Mazda5

[jake75]

Saw a magazine ad for the Mazda5 dubbed the first "MAV" Multi-Activity Vehicle. Reminds me of the Pacifica with it's three rows of seats but it starts at $17,995. The rear doors look like they open like a minivan. Side impact air curtains atndard in all three rows. Seats flip and fold. Could also be described as a "stretched Vibe". Have not checked out the website http://www.mazda5.com yet. I have a feeling that I might own one of these someday.

[POLO]

Ayeeeeeee,i didn't liked,very weird design,i thing they missed there shot on this one.

[Mr. Poopypants]

I really like Mazda's line of vehicles out right now, with the exception of the 3.The 5 looks like a modern twist on the old MPV. I owned a 91 Mazda MX6 and I loved that car. I would be more than willing to buy a Mazda after the Vibe, or the fiance's car dies.

[jake75]

Looking at these pictures I note that they put the gas filler on the wrong side. Someone told me once that this was a "safety" feature - if you run out of gas and were on the berm of a freeway you would then not be filling from the traffic side. In exchange for that you have to be on the wrong side of the gas pumps. Never ran out of gas. Am at the gas pump every two weeks. For me, put it on the left. I also am not fond of the tail lights on the top. In the "middle" like the VIBE looks better and serves the same safety purpose. Yet neither of those "faults" woud bother me if the functionality and price/value is there. Ignoring the never ending rebates, a total MSRP of $17,995 stick and $18,895 AT including what we know as the "power package" and 4 wh disc ABS brakes is an attractive starting price. Wonder what the mpg of that 2.3 L will be.

[jwalcik]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Looking at these pictures I note that they put the gas filler on the wrong side. Someone told me once that this was a "safety" feature - if you run out of gas and were on the berm of a freeway you would then not be filling from the traffic side. on my old truck, i was told it was because of the exhaust. the exhaust vented out behind the rear driver-side tire (the pipe was about about 1' behind the tire, not out from under the rear bumper), so they had to put the gas filler on the passenger side. i always wondered if there was any truth to that.

[jake75]

Was that truck "domestic" or "import" nameplate? I suspect that the design does dictate where the gas filler tube goes and that those designed in countries where they drive on the "left" have the filler tube on the passinger side. The "safety" argument always sounded to me like an after the fact justification. Of course some have (or had) it in the middle - behind the license plate as I remember. Don't know if that is done anymore. That might have presented a safety concern in rear end accidents.

[redlava]

Holy Crap that looks ugly!!Looks like the auto market is shifting away from SUV's back to minivans again.

[illusion]

According to Edmunds.com, looks like the manual boasts a relatively respectable 22/27 city/hwy. Cut that to 21/26 for the auto.I think it's kinda cool that they're even offering the 5-speed.I have to wonder, though, how it will perform. I realize that, as a minivan, it's not built for big performance, but judging from the specs (157hp@6500rpm, 148lb-ft@4400), and the fact that the curb weight tops the vibe by over 600 pounds, with a gross of 4500+ lbs, this thing is going to be rather sluggish. I would venture to make a guess that the Mazda5 will suffer from the same lack of low-end giddy-up that the Vibe does. I just don't like that prospect too much. What else is Ford/Mazda using that engine and tranny (or close variants) in? Anyone have any ideas?

[jake75]

21/26? My SWB T&C with a 3.0L V-6 is 19/26. BTW, local dealer had a new 2005 SWB T&C 3,0L , Cruise, Tilt, etc. advertised for $16,175 in todays paper - must finance through DC to get that but you can pay off in 6 months.

[joatmon]

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/new...44714Quote »Mazda halts sales and production of Mazda5 crossover APCreated: 9/26/2005 11:14:14 PMUpdated: 9/27/2005 2:41:37 AMWASHINGTON (AP) - Mazda says it has halted the sale and production of the 2006 Mazda-Five crossover. A potential heat buildup in the vehicle's exhaust system could lead to a fire.Meanwhile, the government says it's investigating reports that the large sunroof on the Cadillac SRX has shattered while driving at highway speeds.Mazda says it recalled about two-thousand Mazda-Fives already sold and told dealers not to sell 700 that remain on dealership lots.The Mazda-Five is smaller than a typical minivan and first became available in the U.S. this summer. http://www.autospectator.com/m...=2202Quote »Updated Statement: 2006 Mazda5 Exhaust System OverheatSeptember 27, 2005 -- A safety-related defect may exist in the MAZDA5 as a result of the exhaust system becoming overheated. Although only three instances have been reported, and there have been no injuries as a result of the fires, Mazda will be initiating an aggressive campaign to repair all of the approximately 2,700 affected vehicles either at dealers or in customers’ possession. Customers will receive a formal recall notification at a later date.Mazda has determined that the cause of these fires is excessive exhaust heat caused by inadvertent operation of the vehicle in the manual mode of the automatic transmission at highway speeds in second gear. It is possible that extended high-RPM operation may cause this exhaust overheat, and a subsequent fire.Mazda will resolve this situation with the installation of a warning label instructing customers on the proper operation of the vehicle in the “M” mode of the automatic transmission. In addition, a heat-shield will be added to all vehicles as well as a recalibration of the automatic transmission electronic control unit.Mazda expects all vehicles to be repaired and returned to their owners as soon as possible. New vehicle deliveries will resume as soon as vehicles in inventory are repaired. In the interim, Mazda will provide all customers with replacement transportation at no cost. Source: Mazda

[BigMac]

The Mazda5 is just a bigger frame around a Mazda3. It would be like adding an extra row of seats and changing the doors to the Vibe. The performance will get worse (same engine/heavier car) but on the plus side it'll be easier to park than a traditional minivan.I can't imagine it'll do that well. One of the best features of the Mazda3 is it's performance. My buddy own's one and it handles better than the my Vibe. But there's no where near the space inside, so if you're making space on the same wheel base, the performance is going to take a hit.

[ColonelPanic]

Catching on fire? Nope, you can't tell that there is a Ford connection with Mazda.

[jake75]

I thought I read a few days ago where there was a big safety recall on the Mazda 5s and that the dealers were told not to sell any until the probelm was solved.

[george]

I like the look of the car very smooth looking only down fall is power take something is this size"meaning larger than vibe with way less HP mean slowwwwwwwwwwww sorry may not look like one but will probably get smoked by one .

[george]

and to top it off its a Ford who the hell wants to get smoked by a honda minivan