We just bought a 2012 Mazda5 Sport with 6-speed manual transmission, copper mica red, henceforth to by known as Red5.
My wife and I just had our 3rd child (a boy) to add to our family of 2 daughters, ages 3 and 5. My wife wanted a car to hold everyone, and possibly a visitor, so a 3rd row was essential. After renting a Chrysler Town & Country on vacation, I decided I would never be happy with a traditional minivan (18 mpg & battleship handling), so my search began. Criteria was 3rd row seat, decent fuel mileage, FWD (no AWD), automatic climate control, under $25k, and if possible, a manual transmission.
Basically, the Mazda5 was the only thing available which met these criteria. After test driving one with 2 kids in carseats, my wife, the salesman, and me in the car, we were ready to buy. My wife (gotta love her), was happy to give up a little on the creature comforts in order to get a manual transmission.
I had a local dealer acquire one from another dealership in Georgia (we're in NC). I really wanted the metro gray/sand, but settled on the mica red/sand combo. The color has received many positive comments and is growing on me. Waaaaaaayyy back in 1985, my father bought a red Mazda B2000 pickup (5-speed manual, no power steering), and I drove the heck out of it, loving every minute of it. Going back to Mazda was a no-brainer in my book. Good quality and attention to the driving experience.
So, we sold my wife's 2002 Saab 9-3SE hatchback (5-speed) to a coworker and picked up Red5. It joins our remaining Saab in the garage, a gray 2002 Saab 9-3 Aero wagon with the very rare 5-speed manual. Sad to see the 9-3 go, but happy to have another versatile cargo & people hauler in the garage.
I have already Scotchgarded the interior (seats, floor mats, carpets) and installed the bumper guard which the dealer drop-shipped to my house. I might get a Scangauge or UltraGauge computer to handle mileage monitoring, but other than that, it will remain stock. Well, okay, maybe a rear spoiler.
Anyway, glad to be driving a manual transmission Mazda again.
Regards,
John J
Hillsborough, NC
My wife and I just had our 3rd child (a boy) to add to our family of 2 daughters, ages 3 and 5. My wife wanted a car to hold everyone, and possibly a visitor, so a 3rd row was essential. After renting a Chrysler Town & Country on vacation, I decided I would never be happy with a traditional minivan (18 mpg & battleship handling), so my search began. Criteria was 3rd row seat, decent fuel mileage, FWD (no AWD), automatic climate control, under $25k, and if possible, a manual transmission.
Basically, the Mazda5 was the only thing available which met these criteria. After test driving one with 2 kids in carseats, my wife, the salesman, and me in the car, we were ready to buy. My wife (gotta love her), was happy to give up a little on the creature comforts in order to get a manual transmission.
I had a local dealer acquire one from another dealership in Georgia (we're in NC). I really wanted the metro gray/sand, but settled on the mica red/sand combo. The color has received many positive comments and is growing on me. Waaaaaaayyy back in 1985, my father bought a red Mazda B2000 pickup (5-speed manual, no power steering), and I drove the heck out of it, loving every minute of it. Going back to Mazda was a no-brainer in my book. Good quality and attention to the driving experience.
So, we sold my wife's 2002 Saab 9-3SE hatchback (5-speed) to a coworker and picked up Red5. It joins our remaining Saab in the garage, a gray 2002 Saab 9-3 Aero wagon with the very rare 5-speed manual. Sad to see the 9-3 go, but happy to have another versatile cargo & people hauler in the garage.
I have already Scotchgarded the interior (seats, floor mats, carpets) and installed the bumper guard which the dealer drop-shipped to my house. I might get a Scangauge or UltraGauge computer to handle mileage monitoring, but other than that, it will remain stock. Well, okay, maybe a rear spoiler.
Anyway, glad to be driving a manual transmission Mazda again.
Regards,
John J
Hillsborough, NC
