Topic: My Vehicular History Thread by DKaz

[quadzilla]

Nice! I drove one of those for about 3 hours and really enjoyed it. If we didn't have the 6-wagon at the time I would have seriously considered one. Super functional yet still a nice tight package.

[Arthur Dent]

Heck of a deal - nicely done!

[tortoise]

Nice score!  The Mazda5 is a great family car, and fun with a stick.   It turns in way faster than it has any right to.

[Gurgie]

Nice find! These drive great & are way more fun than they should be!

[OliverD]

I always thought the packaging of the base models was a bit odd, what with auto sensing wipers and auto climate control but no cruise.

Biggest issue with the 5 IMO is the tight legroom in the front seat, even with the seat as far back as it can go. Was a deal breaker when my dad looked at one many years ago (he's like 6'2" or so).

[Firm]

Seems these always need rear shocks, everyone I see on the road is bouncing around like crazy and, in Ontario, is all rotten around the rear wheel arches. This looks like a clean BC car, so get some fresh shocks on there, rear shock mounts too (they're usually bad) and enjoy. They do drive a heck of a lot better than a regular minivan.

[2JDM]

Seems these always need rear shocks, everyone I see on the road is bouncing around like crazy and, in Ontario, is all rotten around the rear wheel arches. This looks like a clean BC car, so get some fresh shocks on there, rear shock mounts too (they're usually bad) and enjoy. They do drive a heck of a lot better than a regular minivan.

I think its because it uses the exact same suspension components as a regular Mazda3, but tends to be more loaded since its a mini-minivan.

[Bubba]

Great find!

[ktm525]

My first thought was: "that car is filthy" then I reminded myself:  $1500. Well done and this may be the first 10 year old Mazda I have seen that doesn't have rust.   

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Yeah, $1500 for a Mazda5 with minimal rust, and all it needs is a good deep clean? 

It makes me feel like I got hosed on my Civic.  So, Thanks for that, DKAZ!!!!

[Seafoam]

Looks good for the price. My neighbour has the exact colour but with the usual rust at the backarches.
I think you know about these as you had one previously unless I am mistaken ?

[Fobroader]

That thing is in great shape for $1500, most I see around here have a lot of missing metal.

[dkaz]

Thanks all! I was expecting eye rolls to be honest because of my recent truck buying thread. 

The shocks are gone, the previous owner must've been sold Monroes which are crap and they probably no longer have any fluid in them. Whoever did them didn't put the dust covers back on either and the bump stops are beyond worn. So I ordered KYB Gas-a-just which are dual valved shocks for comfort and performance with new dust cover and bump stops. KYBs last just as long as OE from personal experience so I have no issues with them, although it'll be my first time trying the Gas-a-just line.

Yes, the interior and door jambs are not great but it's not horrible either. I'm looking at some detailers who can do dress it up inside and out. I left all my detailing stuff in Edmonton as I just don't have time to do this stuff anymore, although I could polish it one time and get someone to put a "forever" ceramic coating on it.

There's a tiny bit of rust in the rear fenders which I could nip in the bud right now if I feel like I'm either going to keep the car for a long time (looking at my second car history: longest kept 3 years, shortest 4 months, average 12 months, it’s a bit of a crapshoot) or it'll add resale value to the car. I did kind of want this second gen more: http://www.talaautoselect.com/inventory/view/12914957/2012-Mazda-5-Mazda5-GT-6Spd-A/C-ACCIDENTS-FREE-LOCAL-BC-ONLY-130,000KM/

Yes I had an 07 GT before. Lowered on H&R springs with RX-8 wheels in the summer.





They refreshed it the model in 08 with a more aerodynamic front bumper, engine officially detuned from 157 to 153 HP (the original programming lead to random engine cutouts and there was a TSB to fix it at a cost of 4 HP), separate front passenger seat armrest, outboard 2nd row armrests (06-07 had inboard armrests only), aux input (I’m putting in a CarPlay unit anyway), rear A/C vent, and revised taillights.

That’s a common concern with tall people. I personally prefer sitting forward in city and spirited driving so I’m not all the way back despite my 6’1” height, but highway drives I need to be all the way back so I can’t imagine being taller in this vehicle. Another common complaint is the seat comfort and short cushion length, but I found the seat way more comfortable for long drives than my old 08 Corolla.

[ktm525]

I have more appreciation for a $1500 beater acquisition than a signing for a new shiny car.

[dkaz]

I have more appreciation for a $1500 beater acquisition than a signing for a new shiny car.

I hear ya. It was a beater price but it's in good enough shape that I can make it a nice car with a little bit of effort. I saw the ad and absolutely pounced on it right away.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I have more appreciation for a $1500 beater acquisition than a signing for a new shiny car.

I hear ya. It was a beater price but it's in good enough shape that I can make it a nice car with a little bit of effort. I saw the ad and absolutely pounced on it right away.

Yeah, aside from the dirty interior, $1500 seems like a steal for that car!

[dirtyjeffer]

I have more appreciation for a $1500 beater acquisition than a signing for a new shiny car.

I hear ya. It was a beater price but it's in good enough shape that I can make it a nice car with a little bit of effort. I saw the ad and absolutely pounced on it right away.

Yeah, aside from the dirty interior, $1500 seems like a steal for that car!

yea, a car like this, you buy for $1500, maybe put $500-$1000 into it, and you can likely get another 2 years out of it...that's $200/month...can't get something like this for nowhere near that price.

[me_2]

Nice find, clean the interior and it will be a winner, exterior looks good. Enjoy!

I had a sweet spot for this Mazda, very compact minivan style but as Firm bring the point, every owners I met mentioned me their was in need of a pair of rear shocks !

[rrocket]

You could get these in a manual at one time too, couldn't you?

[me_2]

You could get these in a manual at one time too, couldn't you?

 

So I picked up an 09 Mazda 5 GS 5 speed manual for $1500.