Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo

Replying to: haviland (May 01, 2009 8:57 am)

Replies to this message:
• tourist1292 (May 21, 2009 10:04 am)
  • coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 5:06 am)
    • tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 6:50 am) and 2 more...

Replying to: davidfehr (May 05, 2009 9:20 pm)

To be honest with the name of that site you have posted here Mazda may not want you to buy or lease a car back from them either (BTW, the link seems blocked)
 
Best of luck, we hope you get a better deal (car/money) in the future

Replies to this message:
• gearhead1977 (May 12, 2009 5:04 am)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (May 07, 2009 10:18 am)

Just picked up a new 08 GT Mazda 5. The driving dynamics of the Mazda are far superior to the Rondo. The sliding doors work better in our narrow garage and the Mazda interior is nicer IMHO, although the Kia isn't bad really. The Mazda is OK on power, but I do wish it had more. The engine revs smoothly and quickly, so it doesn't feel slow, except above 75 mph or climbing a steep hill. But since it corners so well, I don't have to slow down much and can keep the momentum up through the corners. The V6 in the Kia was a bit coarse sounding too.
 
The 50 series tires on 17 inch wheels will be painful to replace cost wise. But the "Zoom-zoom" factor makes it worth it.
 
Never had a Mazda either, so I wanted to try out the brand. As soon as I drove the 5, that was it for the Kia. I had an 01 Hyundai Elantra before, it was fine, but it was a driving appliance, not a drivers car. It was so boring to drive, I traded for a an 01Ford Focus ZX3 and never looked back.
 
For us, the Mazda was the best overall combination of fun,function and value.

Replying to: haviland (May 01, 2009 8:57 am)

Replying to: dona83 (May 06, 2009 1:14 pm)

Replies to this message:
• coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 5:06 am)
  • tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 6:50 am)
    • coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 10:22 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: tourist1292 (May 21, 2009 10:04 am)

Hmmm, let's clarify those 4" (4.1" to be precise) of overall extra legroom:
 
1st, 2nd and 3rd legroom dimensions:
 
Rondo: 41.3+38.2+31.3=110.8"
Mazda5: 40.7+35.2+30.8=106.7"
 
I would appreciate the 3" 2nd row difference (which is of no use for me as I have 2 rear facing car seats and the individual captain chairs' back seat reclining is more critical to me, but 0.4" extra in the 3rd row can really make a difference?
 
http://autos.yahoo.com/2009_mazda_mazda5_sport-specs/
http://autos.yahoo.com/kia_rondo_ex-specs/

Replies to this message:
• tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 6:50 am)
  • coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 10:22 am)
    • tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 11:04 am)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 5:06 am)

Replies to this message:
• coolmazda5 (May 22, 2009 10:22 am)
  • tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 11:04 am)

Replying to: tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 6:50 am)

And you can do exactly the same with the Mazda5, plus you have the extra space in between the 2nd row seats to stretch a leg or so when needed, like my dad just did today during a trip to the museum as he had surgery recently (6 passengers, 2 car seats in the 2nd row). Again, I'm not sure I follow the logic with 1/2in extra here and 1/2in extra there (you may also be a not very tall driver, so that might help too), but hey, if that works for your family, that is a good thing, that is what matters

Replies to this message:
• tourist1292 (May 22, 2009 11:04 am)