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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 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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Replying to: chiefbongo (Aug 08, 2008 10:53 am) From my point of view, it's pretty simple: People do get into car accidents (all the time), and stability control can help you avoid them or lessen their severity. I'll take the stability control, because I'm not one of those people who feel that it could "never happen to me," or that I'm such an outstanding driver that I could maneuver my way around whatever gets thrown at me. That's hubris (or youth). I've tested cars with and without stability control, and there's a difference. Both NTHSA and the IIHS think stability control is important enough to mandate, and I think that speaks volumes. So, like you said, it comes down to personal choice and budget. I find lots of ways to pinch pennies, but vehicle safety isn't one of them
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Replying to: researchqueen (Aug 08, 2008 11:16 am) Both NTHSA and the IIHS think stability control is important enough to mandate, and I think that speaks volumes So why they just don't bar the Mazda5 and others once and for all? They have the authority to do so. If it wasn't the case a lot of Chinese and Indian cars would be around already that is for sure... Look at the numbers in this post below and compare them with other "safe" vehicles with ESC. Yes, I agree is not the same, but if it would be so critical I doubt NHTSA/IIHS/NCAP would let them be running on the US streets http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f1a7505/0 |
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Replying to: researchqueen (Aug 08, 2008 11:16 am) And just remember, it only helps you if you see the accident coming and have time to react. If you drive distracted, tailgate, and do all the other stupid things that people do to take their attention away from the road reduce the time they have to react, stability control isn't going to help you. Take 200 people. Give 100 stability control and let them drive however they want, and get 100 to drive the way they were taught to drive (proper following distance, obey the speed limit, slow down in inclement weather). At the end of 10 years, I'll bet you that the 100 who drove safely had fewer accidents, fewer injuries, and fewer deaths than the people with who drove with a n extra safety feature. I'm not against stability control. If Mazda offered it, I wouldn't say "don't waste your money," because it's just 400-500 more as a one-time payment. But to get a different minivan, like a Toyota Sienna. Edmunds puts the base with standard options at $24,901, 5 grand more than the automatic transmission Sport 5. When you factor in gas costs at 14,000 miles per year with an average price of $5 a gallon over the next 5 years (which is optimistic), and the extra $5500 (5k plus tax and license) on a 7% note for the next 5 years, the difference in car payment and gas costs over 5 years is over $9,100. But if you're all fired up about safety, why not buy a $$27,617 Toyota Sienna with AWD? It only gets 16 city and 21 highway, but all-wheel drive gives you at minimum twice as much traction as traction control (traction control only helps the powered wheels, which is the front two in front-wheel-drive). Sure it will cost you a couple grand more a year in payments and gas, but you can never be too safe. Or heck, why not just get a Hummer, iron plate it, put huge extra bumpers all around it, and line the interior with 6 inch thick foam padding? Probably only run you 100 grand, but boy would you be safe. Heck, you're probably safer riding a bus everywhere. You'd sure as heck be safer if you never left the house. Eventually you find a point at which the cost of safety and the odds of incident balance out. And that point is different for everyone. I'm just trying to provide some numbers that aren't in the IIHS report so people can make a more informed decision. I've made mine. |
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This whole thread started when Cydwel posed the question… “Does the fact that this car (Mazda5) has no traction control / stability control matter?” Let’s take a tally of the responses on this post alone. By my count, of the 47 posts – just 15 of them represent the voting voice of individuals. 10 agreed that DSC is a must 5 noted that DSC is nice, but not critical. Of the 10 DSC advocates looking for a change, most of these responders where actively shopping for a car and took a strong voice, expressing exasperation that Mazda had neglected to add DSC. Most indicated that this was a major issue – a sale killer. Several claim to have even gone so far as to contact Mazda personally and let them know how important this safety feature was for the ’09 model makeover - in the hopes of buying an improved version. Now, with DSC confirmed to be left off for ‘09 and, and with patience exhausted and voice ignored, some are bittered to the Mazda brand – and may never buy from Mazda. So that means at minimum Mazda lost 9 documented M5 sales – one of whom apparently works for Edmunds.com as an auto reviewer (oops – that might be a costly single sales loss – ouch!). Who knows how many others have this same disappointed opinion and just decided never to post a comment? Worse yet, what of the reputation of Mazda USA brand?, publicly sullied by this issue. For the other five that felt that DSC is not as critical. I would note that these five all seem to have one thing in common, they all appear to have already purchased an M5 (coolmazda5, loyal to the end, has two in the stable, so maybe I should count him twice…. naah). To these noble defenders of the M5 as is, I would suggest that perhaps the underlying reason for your position on this subject is that you are simply protecting the honor of your own purchase – defending the reputation of your noble steed. Please try to lay aside your personal bias and ask yourself this instead: Given the opportunity to buy a brand spank’n new ’09 M5 