New guy and potential owner

[R1FIGHTER]

Hey everyone!

I'm currently in the market for a new car and am really digging the 5.
My question is this really a 200K+ mile car? I know any car can be, but we all no that a neon is less likely then a toyota or honda.

I'm going from a 06 VW Jetta that is expensive to maintain and can't really work on the car yourself.

Any adivce would be greatly appricated.

BTW, I drive roughly 40K a year...

 

[ms6acton]

i cant answer any of questions, just saying welcome (nana)

 

[AIMWO4]

The 5 is assembled in Japan, which is more than I can say for a lot of Hondas, Acuras and Toyotas. In my experience, anything I have owned that was assembled in Japan, has been in my posession (without much maintenance) for 150 - 190K. I imagine I could have made it to 200K+ in them.

This is my first Mazda, and I am putting a lot of hard miles on it 32K in 3 years. I was fed up with my Euro crap (1997-2004) and decided to go back to Japan for reliability.

At 40K/year, you could easily make 120K as highway mileage is easy on cars. If you truly want to get a 200K car which does not require a lot of $$ to maintain, get a Toyota built in Japan. RWD and 4WD vehicles have a better history of relaibility than FWD, as they are usually more robust. I can't say I'd by a RAV-4 or CR-V though.

You won't see too many high-mileage 5's, as they have only been out for a few years. Better to check on how a Protege' has done, and determine if those numbers please you.

I am very happy with my 5 so far. The only issues have been a battery that died after less than 3 years, and suspension bushing noises (fixed under a TSB).

 

[R1FIGHTER]

I've looked at 6 in the last three days at various dealers around town.
4 of them had what appeared to be stress dimples (dents) on both sides of the front fenders at about 11 o'clock in the wheel well. At first I just thought it was front end damage but after I kept seeing it... WTF?

Has anyone else noticed this?

-Brad

 

[Dellerane]

Just bought my 5 about 3 weeks ago and so far it is proving to be the best car I've owned (Didn't notice any dimples on the front fenders).

I do service work and the 5 is my service vehicle, my last vehicle was a Kia Rondo which I managed to get 118,000 miles on it in 2 1/2 years without anything major other than wear items giving out (tires, brakes). The 5 has more interior room than the Rondo, and the drivers seat is much more comfortable for those 300+ mile days I often have. AND I was lucky to get 20 miles to the gallon with all my tools in the Rondo, with the 5 I am consistently getting 27-28 miles to the gallon.

Knowing how fast I'm going to rack up the mileage I felt pretty confidant going with the 5, as long as you maintain it properly you should be fine.

 

[skyhawk]

I've looked at 6 in the last three days at various dealers around town.
4 of them had what appeared to be stress dimples (dents) on both sides of the front fenders at about 11 o'clock in the wheel well. At first I just thought it was front end damage but after I kept seeing it... WTF?

Has anyone else noticed this?

-Brad

They must be battle scars.. As a daily drive, it is enevitable the mazda5 will
get its share of exterior wear and tear.. Our 06 GT hit a large tire debris in the carpool lane when we vacationed in L.A. I have no idea where it hit,
under, but I do find later the bumper edges quite out of alignment with the metal sheet of the fender wheel.

Minor thing really for as long as no part is dangling or loose. But because it
is a mazda 5, there is not too many issues to pick on,

 

[Phratt]

Since the Mazda5 is a stretched Mazda3, might be good to check out the Mazda3 forums for the 2.3L model. They must have sold more 3's than 5's - chances are that you will find owners that have done 200k+ on them.

 

[thaxman]

I've looked at 6 in the last three days at various dealers around town.
4 of them had what appeared to be stress dimples (dents) on both sides of the front fenders at about 11 o'clock in the wheel well. At first I just thought it was front end damage but after I kept seeing it... WTF?

Has anyone else noticed this?

-Brad

Agree on the WTF. No, have not seen that, and I look at every other 5 I see like it was a Victoria's Secret centerfold.

 

[silverboy]

I've looked at 6 in the last three days at various dealers around town.
4 of them had what appeared to be stress dimples (dents) on both sides of the front fenders at about 11 o'clock in the wheel well. At first I just thought it was front end damage but after I kept seeing it... WTF?

Has anyone else noticed this?

-Brad

Welcome, where are u located?
Are u looking for a new or used vehicle?
I just got a Silver 2006 Mazda5 with 63K and it doesn't seem to have those dents.

I previously owned a 2007 Honda CRV, 2008 Honda Element, Acura CL, TL, RL, RAV4(current), Accord 2000 and 2004 V6 Coupe(2004 current) and many American brand name vehicles.
IMO, I think the Mazda 5 is lots of fun to drive.

Let us know if you'll get a Mazda, good luck.

 

[thaxman]

I've looked at 6 in the last three days at various dealers around town.
4 of them had what appeared to be stress dimples (dents) on both sides of the front fenders at about 11 o'clock in the wheel well. At first I just thought it was front end damage but after I kept seeing it... WTF?

-Brad

Are these all 09 Sport automatic models? I wonder if they are all rental returns and they all have frontal impacts that after absorbing the impact, crimped the front fender since the bumper and fender are so closely mated.
If they are older cars, but still Sport models, remember that the 5 is one INEXPENSIVE new car, and thus some will end up in the hands of people who don't care for their cars very well. The reason you see alot more Elantra POS cars than cherry versions. One way to avoid an abused car when buying used is to go straight for the top trim level. When the OP spends more money on higher trimmed out cars, it means more to them and often it is reflected in care and maintenance.

 

[R1FIGHTER]

Are these all 09 Sport automatic models? I wonder if they are all rental returns and they all have frontal impacts that after absorbing the impact, crimped the front fender since the bumper and fender are so closely mated.
If they are older cars, but still Sport models, remember that the 5 is one INEXPENSIVE new car, and thus some will end up in the hands of people who don't care for their cars very well. The reason you see alot more Elantra POS cars than cherry versions. One way to avoid an abused car when buying used is to go straight for the top trim level. When the OP spends more money on higher trimmed out cars, it means more to them and often it is reflected in care and maintenance.

Great school of thought. The 5 or 6 cars I've look at so far have been 07-08's so I guess they could have been rentals. I'm going to hit the lots hard this week and try and get something before we head south for the cruise...


It's 19 in michigan...