Mazda5?

hello! We are looking into buying a Mazda 5, or possibly a mini van. The Mazda 5 gets better gas mileage than a mini van, and it also is able to seat 6. The thing I am wondering about is the Mazda gets really good safety ratings, but the two rear seats seem like they are pretty much right in the trunk, not sure how safe my son and a friend would be?

anyone own one of these that could offer some thoughts or insights? What you like or about it?

also, living in Wisconsin we would need to put snow tires on in the winter, which isn't an end all but it's an added inconvenience we don't have now.

Thanks!

Coram Deo wrote:

hello! We are looking into buying a Mazda 5, or possibly a mini van. The Mazda 5 gets better gas mileage than a mini van, and it also is able to seat 6. The thing I am wondering about is the Mazda gets really good safety ratings, but the two rear seats seem like they are pretty much right in the trunk, not sure how safe my son and a friend would be?

anyone own one of these that could offer some thoughts or insights? What you like or about it?

also, living in Wisconsin we would need to put snow tires on in the winter, which isn't an end all but it's an added inconvenience we don't have now.

Thanks!

Wouldn't know - I have a Toyota Highlander and it's awesome - perfect for a single dad with 2 kids, plus the third row seat. Very safe car. Plus, it's 4WD, well technical all wheel drive with a snow button. No issues in the snow at all. I've got the V6 engine, average around 24 MPG highway and city. The 4 banger engine is way too small and not enough power for my tastes!

That's right it is a 4 cyn. Not excited about that either.

You might want to check out the Toyota Rav 4.



Spacious, comfortable and easy to drive, the 2012 Toyota RAV4 is good choice for a small-to-midsize crossover SUV, especially if you want a V6 or a usable kid-size third-row seat. Yet newer competitors are definitely worth a look.

Pros
Strong power and fuel economy from optional V6; huge cargo space with flat load floor and low load height; comfortable ride; responsive handling.

Cons
Interior has a budget feel; right-side hinge for tailgate impedes curbside loading; taller drivers are a tight fit; disappointing four-cylinder.

The thing is guys only, American cars need 8 sylinders and 5.0 litre motors. The Japanese people figured out how to draw enough power using 1.6 litre motors with only 4 sylinders decades ago!

kmorg wrote:

The thing is guys only, American cars need 8 sylinders and 5.0 litre motors. The Japanese people figured out how to draw enough power using 1.6 litre motors with only 4 sylinders decades ago!

Some are ok (in cars), but most SUV or Minivan 4's struggle.

kmorg wrote:

The thing is guys only, American cars need 8 sylinders and 5.0 litre motors. The Japanese people figured out how to draw enough power using 1.6 litre motors with only 4 sylinders decades ago!

And their 6 cylinders are awesome!

1.6 is fine for a tiny, sub-compact car, they do OK in midsize cars but once you get to a full size car, SUV or minvan, you need at least a 6. Plus, if you've got a full load in a subcompact (4 people) forget, they struggle.

When ya live on high mountain range like I do, 6 cylanders is still kinda pansy. I put a 8 cyl 318 in my Dodge Dakota 4 x 4. I have issues with the 4 cyl in the ol ladies car. Mileage is great but it really struggles on upgrades and that is hell on the rings.

If I lived in a flat big city. a Mazda 5 4 cyl. would be killer.

Pfft. Norway is not known to be a flat country at all, and most of us do well with much smaller engines. I have a 1.6 litre diesel in a Peugeot station wagon, and we are a family of 5. It has no problems taking me where I want to go, including uphill. Of course, I stay on the roads

Besides, in the future it will be required to use fuel saving engines, to save the envorment. Then what will you do?

I still dream about the M5 that got away...

If I was in a better place financial I would have snapped the 2010 I was drooling over with 20,000 on it.

Loved everything about and researched it to death. My favorite part was the rear sliding doors on both sides!

Some day I'll get me one of these.

martinsane wrote:

I still dream about the M5 that got away...

If I was in a better place financial I would have snapped the 2010 I was drooling over with 20,000 on it.

Loved everything about and researched it to death. My favorite part was the rear sliding doors on both sides!

Some day I'll get me one of these.

The sliding doors are definitely one of the selling points.

kmorg wrote:

Pfft. Norway is not known to be a flat country at all, and most of us do well with much smaller engines. I have a 1.6 litre diesel in a Peugeot station wagon, and we are a family of 5. It has no problems taking me where I want to go, including uphill. Of course, I stay on the roads

Besides, in the future it will be required to use fuel saving engines, to save the envorment. Then what will you do?

I need the power cause for my job in the spring/summer/fall, I have to pull a camper behind me. The elevation where I live is 4200 ft above sea level and the grades are long and steep. 5 or 6 % for miles sometimes. Trust me if I could get away with pulling a camper w/ a four cylander I would. A camper shell is good for sleeping but ya can't cook or bathe.