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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo
806 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 2:38 PM
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Replying to: ofionnachta (Sep 23, 2009 11:15 am) The photos above from coolmazda are a good indication of available storage for carrying items. They are not going to match a minivan as its a much smaller vehicle, but within its context they are very efficient vehicles for space useage. I find it much easier to get in and out compared to a minivan but like that chair-like seating instead of the typical low car seating. I've just returned from a 43 day, 14,377 km trip and found it very comfortable (I'm 5'-11"), I had no sore backs, but usually tried not to go more than 3 hours continuous driving without a stop. It was very economical and so far with over 46,000 km I don't regret my purchase. You have to drive and judge for yourself if it fits your requirements and check owners comments from this and other forums. |
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Replying to: ofionnachta (Sep 23, 2009 11:15 am) i bought my Rondo 8 weeks ago and it is not a fancy car, but down to earth practical. 7 seats for the visiting in-laws grocery bag hook by the passenger side (no need to find those oranges under the seat anymore) headlights auto off automatic rearm if you press the unlock button unintentionally excellent headroom, even in the 3rd row i'm happy with everything except the FE, i'm only getting 19mpg in the city and i don't have a heavy foot. but the cheaper insurance cost kind of compensates that. believe it or not, the insurance on the brand new Rondo is cheaper than my 10 year old minivan. |
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Thank you all, very much, for the input! The Civic is abt a 2001 or 02, and the teeth rattling is what my teen daughter complains about in the back seat. She says that she feels every wrinkle in the road--she had not realized that not all cars were like this until she began to sit in various vehicles on our test drives. We don't need the 7 seats; that is why we are unloading the van. We do need cargo room on a pretty regular basis---supplies for house projects, camping things for Scouts, etc etc. I sometimes need to carry furniture which is why I'd like the seats to fold all the way flat. Those rear seats in the Mazda do go pretty flat--the salesman who showed us one did not make them do that! He seems not to have known they could--when I asked about it, he told me that is as far as they go. They were just slanting forward a bit. We did like the Mazda 5 other than that, but felt the mpg was not so great, also no need for 6 seats. We drove an Elantra Touring a few days ago. For the price there is nice space to carry things, but not as much as the Rondo. The 2nd row seats are kind of hard. They do not fold as flat as those in the Kia. It does feel like it rides a little higher than the Civic we had been driving to get there. The gas mileage is the best of all the vehicles we have been thinking of. The (Touring) dealership had added $500 for pinstriping and another $500 for waxing and "cloth care package" (I know what that is!) and also more than 3k for "AMV" or "AVM" whatever the heck that is. I asked the saleswoman, who was a young, very inexperienced, single mother, and I do wish her the best. She had no idea and thought it had to do with getting the electronics set up, like the computer. I doubt that, but I am not paying over 3k for anything that isn't itemized and well explained, and even then I'll have to want it. A lot, to add 3K to a 17K car! Kia has a promotion going, $1500 off; I was just quoted a Net price of a bit over 16k for a new 09. Also, there are used 09 OBs, mileage abt 6500-9k, in the area for around 22k. They were fleet cars, owned either by the dealership & used as loaners I suppose, or by rental companies that I notice were near airports. Any thoughts?
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Replying to: ofionnachta (Sep 24, 2009 10:44 am) Forget those waxing and cloth care paks all of them just heavy padding on your price for very little. Go after market for any of that stuff. Check out the list price at the KIA site for prices and special promotions as there will be good buys on any '09's left in stock, but your selection maybe limited. Not sure if you are in the US or Canada, but I'm thinking US. When I bought mine I used the facilities of Car Cost Canada to find out what the dealer cost was and any promotion deals, so I'm sure there is something similar in the US for that purpose. It cost me $40 but felt it was money well spent at least you know exactly what you are looking at when you go to purchase. Your right there is $1500 cash back in the US (expires Sept 30th), Canada is offering $2000 off and 0% financing for 48 months (it also expires Sept 30th), but then a new deal will start in October, but less and less '09 stock available each day, so you can't be as selective in your package or colour for '09's. |
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Yeah, I have no intention of paying $500 for striping which I don't want anyway. While in their dealership---this is a Cadillac/Hyundai place----I watched a little old guy actually painting stripes on a red Touring in their showroom. Not that tape stuff. He used a stencil. I think I finally figured out what AMV or AVM is -- an all around camera system so you can back up & park without turning your head. They are nuts, installing that on an entry level family use car, which is what a Touring is, imo, at 18 - 19 k MSRP. I did not see a screen, either, in the Touring we drove -- making me think the item is on the window sticker but not in the car. There were not any stripes on the car at the moment, either. Another dealership is now emailing me trying to get me in before the end of the month (quota time) and mentioning the $1500. Anybody here think 16-17 k is good for a base Rondo? Anybody weighing in on whether a slightly used Outback, or a new Rondo, would be a better choice? Reliability and all that? Thanks again!
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Replying to: ofionnachta (Sep 25, 2009 7:08 am)  Just kidding, just keep on mind that this is a Mazda5/Rondo comparison thread, of course the answers can get a little bit biased  . Did you post your question in the wagons section as well?
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Sep 25, 2009 12:55 pm) Outback and pretty much all the Subaru cars get a thumb down from me. There are many many reasons why I like Subaru's, but their 4 gear transmissions kills it for me. I went to a dealer (rude) and I sat in an Outback. The driver's seat and space, controls etc. seamed designed especially for me. I was amazed how well I felt in there. But then the price and low tech.... I would get a Rondo. It seems to have less technical problems then the MZ 5, but then, like I said, where is Waldo? I called Galpin Mazda (huge dealer) and they say MZ5 will come mid October or the latest close to the end of October. I can streach it that far, so I'm back to Mazda 5. Why a Mazda 5? We simply love the way it looks! And it is also a minimalistic aproach to our needs, which are 3 raws of seats. for mom, dad, kid 1 (car seat), kid 2 (car seat/carier), grand ma'. I am fully prepared to put a cargo box on top, a trailer hich for bikes on the back and to get out and push it uphil  Thanks for all the help, guys and girls! |
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Replying to: ofionnachta (Sep 23, 2009 11:17 am)
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Apart from being biased, as I just bought one.. I say yes. reasons are simple, in the context of it's only contender, the Mazda5: Space to Gas to Ride Quality to Utility to Features ratios...: SPACE, marginally more than the 5, but more configurable. Gas: less fuel efficient with the canadian 177hp 4cyl., but added power means better highway performance, plus the Theta II engine is a well proven engine across multiple manufacturers (read cheaper parts) Quality: same as 5, some components are better put together, though not as snazzy looking as 5. Utility: ok.. so look at space above.. Features: Far exceed the 5 at same trim levels Top this off with dealer incentives to get rid of 2009 models, I got mine at 23K Cdn EX Premium with 2 years of service free. Java Brown (dunno if I will regret that but hey).. Currently drive a ford escape 2009, company car, which is being taken away from us, as well as salary reductions... All roads pointed to KIA for me.. and I am thus far pleased... though I have yet to drive it!
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Replying to: torontodad (Oct 08, 2009 9:35 am) is that including PDI, documentation, levy, finance fee...etc (except sales taxes) ? |
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