Newbie shopping for CPO Mazda5's

[elbastardocalvo]

Hello, everyone. I'm shopping for Mazda5's for my growing family; it's a unique car, to the say the least. We typically buy certified used cars (we're on our third CPO Saab, a 9-5, which has simply become too small).

A local Mazda dealer has two interesting cars that I am going to look at tomorrow:

2006 Touring with nav, auto, 23,xxx miles;

2007 Touring with auto, no other options, 18,xxx miles.

Both are Mazda certified, and both are within $500 of one another.

Any preference from the members here, who have driven these things? Is the nav in the 2006 worth the extra 5k miles and about a year less of remaining warranty? Anything else I should look out for with this purchase?

thanks in advance everyone.

elbastardocalvo

 

[MikesMazda5]

If it were me, I would buy the 07. The navigation system is nice, but would you really need it? That is what Mapquest is for before you leave home on a trip. They are super reliable and get pretty good gas mileage. I have an 06 with about 38,000 miles on it with zero issues. Some have had issues with tire wear and worn-out shocks, but I have yet to have these issues with mine.

 

[coolmazda5]

"thebaldbastard"?

The 06 is a reliable car IMO (I own one of the first ones produced) but from my forums' experience I can tell that the 07 has already corrected many of the typical new model bugs, plus one year newer is always nice (I also own an 08 and I wish it would be an 09 )

Nav, a TomTom can do

So +1 with MikesMazda5

 

[elbastardocalvo]

"thebaldbastard"?

The 06 is a reliable car IMO (I own one of the first ones produced) but from my forums' experience I can tell that the 07 has already corrected many of the typical new model bugs, plus one year newer is always nice (I also own an 08 and I wish it would be an 09 )

Nav, a TomTom can do

So +1 with MikesMazda5

the bald-headed bastard, yeah... Long story.

Anyway, with the added warranty for the 2006's, the warranty is actually LONGER on the 2006 than on the 2007. What kind of growing pains did the 2006 have?

Also, was leather an option on Touring models in 2007? Or do they all have cloth?

thanks again.

elbastardocalvo

 

[coolmazda5]

the bald-headed bastard, yeah... Long story.

Anyway, with the added warranty for the 2006's, the warranty is actually LONGER on the 2006 than on the 2007. What kind of growing pains did the 2006 have?

Also, was leather an option on Touring models in 2007? Or do they all have cloth?

thanks again.

elbastardocalvo

• 2006: 2 recalls and several TSBs, just check on the TSB thread. For sure already applied to your CPO car, but check just in case
• 2007 only: brown espresso leather only came with the Grand Touring (USDM), all the rest clothing

 

[OilGuy]

I just picked up a 1 yr old 08. It has the passenger and 2nd row arm rests, the rear cold air vents, and 5 speed tranny upgrades that the 07 and older doesn't have. It still has much of the factory warranty remaining.

It was a rental car for a few months. As much as the thought of buying a rental car causes some to cringe, I've learned that the rental car companies are very anal about their maintenance, which is better than most of the public.

I personally enjoy someone else paying the initial ~25% depreciation off a new vehicle. The 1 year hit is starting to be reflected in the prices of pre owned 08s.

 

[elbastardocalvo]

• 2006: 2 recalls and several TSBs, just check on the TSB thread. For sure already applied to your CPO car, but check just in case
• 2007 only: brown espresso leather only came with the Grand Touring (USDM), all the rest clothing

OK cool, thanks. I happen to love the brown leather. Since my original post I found a 2007 GT for less than the other two, with 16 k miles. GT's in 2007 have xenons, correct?

Looks to me like the most enticing of the three.

I will likely go shopping tomorrow PM, and will post the results.

elbastardocalvo.

 

[MikesMazda5]

Sweet deal, a little research goas a long way!!

 

[coolmazda5]

Yes, Grand Tourings come with Xenons. Post some pics when the deal is done at least

 

[elbastardocalvo]

Yes, Grand Tourings come with Xenons. Post some pics when the deal is done at least

Will do. Don't want to jinx anything, for now...

 

[elbastardocalvo]

OK, I bought the car. It's a gray 2007 GT (LOVE the espresso brown leather), 16k miles. I paid $13k plus tax (7%) title and fees. I traded in my 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc sedan, which I loved, but was simply too small.

I had to drive about 120 miles to do the deal, and I got a good two-hour drive home to play with the new ride. I'm very, very happy.
ETA: oh, and it has Sirius as well. Anyone know how to activate it?

Here are some pics:

 

[mde8965]

Looks very nice. I too am a fan of that color leather. Enjoy!