I can't believe it, there is NOTHING I want to change

[mpvue]

as with most car guys, as soon as you get a car, there is something you want to add, change, improve, modify, etc. on my last car, a 5 speed saturn VUE, I added eibach springs and wanted to change the stereo, suspension still needed to be lower, maybe different wheels, etc. even my '96 MPV we just got rid of, I was all too aware of where it was lacking and what could be improved (seats didn't fold flat, not enough power, horrible mpg).
but the Mazda5 has everything I wanted or was looking for. maybe I don't have high expectations, but this is a great car. has 'enough' power, plenty of room, stereo sounds great (I'm sure audiophile guys will not agree, but to me it sounds fine), brakes are fantastic, handles better than a 6pass vehicle has a right to. I even like the little details (stinger rear antenna, side marker lights, projector headlamps, body color door handles and mirrors).
I'm just very surprised at myself that I don't want to add anything (much to the relief of my wife, I'm sure!)

 

[DKaz]

That's what I thought for the first 6 months, but I just put in HIDs, I changed the rear speakers already although I haven't thought about changing the fronts yet, I want to lower it a bit and get some nice black rims because I put steelies on for the winter with my Brilliant Black and now I'm really digging the black on black look. There'll be something, you'll see.

Though I must say, nothing I'm doing is addressing any deficiency in the car. The stock speakers are fine, the stock halogen bulbs are fine, the car's height is fine, the alloy wheels that came with the car are fine. We like going to the drive in theatre which is why I upgraded the stock one way speaker to two-way components. Halogens are good but I was just used to HIDs. I wouldn't normally lower my car but since my shocks/struts are probably due for replacement this spring I might as well get coilovers. And rims, it's 100% about personal taste.

 

[Phratt]

I know what I want to change on my 2009 mazda5.
This has to be done...


"- It HAS to change..."


I keep getting the need to go behind the wheel and take it out for a spin...
even if I have nowhere to go or nothing to do...


"- It HAS to change..." - says the wife...


Just don't know how to change THAT !!

(drive2)

 

[KBrian]

I'm with you Phratt. Many times, I just make up an excuse to go out just to drive the 5.

mpvue, if I had a 2010 model, I would not likely change anything too quickly, either.

Ultimately, I would have window tint, a rear step plate for the bumper, and maybe some rain/wind deflectors. (everything we added to the 07' model.

 

[Funktional]

As the owner of a brand new 5 myself I can almost agree. Just installed a Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth car kit (Install thread with photos coming soon) and will hopefully soon be adding an upgraded rear sway bar. Other than that the car far exceeds my expectations. To think I originally set out to purchase a Honda Fit Sport and only decided to test drive the Mazda5 on a whim. Not only was the 5 lightyears ahead of the Fit in refinement, power, and room, but it cost almost $1,000 less to boot.

 

[skyhawk]

I added a gps-snitch unit that sends me txt messages when the car is moved (motion sensor), and when it starts moving out of the area. Plus other functionalities like
tracking and/or locating the mazda5 via google map.

A little price to pay for peace of mind.

 

[Phratt]

Ultimately, I would have window tint, a rear step plate for the bumper, and maybe some rain/wind deflectors.

The windows are tinted, the step plate is still not installed (what am I waiting for?...), the stubby antenna is somewhere on the roof, cargo net is installed. Still thinking of the barrier... slowly working on the design of a custom vinyl sticker to put behind the 5.
(cabpatch)

To think I originally set out to purchase a Honda Fit Sport and only decided to test drive the Mazda5 on a whim. Not only was the 5 lightyears ahead of the Fit in refinement, power, and room, but it cost almost $1,000 less to boot.

BUT you could have saved gas bucks with the Honda... So if I had to choose between a cramped space saving money environmentally friendly car or lots-of-room-a-zoom-zoom but having to put more gas in the tank... you already know my answer... Mazda5!

 

[raspykart]

I've already started drumming up the improvements for Mazda when I get the customer survey for our 2010 GT. a few major things come to mind that seem to be ez to fix...

1 bring back the glove box light
2 the gauge lights clash with the rest of the interior lights at night
3 1 more 12v power port up front and 1-2 on the back of the center console
4 reduce road noise
5 improve paint durability
6 map pocket on back of front passenger seat too, geez is it that hard to do
7 rear vents blow hot and cold

I love the electro lum gauges but think they shoulda gone with light blue or red for the other interior lights... not green! So far I like the new black n titanium interior panels better than the ol' silver ones that scratched if ya farted too close to em.

 

[Phratt]

1 bring back the glove box light

I have a 2009 Canadian GS and there is light in the glove box compartment...

2 the gauge lights clash with the rest of the interior lights at night

I agree.... too bright of a green rectangle.

3 1 more 12v power port up front and 1-2 on the back of the center console

I do agree for the up front plug, but not the back of the center console. Tiny hands or toes can easily get in there... I don't think this part is a design flaw.

4 reduce road noise

The road noise is better than I expected - I usually own hatchback's. The M5 is bigger (bigger surface on the road than my other cars), has low profiles tires... it's logical to have this noise.

5 improve paint durability

Has there been issues with 2008.5 year models to 2010's?

6 map pocket on back of front passenger seat too, geez is it that hard to do

I'd rather have bigger door pockets - this will reduce the risk of jerking the wheel when grabbing a map behind any seats.

