What don't you like about your 5, and what fixes have you used?
- Thread starter Saluki
- Start date
OldGreyMike
Member
- :
- 2012 Touring (formerly 09)
rweatherford
Member
- :
- Mazda 5
You don't drive sequential shift race transmissions for a living do you. ;^)
I believe you will find that it is a "zoom zoom" thing patterned off a real race car.
ExDusterRacer
Member
- :
- Mazda5, 2009
No, rweatherford, I don't race for a living. Do you?
At one time I owned a Ford Explorer which had the shift pattern opposite to
the Mazda5 I now own. Also, this last weekend I drove a Hundai (sp?) which
also had the shift pattern reversed to the Mazda5.
So I was used to the opposite of the Mazda. Since nothing can be done about
it, I will get used to it. In the meantime, it is irritating!
BTW, if I did race for a living, it would probably be a manual transmission!
At one time I owned a Ford Explorer which had the shift pattern opposite to
the Mazda5 I now own. Also, this last weekend I drove a Hundai (sp?) which
also had the shift pattern reversed to the Mazda5.
So I was used to the opposite of the Mazda. Since nothing can be done about
it, I will get used to it. In the meantime, it is irritating!
BTW, if I did race for a living, it would probably be a manual transmission!
I had to dig deep and think of something negative about this vehicle. Here it is:
too reliable. Ours is a 2006 and I have not even cracked open a sparkplug for inspection/cleaning. And The car still runs like new. My collection of automotive tools is collecting dust.. My 'week-end mechanic' activities and the beer that goes with it are gone. Replaced with family driving duties. The vehicle maybe good in milleage, but because it has no down time family tend to do a lot of trips.. gas expense is increased. Those wonderful Saturdays spent at the car 'recycling yard' (like buck-auto) gathering parts for my old buick are also gone. Saturdays used to be my 'free time'. Now with the mazda5, I'm under 'house arrest'. No escape.
Owning a Mazda5 is a life changing experience in my case.
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too reliable. Ours is a 2006 and I have not even cracked open a sparkplug for inspection/cleaning. And The car still runs like new. My collection of automotive tools is collecting dust.. My 'week-end mechanic' activities and the beer that goes with it are gone. Replaced with family driving duties. The vehicle maybe good in milleage, but because it has no down time family tend to do a lot of trips.. gas expense is increased. Those wonderful Saturdays spent at the car 'recycling yard' (like buck-auto) gathering parts for my old buick are also gone. Saturdays used to be my 'free time'. Now with the mazda5, I'm under 'house arrest'. No escape.
Owning a Mazda5 is a life changing experience in my case.
.SGT_OKINAWA
Member
- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-7
i had to dig deep and think of something negative about this vehicle. Here it is:
Too reliable. Ours is a 2006 and i have not even cracked open a sparkplug for inspection/cleaning. And the car still runs like new. My collection of automotive tools is collecting dust.. My 'week-end mechanic' activities and the beer that goes with it are gone. Replaced with family driving duties. The vehicle maybe good in milleage, but because it has no down time family tend to do a lot of trips.. Gas expense is increased. Those wonderful saturdays spent at the car 'recycling yard' (like buck-auto) gathering parts for my old buick are also gone. Saturdays used to be my 'free time'. Now with the mazda5, i'm under 'house arrest'. No escape.
Owning a mazda5 is a life changing experience in my case.
(rofl) So true ! so....
Do like I'm doing, install a massive car audio system, it takes a long time to do and gets you out of the house for hours at a time.
Peace!(rei)
interesting thread. I just test drove a 5 to see if it fits my needs like I imagined it would, and I think it does. just a few comments:
1.Mazda A/C systems, in fact, the whole HVAC system, have always felt a bit lacking. every mazda I've had (a pair of 626's, and 2 MPV's), A/C is never quite cold enough, and the defrost is always funny compared to other cars. I just learned to deal w/ it.
2. storage behind the 3rd row. I'm ok w/ it. seriously, if it got bigger it'd be an MPV (had a '96 and an '00, don't want that size anymore). the 5 actually has about the same room as our '96 MPV had, so that's ok. w/ the fold down seats (the 1st gen MPV didn't have that) the 5 has MORE room in a smaller car.
