Year/Model Differences

L

lomatic

Member
I'm looking to buy a MZ5 in the near future and was hoping someone could break down/comfirm the major differences between the years.

This is what I know (from researching):
06-07 models
• alignment issues
• 4spd auto trans.
• two-tone grey-black interior
• no rear a/c controls

08-09/10
• 5spd auto
• introduced the led tails (GT models only, right?)
• fixed alignment issues
• rear a/c controls
• auto climate controls standard

Are there any other significant differences? I know the 2010 models don't have the fender side markers and they added traction-control and stability-control.

Is the alignment issue on the 06-07 models not able to be corrected?

I'm coming from a MS3 and know that I am going to miss the power, but I just don't want to pay as much as I am for a car at the moment (insurance, gas, tires, etc.). I want a wagon and the Subarus are all beyond what I want to spend, making the MZ5 the only car that fits the bill in my price range. And I honestly think they look pretty rad, especially lowered!

Thanks all!
 
Last edited:
My 07 has zero alignment issues. :P

06-07 had two extra cup holders and a covered centre storage area instead of rear A/C.
06-07 had a highly unpopular brown leather upgrade.

06-07 had a boss front end, 08-10 had a sport aerodynamic front end.

06-07 only had driver arm rest and 2nd row inboard arm rests. 08-10 added passenger arm rest and 2nd row outboard arm rests.

08-10 has aux input and a black chrome centre dash.

08-10 was rated with better fuel economy.

And if you're coming from an MS3... skip the auto and get the manual. :)
 
I still haven't completely decided on the transmission. I love a manual, but I just can't see the manual making this car feel "sporty" you know? This is just an interim car. Once it's paid off, I plan on picking up another toy.

On another note, what is the general opinion of too high mileage? Obviously it depends on the year, but are there any problems that have come up with higher mileage beyond normal stuff?
 
Heat said:
We don't need fifteen or twenty different stickies.

What this forum needs is a sticky FAQ thread with links to threads like this.
Click to expand...
Sounds good to me. While at it, we should poll, vote, or do something to consolidate/archive/remove some of the existing/older stickies.
 
I also have an 07 with no alignment issues. I bought it used though, so the previous owner could have fixed it...

If you have the extra money to spend... from what I've heard, I'd go with an 08 - no need to worry about the alignment issue, 5 speed auto and rear AC. Although as an 07 owner, I don't seem to miss those items.

Don't think you'll miss a stick shift, you're right, it's still a mini-van, and compared to an MS3, auto or stick, it'll still feel like an under-powered, tall, heavy vehicle. Frankly, I don't bother trying to be quick in this vehicle, I just cruise... it is nice that, for a mini-van, it handles well for those few and far between times I need a little zoom zoom. Glad I went with an auto as it allows me and the wife to deal with other kid-related issues while driving without having to worry about shifting.
 
Silentnoise713 said:
Sounds good to me. While at it, we should poll, vote, or do something to consolidate/archive/remove some of the existing/older stickies.
Click to expand...
Good idea on a nomination thread.

Here's an example of what the thread could look like, from a Honda Accord forum I also belong too (my daily driver is an Accord):

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1664547

The problem with not having a FAQ thread is that you get really long threads that just wander around without a real purpose and that nobody reads, because they are too long. Like the 9 page maintenance thread or the 25 or 30 page wheel thread.
 
Wishmaster said:
I also have an 07 with no alignment issues. I bought it used though, so the previous owner could have fixed it...

If you have the extra money to spend... from what I've heard, I'd go with an 08 - no need to worry about the alignment issue, 5 speed auto and rear AC. Although as an 07 owner, I don't seem to miss those items.

Don't think you'll miss a stick shift, you're right, it's still a mini-van, and compared to an MS3, auto or stick, it'll still feel like an under-powered, tall, heavy vehicle. Frankly, I don't bother trying to be quick in this vehicle, I just cruise... it is nice that, for a mini-van, it handles well for those few and far between times I need a little zoom zoom. Glad I went with an auto as it allows me and the wife to deal with other kid-related issues while driving without having to worry about shifting.
Click to expand...

That is my feeling on the Auto as well.

I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the extra for the 08+. I plan on lowering it (and getting the SPC arms), so the alignment will be corrected afterward. The majority of my driving is city commuting, so the extra gear (4spd vs. 5spd) shouldn't make much of a difference. And as nice as the rear vents are, if I don't know any different...

Slow & low is my plan. Something that can comfortable and reliably haul my bikes and camera gear is what I'm looking for. The MZ5 should fill that pretty well.
 
Wishmaster said:
Don't think you'll miss a stick shift, you're right, it's still a mini-van, and compared to an MS3, auto or stick, it'll still feel like an under-powered, tall, heavy vehicle. Frankly, I don't bother trying to be quick in this vehicle, I just cruise... it is nice that, for a mini-van, it handles well for those few and far between times I need a little zoom zoom. Glad I went with an auto as it allows me and the wife to deal with other kid-related issues while driving without having to worry about shifting.
Click to expand...

I got the 5MT for longevity. The majority of 300,000+ mi cars out there are NOT automatics. And if they are AT, its not the orig tranny!
As for being just a mini-van, I disagree. This car is much more fun than my Accord wagon was, top-trim VTEC and all.
 
Heat said:
We don't need fifteen or twenty different stickies.

What this forum needs is a sticky FAQ thread with links to threads like this.
Click to expand...

Yes it does. It has been on my to do list. I need help though. I'm very busy right now.
 
I have two kids, my manual transmission is far from an issue. I don't see how reaching back there is any safer in an automatic.
 
thaxman said:
I got the 5MT for longevity. The majority of 300,000+ mi cars out there are NOT automatics. And if they are AT, its not the orig tranny!
As for being just a mini-van, I disagree. This car is much more fun than my Accord wagon was, top-trim VTEC and all.
Click to expand...

That's good to know that the car is still sporty. I imagine that with some springs/struts and possibly rear swaybar the car could still have a really good feel (not that it doesn't in stock trim). Personally, I would prefer to have a get-in-and-go car. I don't find shifting gears that hard or overly distracting, I just don't want to in this car. I may regret it, but I'm not worried about that.
 
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