Shopping for used Mazda5 - Issues to look out for?

[blsadrift]

Hello forum,

I'm considering buying a used 2006 Mazda5 Sport with ~76,000 miles and manual transmission. I've browsed the forums to get an idea of issues to look for. It seems that tires and tire wear are concerns. Are there other potential issues that I should look for as I consider buying this car? Any reliability concerns to be aware of?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Brian

 

[Silentnoise713]

A 2008 with ~50K and manual transmission is better . Too bad you are on the wrong coast.

Seriously, I would not recommend 2006/2007 unless you must have a manual with options and like the styling. Being a 2006, you will probably face age related wear and tear and that's pretty much anything, granted this is prob a lesser concern if you are looking a Cali car. Mileage does not dictate wear and tear on these items. Overall the Mz5's the powertrain and chassis is pretty solid. The little things will break and/or need maintenance but if you can DIY, it's no big deal.

 

[thaxman]

Really, its all suspension and electrics. Plan to buy shocks/struts no matter what & if you can work that cost into the price, then bonus. Test every electrical part from door locks to window switches to key FOBs. These components are cheap-o in the Mazda5, no matter the trim level.

 

[blsadrift]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[mazdadude]

Are you looking at Manual Transmission models only?

 

[blsadrift]

@mazdadude: I'd prefer manual, though open to automatic.

Are you looking at Manual Transmission models only?

 

[mazdadude]

@mazdadude: I'd prefer manual, though open to automatic.

OK, if you are looking at 2006 AUTOMATICS, pay attention that it was not a former RENTAL CAR. There was alot of them!

The Manual trans wore the motor mounts quicker, these are fluid filled, and if they leaked you can see the fluid residue under the mount. See TSB

Rear suspension is cambered and toed for great handling, so the rear tires wear quickly on the inner shoulder. 2008-up were changed.

The struts and shocks are undersized to their application, so the OEM's tend to wear out quickly.

 

[daan]

I have an 06, it has 115K. THe only issues I've had with mine (other than wear items) are the lock actuators (both the sliders have broken so the doors don't lock/unlock with the button) the brake light switch (when that breaks, many other systems like the remote start quit working because they're activated by the switch too) and the rear hatch cracking over the hinges. I'm pretty sure mine was an ex-rental, I got it when it was a year old with 20K but haven't had any real issues with it. I have changed the shocks/struts and the transmission fluid (mine's an auto so that may not apply to you either) The older 5's had fewer gears in the transmission, so that's another "strike" against the pre-08 ones if that matters to you. This has been a very reliable vehicle for me and if something happened to my 5 I'd not hesitate to buy another one.