Just about to pull the trigger

[FYF]

on an '07 Mazda5 with manual transmission (boy are those HARD to find!) and I have a possibly stupid question...

Can we install a roof rack if it has the moonroof? It seems to be ok from some pics I've seen, but I want to make sure before we buy.

Also - I think this little van/people mover/station wagon seems to suit our needs perfectly, we do a lot of camping and have a small family. Good idea, or bad idea for us to get this for camping and the occasional moving of large heavy items?

 

[coolmazda5]

on an '07 Mazda5 with manual transmission (boy are those HARD to find!) and I have a possibly stupid question...

Can we install a roof rack if it has the moonroof? It seems to be ok from some pics I've seen, but I want to make sure before we buy.

Also - I think this little van/people mover/station wagon seems to suit our needs perfectly, we do a lot of camping and have a small family. Good idea, or bad idea for us to get this for camping and the occasional moving of large heavy items?

1. Yes, if you buy the OEM roof rack it works with the moonroof

2. Yes, see this thread, good ideas:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123681816

 

[FYF]

Thanks for the info, coolmazda5. We'll likely be investing in an OEM rack.

One further question... we are buying ours from out of state and went to test drive an (automatic) '08 to make sure we really wanted it first, and it SEEMED to us as if the cargo area of the '07 we had previously looked at was larger. Is there a size difference between the '07 and '08/9 cargo area?

 

[coolmazda5]

Is there a size difference between the '07 and '08/9 cargo area?

No, same thing, no changes, no worries

Looked at the pics on your blog, Manual Tranny, really nice

 

[FYF]

No, same thing, no changes, no worries

Looked at the pics on your blog, Manual Tranny, really nice

That's WHY we ended up buying from 600+ miles away - that was the nearest manual we could find.

Neither on of us likes autos... 'course, we both ride motorcycles. Maybe that's why.

 

[coolmazda5]

That's WHY we ended up buying from 600+ miles away - that was the nearest manual we could find.

Neither on of us likes autos... 'course, we both ride motorcycles. Maybe that's why.

Yes, they are scarce. I found both of my MTs 20-30 miles from home, but they were only available on the Sport trim. As a consolation price both had the Popular Equipment Package to say the least

We don't ride motorcycles, but yes, we learned to drive with and love manual tranny (my wife says she feels more in control of the car with MT, don't ask)

 

[Heat]

Before you buy used, keep in mind that new '09 Sports with manual transmission can be had for around $16,500 + tax, title, license.

Also, keep in mind that the gearing on the auto and manual transmissions is different. Lots of zoom zoom on the manual, but it has high RPMs at interstate speed (3,000 RPMs at 65 mph as an example).

I'm glad I bought my manual though it really could use a sixth gear. 95% of the driving I do is in town / highways where it's great.

 

[FYF]

Before you buy used, keep in mind that new '09 Sports with manual transmission can be had for around $16,500 + tax, title, license.

Also, keep in mind that the gearing on the auto and manual transmissions is different. Lots of zoom zoom on the manual, but it has high RPMs at interstate speed (3,000 RPMs at 65 mph as an example).

I'm glad I bought my manual though it really could use a sixth gear. 95% of the driving I do is in town / highways where it's great.

Theoretically, yes. From the standpoint of reality, there are none to be had in our area.

Additionally, we're getting ours still under warranty for about $4,000 less, with low mileage and in pristine condition. Basically, we just let some other poor soul pay the depreciation.

 

[red headz]

'08 vs '09 nothing really changed. We got a good deal financing our '08 purchased in Feb '09 as they wanted to move the old cars off the lot.

We could have purchased used, but the financing was too good 0.9% on all new 2008's. However, my wife and I just saw a commercial for 2009 M5's with 0.0% financing... oh well. The 400 bucks we spend on finance charges over 60 months - so what.

Buying used, you can never get that good of a rate.
michael.

 

[Heat]

Theoretically, yes. From the standpoint of reality, there are none to be had in our area...

In the St. Louis area, they are being advertised at invoice plus any Mazda offers (currently $500 off plus 0.9% financing).

If you're happy with it then great, welcome to the club! $4,000 off is a nice discount, especially if you get two keys with it (if you only have one key, the second will cost you about $300). Just as long as you are aware of what new ones sell for - especially with Toyotas and Hondas, people often pay more for a used car than they could have bought a new one for (they look at MSRP of the new cars, not what they are actually selling for).

Do you have a sunroof? In '07 the Touring version could be had with manual transmission, now only the Sport has it.

 

[denice25]

Don't worry, its okay to install....

 

[FYF]

In the St. Louis area, they are being advertised at invoice plus any Mazda offers (currently $500 off plus 0.9% financing).

If you're happy with it then great, welcome to the club! $4,000 off is a nice discount, especially if you get two keys with it (if you only have one key, the second will cost you about $300). Just as long as you are aware of what new ones sell for - especially with Toyotas and Hondas, people often pay more for a used car than they could have bought a new one for (they look at MSRP of the new cars, not what they are actually selling for).

Do you have a sunroof? In '07 the Touring version could be had with manual transmission, now only the Sport has it.

It's the Sport, but it does have the moonroof. We'll be adding in an OEM rooftop rack soon. Not a whole lot of extra frills, but what we really wanted was utility - room for us and the kid, and all of our camping gear. Room to occasionally move a large item from Ikea to home, and good fuel economy.

 

[vt_miata]

My 2007 Touring has a 5 speed and it got 31 mpg fully loaded last week on a trip to NY, you will be very happy with the mileage...