New Mazda 5 owner in IA

[mfish23]

Hello everyone. Just purchased a new Mazda 5 5-speed in the Liquid Silver Metallic; I've always wanted a silver car. Never wanted a minivan, but the sliding doors and the 5-speed make getting two kids in the car fun and fun to drive.

Will be adding the sill extensions to the car since 5-speeds don't come with them (shrug).

We have family in Canada; do any Canadian posters know how to activate the DRLs? I really don't want to drive with lights on all the time. Several Mazda dealers in Canada said there's a relay that needs to be added...? Any help would be appreciated.

Nice to be a member of this forum.

 

[x10dude]

Welcome! This is a great forum. The Mazda 5 really makes driving a minivan cool.

Sorry can't help you with the DRL issue but I'd be curious to also find out the answer.

 

[DKaz]

There are aftermarket DRL modules such as Designtech part no. 20013 available that will allow you to use your high beams at reduced output as DRLs. Supply is limited, search around for it. There are also several other manufacturers which sell DRL modules as well. Most modules sell around the $25-$30 range but I bought a heavy duty unit made for semis for $80.

 

[mfish23]

Thanks for the help on the DRL question! Canadian M5's have DRL on the low beam, correct?

 

[DKaz]

Yes they do, I prefer reduced output high beam DRLs and in my previous Corolla I disabled the stock DRL and put an aftermarket DRL module in... but I couldn't be bothered with the Mazda 5. Hopefully the next gen 5 has its DRLs moved to the high beams.

 

[1WICKED6]

Welcome to the board...you are going to love the 5...especially if its the 5 speed...Wish I had one!

 

[DKaz]

The 5 speed stick shift was my main deciding factor with the 5, otherwise we could've easily gone for a Kia Rondo instead.

 

[KBrian]

++ for the 5spd, not the Rondo

 

[mfish23]

To be honest, I've never bought a Japanese car before, mainly because I can't afford them and most of them are durable but very bland inside. The 5 was sporty, a stick and had sliding doors. We have a really tight garage and were looking at a Ford Escape, but only could seat 5 and no sliders. While the seat is a little tight for me (6"5") it's really fun to drive; the clutch is so effortless!

Wouldn't consider a Kia; drove a Sportage for a rental car one time and hated it.

 

[DKaz]

+1 for fun to drive.

I rented a Ford Escape yesterday, it wasn't bad. Their quality's definitely improved as of late, I was impressed, but I was scared that I was going to roll it over making the kind of fast turns I do in my Mazda 5. lol. I'm so not an SUV kind of person!

 

[Kenshin 1029]

Welcome to our forum!!!

 

[ljmattox]

+1 on the choice of a new Liquid Silver 5-speed! (thumb)

We've had ours just over a month, just clicked over 2000 miles. Got our first full tank of 30+ mpg last fillup too.

Very relaxing to drive...I'm amazed every day with the tractability of this engine, the ease of shifting, light clutch (just as you say).

Our 5 is significantly quieter and smoother-riding than our CX-7 we just traded away.

Kudos on making a go of it at 6'5" too...I tell people that at 6' and 235lbs, I feel like anyone much larger than me might have some legroom issues. Looks like you're making it work.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new ride. Lotsa good knowledge hereabouts!

 

[zoom^2]

+1 for fun to drive.

I rented a Ford Escape yesterday, it wasn't bad. Their quality's definitely improved as of late, I was impressed, but I was scared that I was going to roll it over making the kind of fast turns I do in my Mazda 5. lol. I'm so not an SUV kind of person!

I am completely with you - my wife has a CR-V and every time I drive it, I feel like I'm driving a bus and that I'm going to roll over in turns. SUVs don't excite me - vans and wagons provide better utility and practicality, in my opinion.

The 5 is definitely much more fun to drive than any van has any business being.