What don't you like about your 5, and what fixes have you used?

[Saluki]

While I love my 2009 Sport Auto, like any vehicle, the design involved some compromizes, and some of those are annoying. I am interested to see what fixes other owners have found in the aftermarkt.

Having put 3000 miles on mine, including a couple of medium to long range trips, here are my list of annoyances:

1. Arm rests - They might as well not have any.

2. Sun Visors - They need to be longer, have extensions or both.

3. Throbbing wind noise - occurs when rear windows are down, but front windows are up.

4. Room in the rear - I know this cant be fixed in the aftermarket, but might be a consideration for future models. If the vehicle could be even 4 inches longer, it would make a huge difference. I would give the rear seats 2 inces more leg room, and the cargo area 2 more inches. 3 inches each would be even better. Some of this could be solved without making the vehicle bigger by making the rear hatch thinner, but that would likely only get us an inch or two.

 

[x10dude]

1. Arm rests - They might as well not have any.

2. Sun Visors - They need to be longer, have extensions or both.

3. Throbbing wind noise - occurs when rear windows are down, but front windows are up.

4. Room in the rear - I If the vehicle could be even 4 inches longer, it would make a huge difference. I would give the rear seats 2 inces more leg room, and the cargo area 2 more inches. 3 inches each would be even better. Some of this could be solved without making the vehicle bigger by making the rear hatch thinner, but that would likely only get us an inch or two.

1. I guess it is subjective because I love the arm rests. (but then again I'm short 5'7)
2. There are probably some aftermarket sun visor extensions out there. Of the 4 you listed, this is probably the easiest one to fix.
3. Wind noise - I don't drive with the rear windows down very much so I don't notice it too much. I did install a wind deflector for the sunroof which made a HUGE difference
4. Yup, the rear seat is really a compromise. But make the vehicle bigger and you really begin to lose the small car feel and handling. 4 inches would start to put it in the conventional minivan category.

 

[thaxman]

As for the rear, I find that the legroom isn't so much the problem, since it is a given the back 2 seats are for children or short teens, but I would have liked to see Mazda add 2" to the tailgate area, which would not affect the wheelbase at all or handling much other than adding some weight.
I had a different vehicle which throbbed as this one does with the rear windows down, Don't know the reason (not an aero engineer) but I bet visors would fix the problem. Really, what I would like is the availability of the 3-seat 2nd row as a dealer-installed option (I understand almost no one is interested, since anyone older than 12 is not interested in hopping over the 2nd row to get to the back.
So, to as of yet, no resolution. None of my problems are real grievances and I love the car a ton.

 

[$chocker]

Gripes

OK, first I want to say that I love our 5. It is my favorite of all the cars that I have owned. However...

The clutch chatters/shudders like a mother, and has for the last 20K miles (now at 62k miles). Doesn't slip yet, so I can't justify its replacement.

It could use a little more oomph for when it's loaded up. Accelerating up a hill from a stop when loaded up and/or AC on requires serious vehicular neck-ringing.

Stock AM/FM tuner quit soon after warranty expired. Good part about that was that I replaced it with an aftermarket HU that has bluetooth and can control/charge my Ipod.

When someone starts a thread about the things they like best about their 5's, I'll be on it!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

my 2007 literally had no armrests except on the driver's seat, so consider yourself blessed. nor did it have rear air, and that was in a fully loaded GT.

 

[5zoom]

I have an 08 with 38k on it and these are my thoughts.

1. I think 1-2 inches would do wonders in the cargo area.

2. Needs auxillary switch for dome light that the driver can reach. This would be very useful on car trips in the evening.

3. Four digits in the trip odometer would make it more useful for tracking things like oil changes.

4. 16 in tires for even better fuel economy/cheaper tires. 100 plus dollars for tires on an 18k vehicle/minivan is ridiculous. If you want a Speed3, buy one.

5. A power port at the bottom of the center console and a cover like the 3 for the cup holders. I use to use this when I had my 3.

