Test driving a 5 on monday

[Vintinck]

Hey everybody,

I've was looking at the Toyota matrix/Pontiac Vibe for a while when I came upon the mazda5. It has all the practicality of the previously mentioned cars and then sum, a bigger engine, better handling too. On paper, I'm sold. I am actually looking at a rental from Hertz rentacar. Their rent2buy program has like 600 cars they are offloading. Its a 2008 touring, 41k miles, $11k. sounds like a great deal.

What should I look for when I drive this thing. I know everyone thinks people beat on rental cars, for the most part, that's a myth (unless your renting a sports car). Thanks for the input and looking forward to joining the club!

 

[KBrian]

08's do not have specific problems, but are not immune to the usual car gremlins.

As with any used car,
-look at the carfax for history,
-eyeball and smell the fluids,
-examine the tires for uneven tire wear/matching tire brands,
-look for all glovebox materials and accessories (lwheel locks, spare, jack, floormats etc)
-insist on two sets of keys (switchblade type fob). Any less than 2 sets eliminates easy programming of transponder keys. $150+ to program any new transponder key (in order to actually start the 5).
Good luck.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

thats a decent price. check on autotrader for a GT thats similarly equipped. they aren't much more in my area and when I had mine I enjoyed the nicer features.

 

[skyhawk]

Once you have decided on it, Include the undercarriage in your inspection. Check for any loose splash shields under the engine and along the sides.

Here's some photos of the mazda5 GT '06' under-belly:

* Plastic shields along the left and right sides are held up by plastic fasteners.
http://users.accesscomm.ca/gerryc/mazda5_001/fbbslide/m/PICT0003.JPG

*This is the splash shield under the motor. 7 metal bolts and 2 plastic fasteners secure them.
http://users.accesscomm.ca/gerryc/mazda5_001/fbbslide/m/PICT0006.JPG


http://users.accesscomm.ca/gerryc/mazda5_001/fbbslide/m/PICT0004.JPG

 

[Vintinck]

looked for a gt online today, nothing nearby is even close the the price that I am getting for the Touring. What are the differences in the sport, t and gt. I know that the manual is only offered in the sport, and that you can get leather seats in the gt. What else is different for the 2008 model year?

Thanks,

 

[Heat]

...
-examine the tires for uneven tire wear/matching tire brands,
...
-insist on two sets of keys (switchblade type fob)...

+1

Uneven tire wear, from misadjusted toe (from the factory) was a problem with '06 and '07s.

If you only get one key, a second key will cost you about $150 for the dealer to program it. If you have two keys you can program a third one yourself.

 

[Vintinck]

Very fun to drive. Handles much better than expected, very little roll. The car has a little cosmetic damage, one small ding, one small chip, and light scratches in the back bumper (which all together doesn't bother me too much). The only thing I really noticed that I didn't like is that there is a lot of road noise that seems to be coming from the tires. The steering wheel also shakes at highway speed. Feels like the car may be out of alignment or out of balance. I'm going to take it to my mechanic tonight or tomorrow and check it out. So far so good! Ill post some pics soon.