On the Fence: MZ5 or CX9???

[Vindikacione]

Yeah, price does matter, but reliability and safety is the ultimate winner here.

Anyone out there have both and can share their story?

My Wifey and I decided to sprout an additional junior, so each seat would be utilized if we get the MZ5. Currently got a 03 Chevy Venture. She works, but it's the standard American-made POS. It has the ever so famous intake coolant leak, granted it did make it over 100k without issue. Low-ball repair at dealer starts at $1300, hence the interest at the new Mazda car lot.

She already test drove the CX9. She liked it, but prefers sliding doors. I'm not a big fan of its gas mileage, nor the storage space for a stroller in the trunk. Although the MZ5 lacks that kind of space too. I'm all for the topper though and putting all that baby stuff on the roof.

I was ecstatic to hear the MZ5 got the computerized stability control upgrade. I wondered why it took so long. Now my other question is, what will the 2011 version have to offer. Will it finally come with power sliding doors as standard and more trunk space?

I'm still deployed so I have several more months to save for a good down payment for the MZ5 and an okay one for the CX9, but right now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the Venture holds up at least until the 2011 specs are released. Thanks for any input. Peace!

 

[x10dude]

Disclaimer: I never drove a CX9. But what I read about it, the CX9 will give you zoom zoom (and then some) while the Mazda5 will give you room room. The CX-9 starting price was also quite a bit higher last time I checked.

I've owned the Mazda5 for about 18 months so far. My impressions so far.
1. Never underestimate the versatility of the sliding doors. It comes in so handy when you need the entire door opened wide in a tight space
2. The ability to fold flat the 2nd and 3rd row seats is a great plus. This vehicle always surprises me how much I can stuff inside it.
3. The 3rd row seat is functional but not very roomy. Fine for kids, not so comfortable for adults but OK for short trips around town.
4. Probably the least zoom-zoom of all the Mazdas (besides perhaps the tribute). But it does handle quite well. The car really feels and handles like a small car.
5. The MPG is the best of any of the oversized minivans out there.

One pleasant surprise is that the insurance rates on this car were even lower than my previous Honda Accord. You should check the rates between the Cx9 and the 5 with your insurance company.

 

[CaptainSpalding]

We bought our 5 less than a month ago. We looked at the CX-9 as well, and went through the same decision making process that you're going through now. We freqently use the third row seats, and that made it a no brainer. Entry/egress to and from the third row is so much easier in the 5. Even though it's smaller, the 5 feels bigger and airier inside. Sliding doors mean we don't worry about the kids opening the rear doors into a car parked in an adjacent parking spot.

BTW, thanks for your service. Be safe.

 

[Vindikacione]

THANKS! Glad to know that there are a couple of you guys out there that find the MZ5 practical over the CX9. I'm sure there a bunch of other folks out there that would agree.

1. MPG is huge gain, getting like 18 in the city with the Venture.
2. Lower Insurance? Wow, didn't even consider that. Must call.
3. No worries with Zoom Zoom, got an MS3 as MY daily driver.
4. I hope Mazda will offer the Loyalty savings again (it expires on 4JAN10, but it didn't look like they were offering it for the MZ5).
5. My kids are still young, so backseat room will be good enough for at about 10 more years, I hope. (My car owning trend has been Japanese and German cars easily make it to 10 years, however my American cars are significantly lucky if they pass five years without significant repairs. Why is that Detroit? BTW, We made the mistake of owning two Ventures.)

Okay: I suppose I can do a search. But I'll keep faith with the responses from the masses... My MS3 had to go through numerous recalls for repairs and issues, so has there been an alarming number of factory recalls for the MZ5 (or CX9, if you know)? I positively can't stand taking my vehicles to the dealer if I can do the work myself (oil change, air filter change, etc), but with recall stuff, you simply have to.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I may throw my hat in this ring sometime soon as well...but our complication is that we have a Great Dane and she takes up a bit of room. We're just about to start having a family, so I'm trying to decide whether spending significantly more for a CX9 is worth the extra cubic feet for storage. But the price may end up making the decision for us...:-(.

Keep us updated on your search.

 

[DKaz]

The CX-9 can't hold a stroller? Even with the third row seats down? We typically put a stroller in lengthwise with one of the third row seats folded down so we still have room for five. I'm 6'1" and I comfortably sat once in the third row seat behind the baby. I always tell my story about fitting myself and 3 hockey teammates and everyone's hockey gear in the back no problems, these bags are like 15"x18"x40" each, and 8 hockey sticks.

One thing you gotta consider is that the 5 can hold 4 people and a lot of stuff, vs. the CX-9's 5 people and a lot of stuff(?). But with the savings with the 5 you can buy a roof rack with a roof basket for carrying A LOT of stuff or a standard carrier for carrying a decent amount of stuff sheltered from the elements and have room for 6 inside. Actually, we were able to fit a full size luggage in the leg area where our baby sits, obviously the baby (in a car seat) doesn't need that leg room so it worked out, plus I fit one full size luggage + one carry on size luggage (19") behind the third row if you can believe that. The sliding doors are beyond useful especially in tight parking spots.

