DrBoost
UltimaDork
9/9/14 8:13 a.m.
We are replacing our 2005 very soon and one vehicle that is at the tippity-top of my wife’s list is the Mazda5. I know the 3 and 5 are very popular around here so I wanted to ask for some real-world opinions. We have three kids, ages 7, 10, and 12, so there will be 5 in the van any time we are all going somewhere. Often, (a few times a month) we will have a 6th person (usually an adult) with us as well.
How is the third row in the car for daily use? Are my kids, as they grow, going to hate me for buying a 5 instead of a minivan?
Matt B
SuperDork
9/9/14 8:27 a.m.
Third row is tight for adults. It's fine for relatively short trips, errands, dd duties, etc. However, it's not a spacious road trip car for that many people. Also, if you use the 3rd row there isn't any storage space, except some cubby holes underneath the 2nd row. That's really the kicker when compared to a "normal" minivan.
Driving-wise it is just so much more fun and connected than other vans, for obvious reasons. Plus manual. The acceleration isn't nearly as effortless as a modern Oddy/Sienna though with that relatively small four cylinder. A manual makes up for it, but you have to rev the piss out of it.
Maintenance wise it has been fairly reliable, but I did have to do the usual rear struts and sway bar bushings. Mine has 150K on it though, so I can't really blame it. Rear door actuators need replacing too.
We really like ours, but it's not perfect. We have 0 kids and a big dog, so it's a fantastic tool for our needs at the right price.
I call the 3rd row the "jump seats".
Functional for small in size or small in duration but hardly what I would call full size seating.
Here is the long standing Mazda5 thread:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/behold-the-millenium-falcon-mazda5-content/34680/page1/
DrBoost
UltimaDork
9/9/14 2:49 p.m.
I forgot about that thread. I'm still not sure if a 5 makes more sense than a Sienna or Quest (can't pay the Honda tax) for us yet.