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Mazda5 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1263 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2013 at 9:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Van

Messages Page 46 of 127

#445 of 1263 2006 vs 2007 by danix

Nov 20, 2006 (2:39 pm)

I'm considering a Mazda5 with manual transmission.
At this point, there are no Touring models with manual in my area, and only a couple of Sports left.
 
I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer.
 
1) Besides the warranty, and colors, what has changed from 2006 to 2007? The window stickers show some additional details (like EBD) that were not on the 2006. Are these just wording changes and/or omissions on the 2006 sticker?
 
2) The US roof rack is fugly. Is it possible to import the euro roof rails and install them?
 
3) General consensus seems to be that the 06 warranty is better than the 07. Does that, plus $1000 cash back from Mazda Credit, make up for the difference in depreciation between buying a 2006 vs a 2007?
 
Thanks!

#446 of 1263 drove one by danix

Nov 20, 2006 (10:27 pm)

We drove a used one tonight (it was the closest one with a stick).
 
Impressions (this from a VW enthusiast):
- good use of space
- decent interior quality, but not VW/Audi
- handling better than expected
- power about what I expected
- brakes are adequate
 
We're leaning towards buying one instead of a used Passat Wagon, because of the extra space.
I'm still not sure if $1000 back on the 06 offsets the depreciation, come 4-5 years from now. It's probably a wash.
 
Does anyone know where I can find a full size picture of the 06 Gray? It changed slightly for 07 and is no longer on Mazda's site.

#447 of 1263 Re: 2006 vs 2007 [danix] by kw_da

Nov 21, 2006 (10:36 am)

Replying to: danix (Nov 20, 2006 2:39 pm)
2) The US roof rack is fugly. Is it possible to import the euro roof rails and install them?
 
As I recall, I believe that someone looked into getting the euro rails - and found out it was very expensive & probably didn't fit anyway. Can't remember the site.
 
David

#448 of 1263 Re: 2006 Touring with 5 speed for $24K!!!!! [burtlancaster] by fred222

Nov 21, 2006 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: burtlancaster (Nov 19, 2006 9:00 pm)
I have several considerations regarding the Mazda 5.
Probably #1 is that I really want a stick shift vehicle which can seat 5 in reasonable comfort and gets good mileage and is fun to drive.
#2 is that I am 6'4" tall and want to be comfortable.
 
I would have to move the seat of a Mazda 5 back at least 2" to be comfortable over the long term. I can do this, but then I negatively impact the seat behind the driver making that seat less useful. Also, I question just how useful the third seat is in the Mazda 5. My wife has a Pacifica with the three rows of seats and the third seat is really only good for small kids and I think the Pacifica has more room there than the Mazda.
Right now I am driving a 1999 Intrepid ES with the 3.2L engine and autostick purchased new. This car has 225HP and is fast (0-60 about 2 sec faster than the Mazda 5) and fun to drive. It gets 22-24 mpg in town and 28-30 mpg on the highway on regular. It is in great shape with less than 80K, but is getting old. Also, even though it is a big car, I do not like having three people (even with one 4 year old) in the back seat. This is what has steered me away from other "sedans" with manual transmissions. I question how much better the Mazda 5 will be than my Intrepid. My 14 year old son said that the seats in the Mazda 5 were narrower and it felt more cramped which I agree with.
 
As a final comment, I priced some of the tires for the Mazda 5 on-line today. WOW!!! I see no need for 17" wheels on this vehicle and if I purchased one would certainly want change to 16" or preferably 15" wheels. I much prefer the ride, noise, durability and price of 60-65 series tires. The Mazda 3 comes with 15" and 16" wheels. Does anyone know if these will fit on the Mazda 5? When I test drove the 2006 Touring Mazda 5 the dealer commented when I was on the Highway (I90 in Post Falls, ID) that this was a "rough" part of the road, I guess to explain the excessive road noise from the tires. I drove the same section of road in my Intrepid which has snow tires on right now and was thinking how quiet the road was.
 
If the Mazda 5 was just a little bigger and came with 15" or 16" wheels I probably would have purchased one. I may yet, but I am still looking. I hate to buy a new vehicle that is not exactly what I want. Still life is full of compromises.

