Wife's CRV was t-boned and is totaled. My truck did not like getting pulled back into regular service, so I'm in a bit of a pickle to find a car. Just put a hold on an '08 Mazda5 with 125k. It's at a transmission shop who rebuilt the transmission because the owner flaked/walked.
Only major things I noticed on the test drive were:
- Squeaking rear suspension. Seems to be common on these cars, might even be covered under a tsb. Parked it and opened the hatch and rocked the back on the suspension to confirm it was the squeak I heard. Kinda like dry rubber mounts.
- Suspension seems a big rough. Might just be a tall/heavy body on a small car chassis. Nothing horrible, but not as plush as I figured a car of this type would be.
- Roaring from the back on certain roads. Could be tires? Didn't happen on the first part of the drive, only on the return.
- It needs a good cleaning. The one key was sticky and you really had to mash the button to get the doors open. Looks like I'll need to get a second key, gotta figure out if it's chipped.
I need a car quick, this seems to fit the bill and wouldn't suck to drive/own. Anything I should be aware of? Looks like I'll bring cash tomorrow around lunch to do the deal. (Gave him a check to hold it).
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
Should be good. 08 is 4 speed auto IIRC. Engine is a timing chain. The suspension is the weak point on these, but it is cheap. The rear is going to be sway bar bushings and camber arms, which is probably causing the tire roar. Front wise the LCA bushings and strut mounts go bad. I literally have a shelf full of parts here from my 10 that I'll happily send you.
We like ours. It's 100% a Mazda3 with a bigger van shaped body. Rides and drives like the smaller sporty compact it's based on, so pretty fun to drive but imo underpowered with the 2.3 4cyl. Not a cushy highway cruiser like a full size minivan.
They are awfully rust prone like most Mazdas from that time period if you live where roads get salted in the winter.
I was reading through the Millenium Falcon thread, which made me look at one in the first place. I don't have it yet, but depending on what it'll need when I get it home and give it a good once over, may hit you up Javelin for parts. Per the transmission shop, it's a five speed auto. Came from a family in Kansas (I'm in Texas) who was driving through when the transmission went out. Saw some rust on the edges of stuff underneath, but didn't look like any big issue.
Hoping it'll be a good car for the next year or so while we get our life back in order.
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
Sweet, the 5 speed is a good box. Just change the filter/fluid every 30K or so instead of 100K... The "manual mode" is hilariously competent. The stick is the right way (pull down to shift up; push up to downshift) and will actually hold the gear and bounce off the limiter until you shift. It won't downshift if it would result in an over-rev past redline and it will automatically select 1st at a stop. It wa sgreat for a slushbox.
No charge on parts, I need the garage space!! I haven't owned the 5 for 2 years 
Weve owned two. berkeleying LOVE them, and would buy another in a heartbeat.
Rear wheel bearings are flaky and noisy, but never seem to actually get play in them
They eat tires. And wheels. Swap to 16s when you can, and enjoy better ride, longer tire and wheel life, and cheaper tires
Lube the doors religiously, and use de-icer stuff on the rubbers if you're in snow country. Ors freeze shut here in nc, can't imagine Minnesota....
Watch for oil consumption and oil coolers leaking
Motor mounts seem to be a 40k wear item for the passengers side fluid filled one
We have a 2014 with the 2.5/5 speed automatic. We really like it, the driving dynamics are quite good and it's plenty of engine for the van.
lnlds
Reader
12/14/21 9:08 p.m.
Those mazda5s never did too well on side impact tests. Just food for thought since you lost the cr-v to a t-bone accident.
In reply to lnlds :
Well it's just anecdotal, but I lost my 06 to a red-light running Explorer. I was a-ok. The 08+ have side curtain air bags.
The CRV didn't fair well, either and it wasn't a high speed crash, so I'm not too concerned. I bet the 5 is significantly safer than a '97 CRV.
Funny, it just hit me the car had a Star Wars steering wheel cover and a Star Wars sticker on the back.
