New Mazda 5

[2o6]

Why didn't we get the cool cars? Recession?

Mazda didn't have that strong of a presence here. Selling a niche model in a market where the SUV was becoming huge would have been suicide.

[Madman]

These cars were mind-numbingly boring appliances.

Agreed.  Mazdas of that era (MX-5 Miata excepted) were dull to look at and even duller to drive.  The Millenia's Miller Cycle V6, while interesting from a techno-geek gearhead point of view, had no real practical advantage over a conventional V6.  As for the 626, it should have been marketed as a cure for insomnia!  I fear Mazda is once again slipping into the same mediocre rut they were stuck in back in the '90s, only this time with an added dose of ugliness thrown into the mix.


Madman of the People

[Raza]

That looks like an Alfa Romeo.  I quite like it. 

[Vinsanity]

That looks kinda cool. I know we're getting a 4/5 door Mazda 2 here, but would anyone happen to know if we're getting the 3-door?

[68_427]

[Onslaught]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! The 323 hatchback is the ugliest Mazda ever made. That is unless that's your car. And then it's really nice.............................

[68_427]

The 323 GTR is HOT. 

[Onslaught]

More of a fan of the 323 GTX myself.

[omicron]

That looks like an Alfa Romeo.  I quite like it. 

Nice little 2.0 V6, too, and 5-speed manuals are about if you search a bit.

[nickdrinkwater]

Mazda just revealed a facelifted Mazda6 for Europe:

A new facelift version of the Mazda 6 will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. This new, upgraded version enhances the strengths of its predecessor, like driving fun and fuel efficiency; while improving interior refinement, environmental compatibility and safety performance.

The new Mazda family face is introduced, along with new head and rear lamps, for more sportiness and a clearer premium identity. Six engines will be available, including a powerful new 2.0-litre DISI petrol that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions than the 2.0-litre engine it replaces. Its five-speed automatic transmission was adapted especially for this new petrol engine to deliver an optimal combination of acceleration and fuel economy. Updated versions of the Mazda MZR 1.8 and 2.5-litre engines round out the petrol line-up, and on the diesel side the Mazda MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine is available in three power derivatives - from 129 to 180 PS - all of them sporty, with improved fuel-efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

The Mazda 6 also features new chassis settings and several new active safety features - like a new pivoting adaptive front lighting system and hill-launch assist - that together make the Mazda 6 facelift one of the safest and easiest-to-drive cars in its segment.

It'll be the only good looking Mazda left at this rate.

Incidentally What Car magazine (our Consumer Reports type car mag) just awarded Best Large Family Car and Best Estate Car awards to the (current) Mazda6.

[the Teuton]

If only ours didn't suck...

[SVT666]

Cool.  THey made it look like a Corvette convertible.

[Onslaught]

Cool.  THey made it look like a Corvette convertible.

Just like one actually. How do they get away with that without getting into trouble?
If they thought the last one was too small then this one will tank.

[SVT_Power]

On a unrelated note, I almost smashed into the back of one the other night. Idiot in a mazda 5 stopped in the middle of the road without any lights on - no brake lights or hazards, just a few meters past an intersection. So I'm driving through looking at the intersection and then I realize there's a black mazda 5 just parked in the middle of the road. I wanted to get out and slap the driver in the face for that one.

[nickdrinkwater]

 

Here goes again:

[BimmerM3]

It's a mini-van with an optional manual transmission. Who gives a shit what it looks like?

[2o6]

It's a mini-van with an optional manual transmission. Who gives a shit what it looks like?

In Europe, this is no big deal.


It looks like crap.

[SVT_Power]

It's a mini-van with an optional manual transmission. Who gives a shit what it looks like?

What's with you today? What do you mean who gives a shit what it looks like? Why do we ridicule the aztek's looks so much? It's just a stupit crossover with an available tent.

[BimmerM3]

What's with you today? What do you mean who gives a shit what it looks like? Why do we ridicule the aztek's looks so much? It's just a stupit crossover with an available tent.

Personally, I'd much rather have a fugly, but relatively fun to drive minivan with a manual than a very pretty, but boring and cumbersome minivan with an automatic, that's all. From what little I've heard and remember about the previous generation Mazda5, it's a semi-enjoyable drive.

In Europe, this is no big deal.


It looks like crap.

I don't live in Europe.

[93JC]

Personally, I'd much rather have a fugly, but relatively fun to drive minivan with a manual that a very pretty, but boring and cumbersome minivan with an automatic, that's all. From what little I've heard and remember about the previous generation Mazda5, it's a semi-enjoyable drive.

Driving a 5 is like driving a 3 that's a little slower and doesn't handle quite as well. They're otherwise quite similar.

[SVT_Power]

Personally, I'd much rather have a fugly, but relatively fun to drive minivan with a manual that a very pretty, but boring and cumbersome minivan with an automatic, that's all.

Please read before posting

[SVT666]

Driving a 5 is like driving a 3 that's a little slower and doesn't handle quite as well. They're otherwise quite similar.

The 5 is just a longer 3 anyway.  It's a mini-mini-van.

[AutobahnSHO]

The first time I saw a 5 I was like, "cool!  A station wagon with sliders!!!"
I didn't think they'd sell here, given the US idiocy when buying cars.

I kind of want one. Just because it would be handy to have that kind of room, it's really NOT that much bigger than a regular wagon, and the gas mileage would't be horrible for the utility.

Sure, friends would make fun (of TWO minivans), but that happens anyway. Someone called my car a "soccermom" car the other day, and someone else asked why I was using all that space for speakers in my "family car". I said, "the minivan is the family car. This is my get to work car...."

[r0tor]

Here goes again:

damn you 

[Galaxy]

I actully like the side lines, the rear lights ruin it for me.

[TBR]

Agreed.  Mazdas of that era (MX-5 Miata excepted) were dull to look at and even duller to drive.  The Millenia's Miller Cycle V6, while interesting from a techno-geek gearhead point of view, had no real practical advantage over a conventional V6.  As for the 626, it should have been marketed as a cure for insomnia!  I fear Mazda is once again slipping into the same mediocre rut they were stuck in back in the '90s, only this time with an added dose of ugliness thrown into the mix.


Madman of the People

Nonsense
Clicky

[Madman]

Nonsense
Clicky

Meh, it's okay, in a bland an nondescript sort of way.  It's certainly not worthy of a 

Remove the badges and it could be almost anything from the Asia-Generic school of design.


Madman of the People

[2o6]

Meh, it's okay, in a bland an nondescript sort of way.  It's certainly not worthy of a 

Remove the badges and it could be almost anything from the Asia-Generic school of design.


Madman of the People

Nothing in Europe was any better.

[TBR]

Meh, it's okay, in a bland an nondescript sort of way.  It's certainly not worthy of a 

Remove the badges and it could be almost anything from the Asia-Generic school of design.


Madman of the People

I'd agree that it is a fairly generic design, but it is executed flawlessly. It looks good from every angle, even if it isn't all out gorgeous. Pretty much the best looking sedan to ever come out of Japan. Plus they're dirt cheap on the used market (and were pretty cheap new too). It's on my short list for my next ride.