#449 of 1263 still shopping by danix

Nov 22, 2006 (8:57 am)

This forum is far less active than I had hoped. Bummer.
 
Right now, I have access to a new 06 Sport with PEP for $16400 (including the MAC rebate) or a slightly used (under 2000 miles) 06 Sport with PEP and sunroof, at $15800. I'm trying to figure out which way I want to go, but I'm still not sold on the Mazda5. My biggest concern is depreciation, especially with a stick. In 4 years, this car will have almost no value, which has to factor into your buying decision.

#450 of 1263 Re: still shopping [danix] by fred222

Nov 22, 2006 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: danix (Nov 22, 2006 8:57 am)
My biggest concern is depreciation, especially with a stick. In 4 years, this car will have almost no value, which has to factor into your buying decision.
 
Depreciation is a fact of life with cars. You will get less depreciation with a Honda or Toyota, but they still depreciate and you pay more up front. If you really are worried about depreciation, I believe the best advice is to buy a 2-3 year old domestic vehicle and drive it "until the wheels fall off".
If you do go the Honda or Toyota route, don't forget the additional tax and financing you have to pay on the higher price which you do not get back when you sell the vehicle. I purchased a new Honda Odyssey last year. The tax rate here is over 9% so right away the vehicle had depreciated over $3000 the second I signed the papers. If I had purchased a Dodge for about half the price, the tax depreciation would have been 1/2.
As for the Mazda 5s, if you really want the sun roof get it. Otherwise get the new vehicle.

#451 of 1263 Re: 2006 Touring with 5 speed for $24K!!!!! [fred222] by lostwrench

Nov 22, 2006 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: fred222 (Nov 21, 2006 9:02 pm)
After reading your post, I too, looked up the tire prices on the 17 inch tires. Wow!

#452 of 1263 bought one by danix

Nov 26, 2006 (10:11 am)

Thought I had a deal on one in Hayward, but the car was sold when I got there. So, yesterday I flew to Long Beach, and picked up an 06 Touring in Gray, with rear bumper step, wheel locks for $17990-$1000 MAC = $16990. This was at Browning Mazda. They still have the identical car in silver.
 
Funny thing is, I had negotiated the price at invoice (allegedly $17500) over the phone, and when I got there, the car had the lower price in big numbers on the windshield
 
One major dislike - they install an aftermarket alarm on EVERY car, and if you don't want it, they remove it (after much selling pressure of course). This leaves two holes in the lower dash, which they fill with two screws. I intend to contact Mazda about this.
 
Also, I called MAC to ask if there were any prepayment or early termination penaties on the loan, and they said no. The salesman at the dealer said you have to keep the loan for 3 months. Who's right?

#453 of 1263 Alarm system by yad5

Nov 26, 2006 (11:28 pm)

One major dislike - they install an aftermarket alarm on EVERY car, and if you don't want it, they remove it (after much selling pressure of course). This leaves two holes in the lower dash, which they fill with two screws. I intend to contact Mazda about this.
 
I take it from this that the car does not come with an alarm system standard. Anybody out there want to weigh in on whether or not you had an alarm installed? And if so, how? At the dealer, before you took the car? At a separate place? Do-It-Yourself?
 
I'm considering buying a Mazda5, and am wondering whether it might be smart for me to get an alarm system. I also don't know if installing one myself or having anyone other than the dealer install it would void some warranty.
 
Could use some input on the tinting, too.
 
The other advantage to having it installed by the dealer before I drive the car off the lot is that if anything gets terribly messed up, I can refuse to take the car.
 
Any thoughts?

#454 of 1263 Re: bought one [danix] by yad5

Nov 26, 2006 (11:31 pm)

Replying to: danix (Nov 26, 2006 10:11 am)
Danix, congratulations on your new set of wheels.
 
I would be very frustrated about the alarm holes, too. Especially since I'm sure they did not mention that to you until after you flew all the way there to get it. Definitely mention it to the manufacturer. But I don't know if it'll really do anything.

Messages Page 46 of 127

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