Car buffs - Mazda 5 - any views?

[Gillian76]

We are buying a new car in a month or so and doing our research just now. The candidates are Vauxhall Zafira, Kia Sedona and now considering the new Mazda 5.

Can't find much in the way of reviews apart from Channel 4 who think it's pretty good. I think it looks really practical and comfortable and the sliding doors are a big attraction!

Anyone driven one or know anything more?

ooh I would have loved a Mazda 5... (not enough money alas!)
I did a test drive a while back, and it is fab.
If you have the money go for it I say.

Probably totally irrelvant, but the last car we bought was a Mazda 6 Estate. We are very happy with it except that their nearest garage is a total pain to get to (and although they provide a courtesy car it is always a Mazda2 which is tiny!).

Their emergency callout service is excellent though.

yes, the money will be a bit tight, but it will be whatever we go for! Nearest garage is about 20 mins drive.

Unicorn, did you have a look in the boot? Channel 4 mention a sub-compartment, but I can't find anything else about it.

Bump for the evening crowd!

Mazda rates high on reliability (only just taken over number one slot by Honda). We had a look at a few similar (Zafira, Honda FR-V, Toyota Corolla Verso). Decided in the end that we don't need an MPV for a few years so treated ourselves to a Mazda 6 (virtually same as previous Honda Accord but with a few extras).
Didn't like the Zafira as to be honest the fittings etc felt a little cheap - sorry if anyone reading has one. I'm sure they do a good job and you can get a decent price, which is of course a plus point. Expect the resale value to be lower than Toyota, Mazda or Honda though as the market is flooded with them (obviously a sign of sucess! and as they've brought out a revamped version, the older ones are a really good price).
The Honda has a weird - 3 + 3 seating arrangement. We thought about putting our DD in front middle when we have a long journey, so we can really load up the back, but you want to then push the middle front seat back for safety (which you can do), but then you find that the middle rear seat won't fold flat. You'll see what I mean if you look at it. Otherwise, it was a nice drive.
The Toyota is a nice drive, didn't really have many negatives on that one or at least can't remember them. (all of them are quite wide and tall).
Didn't test drive the Mazda 5 as I am addicted to cruise control and it didn't have it. Am hoping that they'll rethink this for the future as we might buy one one day. We liked the fact that the doors slide - great for getting the car seat in when parked it a smallish space!

Sorry, I dont' know anything about the Kia. I am very happy with my Mazda (6) and based on reliability and the features I saw on it, if you can afford it, get it, it was impressive (apart from the lack of cruise control!!!)

HTH a bit,

Clare.

have you checke on parkers . They have pretty exhaustive reviews of most cars. We used them to decide on our car.

google the honest john website, it's pretty good too

I love my Mazda6 - and the servicing and insurance costs are very low. I presume it would be similar for the Mazda5, as Mazda have made a great play about their low running costs in general.