New owner...soon

[AZM5]

Hello all. Not a 5 owner yet but we have decided we are definitely getting one. We currently drive a Civic and have two kids, 6 & 1, but just haven't been able to do anything about it until now. We have two kids, 6 & 1. Today we actually just test drove an 06 Touring with 33K miles. It was close to our home so it was easy, we just want one with under 15K miles. My question to all of you current owners is are there any differences at all between 06 & 07? I've always been reluctant to purchased the first model year of a totally new vehicle or a redesign. Is there anything they corrected or improved on from 06 to 07.

My other question is, with the 08 changes, is it worth buying brand new (I personally love the fact the Auto is 5-speed now), besides the fact that it is BRAND NEW. My budget started out in the 13-14K range and has gone up as there just aren't any nice low mileage Touring models around. So that is why I'm considering. For those that have 08 Touring what have you paid?

I know there are a lot of options depending mostly on my decision of what to spend but I just want to get the input of those of you with the 5 experience.

Thanks for helping out the soon to be new 5 family. It is appreciated.

 

[slvrsleeper]

The 08 does have some advantages over the 07 in that Mazda addressed some concerns raised by owners. Your budget will probably be cooked by a new 08 Touring. The Sport for 08 is very nearly as good as the higher trim level, so you might consider that. The 06 and 07 are basically the same, though the 06 has had a few more recalls ( first model year, thats par for the course) Good luck and welcome!

 

[jandree22]

I would say go for an 08 Sport 5AT. It's your cheapest way to get into a new 08.

OTOH, the 06 and 07 are perfectly fine. Yeah my 07 doesn't have some of the goodies of the 08, which I would like, but it really doesn't bother me at all, it's still a very well equiped, well built, fun sporty car. In your situation, the 06 would actually be better than an 07, because the 06's have a 4yr/50k mi warranty, the 07 and beyond are now 3yr/36k mile. So you have a healthy 15k+ miles to drive on it to see if you find any 'quirks' that need addressed. Most of the quirks have resolutions in the form of TSB's now, so if you experience anything weird, you have time to hit us up with questions and /or get it checked out by the dealership.

I'm probably missing something, but IMO the three biggest issues that at least 06 and 07's have faced are
1) Engine Stumble - Upon light acceleration, usually soon after startup and in cold weather, the engine will cut out for a moment jerking the car... like it's going to stall (but it doesn't stall). Annoying problem. But this has just had a TSB published about 2 months ago. Had the TSB performed which amounts to a ECU reprogram with the latest software and hasn't happened since.

2) Squeaky/Creaky/Groany suspension - Happens in cold weather. Sway bar bushings' rubber-to-metal contact causes the them to squeak/crunch/groan over even leveled bumps, like speed bumps etc. Had the TSB performed for this, but it only worked for a while. They replaced the bushings but ultimately this didn't solve the issue. When they swapped the bushings they also re-lubed them, which I think really was the help. Personally, this doesn't bother me too bad because it only happens when it's 20*F or below, and it stops happening after a few minutes of driving because the suspension friction heats up the rubber and it's not as prone to squeakiness against the metal brackets. Really, this is just an annoyance type thing and won't harm anything by letting it go. BUT, like I said, if you want to check into it, there is a TSB out there that your dealer should know what to do if you bring it in for this problem.

3) Freezing sliding doors - Some people have issues with condensation freezing the doors shut in the winter (noticing a 'cold' pattern here? ). I only had this happen once, and it was after a really unusually bad ice storm here in PA, so I never had it even looked at. But I do know there is a TSB out for this where I think they replace or do something with the door latches.

So not to freak you out because ultimately, all three of those are somewhat minor quirky problems. There's really not much more if anything significant that are known problems, that I can think of right now anyway. If you get those checked out, that should take care of the first year quirks. Like I said, you have plenty of time to pay attention to these things to see if they're occuring before you warranty runs out at 50k on the odo.

Wow, I just talked up a storm, eh? Bottom line, if you can swing the cash, I'd get an 08 Sport 5AT (or a 5MT ) because you get a lot of extra little goodies and upgrades. BUT, if you would rather save the extra $5k for something else, the 06 will definitely serve you well too.

 

[skyhawk]

we have mz5 2006. 1 warranty repair so far. Block heater failed and dealer replaced it during a change oil schedule. At one time front left was giving loud clicking noise.. then I torqued the wheel lug nuts to specs.. and noise disappeared. I moved from old beater car buick, to the MZ5 which has a 'throttle-by-wire' , so It took a while to adjust to the throttle lag, and learned the gas pedal's 'sweet spot'. A bit of learning curve in driving these newer computerized vehicles.

 

[AZM5]

Thanks for the info so far. We're keeping all of our options open right now. We'd like an 08 as we plan on doing a lot of driving and would like the miles to be "ours" so to speak but we'll see. The 50K mile warranty sounds great to though.

