Hey Jandree22,
here's some of my impressions fron the "just drove the mazda5" thread.
and my eventual conclussion from the "Got my 5" thread.
"just drove the 5 on the Dealers"test loop". 15 mins of mixed driving. (utterly useless to really tell anything about this space vehicle) that being said...great brakes,the auto sucks, long live 5 speeds. hopefully the 5 speed helps the zoom zoom factor cuz after driving a Jetta for 14yrs the 5 (w/ auto) felt like a minivan. that said, turn in was crisp w/ only a little hint of oversteer @ the limit but man you could tell it wasn't a car. top heavy in a word. lowering springs would really help. the surge i've heard some talk of on this site is the variable valve timing so no big whoop. the seats suck. period. the head rest is not adjustable forward/backward. the seat is too short( it feels as though i'm sitting on a ledge) this can be cured when you get after market leather w/ the addition of more foam to better support the hamstrings. the lateral support is just fine. as well the steering wheel could tilt slightly lower. long and the short of it we still are looking for the new wheels."
pbd,
Its hard to argue the straight line ability of the 5. My 92 jetta has only 100hp compared to the 157, DOHC 4 banger w/ variable valve timing that sits in the 5. It should beat the jetta. I've only owned 5 speeds primarily because i really like to drive. Drive, as in find ways to invoke oversteer at every chance on a wet west coast day. Drive, as in drift the back end of my fathers dodge2500 cummins ( talk about head room ), drift my buddy's M5 and drive the rubber off the rims of my sisters MX5 ( wow!! is that not the most fun you can have with your fly done up :0 ). This on top of torturing all the cars I've owned. I have the bills and the depleated bank account to prove it.
Granted it may not be an entirely equal comparison. That said everyone on this sight has tried everything in their power to convince each other ( and anyone else who will listen) that the 5 is a car. Same class as the Matrix, which is a car. Built on a stretched 3 chassis, which is a car. Shares the same chassis w/ the Volvo S40 and the European Focus, again, cars. So the comparison is only unfair in that one's a sedan the other a hatch back. I guess I was just a little disapointed given all the fantastic things that everyone on this sight has been saying since it came on to the scene in N. America.( and all your info and post have been invaluable in doing the research for the next set of wheels-thank you). I know zoom -zoom, it's my sisters MX5 w/ 5speed. Her car was bomb proof over the years. WAY more so than my jetta. And as I said right at the start the dealer's test loop did not give me, or anyone else testing this car any real chance to truely exploit this cars potential. A 5 speed allows more control of a car in, through and out of corners. Period. They don't race automatics. I love every practical part of the 5 and the looks are dynomite. But until i drive this car in a 5 speed..... I stand by what i wrote. And you have to grant me the fact that the seats are no where near as comfortable as your old Jetta.
well.....the update. just drove a GS 5 5speed. I am thrilled to announce the decision has been made. Man the 5spd brings that thing to life!!!!! crisp shifts, really light clutch and a hell of a lot better ride. let it be known...AUTOMATICS ARE EVIL! My wife loved it. Especially the light clutch action.
Cool
Well a couple of days before the wife's b-day and it's done. We ordered our 5 today. GT 5 spd, in brilliant black. We got $200 off and got the dealer to throw in rear bumper cover, cargo net and the rear cargo cover. Too boot, the dealer only asked for $500 down. We're freak'in pumped. Everyone on this forum has been unbelievably helpful and I would like to say thanks. So...THANK YOU!! Now to make this day complete all that has to happen is that the Shithawks have gotta win the Superbowl. GO HAWKS GO!!!
GET THE 5 speed Jandree and welcome to the 5 owners club.
