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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda5 Changes You'd Like To See
118 messages, Last post on Sep 02, 2009 at 4:56 PM
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this change would be extremely easy, ~zero cost, and have no styling impact -- change the internal shape of the interior front door hand-hold slots. The current shape is too slippery and too tapered. A firm hold on the door requires a strong pinching effort with your fingers, and it is too difficult to keep hold of the door. In our Nov. 2006 pacific northwest "hurricane" the door got away from my wife, and she bashed the side view mirror entirely off the Civic beside her, and left a "dueling scar" dent on our 5's door. I scoffed at her at first, then the same thing happened to me a few weeks later (with no adjacent car, thankfully). Mazda could do this change at the same time that they lengthen the door map pockets.
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Replying to: whobodym (Jun 13, 2007 5:18 am) I'll pay more attention to the front door pulls now, since I haven't noticed anything yet. |
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| Looks like most of your prayers have been answered. Substantial changes are planned for 2008. There are mode details on Mazda forum. In a nut shell - 5 sp auto replaces 4 sp auto, front passenger gets arm rest, second row gets outside arm rest, a number of new color options, interior gets beige color besides the current black, number of new stuff on GT model including aux connection, heated mirrors, rains sensing wipers, etc. Sport model gets more standard features. It would be wise to hold off your purchase until 2008 model arrives in a few months. | |
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I'd like to see: The Karakuri seat would be perfect for our (soon to be) family of 7. Is there a way to get this thing put in aftermarket. Maybe in Canada. 6 speed manual or more spread out gears with the 5 that are available. How is it that 5th gear manual has a lower gear ratio than the 4 speed auto?!?  Most of the time gears 2 and 4 are unnessary so I just skip them. So it really is a three speed. Smaller gas engine or diesel engine for better fuel economy. Rack and Pinion steering, a nimble car/van like this needs a responsive steering with good road feed back. The current power steering interposes a video game (mushy) feel to the driving experience. Where's the zoom zoom?
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Replying to: oxolotol (Jul 02, 2007 7:34 pm) I've heard that the karakuri seat isn't allowed for safety consideratings, so why doesn't Mazda make the 2nd row a bench seat like the Kia Rondo? |
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Replying to: oxolotol (Jul 02, 2007 7:34 pm) And what type of steering does it currently have? Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but are you asking for no power assist? |
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As you say the Mazda5 has Rack and pinion steering enhanced by Mazda's Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (EHPAS). This makes parking easier, but for 99 percent of driving the power assist is completely worthless the remaining 1 percent of the time it is unneeded. Compared with my old RX-7 and even after controlling for the weight and center of gravity issues, I enjoyed the crisp response and road feed back from the un-aided steering. I bought it because it was the only 6 seater that had manual steering, and passable gas mileage. I have 4 children all under 6 and we do not have any trouble with space. A roof rack takes care of unusual storage needs.
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Replying to: oxolotol (Jul 11, 2007 6:38 pm) Here's a little trick if you want to see what your Mazda5 is like without power steering: While cruising at 40 mph, release the throttle and push in the clutch. Turn the engine off and immediately re-start the engine. when the engine is re-started while at cruising speed, the steering system warning light will illuminate and you will have no power assist. Power assist will resume once you drop down to <5mph. Disclaimer: I don't recommend that anyone attempt this without fully understanding the consequences. Also, to protect my butt, this should only be done by a professional driver on a closed course.
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There should be something done about the passenger-side rear door - when you are putting gas in your car and your child decides to open the door and get out they hit the gas nozzle and gas door and can cause damage to the car. If this was done with force I would be afraid that they could even cause the nozzle to fall on the ground and risk gas pouring everywhere and who knows what else, burns, injury? 
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Replying to: raceymom (Aug 07, 2007 9:44 am)
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