7 rear vents blow hot and cold

Yep.... have to think about this one... What would happen to CD's (or other stuff) in the compartments when hot air is going through the console to the vents? Why not have floor vents for the hot air?

 

[DKaz]

Yep.... have to think about this one... What would happen to CD's (or other stuff) in the compartments when hot air is going through the console to the vents? Why not have floor vents for the hot air?

Did they delete the floor vents in 08? My 07 has floor vents.

 

[raspykart]

I have a 2009 Canadian GS and there is light in the glove box compartment...


I agree.... too bright of a green rectangle.



I do agree for the up front plug, but not the back of the center console. Tiny hands or toes can easily get in there... I don't think this part is a design flaw.



The road noise is better than I expected - I usually own hatchback's. The M5 is bigger (bigger surface on the road than my other cars), has low profiles tires... it's logical to have this noise.



Has there been issues with 2008.5 year models to 2010's?



I'd rather have bigger door pockets - this will reduce the risk of jerking the wheel when grabbing a map behind any seats.



Yep.... have to think about this one... What would happen to CD's (or other stuff) in the compartments when hot air is going through the console to the vents? Why not have floor vents for the hot air?

2010 the glove box light is gone in lieu of more space ?

Paint seems to chip far too easily in my opinion, our 07 chipped easily... so far I doubt the 2010 is different.

easier to plug in the portable dvd player with an outlet on the back of the center console

Map pockets are great for passengers to use, plenty of cubbies for the driver already

Vents would typically be insulated so storage items nearby would be of little concern. Yes it has floor vents under the front seats for the rear passengers, however I find them getting blocked by items like diaper bags n such.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

mpvue?

*cricket, cricket*

Humm, guess he's out modifying his M5 (inout)

Peace!(rei)

 

[mpvue]

mpvue?

*cricket, cricket*

Humm, guess he's out modifying his M5 (inout)

Peace!(rei)

hmmm? I'm here. didn't see anything I needed to respond to, just watching.
no mods yet, just enjoying driving it. my wife is loving it too (it's our one car. it's the one vehicle I found that satisfied all the requirements for a 1car family: fun to drive, economical, roomy and both spouses like it!)

 

[skyhawk]

temporary mod. too cold outside to troubleshoot the glove box light.

 

[raspykart]

wonder if they make a battery powered motion activated LED light that wouldn't take too much space... lol. for now I just use the flashlight app on my Ipod.

No glove box light? They got an app for that too................. lol

 

[Phratt]

...but the Mazda5 has everything I wanted or was looking for. maybe I don't have high expectations, but this is a great car. has 'enough' power, plenty of room, stereo sounds great (I'm sure audiophile guys will not agree, but to me it sounds fine), brakes are fantastic, handles better than a 6pass vehicle has a right to. I even like the little details (stinger rear antenna, side marker lights, projector headlamps, body color door handles and mirrors).
I'm just very surprised at myself that I don't want to add anything (much to the relief of my wife, I'm sure!)

Hi Mpvue,

I was wondering - what does 'enough' power mean for you?

I personally think it is fine for normal driving, sweet ride. But I would appreciate more power/torque for emergency needs - when you have to get out of the way instead of being banged up (past experience..), there is a little something missing. What are your thoughts on this?

As for driving in snow, we got our first 30cm (6 inches) here, it does have "enough" power when taking off on corners... (burnout)

 

[mpvue]

Hi Mpvue,

I was wondering - what does 'enough' power mean for you?

I personally think it is fine for normal driving, sweet ride. But I would appreciate more power/torque for emergency needs - when you have to get out of the way instead of being banged up (past experience..), there is a little something missing. What are your thoughts on this?

As for driving in snow, we got our first 30cm (6 inches) here, it does have "enough" power when taking off on corners... (burnout)

enough power for me is being able to maintain speed on the hwy (no problem) being able to merge onto the hwy w/o incident (no problem) and being fun to drive (it is). plenty of passing power; if you want some more, just downshift. I was able to quickly pass some trucks on the hwy, just nailed the gas and it was all zoom-zoom real quick.
I've driven slower cars and I've driven faster ones. you can always want 'a little more' (just ask Tiger Woods) but for me, the M5 does everything I need it to.
I never feel like, 'come on, move faster!' w/ the M5. by contrast, I had a saturn SC1 that made me think I was going to die whenever I had to get on the hwy. and my '96 MPV felt like it couldn't maintain 70+mph.
hope this explains it.

 

[Phratt]

hope this explains it.

Yes it does - thank you.


As I said, for me, I would be more comfortable in emergency situations with a tad more zoom. Probably because of the accident I could have avoided with more "oumff!" power under the hood.

But hey, that's psychological... (boom04) right??

 

[sethro_GT]

... I want to lower it a bit and get some nice black rims ...

NOOOO! I really wanted to go through my life knowing that there isn't a 5 with black wheels on it (other than steelies)... That does it, I'm starting an anti-black wheel movement. I'm going to get it in the constition or something....If you're in Canada its war time...

 

[wmzda5]

temporary mod. too cold outside to troubleshoot the glove box light.

I got the chance to check it last night....we got the glove box light alright and my Mazda5 is an 07' GT