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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Wagon

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#1150 of 1355 Re: thoughts on 5 [twain] by microrepair Apr 03, 2007 (8:25 pm)
Replying to: twain (Mar 25, 2007 8:38 am) "The lighter vehicle should get at least 5mpg better."   OK, here's a real world example of upside down numbers.. I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix XR w/auto and on the highway it does no better than 26-27 mpg.. I also have a 2001 Mercedes E320 that on the highway delivers 28-29 mpg.   The MB is 220 HP and 4000+ pounds vs. the Matrix at 130 HP and less than 3000 pounds..   So much for the 5 mpg MORE !!!   Go figure...!   I am convinced that Toyota fudges their numbers a LOT... I even took it back to the dealer complaining of the poor economy and they returned it after testing stating it was fine and giving 31 mpg...!! Maybe going downhill with the engine off..!! I have a friend with a Prius that gets around 40 mpg highway where they advertise 50 mpg !!!   Keep in mind that the car companies do the testing, not the EPA. The testing procedure is defined by the EPA but they let the companies do the testing..   Who do YOU trust ??
#1151 of 1355 Lower Speed Zoom-Zoom = Higher Speed at Higher Revs? by idavidson Apr 08, 2007 (5:00 pm)
Hi,   I love my Mazda5 for how quick it is off the mark. I especially appreciate this after driving a Chrysler PT cruiser and a Hyundai mid-size (can't forget the name).   Both these cars really struggle when taking of at a traffic light, but my Mazda5 zips off.   HOWEVER, both these other cars cruise at 70mph at about 2400 RPM but my auto Mazda5 does 70mph at 3000 RPM.   Are the two connected? I think the Mazda5 gets not great fuel economy perhaps because the engine works harder to get to 70mph
#1152 of 1355 weight & mpg by bobw3 Apr 12, 2007 (3:19 pm)
Weight doesn't necessarily have much to do with MPG. Once a vehicle is moving, it doesn't take much hp to keep it moving. The bigger engine in larger cars is to give it more initial speed and power. Aerodynamics are the biggest factor for highway MPG. That's why a small boxy car won't get much better MPG than a larger, more aerodynamic sedan.     Plus larger engines run at much lower RPMs on the highway, which equals less gas usage. Think about it. If you have a V-8 with twice the engine size of a 4cyl but the 4cyl is going 3200rpm vs the V-8 going 1600 rpm to keep the speed at 60mph for example, which would get the better mpg?
#1153 of 1355 Fuel consumption by microrepair Apr 13, 2007 (4:21 pm)
is strongly related to the LOAD on an engine. An engine running at high RPM may be "loafing" in that it is under almost no load and therefore is sipping fuel where an engine that is running at 1500 rpm trying to get up a hill pulling a trailer is guzzling the fuel at a prodigious rate.   A v-8 does not necessarily run at half the rpm of a 4-cyl engine for a given speed. That is determined by the overall drive train ratio for that particular car. Both the V8 and the 4 cylinder may be loafing at 70 mph if they are lightly loaded, such as no passengers, no luggage, etc.. Other factors come into play at the hi-way speeds; tire pressure, wind resistance, etc..   Food for thought............ Replies to this message: bobw3 (Apr 14, 2007 12:05 pm)
#1154 of 1355 Re: Fuel consumption [microrepair] by bobw3 Apr 14, 2007 (12:05 pm)
Replying to: microrepair (Apr 13, 2007 4:21 pm) Exactly...my point was that it has to do with a lot more than vehicle weight. My V8 vs 4cyl engine comparision was just a hypothetical example.
#1155 of 1355 Re: For all previous MPV owners [bottgers] by twain Apr 17, 2007 (7:56 am)
Replying to: bottgers (Mar 17, 2007 5:38 am) My main concern with the 5 is its small powerplant and whether or not its underpowered. ------------------------------------   IMO, every vehicle should offer an economy model and a performance model. For the Mazda5, that could mean the option of a turbo or a small V6. 200hp in a Mazda5 turbo would be very interesting. I believe Mazda should offer that option because many people like you are concerned that the 2.3 4cyl isn't enough for a vehicle weighing 3400 pounds and might be carrying 6 people.
#1156 of 1355 Test drove a 5 today by bostnwhalr Apr 27, 2007 (12:14 pm)
Really, really liked. Very nice handling vehicle. Definitely on the short list. I just want to check out the FWD Ford FreeStyle and believe it or not, the new Scion xB.   Question: I've seen others talk a bit about roof racks, but has anyone tried the dealer installed roof rack? Do people like them. From the pictures, I wasn't too thrilled with the location, given the fact that their fixed. Wish one could have greater distance between the two bars. I ask because I haul a 17' kayak.   I know Yakima makes a custom kit, but I've heard that it rubs the paint off the rear doors or something to that effect.   I wish they made the 5 with roof rails so that you could add your own Thule or Yakima cross bars. Both the Odyssey Sienna and Freestyle (among others) offer them. Yes, it might hurt the 5's good looks, but it is still a mini-minivan and not a Miata.   Any thoughts.
#1157 of 1355 Should have posted question under accessories by bostnwhalr Apr 27, 2007 (12:18 pm)
Sorry, the above message should have been posted elsewhere. I'll repost there.   And no, I didn't feel it was underpowered on the highway. Of course with 4 of my larger friends onboard.....
#1158 of 1355 width of 2nd row seats? by deirdref Apr 28, 2007 (5:38 pm)
Replying to: sonodad (Aug 17, 2005 9:00 pm) Could somebody do me a huge favour and measure the width of one of the 2nd row seats, across the bottom and the back? I'm considering buying one and want to be sure my daughter's extra big car seat will fit ok.   Thanks!!!! Replies to this message: jeffpurd (Apr 29, 2007 4:23 am) deirdref (Apr 29, 2007 1:08 pm)
#1159 of 1355 Re: width of 2nd row seats? [deirdref] by jeffpurd Apr 29, 2007 (4:23 am)
Replying to: deirdref (Apr 28, 2007 5:38 pm) by my rough measurement - about 19" wide. My daughter's monster Britax Marathon seat fits on it fine and results in a great height for loading her in 40 times a day. This is actually one of the nice things about the 5's second row being captains chairs - you can slide them forward and backward with the child seat on it. We were looking at a Saturn Outlook's second row bench - and for third row access - the second row essentially collapses/folds-up which seems great but my wife pointed out that this wouldn't work real well with a child seat in that location (good to have someone with common sense along when I'm car shopping). Replies to this message: deirdref (Apr 29, 2007 1:08 pm)

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