It's really up to you. You're pitting an economy class MPV vs. an upscale CUV... but personally even if I could afford a CX-9, I'd opt for a 5 instead, but that's just because I prefer driving manual.

 

[CaptainSpalding]

. . . but our complication is that we have a Great Dane and she takes up a bit of room. . .

I may be wrong about this but I think the cargo area of the 5 has more headroom than the CX9, which might make a difference to your ugly dachshund.

 

[skyhawk]

Easy access..

The great dane can get in. walk along the aisles towards
the rear area (3rd row folded down).

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Easy, get the M5.

Peace!(rei)

 

[x10dude]

It's really up to you. You're pitting an economy class MPV vs. an upscale CUV... but personally even if I could afford a CX-9, I'd opt for a 5 instead, but that's just because I prefer driving manual.

Agreed... it's not always easy to compare vehicles which differ by $10K in MSRP price.

 

[mpvue]

Agreed... it's not always easy to compare vehicles which differ by $10K in MSRP price.

+2. we have a 5 and my brother and his wife have a 9. they needed AWD and were replacing a Toureg that got wrecked. nice truck, but according to them, a gas hog (though, the #'s are typical for that class of crossover).
I needed something smaller and more economical, and really don't need AWD. we just did a 3K mile road trip w/ 3 kids and am happy to report all went well. although more room is always helpful, we had enough (as it is, my wife managed to do enough shopping to fill up the roof top carrier and the interior!)
they really are 2 different classes of vehicle. the 9 appeals to those that want to sit up high and feel larger is safer. but the 5 is SO much cheaper (albeit w/ fewer features) but for many it's all the vehicle you really need.
I'll be making another thread shortly about our trip.

 

[raspykart]

If ya don't "need" awd save the money n get the Mazda 5. Get a hitch n a cargo rack for the luggage on long hauls. If ya do need AWD keep the Toyota minivan on the radar... Though I'm more of a Mazda fan.

 

[DKaz]

Oh with the money you save on the 5 over the CX-9 you can get proper winter tires if you need them... FWD or RWD with winter tires is way better any day over 4WD with all season tires. 4WD is great for startup traction especially in un-sticky situations but you have no stopping or steering advantage over a FWD or RWD whatsoever. Of course, 4WD with winter tires trumps all.

The Toyota minivan drives too much like a boat for me to recommend it to anyone, but apparently quite a few people like driving boats...

 

[AIMWO4]

If I had 4 kids, I'd get the CX-9. It all depends on what you plan to use it for, and what your other car is. I have a Mazda 5, but have a Chrysler T&C for the big jobs. The T&C sits a lot.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

My wife and I were looking at a Mz5 in a parking lot yesterday, and I really think that's the way we will go. It had the 3rd row up, which was what I really have wanted to see. I'm thinking that unless I can find a low mileage cx9 for $15k (yeah, right) we'll pursue a Mz5 come this spring.

 

[thaxman]

I may throw my hat in this ring sometime soon as well...but our complication is that we have a Great Dane and she takes up a bit of room. We're just about to start having a family, so I'm trying to decide whether spending significantly more for a CX9 is worth the extra cubic feet for storage. But the price may end up making the decision for us...:-(.

Keep us updated on your search.

Why not the CX7 then? Room for 5 plus the Dane. More powerful than the 5, but the mpg hit to match. Probably higher insurance (liability at least) but wider which is nice. I kept 3 kids inside the Subie Legacy & Accord wagon for up to 8 years and had room for the dogs in the tailgate area no prob. I think Americans in general think we need to buy 40 acres to build a toolshed.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Honestly, I can't spring for a $20k used car, and I don't see us being able to afford that in the next year. 08 Mz3s are running as low as $11k for 40k miles, and that is a price tag we can more readily handle. I would love a CX9 though...they're so nice.

 

[5zoom]

I think the sliding doors/high MPG/driving experience/and overall interior room of the 5 trump the CX9. If you really want more room than a 5, you need to get a Honda Odessey.

We've had our 08 for almost two years now and its exceeded my expectations. There have only been a few times where I've wanted more room. We don't have a roof top carrier, but I might get one in the future for those few times when I've run out of space.

 

[Kenshin 1029]

Mazda 5 it is!!!

I have a 2008 Mazda 5 and believe me it has a lot of space for its size. The sliding doors are a great characteristic and even more if you have kids or a small garage. The mileage is great and the driving experience is great too! Mazda 5 it is!!! (headbang)

 

[machr85]

i agree with thaxman why not the cx7? and is turboed, now as far as insurance goin higher i dont know guys but i actually own a 06 mz3 hatch, and im thinkin maybe upgradin to a 07+ ms3 but before anythin i called my insurance because like many i have also heard turbo cars insurance is higher cause liability and to my surprise the insurance for the ms3 is actually 12 bucks cheaper than my mz3, now convertibles thats a big liability issue.