability, performance, quietness, ride, fit/finish, quality built and most other elements would no doubt be on the Volvo side.
I would not hesitate a second. Go Volvo.
I had a mazda 5 and kept it for 7 months.
I just hate repeated trips to incompetent dealers to fix a poorly built car.
The Mazda design is fine, but its execution is IMO, very poor.

 

[jandree22]

Coming from a happy Mazda5 owner, this is still a no-brainer: VOLVO!

 

[doctorz]

They're two completely different cars. The Mazda5 is, at heart, an inexpensive economy station wagon. You'll get a far newer car that still has tons left on the warranty and is likely going to cost far less to maintain and fix than the Volvo. After all, the Volvo is almost out of warranty. What is the insurance cost difference?

We've owned three Mazdas and I think they're an acquired taste: zippy, lots of personality, little niggling things and cheap construction that one has to overlook. We love our 5 and yes, it's built a little cheap, but then again, it's half the price of the Volvo. It's zippy, great on gas, very reliable, extremely versatile, and few people have one. The major parts are fine, and for the price we can put up with some small shortcomings, and we expect to.

We test drove a 2004 Volvo V70 several years ago when shopping for our first minivan and ended up thinking it was too much car for us (as well as more expensive than what we were willing to pay for a car). If having more gizmos and a more solid feel is important to you, the Volvo is for you. But I really think the Volvo will cost more, and it should.

 

[dgb]

We went with the Volvo

We got the V70 for $18k with 3 months left on the factory warranty. We love it, even though we've already put another $500 into a tranny flush, new brake pads, and some upholstery re-stitching.

It sounds like the Mazda5 will be a great car in a year or two, once the kinks get worked out. It's definitely a cool car--we still turn our heads every time one drives by!

Thanks for your input, folks.

DGB

 

[zoomzoom mazda5]

That's a hard one. But if it was me the volvo be the better choice, but that's up to you and the family. Goodluck!

 

[jandree22]

Enjoy! ( (pics))

 

[Rocket]

I am not sure if the V70 has it, but I was always suspicious of the 5 cylinder engine...

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

The parameters I used when shopping for my last vehicle shortlisted three vehicles: VW Passat Wagon, Volvo V70 and Mazda 5. The parameters were comfort, ability to carry 5 people and one dog on occasion, have some fun factored in and be reliable. I just couldn't justify the VW & Volvo prices, and compromised on reliability. I suspect that I will get ten good years out of the 5.

Given your situation, your choice is clear: Volvo.

 

[Forkster]

DGB, personally, I wouldn't walk away from a Volvo, i'd run.

Known issues on the Volvo V70
- a long known TSB list on electrical issues
- looses resale value faster than a snowman in Bermuda
- questionable serviceability outside dealership
- parts are hard to find and more expensive than average
- repairs are dealer/speciality Volvo shop dependant
- higher insurance rates
- accident's will take a long time to repair due to limited parts
- its owned by Ford.
- limited parts online

Pluses of Volvo
- excellent drivetrain,engine, and performance
- car safety is spelled VOLVO
- longevity is guaranteed. Volvo will last 25-30 years but will require TLC
- drives like a tank, solid feel and quality interior
- did I mention that car safety is spelled VOLVO?

A side note: if you can afford a NEW Volvo, you can afford all the repairs after its off warranty. If you can't, then walk away. One should also get nervous if a garage can specialize only repairing Volvo's. Like VW's, it tells you something about the reliability.


Known issues on the Mazda 5
- front end knocking issue (TSB to address issue)
- premature tire wear due to alignment issues
- cold weather issues such as freezing side doors and stalling
- seating is designed for short people but livable for tall. subject to opinions though.
- paint quality issues
- mediocre fuel economy
- engine is underpowered for automatic transmission

Pluses of the Mazda 5
- designed for family life
- folding rear third seat and sliding captain chairs for middle row
- excellent engine and drive train
- drive train parts compatibility with the Mazda 3 means plenty of parts available
- repairs are not dealer dependant
- repairs are less expensive than average
- parts are available worldwide (i.e. EBAY/Websites)
- expect to get at least 8-10 years before major replacement repairs are required (starter/alternator/struts/seals/callipers)

Note: The Mazda 5 is a relatively new vehicle. It's only been around for 2 years so there are some bugs to work out. It seems that Mazda didn't do ANY cold-weather testing of the 5 up north (I checked). A slight oversight on their part because its coming back to haunt them. But... but... this is a fun to drive microvan.

 

[Stamperman]

DGB, personally, I wouldn't walk away from a Volvo, i'd run.

Run fast and far! I had a 850 turbo wagon before I bought a Mazda 3 for daily driving. That thing ate parts like there was no tomorrow. Volvos are not what they used to be. I'll not be buying another newer (read FWD) one. I will however keep my 35 year old 1800E as it is reliable as a rock.

 

[P5w3kids]

As you're probably aware, http://www.swedespeed.com is a good source of info on Volvos.

Based on what I've read there, the V70 can be problematic, espcially the 2001. The 2003 might be better, but in general once European cars get out of warranty they get expensive to maintain.

That said, forums will make any car seem much less reliable than it actually is, because people with many problems tend to show up at them.

In the future I'll have reliability info on both models. At this point I don't have enough data to provide it.

 

[protosaab]

two totally differnet cars. people either love or hate their Volvos. like any European car, they are expensive to repair. However, the comport and safety of the car are unequaled. I own a Saab 9-5 wagon and love the performance comfort and peace of mind (Saabs are safe too!). A 600 mi trip feels like 60. The 5 is a little rough, but ypou are talking about a car that is 40% cheaper. As one responder said - if you cannot afford the repairs, don't get>

 

[AIMWO4]

Saab 9-5 Wagon

Two different cars is correct! As much as I loved my Saab wagon, I had to part with it due to the cost of maintenance. I did the work myself (ex-mechanic), and it was still draining my $$.

I miss all the gadgets of the Saab, but enjoy the uniqueness and utility of my Mazda5.

two totally differnet cars. people either love or hate their Volvos. like any European car, they are expensive to repair. However, the comport and safety of the car are unequaled. I own a Saab 9-5 wagon and love the performance comfort and peace of mind (Saabs are safe too!). A 600 mi trip feels like 60. The 5 is a little rough, but ypou are talking about a car that is 40% cheaper. As one responder said - if you cannot afford the repairs, don't get>