Pre purchase: Things to look for in an 06 or 07

[Bonthron]

Hello from Toronto Canada!

First post of many.

We are looking for a used 06 or 07 and I was wondering what sort of problems I should be looking for in this model. Things like rust prone areas, premature failure of suspension parts, electrical issues, etc.

After running an 00 Passat for almost 10 years I can tell you exactly where the problem areas might be, but the Mazda5 is new to me. I did do a quick search here but only came up with a few isolated problems, but I'd love to know what might be more common for these model years.

Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question, since this seems to be the most active Mazda5 related site on the internet.

Thanks in advance for any info that can be sent my way.

Chris

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

I was wondering what sort of problems I should be looking for in this model. Chris

(cryhard) Ha ha ha... nothing, as you READ around here, we're all mostly very very very very very happy with our 2006-2009 Mazda 5 / Premacy...

cars are like women...

Find one that you like, settle on it, work with it and hope it still loves ya when it and YOU are old and fat. (burp)

The Mazda 5 and its reliability is top notch.

Welcome and Good luck, keep us posted on what you buy, and PLEASE post pictures AFTER you get it.

peace!(rei)

 

[KBrian]

Welcome to the forum, Chris.

Some owners ofthe 06 model have had trouble with prematuretire wear.

Many threads in this forum include mechanical woes, but besides the tires, there has been no common problems, and very few complaints at all.

Good luck and welcome to the family.

BTW, there is no mechanical difference between the GS (base) model and the GT, but in Canada, we can get the GT with a 5spd.

Gs has no sunroof, fog lights, body kit or 17 inch wheels (+ a few other things), so a GT is probably a better value on the used market.

We got our 07 GT this past july: 18KM, 5spd, 2yrs left on the bumper to bumper warranty, in new condition.

Loaded but no leather, no disc changer or nav. Paid 16700 + tax.

 

[doctorz]

If you look through the forums you'll find plenty of threads about suspension issues, many of them centering on squeaking and rattling, on the '06s and in some cases the '07s. The noise generally comes from the stabilizer bar bushings. Some of us have had shocks wear out prematurely.

The rear wheels on the '06s and '07s have negative camber and if the tires aren't rotated regularly and properly inflated they wear quickly and unevenly. The stock Toyos also stink big-time. The '08s and up do not have the negative camber issue.

The early '06s seem to have issues with frozen doors. Power door lock actuators sometimes fail; make sure all of the power locks work.

No regular reports I recall of powertrain, transmission, or electrical issues. I live in the South now where rust isn't an issue.

A good owner will probably have sorted all of the above already and if the car drives noise-free it's fine. It seems that the early '06s are the most prone to issues, the later '06s (like ours) are better and the '07s are even better than the '06s. Some issues (like the negative camber) were redesigned completely on the '08s.

Good luck!

 

[coolmazda5]

Make sure critical recalls have been already done, especially on the 06s. A VIN checkup at the dealer should give you the info

 

[thaxman]

As one who purchase an '06 Touring used, I can tell you to look for one that has verified records of warranty work. Ours came to us with bad door actuators (both sliders) and an A/C compressor clicking/grinding sound. Got the car in immediately and they were taken care of. Truthfully I liked the A/C more before the compressor was replaced, but oh well. Also, inspect the plastic panel on the tailgate above the 3rd brake light. Where it bubbles up to cover the hinges, they tend to crack on the early cars. I just got a new tailgate in @ the dealer because my left side cracked. Otherwise, my problems have been a habitually underperforming alternator that is deceptive and unproven (the 3 yr old car did not have the orig batt & now, after another year, there are enough CCA to start, but the starter sounds labored)
To sum up, I would shop by the mfr date on the door jamb (or is it on the driver's door, I forgot) and not buy anything made before 11/05 unless it has insane documentation.
Now that all my stuff got replaced by warranty (THANK YOU, FORUM!!!!!!) I am confident this will be a trouble free car for a good decade.

I also would cast a vote for a Touring or Grand Touring (GT) over a Sport. KBrian forgot to mention that the all trims above Sport have a visor/wing over the 3rd brake light, where the Sport has a stubby end, like a '99 Durango. Also: if you do alot of high speed freeway driving, go for the AT, not the manual. I got the 5 speed, and although I get better in-town mileage, the car cruises at 4000 rpms in 5th gear @ 80 mph!! Its got a real close ratio mixed with a tall final gearing that the 4speed auto does not have.

 

[mazdadude]

Well, not much to add here except...

If an 06, make sure exhaust recall was done.

In addition, here are the problem prone areas I have noticed.

Stubborn Door actuators
Motor Mount fluid loss
Noisy suspension bushings
Weak shocks and struts

ATF fluid should be maintained properly
Tires wear prematurely on inside tread
Interior surfaces are fragile

That being said, I love my early 06 model, and have yet to find anything to replace it that suits my needs as well as the Mazda5 does. These items I listed, are some of the weaker areas of the car, some come from having a vehicle that is tuned for more sport than utility, whereas others can be attributed to Mazda trying to fit the 5 into a very tight price point.

 

[coolmazda5]

Now that all my stuff got replaced by warranty (THANK YOU, FORUM!!!!!!)

You can always contribute to mazdadude's 16x savings jar, no issues there

mazdadude, good to see you around

OK OK, off-topic

 

[mazdadude]

You can always contribute to mazdadude's 16x savings jar, no issues there

mazdadude, good to see you around

OK OK, off-topic

LOL, thanks! (naughty)Any help is appreciated, as the jar has become stagnated by another Mazda purchase I am persuing...

But back on topic, there is a certain amount of truth to be garnered from this forum. For the most part we are very enthusiastic about our cars, and we might tend to be a little more hyper-sensitive, or over critical when it comes to problems. (detect)

For the most part, folks will first come to this forum when they are having an issue or question about their car. We don't get to hear very often from the first time poster that just came to the forum to tell everyone how much they love the car. Although it does happen...(kissass)

 

[skyhawk]

Have the car raised in the shop.

Go and look under belly of the car. There are plastic shields liner on left and right side.. as well as under the engine. After 3 winters, the fasteners for these shields (left and right) can snap off.. I caught mine on time and secured them back.

 

[raspykart]

My opinion is to try for an 07 to minimize lil glitches. Otherwise, check brakes, tires, struts, cv axles, and overall wear... too which you should check all used cars for these items IMHO.