Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jul 21, 2007 4:45 am)

Replies to this message:
• coolmazda5 (Jul 22, 2007 4:21 am)
  • toronado455 (Jul 23, 2007 10:03 am)
    • coolmazda5 (Jul 24, 2007 6:37 am)
• coolmazda5 (Jul 22, 2007 5:50 am)

Replying to: vegasrondo (Jul 21, 2007 5:59 pm)

vegasrondo replied:
n my post #161, I referred to the Mazda 5 not having a standard DIM or duel DIM stereo chassis. The unit in the Mazda 5 is unique for the dash. It does not appear to be able to be changed out. I can do so with the Rondo as it has a standard 2X DIM head. After a full month with this unit, I dislike it more and more every day. Too dim of a display panel to read. Other than that, the Rondo is still great
 
OK, got it. I hear you, for my old Honda I can still get a good CD MP3/WMA player for ~USD$120 in Circuit City or Best Buy (free install), but for the Mazda5 (good thing it had already the in-dash 6CD Player, wife loves it) I would need to get it OEM. So Best Buy or e-bay may be still an after market option in your case.
 
Still getting a solid 16 MPG in 80% stop and go driving with the A/C going full tilt
 
Are you sure it is only 16MPG? It sounds really low for a 4 cylinder, regardless of the A/C. One report for the V6 had had that earlier (family with children fully loaded )
 
Report:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/04/suburban_dad_20_1.html

Replies to this message:
• vegasrondo (Jul 23, 2007 4:47 pm)
  • coolmazda5 (Jul 24, 2007 6:00 am)
  • vegasrondo (Jul 28, 2007 10:44 am)
    • coolmazda5 (Aug 04, 2007 4:25 am)

Replying to: toronado455 (Jul 21, 2007 9:09 pm)

I have to say, that strong A/C is important to me. And I think a vehicle this size should have V6 power (which the Rondo does). Though 4-bangers are getting more and more powerful these days so it doesn't matter as much as it used to.
 
If it is an Auto Transmission, yes, I would agree. Now, I have a Manual so the 4cyl works great. Wife is the primary driver and she has no issues with the HP (I should also say she does not drive nor accelerate like I do )
 
I used to have a 1st gen Dodge Caravan (SWB) V6 and it was very similar in size. The mainstream minivans have all gotten so big and bloated they can hardly be called "mini" anymore. So it's great to see at least two offerings in this size.
 
Yes, I agree. Somebody told me last time that my Mazda5 had "just" the size of the very first generation Honda Odyssey (like a sign of going backwards) so I replied: "Well, it is not intended to compete against minivans, plus I don't need a bigger car, it is just the ideal size to me"

Replies to this message:
• toronado455 (Jul 23, 2007 10:03 am)
  • coolmazda5 (Jul 24, 2007 6:37 am)

Replying to: vegasrondo (Jul 21, 2007 5:59 pm)

Replies to this message:
• vegasrondo (Jul 23, 2007 4:41 pm)

Replying to: toronado455 (Jul 21, 2007 9:09 pm)

I also like the roominess of the Rondo interior as compared to the Mazda5 in the CanadianDriver review
 
Actual dimensions are OK, actually many people have mentioned the same thing, that Rondo has more space...
 
But now, I have carried 5 "tall" adults, a baby on a car seat and a folded stroller in the back of the 3rd row (one of those large Gracos) and all fit greatly. I have done it once in the lifetime of the car though. I don't carry adults in the back 99% of the time so to me is not very relevant.
 
As per pure cargo (lugagge, swingsets, you name it) I posted these pics below sometime ago in a non-Edmunds forum. I did not do a thorough analysis on dimensions, but see how versatile the Mazda5 is. I don't need more than that if you ask

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jul 22, 2007 4:21 am)

Somebody told me last time that my Mazda5 had "just" the size of the very first generation Honda Odyssey (like a sign of going backwards) so I replied: "Well, it is not intended to compete against minivans, plus I don't need a bigger car, it is just the ideal size to me"
 
"Ideal size" may not be in the American vocabulary where "bigger is always better".
 
I think the 1st gen Odyssey was perfectly sized. Though I do prefer sliding rear doors like on the Mazda5. You may recall the little Mitsubishi Expo LRV from the early 90s had sliding rear doors too, while the larger Expo (non-LRV) had regular opening rear doors like the Rondo and 1st gen Odyssey. There were some other good designs then like the tall Nissan Stanza Wagon and Nissan Axxess. (The Axxess we only had in the USA for a single model year but was sold for 5 years in Canada.)
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/90-95axxess.htm
 
Really, here in the USA, we have only a fraction of what they have elsewhere in the world. Just looking at the cornucopia on this page... http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/about_toyota/manufacturing/product.html
it becomes apparent that most vehicles outside the USA are some variation on the hatchback/wagon/"MPV" small minivan theme. More pics of these can be found here: http://www.cars-directory.net/gallery/toyota/
 
The SUV is really not the best replacement for the station wagon. Chrysler had it right in 1984 with the original Caravan/Voyager. It took way too long for the Japanese automakers to bring something really competitive to the table in the USA. And now everythings just gone all SUV-crazy.
 
All I can say is hopefully sales of the Mazda5 and Rondo will set a new trend toward offering sensible, smaller minivans in the USA market.

Replies to this message:
• coolmazda5 (Jul 24, 2007 6:37 am)

Replies to this message:
• renu_p (Aug 16, 2007 6:17 pm)
  • vegasrondo (Aug 16, 2007 7:54 pm)
  • csandste (Aug 16, 2007 8:03 pm)
  • kivo (Aug 17, 2007 7:10 am)
  • coolmazda5 (Aug 17, 2007 6:49 pm)
    • renu_p (Aug 18, 2007 12:54 pm) and 7 more...
  • zklopman (Aug 18, 2007 3:34 pm)

Replying to: dakota29803 (Jul 22, 2007 4:58 am)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jul 22, 2007 4:02 am)

Hi! Yep, 16 MPG with the 4 banger in mostly stop and go city driving with the A/C going full tilt. There are 630 miles on the Rondo now. Part of the problem might be gasoline density. When filling up at 109 degrees, the volume of gas is less per gallon then when at something really cold, like 90 degrees ! Of all the cars I have had, 16 MPG for a new engine in the middle of a miserable summer really isn't bad. If I am still getting 16 MPG in January, then Houston We Have A Problem Just for the heck of it, I'll top off the tank and take a 50 mile all highway drive. Stay tuned.

Replies to this message:
• coolmazda5 (Jul 24, 2007 6:00 am)
• vegasrondo (Jul 28, 2007 10:44 am)
  • coolmazda5 (Aug 04, 2007 4:25 am)