3. power. for me, it's adequate. I'm leaving a 4cyl 5 speed Saturn VUE, so I'm used to driving vehicles like this. the 5 has more power than the VUE.
4. handling. again, for me, the 5 handles like a go cart compared to my VUE. I like it.
if all goes well, I'll be an owner of a '09 sport manual 5 this week.
1.Mazda A/C systems, in fact, the whole HVAC system, have always felt a bit lacking. every mazda I've had (a pair of 626's, and 2 MPV's), A/C is never quite cold enough, and the defrost is always funny compared to other cars. I just learned to deal w/ it.
2. storage behind the 3rd row. I'm ok w/ it. seriously, if it got bigger it'd be an MPV (had a '96 and an '00, don't want that size anymore). the 5 actually has about the same room as our '96 MPV had, so that's ok. w/ the fold down seats (the 1st gen MPV didn't have that) the 5 has MORE room in a smaller car.
3. power. for me, it's adequate. I'm leaving a 4cyl 5 speed Saturn VUE, so I'm used to driving vehicles like this. the 5 has more power than the VUE.
4. handling. again, for me, the 5 handles like a go cart compared to my VUE. I like it.
if all goes well, I'll be an owner of a '09 sport manual 5 this week.
OldGreyMike
Member
- :
- 2012 Touring (formerly 09)
Go for it! And don't worry about the AC, my '09 was fine all summer, I think they beefed it up when they added the rear AC vents.
I have owned a 2009 Mazda5 GS, [Canadian version] stick shift (absolutely no options) for the past month now... As I expected there is only 1 thing that I would change... the design of the dash and center console.
I am 6 feet tall - 54 inch chest - 46 inch pants.
There is about 2 inches of free space between my knee caps and the dash. If I get into an accident, there will be injuries there.
The center console could give some extra room so that my leg is not constantly touching/resting on the side of it, thus adding space between the pedals (1/2 inch more per pedal).
In this redesign, they could try giving the owner a place to put the Ipod/MP3 player at eye level... thus letting us select songs while still looking at the road. We would not have to hold it...
Other than that, I can live with the Mazda5 - even the base model...
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As for the comments about the engine power... here is food for thought.
I drove my last car as if it were a Nascar - accelerated to the maximum of it's capacity, braked late, always looking into my rear mirrors to make sure nobody was going to slam into the back when the light got green. The dang thing did not have ANY power... a 2001 Suzuki Swift 1.3L stick shift in a big city environment!!
The first few days of owning the Mazda5 - I had to adapt my driving style... every car behind me were left eating my dust... a coworker followed me and asked why I drove this vehicle as a sports car... zoom-zoom!!
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I would appreciate the overdrive of a 6th gear There must be a power/weight ratio that limits these modifications. Maybe the 6th gear with a petrol engine would not have sufficient power to maintain a cruising speed. The 5th gear would be perfect if the RPM would be in the 2500 at 100Km/h, not 3000.
I am 6 feet tall - 54 inch chest - 46 inch pants.
There is about 2 inches of free space between my knee caps and the dash. If I get into an accident, there will be injuries there.
The center console could give some extra room so that my leg is not constantly touching/resting on the side of it, thus adding space between the pedals (1/2 inch more per pedal).
In this redesign, they could try giving the owner a place to put the Ipod/MP3 player at eye level... thus letting us select songs while still looking at the road. We would not have to hold it...
Other than that, I can live with the Mazda5 - even the base model...
-------------------------------------------
As for the comments about the engine power... here is food for thought.
I drove my last car as if it were a Nascar - accelerated to the maximum of it's capacity, braked late, always looking into my rear mirrors to make sure nobody was going to slam into the back when the light got green. The dang thing did not have ANY power... a 2001 Suzuki Swift 1.3L stick shift in a big city environment!!
The first few days of owning the Mazda5 - I had to adapt my driving style... every car behind me were left eating my dust... a coworker followed me and asked why I drove this vehicle as a sports car... zoom-zoom!!
