We are considering a '08 Mazda5. We need something good on gas because we live further from school/work/everything than most people so we drive a lot. I like the sliding doors options and the 3rd row seating option (even though only kids could fit back there its pretty tiny). I am concerned about the small looking tires and handling in snow, and the seats seem a little uncomfortable.
Anyone drive one of these? Opinions?
Thanks!!
We looked at / test drove one when we bought ours mini-van (it was a 2010 though). Agree ... the seats were uncomfortable and, as for the sliding doors ... they don't "lock" open. So, if you have little kids, it's possible they could get hurt by the doors sliding closed on them.
My girlfriend has had one two years and loved it until baby #2 came along, now she doesn't think it is big enough and wishes she had gone with a regualr mini-van. While the 3rd row is nice, if you are using it you can't expect to carry a lot of stuff around with you, it eats up the storage space.
Not that Mazda in particular, but my husband does drive a Mazda vehicle. His is a 6 from 2003. It has been a great car. I can't say enough about the quality and reliability of his vehicle. He was hit by another driver head on over a year ago in that vehicle, and the only scratches he had were on his forearm (from the airbag deployment). We had the car repaired, and he is still driving it--has over 240,000 miles on it, and our mechanic asked us to consider giving him first option on it if we ever decide to sell it.
I drove a Mazda5 for several years. I totalled it in a wreck last May. And on that note, I'll add that not one bit of the cabin was disturbed in the wreck, yet the entire front from tires forward was torn off. No injuries in my car. I loved it. It handled great, was easy to maneuver and park. I only got to drive it in north Texas snow, which you would laugh at. It handled great, even on ice. But again, we barely get enough snow to cover the ground here. I loved the sliding doors, so easy in and out. I found that I rarely used that 3rd seat, but it was great when I needed it. We did have adults back there, but it was cramped. The only thing is, if you are using the 3rd row and need to put a lot in there, there is hardly any room left in the back if the 3rd row is up!
I haven't found the seats uncomfortable, except the rear ones. The rear seats are only good for very little kids or for bigger people going small distances. You wouldn't want to sit there for more than an hour. Also, because of the back seats squished in, there is slightly less leg room for the other seats. So you don't want to buy it if there is anyone tall (over 6 ft.) in your family.
I don't know about snow.
I like it, it drives nicely. However, it only really seats 4 comfortably.
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Its great in theory but not in application. We considered it when we were shopping but decided that it just wasn't practical. A minivan is much better all around. Just because you have all the things you want (sliding door and third row) doesn't mean that they actually work they way you need them to. Especially if you have bulky car seats, it would be a nightmare.
