Need help deciding on which Mazda5 to get... stressed :(

[Slayer33]

Hi everyone,

I just signed the offer sheet on a 2012 Mazda5 GT with a 6 spd manual. We are parting with our beloved 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD, it has been a workhorse for us but it is time to let her go.

I haven't chosen a color yet as there aren't very many Mazda5 GTs with a manual transmission around, the dealer had a black one, but black was at the bottom of our list for choices.

Now if I went for an auto trans, I would have no problems getting into the color we want at all.

I'm battling with the decision of maybe going to an auto trans, but I can't decide what to do...

Does anyone know if there are any pros/cons to consider with each transmission? How reliable is the manual vs the auto? is the performance that different?

My wife can drive manual but she would prefer an auto, we have a 2 year old and another on the way this fall.

Does having an auto trans with 2 kids make more sense than going with the 6 spd?

Any buying advice would be greatly appreciated.. I am waiting for the finance manager to call me today to go over the terms/conditions, so I will need to confirm which transmission and which color today!

 

[njaremka]

i would suggest driving both transmissions before making the final commitment. technically, you can back out at any time up to signing the financing paperwork, so try not to feel pressured. when we bought our Mazda5, i wanted a stick, too. but, being in the states, only the base model came with a stick. however, after living with the auto for the last 4 years, its really not that bad.

if its bugging you that much, you really should drive both to compare.

 

[Orangutan]

I agree: drive both. The automatic will give you lower RPM on the highway than the manual and marginally better fuel economy (6.7 vs. 6.8 l/100km auto vs manual) but the manual will provide more driver interaction. We don't get the choice of a GT with manual down here; it's automatic only for two of the three trim levels. Anyway, just drive both back to back. Make sure you do it in comparably equipped vehicles so that you don't mistake, even subconsciously, liking one over the other because it had different equipment. I wish I had chosen the manual but that's me.

 

[Nurburgringer]

FWIW, after 6 months and 10k miles the wife and I are still very happy to have chosen the manual.
We drove an auto before buying, and just found the manual to be well suited to the motor and overall vehicle dynamics, and just plain fun.
We don't have any kids yet, but unless you have to feed/change/smack them while driving don't see why the auto would be any more convenient.

I agree about the color - black looks awesome when it's freshly washed, just doesn't stay that way for very long....

Bottom line, if you wife doesn't honestly prefer the manual, and she'll be driving it more than say 20% of the time, I'd say do the sensible thing and go for an auto in the color you like.

 

[90210]

Buy what the wife wants, life will be easier.

 

[Slayer33]

lol, auto it is.. She'll be driving it about 80% of the time, I think now I'll just have to look for an RX8 with a 6 spd to satisfy my needs

Thanks everyone. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the dealer about what colors are available for us..

I think my color preferences are:
1. crystal white pearl
2. metropolitan grey mica
3. stormy blue mica
4. copper red mica

 

[90210]

Good luck.

 

[JOE MAMA]

I was in the same boat. I went into buying the Mazda 5 thinking I was going to get the 6 speed manual. My wife is also the primary driver and she preferred the automatic. The 5 speed auto shifts very smoothly and is quite responsive and the manual mode is decent. I was surprised how much acceleration the vehicle still has with the automatic. Fuel economy with the auto is also better by a hair. Re-sale value is always much better with an automatic versus a manual transmission, especially in minivan form!

We ended up with the GS auto with convenience package (metropolitan grey mica). I wish galaxy grey was available. Stay away from the white, unless you don't mind little rust spots from the metallic flakes in the paint (Google it and you'll see what I mean).

 

[Nurburgringer]

Re-sale value is always much better with an automatic versus a manual transmission, especially in minivan form!

Time will tell on that one. I believe <5% of MZ5 are sold with manuals, and I'd wager as the only minivan available with a stick there will always be at least a few people looking for one, and willing to pay at least the same amount as an auto (which cost $800+ more when new don't forget).

lol, auto it is.. She'll be driving it about 80% of the time, I think now I'll just have to look for an RX8 with a 6 spd to satisfy my needs

Thanks everyone. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the dealer about what colors are available for us..

I think my color preferences are:
1. crystal white pearl
2. metropolitan grey mica
3. stormy blue mica
4. copper red mica

We're happy with the grey over black on our Sport, but I sometimes wish it stood out a bit more. Too many black/silver/grey cars on the roads these days IMO.
Would have loved red over black but that isn't a choice.

 

[Slayer33]

There's a problem with the white paint? I though the white was a tri-coat pearl.. not metallic?

 

[Slayer33]

Does anyone recommend getting the paint protection or the undercoating that the dealer offers? @ 0% financing it would be an easy add on.

Also, I had inquired about the 3M paint protection, for $499CDN they said the 3M kit they use only covers the front of the hood, front fenders and the top of the rear bumper.. anyone know why they don't do the whole front bumper?

 

[Orangutan]

For the love of god, yes, get something to protect the paint. I can't count how many chips my hood has. I had chips in the first month, one of which started to rust immediately. The bumper hasn't been a problem despite seeing larger, more frequent debris.

 

[Slayer33]

so would you recommend the 3M ($499) over the dealer protection package ($1299) which includes: fabric protection, paint, rust and undercoating for life?

Or I can go to a shop that will for the hood, fenders, mirrors, front bumper and rear bumper guard for $790...

I hate these additional costs that I always forget about when buying a new car..

I know the dealer protection package is a bit gimmicky, but with annual inspections etc, it sounds like they really take care of the car and I don't have to worry about rust as much..