The Millenium Falcon thread made me consider these in the first place.
I'm going to take that as a good sign.
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
So far I've found you a set of NGK G-Power plugs, a cabin filter, a trans filter, 4 quarts of Mazda trans fluid, a 5L jug of full synthetic oil, and 4L of the Mazda coolant. I also have the owners manual from my 06.
Shoot me your address and I'll get it coming your way.
wspohn
SuperDork
12/15/21 12:47 p.m.
Think of it as a Mazda 3 that can carry more but is a bit top heavy and doesn't handle as well. Useful beasts.
In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :
You're a solid dude to offer that to the OP. I freakin love this forum.
Javelin is awesome!!! PM sent. You don't have to do it, but I appreciate it.
Just got it home. Drove it again when I got there and there was a bad shimmy. Turns out the porter didn't tighten the rear left wheel.... 
After that, it was nice a quiet. There's a clunk from the front right, but from the limited I've read, it's apparently very common on them, so I'll check it out this weekend. Quicker than I expected. Not super fast, but laughed when I chirped the tire going around a turn. I can absolutely see how some mild upgrades would wake it up. It'll be a struggle not to "improve" it and instead keep it in daily driver duties.....
Hopefully this weekend will be free enough to give it a good deep cleaning and a once over.
-Rob
If its that dark bue, its the spitting image of my wife's current van.
Window tint really helps the hvac keep up in summer.
Two things:
Other than this fantastic forum, is there a good Mazda forum I should bookmark?
Javelin, my PM kicked back. If you want to email me, it's my username at rocketmail . com
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
Email sent.
This is the place on the internet for Mazda5's. The facebook group is pretty okay.
Did it come with an Owner's manual?
Said it before, I'll say it again, I love these little vans! Looks nice!
It's black. I thought it was blue from the pictures and it seems more blue in the shade, but it's black in the sunlight.
No manual, only one key, etc. Typical mechanic's lein car. But I did have a random bag of plastic forks in the glovebox, so I've got that going for me. :D
OK, first question. Right above the radiator, are two random plugs. No, they don't connect to one another. Couldn't seem to find where they do connect to. Pic below:
(I'll have to start a build thread soon, although I hope to not have to do much....)
-Rob
Looks like they have blanking plugs in them on the male side.
Is that the case? My guess is leads for options yours doesn't have, like external temp or fog lights.
Id have to look at ours to see.
I owned an 09 for 9 years and 90k miles, great little trucklet. Pretty sure I pitched some rear suspension parts after mine sold but I'll check. I had one lower and one upper control arm at least. Oh almost for sure I have the special belt stretching tool for the stretch belt. ???? Yes one of the belts doesn't have a tensioner, you stretch it on.
akylekoz said:
I owned an 09 for 9 years and 90k miles, great little trucklet. Pretty sure I pitched some rear suspension parts after mine sold but I'll check. I had one lower and one upper control arm at least. Oh almost for sure I have the special belt stretching tool for the stretch belt. ???? Yes one of the belts doesn't have a tensioner, you stretch it on.
I'm pretty sure the 2.5L has a tensioner instead of the stretch belt. I'll know for sure in a week or so when I replace it (on my 3).
Edit: The 2.5 uses one belt for everything and so there isn't a stretch belt. Also - the Mazda manuals don't show the 2.5 being available in the '08 Mazda5, so I suspect this miniminivan has the 2.3.
The stretch belt is the A/C belt and I never got the stupid tool to work correctly. It's super easy to unbolt the A/C compressor, put the belt on it, and then bolt it back on the car. I'm convinced that's how Mazda does it.
Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:
The stretch belt is the A/C belt and I never got the stupid tool to work correctly. It's super easy to unbolt the A/C compressor, put the belt on it, and then bolt it back on the car. I'm convinced that's how Mazda does it.
After seeing akylekoz mention a stretch belt, I did some searching and watched someone install one with a zip tie. Basically, zip tie it on one side and guide the belt on while rotating the motor with a socket. Looked wicked easy to do.
-Rob
