Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

[stefan]

I'm looking at getting a Mazda 5 (used) as a run-around vehicle for my wife's dayhome. As far as size and function go, it's pretty much exactly what we are after. Hoping someone has some knowledge about this car. Specifically, there seems to be a pretty significant issue with the rear sway bar on this thing. I'm googling around and it looks like there may be upgraded parts out now, but is seems the problematic part was installed from 2007-2011 - so pretty much the entire used market. Basically, if there is a real fix out there, I'm not to concerned, but if they are fixing bad parts with more bad parts, I'm not much in to dealing with that!

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

Cheers

[Lo)2enz0]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

I used to be a tech at kramer. Ya the sway bar noise was a big issue but an easy repair to swap them out. Basically its a larger version of the mazda 3

If your looking at an auto they need the transmission fluid changed on a regular basis. I've seen cars with 30,000km with burnt black fluid and if this isn't replaced the transmission tend to go.

imo they really aren't that bad of a car. no real issues that aren't a cheap fix and like all cars as long as your on top of your maintenance it will last

one problem that hurts the wallet is the stereo and display. sometimes the display go and its like a $200 part

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Any idea if the replacement sway bar is updated? I saw some online comments suggesting the sway bar got updated last year - you probably aren't that in touch with that part if is a recent change I suppose. It sounds like prior to that, the replacement part had the same issue, and squeaks and clunks came back after the repair. In bad cases, enough to throw out the rear alignment and cause tire wear. Also, is the sway bar swap fairly DIY (assuming I'm reasonably competent... )
I'd be shopping for the manual transmission - so the auto issue is not an issue at all. Stereo is a bugger - but not the end of the world.

[Lo)2enz0]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

I haven't been at mazda for over 2 years so I wouldn't know if they had a recall. One of my best friends just left kramer, I will ask him if he knows anything about it but that seems like an apprentice job

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Thanks a bunch.
I don't think it was a recall, just an upgraded part.

[Benjamin]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Only 1 person I knew had one and she complained about the lack of trunk space and real crappy gas mpg's. She had a manual as well and was not happy with it at all, but then again not everybody is going to love every car.

[Bitzer]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Personally, I would stay away from any Mazda product. I bought a new protege 5 in 2003, and within the 3yr/60000 warranty, the rear fenders had to be repainted three times. I had the car paint protected and undercoated, but the rear fenders just started to peel and rust. Each time I brought the car in to get looked at Mazda constantly tried to get out of fixing the fenders, saying I lowered the suspension "which it wasnt", I had aftermarket rims and tires on "they where the stock 16's", etc etc. Once my three years was up and only 48,000k's on the car, both the dealership and Mazda Canada "washed" their hands clean of the situation and told me not to contact them anymore about it. Some research on the internet quickly showed me that Mazda using to much recylced metal, didnt glavanize either, and switched to a low VOC paint. When the new mazda 3's came out, I saw 2 year old models rusting in the rear hatches and fenders, Ive seen very very clean looking mazda 5's with rust and last week I was talking to a gentleman outside of the Canadian tire on Calgary trail and his 2 year old Mazda cx-7 was rusting on the rear hatch and he was getting the same run around I was getting. The only good thing I could say about my mazda was it was actually really fun to drive, but if the car rusts away before its paid off, then what good is it.

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Ben,
Yeah, I know it's tiny. It is just to move dayhome kids, not their stuff. Passat wagon is still our family car. Mpgs is too bad, but probably not a big deal as miles per year will be low.

Bitzer,
Interesting. I have several friends with mazdas (3s) with, fortunately, less problems than you. I'll try to look at a few old ones if I do go this route and see how they are holding up.

Could look at some other cooler/higher quality 6-7 seater non-minivans, (xc90?) but would have to go a lot older to be in the right price range for a day home that doesn't bring in a pile of cash.

Thanks for input guys!

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

What is up with the wagons that have rear facing bench? The seats area meant for smaller kids, under 4.5 feet or something close, but you can't use booster seats. How does that work? Are they safe withou booster because they are rear facing? I'm assuming the seats must be useful/legal for someone.... (all road, merc, among others...)

[Stonewall]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

You mean rear facing seats like my van

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ255332196

For example. Can I put my kids back there?

[Lo)2enz0]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

In all honesty after working on mazdas they really aren't that bad. As for Bitzers problem with the protege5.... those cars are horrible. So many of them rusted in those rear quarters and behind the protege emblem. those cars were always a nightmare when they came in.

oh and forgot to mention 1 thing i hate about the 5... the rear seats. you have to be a midget to sit back there

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

They would be midgets... . Just hoping they can be midgets in carseats.

[Khyron]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

My sister has a 5 and there's no way the rear seats are any good for kids in front or rear facing. I don't even think it's legal to put kid seats back there. It's ok for those backless booster seats. I would not allow my kids in the back row. If you have more than 2 kid seats, stop living in denial and get a cheap domestic van. Get a turbo van and have a bit of fun when the kids are not around?

Still have the collie?

[stefan]

Re: Mazda 5 - Anyone know anything?

Yup, still have the dog.

Van is still possible, but in that case, it will be a beater and I'll keep my mk3. I need the extra space for 6 1.8km drives a week. The rest of the time, it is not needed at all. We'd prefer something small for the rest of the time. On the other hand, if we do buy a van and keep it as a third vehicle, we can likely write of the entire cost of it if it is business use only.