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.