Mazda CX-5?

[danthaman1980]

Originally Posted By: R80RS
Can't speak to the CX-5 in particular, but I have a trusted mechanic friend who rates Mazda products pretty low in the hierarchy of Japanese cars. He was persuasive enough to talk me out of a Mazda 3 I was considering.


I have a trusted mechanic brother who rates VWs pretty low in the heirarchy of European cars. He was persuasive enough to talk me out of a Volkswagen CC I was considering.

(True story... no offense intended, just giving you a hard time

)

IMHO, most (not all) automotive technicians form opinions based on cars that are about 5 to 10 years old, because those are the ones they are working on most often. If I was looking for a pre-owned car 5 to 10 model years old, I'd be asking an automotive tech. However, most (not all) are slower to adapt to redesigned models. My brother still knows nothing about the 2013 CX-5, 2014 Mazda6, or any Skyactiv engine for that matter because he has never looked under the hood at one.

No offense to our well respected auto techs on BITOG - you're expressly excluded from my blatant overgeneralization.

 

[97tbird]

CX 5 won Japanese car of the year - that's not to be disregarded - and this was Japanese CAR of the year (included ALL types of vehicles) not just SUV of the year, which is noteworthy I think...

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/mazda-cx-5-named-japans-car-of-the-year-subaru-br-z-wins-spec/

Now, a bit OT, Not about the the CX5, but close relative...so I'd say go for the CX5 - it should be great, from what I can see from our 2014 Mazda 6:

I have lost count of how many comparos the 2014 Mazda 6 has won so far ... here's another one:

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/...a-optima.html/5


proud to have picked one for wifey - it truly is a great car: (they're different from most other Japanese cars, people who prefer a Accord/Camry has may not have much in common with someone who goes for a Mazda or a Subaru (I read one article a few yrs ago where it stated that in Europe, Mazda is most often cross-shopped with Saab and Subaru and not Toy/Honda/Hyundai) - it's meant to attract a different type of driver...that's why it's so popular in Europe I guess, and sales numbers don't mean anything to most Mazda owners or to Mazda themselves, as they're more focused on making a more exciting vehicle

(...and the great thing is the 2.5 L Skyactiv still gets 38.5 avg on my wife's 6)

Quote:
The Mazda6 does deserve the praise it has been receiving. Will it begin to challenge the Accord, Camry or Altima for the sales crown? No, most likely not. But that just adds to its appeal in our eyes; a bit more exclusivity. Either way, a family sedan’s goal in life is to be the best all-around vehicle and the Mazda6 is just that. It excels at nearly everything and is the clear winner of this comparison test.

 

[R80RS]

Originally Posted By: danthaman1980
Originally Posted By: R80RS
Can't speak to the CX-5 in particular, but I have a trusted mechanic friend who rates Mazda products pretty low in the hierarchy of Japanese cars. He was persuasive enough to talk me out of a Mazda 3 I was considering.


I have a trusted mechanic brother who rates VWs pretty low in the heirarchy of European cars. He was persuasive enough to talk me out of a Volkswagen CC I was considering.

(True story... no offense intended, just giving you a hard time

)

IMHO, most (not all) automotive technicians form opinions based on cars that are about 5 to 10 years old, because those are the ones they are working on most often. If I was looking for a pre-owned car 5 to 10 model years old, I'd be asking an automotive tech. However, most (not all) are slower to adapt to redesigned models. My brother still knows nothing about the 2013 CX-5, 2014 Mazda6, or any Skyactiv engine for that matter because he has never looked under the hood at one.

No offense to our well respected auto techs on BITOG - you're expressly excluded from my blatant overgeneralization.



Your trusted mechanic brother is in agreement with my trusted mechanic friend regarding VWs. I bought my used Jetta TDI against his advice. My ownership experience so far confirms some of his warnings were pretty accurate – parts and service are expensive, fit and finish can be spotty, lots of little annoyances like squeaks, minor stuff breaking, etc. In fact, the reason I started coming to BITOG is because I realized I needed to learn about keeping an ALH diesel properly lubricated at an affordable cost. That’s not to say I regret my decision to buy it. I enjoy my Jetta a lot for what it is, and owning my first diesel is kind of fun, but I’m a realist about the brand and not a big VW booster in general.

Your insight on how techs form their opinions (from older vehicles) is a valid point, and I appreciate your respectful comments on techs in general. And it’s kind of gratifying that it took a fellow Cheesehead to keep things civil here.

 

[R80RS]

Originally Posted By: bustednutz
OK, time for me to chime in I guess. Not sure I'd call myself a "fanboy" so to speak. I just simply have had excellent experience with my Mazdas.
Now, I have also had great luck with my Jeep's, Hondas, a Ford Escort, a couple older MK2 VW's in diesel form. Our last Hyundai was great as well. Oh and let me not forget my good luck with our Toyotas from years past. As well as 3 Volvo 240's, a 740 turbo, and 760 turbo.
I just get tired of people taking the word of mechanics as Gospel to be adhered to without actually testing and owning a particular vehicle themselves. Seems so many base their opinion of a vehicle based on 1 bad lemon or a friend of a friends bad experience.
But I will say this.............every manufacturer has a dud or two. INcluding Mazda. Anyone remember the Millennia and the Miller Cycle engine? Yeah, that one went over like a [censored] in church.