today, would you prefer the opportunity to option out DSC (to at least have the choice)? And wouldn’t the choice of DSC as an option improve or otherwise raise the standard for the Mazda5, even if paired with a minor cost increase for the model year. The answer is (as research queen so eloquently put it)… HELL YES. Now that was pretty easy for us here to all figure out… so what the heck is wrong with Mazda USA management? Oh…. and to truly answer the original post, consider that Cydwel, the father of this thread, decided in the end to buy a Subaru WITH TRACTION CONTROL (see post #28 for yourself). Guess he answered his own question in the end. So for ’09, I will rest my case too, and like Cydwel, I will make my strongest point with my wallet. I am off to my Toyota dealer to buy a new Sienna. Yes, she may be bloated and thirsty (again, no thanks to Mazda USA) but at least I will hit my primary purchase goal - SAFETY. |
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Thought maybe I could have the dealer add DSC after the purchase. I know... I know, it was a long shot (and kinda crazy), but the parts exists and it seamed like a plausible equip. install, what with the Mz3 sharing parts. Cost (within reason) at this desperate point was not an issue for me. Officially, from Mazda the answer is: No My original email to Mazda USA, dated 8/1/08: I understand that DSC (dynamic stability control system) is not/will not be available for the 08-09 Mazda5. Can DSC be installed, as a dealer install option? (i.e. can it be added on/or retrofited to a car at owners cost after purchase). DSC is a must for me and I am willing to have it custom installed, if possible, so I can enjoy a new Mz5 AND have the latest in safety tech for my new family. Is this possible? I understand DSC is a factory installed option for Mz5s bound for other oversees markets (same production line...) and I know the Mz3 (the frame from which the Mz5 is developed) has DSC as an available factory option too. I only presume the parts, e-hardware and install specs exist for a qualified mechanic to make use of). If yes, where, and at what cost, can I get this installed? Please know; I am extremely dissapointed to see that that the '09 Mz5s will not come to USA with DSC. I was all set for a new GT Mz5. Outstanding niche product, with one fatal flaw. Mazdas Official Response dated 8/11/08: We regret that the 2008 & 2009 Mazda5 does not have Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). This is a factory-only installed option and therefore can not be installed/added-on by the dealer. We have documented your suggestion for our corporate records which are vehicle specific. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products and features to our customers for future model consideration. Thanks again for contacting Mazda and have a great day. Regards, XXX Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business So that settles it for me. No Mazda5. Thought anyone else who was thinking about this possibility might like to know...
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Replying to: autoholic75 (Aug 11, 2008 11:39 am) Not me. Unless I have a financial windfall this month so I can take advantage of deals on the '08 models, I'll probably be buying in October. Right now I have a 2002 Elantra GT (the hatchback Elantra that looks a *little* like a Saab 93) I bought back in October '01. It doesn't even have ABS, much less traction or stability control. I've driven it in the rain and occasional snow of Seattle for 7 years. The 5 will give me more weight (which means more traction off the bat) and ABS, so even though it isn't every safety feature I could want, it's a step up AND it's in my price range. Autoholic, I'm really happy for you that you have an extra $2k+ a year to spare for gas and car payments. Is that coming out of the yacht maintenance fund or the salary of the gardener at your summer home? See, for many of us, it would be coming out of the kids' college funds, the retirement savings, or cancelling the annual Christmas trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Like I said, DSC and Traction Control aren't the end-all, be-all of safety. AWD is safer than Traction Control. Armor plating your car adds safety. Staying home adds safety. At some point you decide how much "safety" is within your price range and personal tolerance range and make your decision.
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Replying to: autoholic75 (Aug 11, 2008 12:15 pm)
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Replying to: autoholic75 (Aug 11, 2008 11:39 am) 
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Replying to: maltb (Aug 11, 2008 12:49 pm)
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Replying to: cydwel (Mar 03, 2008 12:16 pm) The subject of traction control did not matter to me when I purchased our 08 M5 GT in April. I thought about it for 2 seconds thinking it would be a cool option to have but realistically it really isn't all that necessary for where I live. So I'm rather thrilled I saved $500 on an option that I really did not need. I equate traction control being an issue about as much as the car scoring a 4.9/5 in crash tests instead of a 5/5. Really not all that significant to me. Good luck to those who wrote or need it. Maybe 2010 is the year! Now if I lived in a colder climate or had traction issues then yes I think it would be a great option and open more of the market up to Mazda. But the car is what it is and if traction control is a must have item then maybe something like a Rondo would work better for some people. I applaud those who have taken the time to write Mazda and express their feelings about traction control. Maybe in the next couple years it will show up as an optional item like the DVD or navigation for those who need such a thing before it is mandated. But if it's not, then it's Mazda's loss if that is a deal breaker for some as I understand the need in some circumstances. Good luck to those who wrote Mazda and need traction control. Maybe 2010 is the year? |
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