Behold! The Millenium Falcon! (Mazda5 content)

so... When are you going to tint the windows like this?

The forester weighs 3250 and the 5 allegedly 3422 (MT). Also, I don't buy the mileage issue- I'm not trying to argue too heavily on the Forester's behalf, but the new EPA says 21/27, and I have similar anecdotal evidence to the contrary of what is said here about "coming close to the epa rating". My mom gets 30 cruising at 70. I haven't driven a 5 to compare and decide whether one is anemic compared to another. I still like the 6 seats of the 5, but again, the cargo space: Forester: 33.5/68.3 (back seats up vs back seats down) 5: 5.5/44.4 (back seats up vs back seats down)

I'm starting to sound like a forester freak, but there has to be more to this than the specs. From what I see, aside from the 6th seat, the forester wins in all the mathematical calcs. Sounds like there's more to it though.

2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 0-60 mph 8.9 Quarter Mile 16.9 2011 Subaru Forester 0-60 9.2 Quarter Mile 17.0

Not that much difference.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Forester: 33.5/68.3 (back seats up vs back seats down) 5: 5.5/44.4 (back seats up vs back seats down)

You can't be overlooking the fact that the 5 has a whole extra row, can you? The 68.3 is all you get period in the Forester. The 5 still has 2 very comfortable adults sitting in the back seat at 44.4.

Realistic cargo comparison:

6 Passengers: Mazda5 11.7/Forester 0.0 with one guy laying on the floor in the boot

4 Passengers: Mazda5 44.4/Forester 33.5

2 Passengers: Mazda5 89.3/Forester 68.3 Source

Teh E36 M3 wrote: The forester weighs 3250 and the 5 allegedly 3422 (MT). Also, I don't buy the mileage issue- I'm not trying to argue too heavily on the Forester's behalf, but the new EPA says 21/27, and I have similar anecdotal evidence to the contrary of what is said here about "coming close to the epa rating". My mom gets 30 cruising at 70. I haven't driven a 5 to compare and decide whether one is anemic compared to another. I still like the 6 seats of the 5, but again, the cargo space: Forester: 33.5/68.3 (back seats up vs back seats down) 5: 5.5/44.4 (back seats up vs back seats down) I'm starting to sound like a forester freak, but there has to be more to this than the specs. From what I see, aside from the 6th seat, the forester wins in all the mathematical calcs. Sounds like there's more to it though. 2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 0-60 mph 8.9 Quarter Mile 16.9 2011 Subaru Forester 0-60 9.2 Quarter Mile 17.0 Not that much difference.

That's the "new" Forrester, which is completely different (and way larger) than the original Impreza-based one, which is what I was comparing. I've never driven the new one, and I clearly stated that in my post.

It is not way larger. It's pretty much the same size and less than 100 lbs difference from the original.

I didn't mean to bait anyone. I'm beginning to feel that we're entering argument stage rather than discussion. I think the 5 is a great car, but hadn't figured out what the major selling point was against something like the Forester. I think it's the 6th seat, as everything else seems about the same.

Josh wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Forester: 33.5/68.3 (back seats up vs back seats down) 5: 5.5/44.4 (back seats up vs back seats down)

You can't be overlooking the fact that the 5 has a whole extra row, can you? The 68.3 is all you get period in the Forester. The 5 still has 2 very comfortable adults sitting in the back seat at 44.4. Realistic cargo comparison: 6 Passengers: Mazda5 11.7/Forester 0.0 with one guy laying on the floor in the boot 4 Passengers: Mazda5 44.4/Forester 33.5 2 Passengers: Mazda5 89.3/Forester 68.3 Source

Yeah- I didn't know that you could fold the middle seats down in the 5. That's a big difference.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: I didn't mean to bait anyone. I'm beginning to feel that we're entering argument stage rather than discussion. I think the 5 is a great car, but hadn't figured out what the major selling point was against something like the Forester. I think it's the 6th seat, as everything else seems about the same.

I'm not intending to argue, but I feel like you're being a bit thickheaded here. As I pointed out, the interior volume in the 5 is significantly greater than the Forester. You were quoting cargo numbers comparing the Forester with the second and only row of rear seats folded down against the 5 with the second row still up. That may have been an innocent mistake, I've seen these numbers get misquoted in a few articles online as well.

EDIT: Nevermind me, I posted this before I saw your last post.

Vigo wrote: It is not way larger. It's pretty much the same size and less than 100 lbs difference from the original.

I don't know about weight, but the interior volume of the new Forrester is larger than the old one, as I have sat in both. Regardless, either way it still holds WAY less stuff than the 5, as already pointed out.

Kid tested, GRM Approved!

2 Adults + 2 car seats + 2 empty sets + stuff! The versatility and space available in this thing make it invaluable for parenting. Dare I say, the 5 should be part of the Trifecta?

Holiday road trip!

For the Memorial Day Weekend holiday we loaded up the Falcon with 2 mountain bikes, a tent, a metal awning, 2 coolers, 2 backpacks of clothes, a ton of food, firewood, a propane grill, toys, camping chairs, and hiking equipment (all inside too, natch) and hit the beach! We went to Cape Disappointment State Park and had a blast! The Falcon was the perfect road trip companion, and even scored 27+ MPG, which was impressive considering the amount of weight and the fact that I had to hustle to pass the logging trucks on the winding 2-lane roads.

