I <3 teh mazda5!

If this is somehow "spam" or "trolling," please feel free to delete, but after relaying my horrible experience with Honda North America, and Hennessy Honda of Woodstock (who SUCKS, in case you haven't heard,) I wanted to relay how berkeleying awesome my experience with JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA was, and how much I love the vehicle.

I dealt with Mike Maclennan at Jim Ellis. If you're in Georgia, and are considering purchasing a Mazda, I'd highly recommend him.

I got a quote online for a 2013 Mazda5 touring, plus a "Sight-unseen" appraisal on the Fit. They lowballed the hell out of the appraisal, but took $1,100 off the price of the 5, plus $1,000 from Mazda, with 0% interest. The car was actually at their "main" location. I haggled some more and got an additional $500 on the Fit, and $500 off the car, but the trade value was still way low.

Picked up the Fit from Honda (TOOK THEM A HALF HOUR TO FIND MY berkeleyING KEY,) and drove straight to Mazda. Met Mike. Super nice guy. We started joking and busting balls immediately. While waiting for them to do the appraisal, I spied a Grand Touring in the color we wanted.

They did a revised quote for me on both cars, and threw an extra $1k on the appraisal for the Fit (which was in absolutely immaculate condition.)

A few trips back and forth later, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse on the Grand Touring. They were very interested in the LeMons MX-3, and very appreciative of the fact that I'd brought my sister in law down there to buy her Grand Touring 5 last year.

In the end, a $50 a month jump in my payment got me a TOOOOON more car than the Fit. Heated leather, noticeably more room, both for cargo, and for front and rear passengers, SLIDING DOORS! WAY less twitchy on the highway, WAY quieter, and 2,500 RPM at 85 vs. 3,500 RPM at 75 on the Fit...on the list of E36 M3 I didn't think I'd care about, but berkeleying love:

Steering wheel controls for radio/bluetooth

Rain-sensing wipers

Back-up Sensor

Auto-headlights

Bluetooth

self-adjusting (or whatever) HID Xenon lights

Took her on the maiden voyage to Tampa and back last week for the 4th. Leaving the Mazda dealership, I had a "moment" with the Fit, and puckered for a minute. "Have I made the right decision? Will I miss this car forever?"

An hour into the trip, I wondered how the berkeley we lived without this thing. A couple days into the trip, I was 100% over the Fit, and all about the 5.

Only cons: No manual trans (big one...but how many soccer moms want a manual, really? I get why they don't do it.) Gas mileage...not a big deal. 22 mpg with the cruise set at 85, vs. 30 in the Fit. A $20/way difference in gas cost on the trip. If we were cramming the Fit full of junk and someone said "Hey, if you give me $40, you can take this instead," I'd have jumped on that E36 M3 in a heartbeat. Obviously, an extra 1,000 pounds doesn't do anything for it in the handling department...I do miss that.

Anyway, for not a lot more money, I got WAAAAAY more car at 0% interest, and will be dealing with a dealership who has been much more helpful and accommodating than Honda ever was thus far.

Oh, also, stuff that I didn't mention in the "Troll/Spam" Hennessy thread:

When I was shopping for the Fit, I brought my Dad with me (sold cars for 30+ years.) We looked at Hennessy's inventory. No red Fits with a manual. We drove down the road a bit to another dealer (Ed Voyles,) and found a red 5-speed. "SWEET! LET'S DO THIS!" I said. Pop strongly recommended dealing with Hennessy instead, as he'd worked with the GM (Jerry Goddard) for years, blah blah blah.

We call Hennessy and ask them if they'll do a dealer trade. They talk to Voyles, call us back and say "Yep. Come on."

We go back to Hennessy, negotiate a price (No fun. No jokes. No ball busting. All serious and weird.) They didn't budge much on the price, but we agreed on a price that was hand-written on their worksheet.

Then the funny business starts. "Oh, we can't get the car from Voyles, but there's one in Athens that we can have here in a couple days." WTF!?!? At this point, the other dealer was closed. We left without a car. I get home and realize I've left the goddamned worksheet with the price at the dealer. I panic, but Pop says "No big deal. Just have them fax it to you."

They fax the worksheet, and surprise, surprise, the sales weasel whited out the agreed price, and circled the price ($500 or so higher) that he'd come back with on round 1 of negotiation.

Fast forward: After all this bullE36 M3 with the Fit, the GM throws out what a KILLER deal he's going to give me if I want to trade on a brand new Fit...and idea which I kicked around, as it would've made everyone happy. I send him an email and ask him for a quote. He hems and haws "Oh, we don't have ANY manuals in stock, and don't have any on the way. If I WERE YOU, I'd wait for a 2014. I'll order it in whatever color/trans combo you want."

Me: "Um. Okay. Can you do a dealer trade for one?"

Him: "NOOOOO, we stopped doing a dealer trade 4 or 5 years ago. Everybody was trying to drink out of our bowl." (Funny. They traded for mine 2 years ago.)