6. Trip computer. I solved this with a scangauge.

7. Another gallon in the fuel tank to make 500 miles on a tank more of a reality.

8. Make the car as wide as a 3. This would free up an inch or so inside

9. Use the Ford/Volvo designed folding front passenger seat. This would make it easier to haul an 8 foot table. I can do it now, but its not a pretty site.

10. I might have considered the manual if it had 6 gears. 5th is too short and thus there are too many RPM's at cruising speed to give fuel economy benefit. That is one of the main reasons I went with the automatic.

 

[ItsJustMe]

I think the arm rests are great. Have noticed the wind noise w/the back windows, but don't really care. Agree that the sun visors should extend or have a double visor. TOTALLY agree that a few inches of cargo area would make a world of difference! As it is, it's just shy of being able to 'line up' a row of grocery bags. It would also be great if there were a lip to keep things from tipping out when parked on a hill. As far as passenger space goes, though, we are perfectly happy with the set up and have taken road trips with adults in the middle row. Cargo was a much bigger issue than leg room.

My wish list (aside from the above)

Power jack (whatever they're called) in the back somewhere

Useful cargo area between front seats (we have a 3, too, and wish the 5 had the console)

Roof rack (I know we can add this, but it should be included w/the GT IMO)

Shelf for cargo area - had this on a previous van and LOVED it. The shelf could be used for storing additional cargo and had a net to secure those items, and the shelf itself protected the family from items in the cargo area flying up into the front in an accident.

 

[raspykart]

I love our 07GT, but the armrest thing can be awkward, especially in the 2nd row... pillows work well on long trips though. I also would like to see a few more inches or so behind the 3rd row and maybe a couple wider too. Realistically though, the cargo rack other countries get is clean and useful looking. Also a TDI, AWD, 6spd manual GT for $25k would just pwn everybody. Can you imagine 50-60mpg and hauling 6 people n light gear.... heck ya!

 

[KBrian]

I had a different vehicle which throbbed as this one does with the rear windows down, Don't know the reason (not an aero engineer) but I bet visors would fix the problem.

I have visors on all the side windows and the throbbing is almost unbareable when the rear windows are down with the fronts up.

BTW, I would love an extra gear for the manual, a 2.5 L engine, AWD, a turbo, stability control, traction control, etc. But then I would never have gotten my 5 for 17K, or ever gotten 30mpg. The 5 is a great vehicle for the coin.

 

[doctorz]

funny, everything that I'd want fixed on our '06 was addressed on the '08 models.

I've never felt that the MT needs a 6th gear. I have a Honda Fit that really could use a 6th gear. The 5 is serene on the highway by comparison.

 

[Pinnacle]

For me there are few things I would change on my Mazda5 (if I could).
2009 GT Luxury w 8000kms.


1. The foot pedals seem too close together. I can get my shoe hung up on the brake pedal when trying to move my foot from the gas pedal to brake pedal.

2. Stability and traction control. Bring on the banter. In Calgary we get weird weather so I think these features may offer some safety value...regardless of other peoples perception or "skilled" driving ego. (lol2)

3. Electronic sliding doors....like other standard sized minivans.

4. The bright green light in the center console ie) radio, heater screen. That thing is bright at night!

5. My big beeef right now...have the rear fan blow hot air too! Brutal design flaw. The rear fan only blows cold air or AC. No clue why it won't blow heated air.

 

[coolmazda5]

Unforgivable: the Grand Touring (US Spec) never got the Manual Tranny option, boooh!

And as I see it it is likely to completely disappear with their new engines...

 

[ExDusterRacer]

Thanks, Mazda

2009 Mazda5 (Touring) with 20000 miles. It's time for the oil change, which
I'm going to do myself after reading about doing it yourself in this forum...Thanks

As to what I would like to see changed, I don't like where the instrument light
adjuster is located. I have to reach through the steering wheel to
adjust the brightness. Also, the car needs a power outlet for the rear seats
so I could plug in my cell phone charger in the back.