By the way, the State Road loop that connects Cape D with Ilwaco has got to be one of the best driving roads, in the world. It is seriously that good.

It'll be part of the trifecta when i can get a good one for $3500 or less.

Updates!

Road Trip #2: Ricahrdson's Rock Ranch!

For Mrs. Javelin’s birthday we went on a surprise road trip to Richardson’s Rock Ranch, just north of Madras, OR. It’s about a 400 mile round trip to central Oregon over a mountain pass and into some frankly gorgeous scrub land with fantastic fault lines and ridges. We took the Falcon, which performed great! The Ranch itself is a working cattle ranch with geode pits where you can dig out your own geodes that they can cut open on site (highly recommended!). The best part for cars on the trip? All of the roads at the ranch are gravel! The 5 does a pretty good impression of a stage rally machine!

Right before that trip the Falcon hit 75K miles (during another road trip to Portland for a buddies Bachelor Party, where the 5 performed the ferry 4 drunk-dudes in the back duty) so I did the service which consisted of 5W20 synthetic oil and a cartridge filter. After the rally stages I changed the air filter, too.

Nice lines!

The Mazda5 was designed by the same guy that did the 05 Mustang and the original Mazda3. It has some very nice lines, especially at the front. The headlights in particular are very futuristic without the annoying squeezy-toy bulge so popular with other Japanese makes right now.

Silver connoisseur:

This driveway shot is hilarious to me. All 3 of our currently-drivable cars are some sort of silver. The Mazda5 is Platinum Silver and is slightly darker than the silver color on the wheels; the Grand Prix GT is Galaxy Silver, and the 944 is Zermatt Silver (more like a beige or slightly golden color).

Want to know a secret? I loathe silver cars! I’d much rather have that Medium Blue or Dark Purple on the 5 (then it wouldn’t be the Falcon I guess) and Black or Gunmetal on the 944 (or even Guards Red). Not nearly enough color here!

Cali Road Trip!

My little sister had her first baby last month so we needed to go visit her! They live in Garden Valley, CA, which is in the mountains between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe by Coloma (where gold was discovered) and Georgetown (Rubicon Trail). So we did what any car family would do: packed up the Falcon and drove 12 hours there! It was a great trip and the 5 was smooth and comfy for the long hours on the road. We averaged over 30MPG, even climbing the Siskiyou Pass between Oregon and California. The little 2.3 loses some pep up in the elevation, but still gets going pretty well. I long to re-do this trip solo with a MS3 swap though!

Awesome man. I can't believe this thing gets about the same gas mileage as my fit!!!

I haven't calculated out the last 3 tanks yet, but I'm pretty sure one of them was 32.5...

I can't wait to take the roof rack off, lower it, and start doing some basic aero mods. Can I get to 40MPG on a 6-person van on E10 while doing 75???

manual makes a big efficiency difference, regardless of what OEMs say.

On my old 2.0/auto 3 the highest i got was 42mpg with no mods AT ALL, probably including a semi-flat tire or something stupid too.

So i think with some mods a 5 could be hypermiled up to 40, especially with a stick. That would be neat!

Javelin, thank you for this thread!

You're making my truck look less desirable with every post. Now, I gotta figure out a way to find a manual trans Falcon and the money to pay for it.

Vigo, agreed 100%. I always get better real-world mileage with a stick. I do have to say I am the anti-hypermiler!

oldsaw, They are easy to find cheap with the stick because they are so "undesirable" to the masses. I still can't believe I'm driving a 5 year old car for $9250.

I saw this post some time ago and it got my interest. So now, some unforeseen family growth has got me seriously considering it. Thanks for the updates Javelin.

What would you guys say about a 2006 with 145k on the clock? Dealer in Lancaster, PA called Cheap Heaps has one and the price listed is "Cheap! what else is there to say?" Should I be scared off by mileage this high?

That mileage is nothing. There's literally nothing to maintain in these things except the struts. How much is cheap? I'd say do it for anywhere south of $9K.

I just called them and they're asking $9650. The drivers side looks dorked up between the fender/door and Edmunds puts the retail at about half of that.

There's another silver one a lot closer to me for around the same money with only 88k. I may have to go take a look this weekend.

I've been talking to a buddy about getting rid of his old caravan for a 5, even new it was right around $20k before dickering

Bruce,

That 88K one sounds better. $9650 for 145K miles and road rash??!? Cheap Heaps is a rip off joint IMO. Not that our market matters to where you are, but I paid $9250 out the door with 69,9xx miles on it. I'm up to 77,5xx or so now. I'd say a similar condition one with 88K miles should be around $8500 here. I dunno if prices will be higher in your area though.

I figured as much. For being a PA car and that kind of price, I just said thanks and let it go at that.

Who's got the best Mazda forum going?

Uh, you're on it! This thread is like the #1 result on nearly any google search for Mazda5 forum.