I asked him to shoot me this killer deal on trading in the Fit for a new one. Surprise surprise again. "Well, we don't know what the MSRP will be on the 2014's" Really? They come out next berkeleying month (according to him) but he has no idea what they'll cost?

That's when I officially said "berkeley it." And I'm SOOOOOO glad I did.

Anyway. M5 FTMFW!!!!!

poopshovel wrote: I wanted to relay how berkeleying awesome my experience with JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA was, and how much I love the vehicle. I dealt with Mike Maclennan at Jim Ellis. If you're in Georgia, and are considering purchasing a Mazda, I'd highly recommend him.

Good to hear! Thanks for sharing the positive.

poopshovel wrote: Only cons: No manual trans (big one...but how many soccer moms want a manual, really? I get why they don't do it.)

You can get the stick in the Sport trim only (seriously Mazda, WTF? Even Ford lets you get the stick on the top-trim Titanium Focus and Fusion!). It's a 5-speed for the 1st gen (what mine has) and a 6-speed in the 2nd gen (smiley face, like yours). Both are great, but with commuter clutches, not racecar clutches. A note: Mazda took a page from Ford's playbook and the wiring harness can support all the options, so you can conceivably swap a stick into your GT or buy a Sport and swap in the heated leather/blahblahblah. I didn't want any of that crap, except the moonoof, and you can get that on the Sport (which again, mine has). The Sport only came/comes in basic colors (again Mazda, W.T.F?!?) so I got stuck with "Titanium" (boring ass beigish silver) as opposed to some of the awesome colors like the Purple or the Blue.

poopshovel wrote: Gas mileage...not a big deal. 22 mpg with the cruise set at 85, vs. 30 in the Fit. A $20/way difference in gas cost on the trip.

That bad?!? I get 23-24 in the city and I have 1 less gear! I imagine it will get a little better with break-in, but man that's still not right. I crest 29-31 on all highway trips (75, but still), even loaded down with E36 M3. Do you have the roof rack crossbars? They eat 1-2 MPG, no lie. Pop 'em off and store them until you need them.

poopshovel wrote: Obviously, an extra 1,000 pounds doesn't do anything for it in the handling department...I do miss that.

That's easily fixed. All of the Mazdaspeed3 components bolt on to the MZ5. You want Koni's? Coil-overs? Sway bars the size of your arm? Just bolt them on! I have stuff coming down the pike for mine to fix the same issue.

poopshovel wrote: Anyway, for not a lot more money, I got WAAAAAY more car at 0% interest, and will be dealing with a dealership who has been much more helpful and accommodating than Honda ever was thus far.

I'm so glad to hear you and mama are loving the 5! I know my back and my SWMBO have appreciated it as well. Even my 240-drifiting 18yo baby sister thought the MZ5 was fun to drive and "cool" when she was visiting over the 4th. They are the best-kept family/enthusiast secret. Enjoy!

E36 M3, you were in Tampa this past weekend? Me too.

turbojunker wrote: E36 M3, you were in Tampa this past weekend? Me too.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Damnit man! Food. Booze. Fishing...other stuff!

Nice vehicle. Still think they should drop the MS3 drivetrain in it though.

The funny thing is, I told my buddy "there's two brothers you'd berkeleying love to meet, one of them lives here but I don't know where". Figures

turbojunker wrote: The funny thing is, I told my buddy "there's two brothers you'd berkeleying love to meet, one of them lives here but I don't know where". Figures

PM me for contact info, Mr. Dumass.

Me & Matt & George the Almighty Gigante hit a nice little bar/punk rawk show Friday night.

Once again, Mazda creates much happy feeling in people.

I'm really glad to hear that the 5 is working out for you. My transmission guy is looking at the wife's Odyssey right now and making a pronouncement as to the state of the paper slushbox and if, as I expect, he tells me that it's time for another rebuild, we're off to the Mazda dealer. We're obviously going to test drive a few things before plunking down any money anywhere, but hearing the enthusiast's view on it is helpful.

Interestingly enough, when I sent my wife the link on their website for the Mazda5, the very first thing she said to me was "ooh! it's available in a stick!" so I'm holding out hope for the sport trim...

What the wise Mr. Javelin says is true. Everything that is currently under my ms3 (H&R Coilovers, Hotchkis sways) will stick right under the Mrs. Shovel's new runabout. Stick a set of 17x9's and some *specs on it, you'll embarrass a LOT of people up the ramp.

If you really want to go bonkers on the suspension, have a set of coilovers designed for the Mazdaspeed3 altered with a bit more spring rate in the rear to compensate for the heavier ass on the Mazda5.

Tires and swaybars will probably get you mostly where you wan to go.

Question: does the Mazda5 share the same narrow 17" rims they put on the Mazda3?

poopshovel wrote:

turbojunker wrote: The funny thing is, I told my buddy "there's two brothers you'd berkeleying love to meet, one of them lives here but I don't know where". Figures

PM me for contact info, Mr. Dumass. Me & Matt & George the Almighty Gigante hit a nice little bar/punk rawk show Friday night.

