Mazda CX-5

[Lesharoturbo]

Anyone have one? I am a tall guy with a growing family (vertically, not in multitude.) I shop for cars like I shop for shoes; it has to fit!

I also prefer a vehicle that is somewhat fuel efficient. This seems to fit the bill in these two aspects, now I am looking for input on reliability and driving dynamics.

It will be a manual, if it comes into the family.

[fierostetz]

Originally Posted by Lesharoturbo

Anyone have one? I am a tall guy with a growing family (vertically, not in multitude.) I shop for cars like I shop for shoes; it has to fit!

I also prefer a vehicle that is somewhat fuel efficient. This seems to fit the bill in these two aspects, now I am looking for input on reliability and driving dynamics.

It will be a manual, if it comes into the family.

I've test driven one and have 2 coworkers that own them.

First thing - REALLY SLOW

Every other thing - drives great! not like a great SUV, but it drives like a great car, which is saying a lot. It was actually pretty fun, despite being slower than a prius. Everyone I know whom owns one absolutely loves it because it feels more like a car than an SUV. Do some googling, Mazda's new turbodiesel would make a great match for the cx5, and I'll bet Mazda's fully aware of that :)

[Lesharoturbo]

Thanks for your reply.

I have read some of the reports of it being slow, but I am coming from a Toyota Echo and a 94 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0. Slow may be pretty fast in comparison .

Besides, the new 2.5 is getting some good reviews and it still gets 32 on the highway.

[cbolling]

The new 2.5 should be a good bit quicker than last year's 2.0.

[Hipster]

Anyone have a CX5 with the 2.5L motor? How are Mazda's for reliability?

[Commuter Boy]

I've got a Mazda 3 with the 2.3l four banger. Just spent the afternoon changing out the spark plugs for the first time and the spring oil change.

It's been rock solid. No problems at all, but you can tell if you're under the hood things are built to a price. After 4 years things are starting to rust, and we don't live in the rust belt at all. A couple of recalls for things that never went wrong on us.

Lots of plastic getting brittle, fasteners starting to seize up, but all the running gear is still flawless.

We're going to take a hard look at the 6 diesel sedan when it hits our shores as a replacement.

[Tripl Nikl]

I drove a work-provided Mazda 6 for a couple of months, for a stocker base model, it was pretty decent to drive. My car is a Stage 2.5 WRX with coilovers and a bunch of other suspension mods. The 6 didn't suck compared against the WRX, which says a lot about it.

I think Mazda is really trying to put "sporty" in all their cars and SUVs. I'd consider buying one if I were in the market and they had a vehicle that seemed to fit my needs.

[Vt-Stromer]

Maybe hold out for the Mazda speed CX-5.

I have been looking at the the 5 for a while. Coming from the 2. Wish the AWD came with a standard.... but, every AWD car in it's class comes with an auto box.

[urbancowboy]

Originally Posted by cbolling

The new 2.5 should be a good bit quicker than last year's 2.0.

isn't the bigger engine only available with the auto transmission?

all i want is this vehicle with decent suspension, reasonably quick (don't need fast) 6 speed manual, and heated seats.


until then i'll keep the TDI golf.

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by urbancowboy

until then i'll keep the TDI golf.

Oh just admit that you're never leaving the VW family ya grump.

[Yardstick]

Originally Posted by Lesharoturbo

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I am a tall guy with a growing family (vertically, not in multitude.) I shop for cars like I shop for shoes; it has to fit!

[/cut]

I read this part and immediately thought of the one we test drove earlier this year. It had a moonroof and at 6'2" my head was brushing the ceiling in the front passenger seat. The non-moonroof models gain ~3-4" of ceiling clearance.

[Lesharoturbo]

Originally Posted by Yardstick

I read this part and immediately thought of the one we test drove earlier this year. It had a moonroof and at 6'2" my head was brushing the ceiling in the front passenger seat. The non-moonroof models gain ~3-4" of ceiling clearance.

I am 6'7" so it may be an issue. There is a dealer a few miles north of us. As soon as the wife and I can get the time, we want to stop by and see one. I buy cars like most people buy shoes....I have to try them on first.

I tried a Mazda 5 last year and was fine in the driver's seat, but my knees touched the dash in the passenger's seat. For some reason, the passenger's seat did not move back as far as the driver's.

[Tripl Nikl]

I'm 6'3" and have a 32" inseam, know what was surprisingly comfortable? The new Ford Explorer. I didn't scoot the seat all the way to the back of the track!

[invicta1]

Test rode one, bought something else. Cockpit they designed to be a fun/exciting driving experience (zoom zoom!), but found it constricted feeling, with little room for moving about.

[Kokopelli]

My daughter drove one as a rental car. She hated it, said it didn't track right and wallowed around. Here own car is a Golf GTI.