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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Wagon

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#975 of 1355 Re: Close comparison [fowler3] by sschriber Jun 30, 2006 (6:34 am)
Replying to: fowler3 (Jun 22, 2006 7:53 pm) I too owned a 1st Gen Odyssey. It was a great car with a perfect interior layout for my family of 5 ( I had the second row captains chairs). It frustrated the heck out of me that there was an 8 year gap between when that first Odyssey was discontinued and the offering of the 2006 Mazda 5. The 3 row wagon/microvan is the best family vehicle layout IMHO ... why can't the US market figure this out. Replies to this message: fowler3 (Jun 30, 2006 6:00 pm) cmyers300m (Jun 30, 2006 6:55 pm) fowler3 (Jul 01, 2006 8:37 pm) wa98strat (Jul 07, 2006 4:16 am) fowler3 (Jul 07, 2006 7:29 am)
#976 of 1355 Re: Close comparison [sschriber] by fowler3 Jun 30, 2006 (6:00 pm)
Replying to: sschriber (Jun 30, 2006 6:34 am) I had the bench seat in the middle and left the third seat folded, best for my use....er..for my dog, so she could run back and forth from side to side to bark at the neighbors. When Honda brought out the big van they lost me -- too much of everything: too wide, too long, too expensive, too much gas.   Went from the Ody to a Mazda Protegé and loved it. I dislike firm seats and the Pro's seats are almost duplicates of those in the Ody, only lower. And unlike the Ody, the Protegé has a small turning circle and doesn't lean in sharp turns.   Why am I interested in the MZ5? I miss the Ody van sometimes and wish I had a hatch, but most vans and other cars have wide turning circles. Ever need to make a U-turn quickly on a busy thoroughfare without having to stop, back up, and then pull around? The Mazda5 has the same small turning circle of the Protegé. It can turn from a Left Turn lane make a U-turn and stay in the left lane going in the opposit direction. That's one use for "handling".   Any other car or vehicle I get has to have Mazda's handling, economy, quality, and fun-to-drive. When you look there's nothing out there, especially the size of the Mazda5.   Why can't Chrysler and GM make the same thing? From the design standpoint, they would get one thing right and ten things wrong. They'd try to please everybody and please nobody. Mazda designs and builds to a particular segment and makes no bones about it. When you buy any other car you are just one more on the road -- when you buy a Mazda you belong to a select group, not necessarily a club, though there are many popping up on the Web. If nothing else you know you made a good decision.   That's my 2-cents.   fowler3 Still zooming at 75 (not mph). Replies to this message: cmyers300m (Jun 30, 2006 6:55 pm) fowler3 (Jul 01, 2006 8:37 pm) wa98strat (Jul 07, 2006 4:16 am) fowler3 (Jul 07, 2006 7:29 am)
#977 of 1355 Re: Close comparison [fowler3] by cmyers300m Jun 30, 2006 (6:55 pm)
Replying to: fowler3 (Jun 30, 2006 6:00 pm) FYI...the latest Automobile magazine shows that Kia is coming out with a micro-van next spring. It doesn't look bad, but I'd probably opt for the sporty Mazda5. Especially since it has been out a while now. Replies to this message: fowler3 (Jul 01, 2006 8:37 pm)
#978 of 1355 Re: Close comparison [cmyers300m] by fowler3 Jul 01, 2006 (8:37 pm)
Replying to: cmyers300m (Jun 30, 2006 6:55 pm) That would be a better choice. The Mazda5 has been on sale in Europe for several years, they call it a "Space Wagon". The Kia may be a new model where the Mazda5 is the North American version of an existing vehicle -- with *experience*. The reason the only recall has been the heat shield problem: they can make them almost fool proof, but they can not make them damn-fool proof.   Who drives 75mph in second gear in a new car?   What makes the Mazda5 so sporty is that it has some of the styling attributes of the CX-7 without the higher price. And for 2007 -2008?, Mazda is going to offer leather trim -- probably black.   By then aftermarket suppliers will offer trim packages in other colors using higher quality leather. A light gray with dark gray suede seat inserts would be really cool in more ways than one -- suede doesn't get as hot as leather.   fowler3
#982 of 1355 Re: Close comparison [fowler3] by wa98strat Jul 07, 2006 (4:16 am)
Replying to: fowler3 (Jun 30, 2006 6:00 pm) It's Ironic that you mention "Why can't Chrysler and GM make the same thing?" Because GM's European and Autrailia Subsidiaries are doing exactly that. Look at Vauxhall's Zafira. It's almost a clone of the 5 (without the sliding doors). For some reason GM seems to think that all North American's want is BIG SUV's. My guess is that's why their sales were down 26% last month and why they have been having such a horrible last couple of years. I think they really beleive that Bush's America's Right to all the oil it wants attitude will save them! It won't They need to start taking a look at what their European divisions are doing! and take a lesson. Especially up here in Canada where 3 out of 4 vechicle sold have a 4 cylinder engine, not GM's tired old V8 technology! Replies to this message: fowler3 (Jul 07, 2006 7:29 am)

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