I would, but I don't know how the berkeley this forum works.

I was at Daytona consuming alcohol and causing a disturbance Friday.

It was that ride to Waffle House at the Mitty that did it for ya huh? Nothing like hangovers and five stanky dudes shoved into a pseudo-minivan to stir the automotive emotions.

In reply to Matt B:
Three big boys placed in the back too. Myself being the "middle size" at 6'1" and 240lbs.

I am sure the sleeping in the MZ5 (laid out) was much better than the Integra.

Brett_Murphy wrote: Question: does the Mazda5 share the same narrow 17" rims they put on the Mazda3?

Front sway bar is different on a Mazda5 but the rear bolts on. The wheels are the same narrow 17" as the 3 but I think you can get 16s now.

The spring rates on the 5 are higher all around with struts/shocks to match, not just the rear.

Glad you're enjoying it Poop! Our 6 is the Grand Touring, so every option known to man and a few I didn't know they could do yet. This was a necessity because SWMBO wanted heated leather seats and the top is the only trim that has them. As such there were a bunch of options that I made fun of that I'm now really enjoying, much like your 5. I'd love to be all hardcore and brag about buying the no-radio-no-ac-no-comfort model, but I'm quite enjoying the luxuries.

Rain-sensing wipers, auto on headlights - really spoils ya. I just wish the headlights automatically came on when the wipers are triggered. seems like it should.

Radar based cruise control - oh man, this is awesome. I was really skeptical but it is really nice on long trips, no constant pushing buttons to adapt to slower moving vehicles until you can pass. My one complaint is that occasionally the system freaks out when passing a slow-moving semi on the interstate and the Forward Object Warning triggers, which slows the car and lights up the BRAKE!!! warning on the cluster. I think it probably happens when the large trucks drift near the lane divider. I consciously skirt the outside of my lane when passing a big truck and it seems to be okay.

back-up camera - really a necessity as poor as close proximity rear visibility is in this car.

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to Matt B: Three big boys placed in the back too. Myself being the "middle size" at 6'1" and 240lbs. I am sure the sleeping in the MZ5 (laid out) was much better than the Integra.

Yeah, I was kinda impressed you three fit back there and the bolts didn't blow off my floorpan due to "danger to manifold".

Sleeping in the thing worked fairly well. For a six foot guy like myself I had to sleep diagonally, but it was certainly better than the front seat of an Integra or getting wet in a tent!

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to Matt B: Three big boys placed in the back too. Myself being the "middle size" at 6'1" and 240lbs. I am sure the sleeping in the MZ5 (laid out) was much better than the Integra.

Wait a minute now. Who all was in the back? Pretty sure I was the "Middle Size."

Would've loved to have the manual, but mama pushed for the auto on this one...then decided she missed the manual. Aye aye aye.

Good news is, it's not a total shiftasaurus on the highway like most autos in a bigger car I've driven...even at 85mph.

Oh, and one of THE big advantages over the Fit (I know they're two totally different vehicles, btw, only comparing because I've owned them back-to-back,) Stuck behind a line of mouth-breathing numbtards in the left lane, that extra liter of displacement gives it the huevos to go from 75 to 90 in a hurry if an opening appears to the right. - something that required a lot of planning, and more often than not, cursing and tucking-in in the Fit.

Downside: 2nd speeding ticket in as many weeks.

So, did you go back to Dry Fisting Honda and do a big smokey burnout, like I suggested?

You can get a 5 Sport with a stick. I would, too... Except Mazda only sells the 5 Sport in black, grey, and a different grey. I'd like a color, please.

poopshovel wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to Matt B: Three big boys placed in the back too. Myself being the "middle size" at 6'1" and 240lbs. I am sure the sleeping in the MZ5 (laid out) was much better than the Integra.

Wait a minute now. Who all was in the back? Pretty sure I was the "Middle Size."

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt of likely weighing less than I do making you the relatively small guy of the group. It was easy to consider Wayne as having a couple pounds on you and I.
I had not realized that a grey MZ5 could draw as much attention for the law as a red Ferrari. Maybe the cops are so interested in it that they feel compelled to stop you along the road just to get a better look at it.

I've been pulled over twice in mine (red); both times let go with a verbal warning. Not quite as incognito as a civic but it is pretty good unless you are driving nutty.

Appleseed wrote: So, did you go back to Dry Fisting Honda and do a big smokey burnout, like I suggested?

In the Fit, yes...I mean "maybe." I beat that bitch like it owed me money on the way to the Mazda dealer.

chandlerGTi wrote: I've been pulled over twice in mine (red); both times let go with a verbal warning. Not quite as incognito as a civic but it is pretty good unless you are driving nutty.

Had cruise set at what I thought was 84. He dinged me at 87. I may have been shooting by a line of numbtards on the right at the time.