-------------------------------------------
I would appreciate the overdrive of a 6th gear There must be a power/weight ratio that limits these modifications. Maybe the 6th gear with a petrol engine would not have sufficient power to maintain a cruising speed. The 5th gear would be perfect if the RPM would be in the 2500 at 100Km/h, not 3000.
SGT_OKINAWA
Member
- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-7
Just this morning, I thought about something I'd like to see on the 5.
My 2007 Touring doesn't have an illuminated fog light indicator on the dash. My Ford Focus had an illuminated signal in the IP telling me the fogs were on. I'm always forgetting and leaving them on after a rainy or foggy commute, and not realising it until days later when I notice the pattern of the fog lights on the wall of my garage when I park...
(boom07)
My 2007 Touring doesn't have an illuminated fog light indicator on the dash. My Ford Focus had an illuminated signal in the IP telling me the fogs were on. I'm always forgetting and leaving them on after a rainy or foggy commute, and not realising it until days later when I notice the pattern of the fog lights on the wall of my garage when I park...
(boom07)
well..... we just traded our 07GT in for a 2010GT. They really added a lot of niceties and we're at the breaking point of mileage/value on ours so we got a new one for the same monthly cost. Will report back to see if there's any dislikes on the new one.... only thing I can think of so far is no side markers on front fenders and still no extra 12v outlets, 1 more on the back of the center console would be very ideal.
I noticed the problem with my size 12's hanging up on the brake pedal too. Currently I solved the problem by removing the rubber pad cover, but the real fix is to cut the plastic piece on the console in order to make more room. It seems the issue is that there is not enough toe room to allow the shoe to maneuver around the pedal easily.
do you have a picture of this?
I have been wanting to purchase one of these sunroof wind deflectors but have not seen a 5 with one as of yet and a bit curious how it may look.
Wait I got 3 more!
The drivers seat really needs an angle adjust and a deeper bottom cushion, it feels like I'm sliding out and when I try to make the seat higher it gets even worse, I am going to try some washers under the front of the cushion so it supports my thighs. I thought about a seat frame swap but with the sensors and things it might not be a good idea.
+1 on the armrests, they are way too short and close to the seat, I think longer bolts and spacers will at least put them where I can place my arm on them.
The sun visors, what an awful, cheap, low quality item those are. And no lights either? Pathetic...... I will keep an eye out for a visor that will match in color and mounting points so I can just swap them. Maybe a CX-7 or Mazda 3/6 visor will fit.
The drivers seat really needs an angle adjust and a deeper bottom cushion, it feels like I'm sliding out and when I try to make the seat higher it gets even worse, I am going to try some washers under the front of the cushion so it supports my thighs. I thought about a seat frame swap but with the sensors and things it might not be a good idea.
+1 on the armrests, they are way too short and close to the seat, I think longer bolts and spacers will at least put them where I can place my arm on them.
The sun visors, what an awful, cheap, low quality item those are. And no lights either? Pathetic...... I will keep an eye out for a visor that will match in color and mounting points so I can just swap them. Maybe a CX-7 or Mazda 3/6 visor will fit.
I will probably do it this week so I will let you know. It seems the cushion is only held on with 4 bolts so it should take about 20 min to do. I originally thought about tilting the whole seat but that messes with the effort to slide the seat and the height would change slightly as you slide it forward and back (minimally) If it works, I will probably devise something to hold that angle, since washers are a bandaid and torquing them down might bend the seat pan slightly. Call me crazy but I'm a perfectionist I'm going to look at the power seats on the 3 at the auto show just to see whats possible.
I'm going to look at the power seats on the 3 at the auto show just to see whats possible.I did it this week so I'm letting you know
Moving thread here: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5176790#post5176790About the only thing I'd really like to see is a different design with the rear seat/ spare tire and jack tray setup in my 2010 Touring, so I can take the rear seat completely out without having to come up with some sort of platform to put over the spare tire.
Oh, and having all the rear seats easily removable would be a big plus instead of having to unbolt them from the floor...
Oh, and having all the rear seats easily removable would be a big plus instead of having to unbolt them from the floor...
