What do you know about the cx5?

I'm looking at a 2013 with a manual transmission. It has 55k miles, and seems in good condition. Anything I should look for, or specific issues to be aware of?

The only thing I know is we had a '20 CX-5 as loaner from the dealer when I got the Mazda 3. They gave me the loaner since I traded in my car for the 3, and they were going to tint the windows and detail it as part of the buying process.

Nice car, great visibility, all that. Although I felt for a car that size it was underpowered. 

Soon-to-be-ex-wife has one, bought new, same year, auto.  About three times those miles.  Been a great car.

Only issues:

Have experienced something with a small motor running after the car has shut off and killing the battery.  Done this two or three times across a decade?  She never cared enough to take it in and get it looked at.  Based on position of sound, ABS?

Have experienced the AC doors sticking in such a way that the AC doesn't come on.  Hasn't done it in a while.  Don't remember the fix,  kicking/slapping the area where the cabin air filter is, maybe?.  A brutal habit for the car to have in summer in Florida.  Did this for a couple months off and on and then stopped.

Thats it.  As I said, great car.

In reply to Racebrick :

Really, you found one with a manual trans?  They are pretty rare.  I suspect that you will not find another near you so if you really want one you should act on it.   
I know that last sentence could be read as, "run and get it, fast" but probably the opposite.  

Lets face it, if we stereotype, its a 10 year old cute-ute which has a strong appeal to the masses but then there is the manual trans which dwindles that appeal to a very select few.  I wonder how long it has been listed?  My guess is far longer than a typical auto trans CX5 would be listed.  My guess is the seller still has the car not because he is turning down offers.  I'll bet that he is getting NO offers.  Plain old, no one is inquiring and the few who do drop off when they are hit with the unexpected manual trans.  

In dealing with the seller, I too would fake some lament that you wish the car was an auto trans...even if you are one of us few crazies who want a manual trans.   Remember, you need to buy it cheap because some day in the future you will be the seller and by then there will be even fewer people looking for a cute ute with a manual trans.  Or, just plain ole fewer people who even know how to drive a manual.   

Totally agree with John Welsh: And I have a manual transmission 2016 Mazda6 I'll be trying to sell at some point.

We had a, bought new, 2010 Mazda5.  I tried to get my wife to buy the manual trans.  It was to be her DDer.  We ended up with the auto.

I did previously own a Saturn Vue with a manual trans.  I liked it...for myself.  I bought it in about 2014 and the reason I bought it was because the manuals were selling so cheap compared to the auto...because no one, anymore, wants a cute ute with a manual trans.  I kept and drove it into the ground knowing that it would be hard to sell otherwise.  

In reply to Racebrick :

Got one myself. Bought used with 8,400 miles in March 2013; now has 225K+. Still on the original clutch. It's a "Miata on stilts"...I can say that because I also have an NA. What John Welsh says rings true; but if you're planning to keep it for several years who cares. It'll tow 2,000#, more than a comparable CR-V or RAV.

Thanks for the input. I had a manual trans 5 for many years when my kids were young. I will probably buy this car, and daily it until it's no longer practical.

Buy it. Great cars. And quite rare with the MT. 

I have had a 2016, and now a 2023. I've had no significant issues with them. Maintain them and they'll maintain you. (That sounded better in my head, but you get the idea.)

I also had a 2008 Mazda3 with a manual, and it had a weird squeaky clutch pedal, but other than that, extremely reliable and durable.

The engines don't like running without oil. My BIL killed his this way. But he replaced the engine and then was hit head on on a mountain road by an Uber driver making an illegal pass on the wrong side of the road. Him and his passenger walked away. 

Jokes (about oil) aside, I liked it. 

I had a 13 manual. Only issue I had was a service bulletin with the driver's seat bolts. Drove and handled much better than an suv ever should. Mine was totaled in a head on crash at 45 mph. I walked away without a scratch.