I’ve also owned a variety of makes besides what I currently have - Hondas, a Jeep, a few GM products, an old Renault, Nissan, a Dodge (only one) and my first car, a Mercury Comet. I have opinions on all of them, all beside the point here. It’s impossible to “test and own” by yourself every vehicle that catches your interest. At some point most people will consider an external opinion in these matters. That was the point of Pablo starting this thread. He wanted to hear people’s thoughts, experiences, and opinions on the CX-5. Some get their opinions from Consumer Reports, or Car & Driver, or an internet board, or from someone who has owned one, or from someone who has worked on a lot of different makes and has no personal or financial interest in the purchasing decision. Some folks even rely on the manufacturer’s marketing department to buttress their opinions. Collect your information, consider the source, and buy what makes you happy.

 

[R80RS]

Originally Posted By: jrustles
Originally Posted By: R80RS
Even worldwide sales figures for Mazda vs. Honda vs. Toyota vs. etc. would seem to show the general public holds a similar opinion.


There we have it folks, sales volumes determine a good product or not. How could I miss that.

(Seriously though, that's the kinda nonsense that really rustles my jimmies!

)


Quote:

I called him a fanboy because he clearly is

Clearly.


Quote:
but I never said he was making anything up. To claim that is to claim I was calling him a liar, which I never did. I don’t know him so I have no reason to believe he was dishonest in his post. The reason I replied to him as I did was his snarky and uncalled for demand that I “find another trusted mechanic friend”. That’s a laughable demand, and pretty close to being out of place on what should be a friendly board.

So calling him a fanboy for simply presenting his experience which flies in the face of what your mechanic said, was not to diminish anything he said?

Quote:

Thanks for the links, the information is very enlightening. Glad to know that a European website with the words “Mazda News” in the URL has something nice to say about Mazdas. I learned a lot, for example that Mazda’s European subsidiary has a first rate marketing department.


Right, because Europeans are typically an uscrupulous consumer culture with low standards and easily influenced purchasing decisions, and that Mazda EU has access to some secret budget of Toyota proportions. I getcha.

Quote:

If Pablo decides the CX-5 is what he wants and the car makes him happy then I’m sure it will be a good vehicle for him and I hope he has a great ownership experience.


And I agree with that. Find the vehicle you like, but don't let another person's casual opinions preclude your options.



OK amigo, you’re really getting off topic. First you go all Sigmund Freud on me with your layman’s diagnosis of cognitive dissonance, going so far as to accuse me of concealing hate and anger. Now you miss the irony of your taking me to task for overreliance on my friend’s informed opinion when your counter to that is to appeal to the collective opinions of the European public. You may be a decent chap in person, but let’s just say your posts aren’t advancing your cause.

With that, I’m wrapping up my participation in this thread, with apologies to all that my first post caused all this rancor and distraction from the topic, not to mention a waste of precious BITOG bandwidth.

 

[surfstar]

I want a diesel CX-5 for under $25k. Please, Mazda? I'll even live with an auto from the reports I've read of them...

Could be my first new car purchase if it ever comes to the US at a reasonable price.

 

[danthaman1980]

Originally Posted By: R80RS
And it's kind of gratifying that it took a fellow Cheesehead to keep things civil here.

LOL. I'm surrounded by Cheeseheads but I can't take credit - I'm a displaced Texan

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
I want a diesel CX-5 for under $25k. Please, Mazda? I'll even live with an auto from the reports I've read of them...

Could be my first new car purchase if it ever comes to the US at a reasonable price.


That's not happening.
The CX-5 Touring FWD, which is the least expensive CX-5 available with the larger 2.5 gasoline engine is $25,610 with destination fee. Add $300 more if you want either Red or White.

In comparison, a CX-5 Sport FWD with auto is $23,590 with destination fee, with no options.
So it's $2,020 to upgrade from the 2.0 to the 2.5 in the CX-5.
I would assume another $2k to $3k more over the Touring price for the SkyActiv-D engine.

BC.

 

[Gillsy]

I bought a 2014 CX-5 AWD Touring w Bose/moonroof package. Love the powertrain. Not a spot of trouble, and hasn't been back to the dealership. It has the 2.5 Skyactiv engine. Fuel economy is very impressive. The dealership was so good to me, that I took my wife there, and she bought a leftover Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv 2 ltr. Crazy good fuel economy. Very very pleased with both products!

 

[bustednutz]

Hey Pablo,
What did you end up buying?

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: bustednutz
Hey Pablo,
What did you end up buying?


Frankly I have not set the time aside to go to the dealer. We've had visitors, going places, business, etc....maybe actually tomorrow I can break free.

 

[Bladecutter]

Let us know what you think of it after you spend some quality time with one.

BC.