 

[mazdadude]

The bonus warranty coverage for the 2006 is a nice bonus, plus you can save yourself $6-10k over the new 2008.

The differences between the 06 and 07 models to the 08 models are not worth the extra money to me at all. I still do not like the LED taillights, the 5 spd auto, the newer instrument cluster, or the lack of center console lid, however the 2008's rear a/c vents are nice, the front fascia looks better to me, and I like the interior's silver painted plastic pieces better on the 08 as well.

Personally, I think that as the Mazda5 becomes more known, and sought out, the used market will start to pick up some steam, and we will not see much depreciation. A previous example of this might be the Protege'5, which still enjoys a 50-60% resale value after 6 years.

I am currently leasing my '06 Mazda5, but intend on paying it off when the lease term is up this October. This will be the first Mazda I have ever bought new, and paid off to own outright. I fully plan on driving this thing for several more years.

 

[jandree22]

I am currently leasing my '06 Mazda5, but intend on paying it off when the lease term is up this October. This will be the first Mazda I have ever bought new, and paid off to own outright. I fully plan on driving this thing for several more years.

With a Mazda ownership list as long as yours, that's certainly saying something! (cool)

 

[AZM5]

Thanks, you answered a question that I was wondering about with the rear a/c vents. Being in Arizona that might be something to think about...but again worth 5K don't know. Basically its a great vehicle any way you look at it, its just a matter of what I want to spend. We've never had a brand new vehicle ourselves so that would be fun, plus I will have $4K to put down from the sale of our Civic. And on the other hand I could pay off a used one a lot faster.

Btw. excellent forum, have had fun looking around and reading up.

 

[opus]

In Arizona, you will have to have the rear windows tinted, otherwise the 5 is an absolute oven in direct sunlight (lots of glass, little vehicle). Once tinted though, we were able to drive in 115 degree weather in Hilton Head Island, SC and Savannah Georgia, with like 92 percent humidity and six people in the car for a week without ever feeling that the AC was not adequate in our 2006 5spd Touring. Unless you are an armrest junky, or have to have the extra cog in the automatic, if you can get the 5spd stick do it, it makes the car much more entertaining, IMO. We have had the suspension squeak, but you would probably never have it come alive in AZ. If the 06 fills the bill, save the green and go that route.

 

[daan]

I ended up with an 06 and don't regret it at all. THe extra warranty and the nearly 7K off a new one was it for me. I ended up having to change my trans fluid fairly soon after getting it, but the vehicle had almost 20K on it, so it would have had to have it done sooner or later anyway. I guess my point is if you go used, just change the fluids out and keep an eye on 'em but you'll be under warranty anyway so you should be all good. Plus they might have taken care of the "first ding" situation for you too (grin) (you know, you drive like you're on egg shells until that first door ding, then it's business as usual after that...)

 

[dreamym5]

i could buy 06 ones (one of them Grand Touring with Navi 36K for around 13K..) but i chose to buy 08 Sport instead because somehow.. all the used 5 in my area were "ex rental" ones...but it is personal preference.(usa)

 

[opus]

i could buy 06 ones (one of them Grand Touring with Navi 36K for around 13K..) but i chose to buy 08 Sport instead because somehow.. all the used 5 in my area were "ex rental" ones...but it is personal preference.(usa)

Yeah, you do have to be wary of the number of used rental fleet 5's out there. I don't care what the rental companies etc... say, rental cars are usually beaten within an inch of their lives because no one that drives them has any kind of long term vested interest in them.

 

[AZM5]

Well guys picked one up today! 07 Touring, White, 16700 miles...17400 out the door. Then you add Gap insurance and I also got a pretty good 6/60 warranty plus almost 500 in other dealer fees and you're up around 20 again. One pointer for buying from a dealer and you say out the door, make sure that includes dealer fees. I kind of got burned on that. I might call back and tell them no on the warranty, not sure yet. What do you all think about extended warranties. I really like it, surprising my wife today when she gets home from work. It's in good shape, normal wear and tear. One thing I noticed is a ton of wind noise from the front window, anyone else have this?

 

[doctorz]

congrats on your purchase! Nothing new to add to your original question. I just noted the ages of your kids. When we bought our 5, our kids were also 6 and 1. They are now 8 and 3, and the 5 is serving our family well. You will really enjoy your 5.

We do not have much wind noise, or at least anything we care about. There's another thread about this somewhere on this forum, though.

 

[AZM5]

That's cool, we know it will be perfect for us. Day 1 and we already got to take it to a T-ball game, so nice. We have to take it back to the dealer tomorrow for a few items so I'll listen for noise again. I'm happy to say the surprise worked perfectly, she cried she was so happy. Can't wait to road trip.