I think it could use a little more power, but there are not many cars that I
could not say that about.

These are very minor items, I know. All in all, I like the vehicle very much.

 

[skyhawk]

I find the MAZDA5 too Pretty looking for a People mover. It is not ruggedized and owners become obsessed with keeping it near to 'display room shine and clean'.

I need a used Toyota corolla for those 'park anywhere-nevermind-if paint is keyed' ran errands.

 

[rodslinger]

My gripes...

Didn't handle as well as I wanted. Fixed that with some Mazdaspeed 3 wheels and sticky tires.

Still didn't handle as well as I wanted. Cork Sport rear sway bar helped...

Still doesn't handle as well as I want... Will work on that next.

I would also like to see a separate switch for rear lighting.

Motor mounts SUCK. Mine is a manual trans and this thing does nothing jerk and buck in slow traffice with the a/c on....

 

[coolmazda5]

Motor mounts SUCK. Mine is a manual trans and this thing does nothing jerk and buck in slow traffice with the a/c on....

(boom06), good thing you don't drive an 06 (lol2)

 

[Kenshin 1029]

In my case...

I have a Mazda 5 2008 ES with 11000 miles on it and I love it. The thigs that I change in it are:

The arm rest are a little short for my comfort, I tend to use the armrest of the passenger much more or drive with my right hand and use the door's armrest.

A center console would do miracles!

2 or 3 inches of cargo space sometimes are neccesary but generally I fix it with one of the 3rd row seat folded.

I still wonder why the radio are not MP3 ready, this is the most annoying for me. I know it has MP3 jack but still it bothers me.

For the wind noise I put the door vent visor, it makes a good difference. A sunroof visor is in the works. Yesterday I bought the rear bumper guard to protect the bumper from scratching by continuous use of the baby stroller.
But still I love my Mazda 5!!! (rockon)

 

[Kenshin 1029]

By the way, my 5 have a power jack behind the 3rd row (my daughter loves it). The green light in the center I know is a little bright but it helps mostly if you have your car windows tinted so problems with the police drops thanks to it's illumination. Is always recomended the 3rd row seats for children... Have a nice day my friends! (rockon)

 

[king57721]

• Better A/C - need more vents for the 2nd and 3rd row.
  
  
• Privacy glass - Standard
  
  
• More Horsepower - 2.5, 2.0 turbo, or 2.5 turbo. 185+ should be enough if Mazda don't increase the size of the Mazda5 too much.
  
  
• Keep sharing the parts with Mazda3 - Don't make the Mazda5 wider or too much longer, I want the Mazda5 will able to use the suspension upgarde for Mazda3. Eat less fast food if the Mazda5 is too narrow for your butt.(couch)(spank).
  
  
• 6 spds manual - 6th gear should keep the engine under 3k while driving @ 70 mph.
  
  
• Keep the Mazda5 light and simple, and bring the Mazda8 over for those people who want a "Fully loaded", "powered sliding door" or "More room" Mazda's minivan. Don't touch the Mazda5.

 

[joeym509]

• better a/c - need more vents for the 2nd and 3rd row.
  
  
• privacy glass - standard
  
  
• more horsepower - 2.5, 2.0 turbo, or 2.5 turbo. 185+ should be enough if mazda don't increase the size of the mazda5 too much.
  
  
• keep sharing the parts with mazda3 - don't make the mazda5 wider or too much longer, i want the mazda5 will able to use the suspension upgarde for mazda3. Eat less fast food if the mazda5 is too narrow for your butt.(couch)(spank).
  
  
• 6 spds manual - 6th gear should keep the engine under 3k while driving @ 70 mph.
  
  
• keep the mazda5 light and simple, and bring the mazda8 over for those people who want a "fully loaded", "powered sliding door" or "more room" mazda's minivan. Don't touch the mazda5.

+24353421