I have owned many cars over the years and Mazda is truely one of my favorites. My first Mazda was a 3 back in 2004 and then a RX-8 last year. I'm thinking about trading my '02 Explorer on a Mazda5 for my family vehicle. With the price of gas going up I hate even starting that Explorer. Anyone have experience with this vehicle? I never saw myself as a minivan owner but this thing doesn't look half bad and it has alot of room for the kids and would make a nice family vehicle. It looks to be based on the 3's platform.

 

I drove one at the Mazda event and thought it was a fun car. Think of it as a maxi-wagon or a mini-minivan and you'll be good. The key is to get the stick shift. It is very European and that is a plus for me. The mileage is good but not great on it.

You might want to consider a RAV4 or CR-V.

 

just a fair warning, the 3rd row seats are basically pick-up truck crew-cab jump seats, and it *only* averages 20mpg due to the heavier weight compared to the 3.

i'd only recommend it if you won't be using the 3rd row much (and want that massive cargo room with the 3rd row folded) and want the convenience of the sliding rear doors and the 2nd row captain's chairs

 

Its great and fun to drive, easy to get into, low to the ground so corners well, lots of room, a/t gets 23-27mpg on reg-87. I leased a 2006 Touring, no probs.

 

I have only 2 kids so the third row won't get used. I like the sliding doors for getting the kids in and out and cargo space is definatley a plus. I originally wanted another 3 hatch but thought this would be more practical. Too bad about the gas mileage. I guess because of the weight difference from the 3 it goes down. I wonder how they are for winter driving?

 

A 2WD RAV4 is 24/30 MPG and 2WD CR-V is 23/30 for comparison.

 

depends on the number of kiddos you have to haul, but if it was only two, I would go with the Mazda 5 or CRV. The rav 4 is almost to big now. I have several friends with two small kids that get by with a CRV with no issues.

 

I'd take the 5 over the CRV any day!
The CRV is too tall; like it's goint to tip over in a breeze. And you have to deal with Honda service; worst in the world.
The Rav4 is too big but it does have surprising performance.
The 5 looks like a great people hauler and it's not pretending to be a 4x4.

 

The Mazda 5 looks like a minivan, but drives like a car. The CRV drives like a minivan. But, I just bought a CRV even though the Mazda5 was my early favorite because the CRV comes in 4WD, the backseat is much better for adults, and my wife doesn't want a car that looks like a minivan.

 

Whatever you do, make sure to drive all of the options and make the decision after a day or two of thinking to make the most logical/ least emotional decision possible. Those salesmen can be awfully persuasive.

 

Have you though of a used 5? I am sure there are some out on the market and with Mazda's generally steep depreciation, I am sure they are pretty cheap.

 

Even with two kids, depending on their age a good 3 row seater comes in useful. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I ever want to take a relative or friend and my family at the same time?
2. Do you take long trips/vacations and want lots of room for storage?
3. Are the kids small and need babyseats or boosters?

The 5 is actually quite small and it looks like you will need to tumble a seat to gain access to the 3rd row. If your two are young then it's going to be a huge pain. If you don't mind the sliding doors I'd recommend an Odyessy or Sienna.

Just bought an 06 Odyssey for the wife last year and it's a great van. Averages high 20's MPG on the highway and has resonable git up and go. Also allows the wife to head back and settle the youngest while driving which you couldn't do in a Mazda5.

I was against my wife getting a minivan at first but it was her car and it allowed me to get the 8 but after 6 month-1yr of ownership I really like it. Just glad it's not my DD.

 

These are all good cars we are talking about. It is great we have such choices. One thing about the 5, as in all Mazda's, it's a good value. Look at its price the 5 is thousands less. I love my 5.

 

I had a blue 06 before I got the rx-8(which I traded it in and the dealer gave me a great deal)

anyhow.....it is a great car.......very safe......not nice on turns that much though....have to break and go under 25 ish if not the car seems like its gonna trip, the milage could be better, but is wayyy better than the rx-8

its an overall good car, get the gt or T since the sport one kind of lacts the comforts
6 cd changer, sunroof and DVD player=must get

and its still pretty fast for a minivan, and doesn't look ugly

 

I found a used 2006 for $13,998. The problem is that I won't get s*it for my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport! These things are only bringing $6-$8000 and thats for a 4X4!!! Anyone interested.....I got a 3" lift with new 32's on it

 

would much rather have all your 8 mods