New member & owner

[Kedis82ZE8]

Just wanted to say hi and hopefully I can be a contributing member. The wife and I picked up a CX-5 today. Very fun vehicle.

 

[d3finit]

Hey, what's up!

I too had an 2007 Infiniti G35X (loved that car), before I recently sold it and got my CX-5. Two things I really miss about the Infiniti are I the instant power and acceleraion of the VQ35HR, and the memory seat/steering wheel/mirrors settings (so useful since I share the car with my girlfriend).

But I'm enjoying the versatility, roomier interior, updated stereo (iPod/iPhone integration, Bluetooth streaming, Pandora), and great gas mileage of the Mazda.

 

[Skorpio]

(hi) and welcome! I agree with you about the memory seats. Fortunately, there are many more positives about the CX-5 than negatives. Enjoy!

 

[Skorpio]

I definitely see far more positives than negatives and I know how forums are usually a repository of more negative than positive feedback.

You're right about that in general, but every now and then you'll see a glimmer of compliments (smash). I try to focus on that myself. I've had many, many vehicles and not ONE was perfect for me out the box. But this CX-5 model is very close to spot on to what critics and reviews say. The exception is the audio head unit. It's not the fastest or modern, but it mostly does it's job. I have added an external amp and sub to my Bose it sounds GREAT now, to me. With some modifications, the CX-5 is very close to a perfect car for me with the current times(thumb)

Not sure how well front of CX-5 handles road debris so I am also getting a clear bra (or I guess they call it a clear mask now) put on on front. I never did this with my Maxima and front end paint got some bad road rash. I told myself I wouldn't let this happen again so I got it on my G35 when new and never regretted it. The front still looks great.

In general is Mazda paint these days better, worse or the same as Nissan and other imports?

It seems like that the general consensus is that the Mazda paint/clear coat is pretty thin and prone to chips down to the body. Even worse, the mica flake paint is hard to replicate by body shops (ugh). Your clear bra is a wise investment. Btw, do you know what brand bra you had on your G35?

 

[MikeM.]

In general is Mazda paint these days better, worse or the same as Nissan and other imports?

Mazda upgraded their painting technology three or four years ago. It is state of the art. And while modern automotive coatings are thinner than ever, they are also much harder and more durable than anything used previously.

This summer I've been doing a lot of bush thwacking (real word, I swear) in my white CX-5 on unmaintained and unpaved FS roads. Mostly alder branches. The sides and especially the mirrors take the brunt of it but the paint is holding up beautifully. I probably should have waxed the car (the car is almost two years old and has never been waxed) but modern paints don't need wax as much as the soft stuff that was used previously.

 

[Skorpio]

I usually wax my cars twice a year...although I am already behind for the summer. Not gonna go to any extremes like clay bar or anything like that... just some of this. Easy on...easy off

I wouldn't assume your paint does not have contaminants. I clay bar-ed mine within a couple hundred miles new and the clay pulled some contaminates out the paint. It now shines better than new. Some owners care about their cars more than others, and if you plan on keeping your CX-5 for a long time, don't you want to ensure it looks as good as it can for that time? Photo taken after simply wash after 600 mile trip-

 

[Skorpio]

That does look nice. I've never done anything with clay bar. I guess I should look into the process. I've read about people doing it over the years but never watched any demos.

You're never too late in the game, but I definitely recommend it for all your vehicles you care about.

 

[hat1018]

That does look nice. I've never done anything with clay bar. I guess I should look into the process. I've read about people doing it over the years but never watched any demos.

Trust me when I say that clay bar is by far the best paint maintenance product ever. Simple, quick and most of all effective. I did my 03 Protg 5 last fall and it made a world of difference in the condition of the paint. Try it on your Infinity and you will see what I mean. Wash and dry the car, use a quick detailer spray as a lubricant for the clay bar. Not only will you see a difference but you can feel it as well. So awesome. I wish I had done it before I took CX5 in for paint protectant/sealant. They said it would not be an issue to clay bar it now that the sealant is applied.