The Mazda5 is so much fun to drive.

[Stargazer]

I'm afraid this is going to become a habit, but I had one of those "zoom zoom" moments. I was trying to merge onto an expressway - the first lane is actually the exit lane, so you have to merge two lanes on this highway. Well, this car was refusing to give an inch on the second lane (yes, I could have slowed down a lot...) so I looked at the car and the two cars ahead of it and the super long entry/exit lane... Well, this mini/microvan/MAV/wagon was past those two car and on the highway within seconds and with such ease that I was astonished. Then I looked down at the speedometer and saw 80. I really have to stop this!

 

[Tushawn]

X10James,
Use the autostick to shift down to third and wind 3rd out. There is plenty of response if you keep the rpms above 3000. I love the way the motor feels in that range anyway.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

X10James,
Use the autostick to shift down to third and wind 3rd out. There is plenty of response if you keep the rpms above 3000. I love the way the motor feels in that range anyway.

Yes above 3K is where the engine loves to be. Keep it cooking between 3K and the redline and it'll move.

 

[X10James]

I have been experimenting with the manual shifting, it actually works pretty good. The car is VERY responsive in 3rd gear at those RPM. What are these reviewers used to driving that say this car is underpowered?

I suppose if you're bringing home a load of concrete or something it might feel a bit sluggish

Thanks folks!

 

[3+5]

The 5 goes so well because it has the same engine/trans as the 3s, and only weighs 400lbs more. Next to my 3, it looks pretty big, but beside my Astro it really looks as tiny as it is.

 

[perfecto]

Yeah I have noticed the same as you guys - this engine loves to be over 3,000 rpm...