Ask the Car People.SM


Mazda5 Test Drive - What Did You Think?

38 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2009 at 11:53 AM

You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Car Buying, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 4

#29 of 38 high RPM by riproy

Jul 09, 2006 (12:57 pm)

I test drove a manual M5 GT yesterday and noticed that the RPMs are quite high at cruising speed. At 100 km/h or just over 60 mph the RPMs were hovering around 3000 RPM. Does anyone else find this odd? Our automatic Nissan Axxess revs at less than 2500 RPM at the same speed.

#30 of 38 Re: high RPM [riproy] by wa98strat

Jul 09, 2006 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: riproy (Jul 09, 2006 12:57 pm)
Yes, It's different Though not too odd. My old Sidekick used to be the same. The engine was running 3000-3200 rpm at highway speeds.

#31 of 38 Air Conditioning by kivo

Jul 26, 2006 (3:25 pm)

I've been reading a lot of opinions on the M5 A/C. It seems that there is a big difference of opinion. I'm interested in purchasing a 2007 and this is a very important issue to me. I did take a test drive last fall when the weather was still warm and the A/C seemed OK. I really don't care about the back seats very much since they will be rarely occupied. I hope the A/C has been looked at by Mazda. It's the only thing that concerns me.

#32 of 38 Re: Air Conditioning [kivo] by riproy

Jul 26, 2006 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: kivo (Jul 26, 2006 3:25 pm)
We did a long trip on the weekend in 32C (90F) weather with 5 occupants in the vehicle. We have tinted our windows (7 panels). The A/C worked fine for us. Everyone was comfortable.
 
As others have mentioned - there is a lot of cabin space to cool and only the front vents to do it. It will not cool as fast as a car with smaller cabin space. We tinted our windows partially to keep it cooler and it does help. Some have made comments regarding A/C that didn't get cold at all - this is not our experience.

#33 of 38 Chat night by pf_flyer HOST

Aug 01, 2006 (9:00 am)

Beat the heat (going to need to do that here in the East!) tonight and stop in for a bit of car chat!
 
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule

#34 of 38 Re: our test drive experience [car007] by mazdalvr

Aug 24, 2006 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: car007 (Dec 08, 2005 5:46 am)
I have two little ones and we have no issues with the seating arrangements. It would be nice if they threw in an arm rest for the passenger seat but o-well. Its nice how much easier it is to get the kids in the seats. I had a suzuki Forenza and we were cramped. As far as the suspension just remember Mazda tends to lean more towards performance and a tight ride. I am sure if you moved up to a 55 series tire you would have a smoother ride but I like the Toyo's that came with the car and when I am going around corners and turns in the road I am glad the ride is a little hard.

#35 of 38 Re: Air Conditioning [kivo] by minisub

Aug 27, 2006 (9:14 pm)

Replying to: kivo (Jul 26, 2006 3:25 pm)
I just had my Mazda 5 tinted this week (darkest I can find, only in the rear, front passenger windows are not tinted due to California law.) and took for a long test drive. The A/C worked much better compare before. After 10 minutes at full blast I had to turn A/C down a bit. The outside temperatue was 103 according to the car thermometer. I think A/C issue can be resolved in 2 steps:
 
1. get your Mazada 5 tinted, choose darkest tint. Cost me $200 USD, but with life time warranty from 3M.
 
2. when you have passenger in the back crank up your A/C and point your vents toward them.
 
Mazada 5 is a great car for the money. From my personal experience A/C is not an issue. I guess you can bargain w/ the dealer to get them to throw in the tint for free.

#36 of 38 Re: high RPM [riproy] by mazdalvr

Aug 28, 2006 (10:21 am)

Replying to: riproy (Jul 09, 2006 12:57 pm)
I noticed the same thing I was waiting for the trans to shift again but it didnt that is a little concerning. How long can this motor run like this? I am wondering if some extra horse power would resolve this issue?

#37 of 38 Chat night by pf_flyer HOST

Oct 10, 2006 (8:56 am)

It's Tuesday, so it's time again for our weekly Mazda chat!
 
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule

#38 of 38 New test drive by vicenac

Jul 28, 2009 (11:53 am)

No posts here since 06....
I test drove a 5 in 05 and 07 and have been disapointed both time with lack of power, noise and interior. I've been waiting for a redesign and I got excited by the new interior and the new 5 speed AT.
I test drove a Touring in July 09. I was impressed. The new AT does wonders! The car flew with 3 adults and a kid (my wife was driving). When I drove I noticed that even though I floored it in the second gear, there was not much response. So mainly mannered driving only!
The noise (engine) was much better then expected, though I was successfull in making it scream.
I played with manual shifting and saw that it was pretty slow to react. I also saw that it indicates the speed (gear) selected in the dashboard. Unfortunately, it shows a big "0" when shifted back in D. Now that I think about it, maybe it shows "D" and not "0", but I would like it better like in CX-7, which shows the gear number all the time.
Otherwise I am delighted with the interior.
Overall I can say it's a small car - no way around it. But if you know this going in, you'll survive. The steering (sourced from Ford Escort/Focus) is fantastic. The brakes could be better, when compared with the CX-7, at least. They stop the car allright, but the pedal requires a little more effort then I'd like, which makes it more dificult to modulate properly.
I'm getting one.

Messages Page 4 of 4

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement