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Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue?

71 messages,  Last post on Apr 07, 2009 at 11:22 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Car Safety, Van


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#28 of 71
I am still here - but not with a Mazda 5 by cydwel
Mar 26, 2008 (7:20 am)
Reply

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Mar 15, 2008 7:38 am)

Yes - I have not replied since March 4 because on March 8 - I inked a deal on a brand new black Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited WITH - ta da! - VDC.
The Blue Mazda5 GT we had our name on will arrive in Lee's Summit, Missouri next month, and we will not be picking it up all because there was no DSC option and no IIHS/US DOT crash test data.
I wish whomever buys the car well. They are getting a very nice car.
But ultimately, the lack of a key and soon-to-be-required safety feature killed the deal and Mazda lost a sale. Add to that Subaru's financing and rebate specials, plus the rock-solid reputation for safety and durability, our new car is what it is.
We have a 2002 Jetta Wagon we love (it has the turbo - and traction control), but it will not last forever. When it is time for its replacement, the 5 will be at the top of our list, because by then, surely Mazda will have improved the safety features.
Thank you one and all for the information and insights your postings provided. All in all this is a great service Edmunds provides.
Peace,
Cydwel
#29 of 71
Re: I am still here - but not with a Mazda 5 [cydwel] by coolmazda5
Mar 26, 2008 (10:19 am)
Reply

Replying to: cydwel (Mar 26, 2008 7:20 am)

Cool stuff, the Legacy is a fine car, I also took a look of it when shopping around for my first Mazda5 and the issue came to the 2nd row hinge doors and 2nd row space for my humongous baby car seats (they have to be installed rear-facing). All is nice and dandy except for the front passenger seat, it needed to be all the way forward and could not be reclined, so for my wife was a big issue to travel like that.
 
The end of the story on my side:
 
  • I respect people needing DSC yet I don't think is that influential for a Mazda5 purchase (overall performance design, rest of safety features are great and IS not an SUV like a CX-7)

  • Drive as if your car does NOT have DSC even if it has it. Good driving skills are not substituted by technology. If you buy a car with DSC but become a careless driver with a false sense of safety, then the feature is useless.

  • Do not wait 1-2 years for a car to have DSC. Yes, you are buying/waiting for extra safety but if that means that your family needs to ride for another 1-2 years on an older car that does not have the safety features of a Mazda5 or similar, then your wait is pointless and your family is still at risk
  • #30 of 71
    Re: Stability Control [maltb] by dlavi
    Mar 28, 2008 (11:54 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: maltb (Mar 11, 2008 9:06 am)

    I would have considered the Mazda 5 when we bought a car last year if it had stability control. To me stability control is a must.
    #31 of 71
    Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [athenasius] by researchqueen
    Mar 31, 2008 (10:34 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: athenasius (Mar 05, 2008 7:34 pm)

    I agree with you (ahtenasius)... the fact that only cars with ESC are even considered for safety awards, plus the fact that the technology has been mandated on all cars sold in the U.S. by 2012, should tell the public something. ESC is considered the biggest potential lifesaver since the seat belt, at least from what I'm reading (Full disclosure: I work for Edmunds.) Is it a big deal that it's not on the MAZDA5? Hell yeah, it is. This is exactly the segment I'm looking at: I need an inxpensive car that has 6 or more seats, so the MAZDA5 and the Kia Rondo are high on my list. I'd probably buy the 5 tomorrow, except for the fact that it lacks ESC. Even in L.A., where the weather is good, it's something I want, because they drive like lunatics here and I want every safety feature possible for my kids. I'm sure I'm not the only one, and so Mazda will lose sales because of it. It just seems so short-sighted. It's too bad: I really like the zoom-zoom!
    #32 of 71
    Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [researchquee by coolmazda5
    Mar 31, 2008 (11:39 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: researchqueen (Mar 31, 2008 10:34 am)

    researchqueen,
     
    I'm with you, the Zoom-Zoom (along with manual transmission and the safety features, yeah, except ESC) have been on top of my list when buying a Mazda5. There are several articles out there related to the Mazda5 but I recalled at least one where Mazda indicates that it has listened closely to the NA market for the 08 model (I can attest it, the great majority of my 2006 Mazda5 car "gripes" have been addressed on my 2008 Mazda5 model, like more armrests, 2nd row A/C, more visible dashboard gauges, 5AT for the Auto tranny owners, minor engine enhancements, other bug fixes, etc.).
     
    So I'm wondering if this market has really pushed for ESC , especially with feedback like yours, a person who works for Edmunds. If I am a Mazda Product Manager, heck, I would be allover media feedback (Edmunds included of course) of my cars, that is for sure.
     
    Or maybe the ESC need feedback has not fallen into the right Mazda hands...
    #33 of 71
    The end of the story? No by autoholic75
    Apr 02, 2008 (10:55 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: coolmazda5 (Mar 26, 2008 10:19 am)

    This might be the end of the story for you... as you have your new car now and seem to be pleased. (BTW I appreciate all of your input as an owner with everyday experience).
     
    However, for those of us shopping now and considering all the different auto models now, I think this is a significant and influential issue. I also refuse to stop "beating this dead horse" because I want Mazda to hear my voice and know that DSC is needed in the upcoming '09 version. I really do like this car, and as I stated before, I would buy one in a heartbeat -but only if it comes with DSC. My fall back is Sienna -but I would rather not have such a huge gas hog as our primary mover in a big city.
     
    In your post it was implied that DSC is need only in SUVs, did I read that right? I have to respectfully disagree on this, and would propose that this tech system is a real benefit to any auto and should be provided in all. Yes it can most help in “toppy”, high cog vehicles like the CX-7, but it most benefits the ER lane change/split second avoidance maneuver that, when done at hwy speeds, can lead to loss of control in any car. I know this all too well from personal experience. Back in ’93 I destroyed a Chrysler Lebaron (and nearly myself). Had that car been equipped w/ DSC, I am confident I could have avoided my 9 days in the hospital.
     
    Most car manufacturers already recognize this logic and have adopted DSC as standard across the line, even at the economy levels. Consider even Kia, which provides DSC for the similar Rondo. Now I personally have no passion for this car and will not buy, but it is frustrating to know that this less expensive alternative has a more advanced safety options suite.
     
    Finally, remember that even if you think of yourself as a superbly safe driver and can live without such superfluous technology - know that not having it now will affect the resale value of the car down the road. Recall the trend that came with the airbag back in the early 90's and how not having one impacted the cars used sale/trade in. "Does it have an airbag?" This was one of the first questions asked by buyers from that time – and many chose to buy less expensive new cars with the latest safety options over quality used without for this very reason.
    #34 of 71
    Re: The end of the story? No [autoholic75] by coolmazda5
    Apr 02, 2008 (4:53 pm)
    Reply

    Replying to: autoholic75 (Apr 02, 2008 10:55 am)

    a)
    I would suggest to direct your comments to MAZDA if you want to be heard: www.mazda.com or www.mazdausa.com (They also have 800 numbers for the US). You may have realized by this time that here you won't get too far. Also, you are typing words I've never used, so do not IMPLY anything about my posts (superfluous technology?, superbly safe driver?)
     
    b)
    I don't own 1 Mazda5, but 2 Mazda5s (a 2006 and a 2008). Was I really concerned about DSC after owning one for almost 3 years? NO. Do I think DSC a good thing to have? YES, but not a critical one for a Mazda5 IMO. Do I think SUVs really need it more than a Mazda5? YES. There is something called gravity center and guess where SUVs have it compared to a Mazda5. As per a 1993 model, I think 15 years of engineering have improved the way cars are designed even when you don't include DSC...
     
    c)
    Resale value. I really squeeze the value out of my cars before I sell them so resale value is not my concern. And by the way, regardless, I got almost double the money out of my trade-in value (A Honda without DSC) than any trade-in value for a similar year/model with DSC plus all the top trim toys (Ford, GM, Nissan or Chrysler, just compare it on a Blue Book, don't take my word)
     
    d)
    As I mentioned it earlier, if you are concerned today, buy a car w/ DSC now, even a Rondo, serious, please do not wait to see if Mazda comes with it next year and continue being at risk for another year. I don't work for Mazda so I don't get a cent for my comments, it is just a solicited opinion.
     
    e)
    And drive safe, ABS, DSC, ESC, Traction Control, XYZ, ABC won't save you if you drive carelessly...
    #35 of 71
    Re: The end of the story? No [coolmazda5] by nahag1
    Apr 03, 2008 (11:23 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: coolmazda5 (Apr 02, 2008 4:53 pm)

    Ditto coolmazda5, couldn't have said it better!! Drive safe.
    For a car this size with a 2.3 engine and at this price, everything you get as standard on a 5 should be enough.
    Else, you can get whatever you want if you're willing to pay the price.
    As for the "Le Baron", try driving today a car with such a sensitive hydraulic steering, you'll see how dangerous that kind of power steering used to be.
    #36 of 71
    Mazda5 Stabilty Control by italian_jamoke
    Apr 03, 2008 (4:57 pm)
    Reply

    Replying to: nahag1 (Apr 03, 2008 11:23 am)

    Do you all know why Mazda doesn't offer stablity control? BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO. The Mazda 5 is the only vehicle of its kind in America. People will buy it, even if it doesn't have stablity control. They'll even buy it without having any crash data available. Believe me, Mazda will offer it as soon as one of two things happen:
     
    1) Another mini-mini van (with sliding doors) is available in America that has it.
     
    2) It's required by law.
     
    The only choices I have right now are the Kia Rondo and the Mazda 5. If you care about safety, like I do, then why would you buy a vehicle in which there is no crash data available, and no stablity control offered (even as an option). The stablity control is available in Europe. Hmmm, I wonder why? BECAUSE THEY HAVE COMPETITION IN THAT MARKET SEGMENT IN EUROPE. They will be losing another sale by me, but it won't matter much to them. They'll make their quota, and wait untill they're forced to offer it. All it does for me is make me not want to buy a Mazda ever again. I'm zooming to another manufacturer...
    #37 of 71
    Re: Mazda5 Stabilty Control [italian_jamoke] by coolmazda5
    Apr 04, 2008 (7:43 am)
    Reply

    Replying to: italian_jamoke (Apr 03, 2008 4:57 pm)

    LOL, this is the longest thread I've ever seen on a simple topic, but I'll keep feeding the troll , it is interesting. At least this last reply has a more down to earth explanation of why, I admit .
     
    KIA should be happy to read all this though, but regardless, I won't see a KIA (nor my wife) on my shopping list for a long time, those things are as ugly as sin, and yeah, I've read a lot of stories around KIA post-sales quality issues regardless of their "initial" quality claims (new cars). For that matter, I would prefer to buy exactly the same car I already have, again (which I did)...

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