Trouble deciding between sport 3 and cx5

[hamiltonrun]

Hey TM3,

I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I realize there is a big difference between the two so i'll explain my situation. Mid 30's, no kids. I drive an 05 mazda 3 GS, MT. I've had it for 7 years, and would keep it for one or two more. Lots of fun to drive but age is showing and problems are creeping up. I'd like to move on before something major happens.

I like the mazda trade in program where it knocks a point off the finance rate. I'm considering either a 3 sport GT with MT, or a CX5. One is the fun vehicle, the other seems like the more sensible choice for a middle aged man. I haven't test driven a 3 sport but my experience with a cx5 GS didn't exactly thrill me. it seemed perfectly capable, just missing the zoom zoom.

So forum dwellers, what advice would you give to someone considering these vehicles? I love the feel of mazdas I just can't pin down what vehicle would suit me better going forward.

[natspriceless]

Hey TM3,

I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I realize there is a big difference between the two so i'll explain my situation. Mid 30's, no kids. I drive an 05 mazda 3 GS, MT. I've had it for 7 years, and would keep it for one or two more. Lots of fun to drive but age is showing and problems are creeping up. I'd like to move on before something major happens.

I like the mazda trade in program where it knocks a point off the finance rate. I'm considering either a 3 sport GT with MT, or a CX5. One is the fun vehicle, the other seems like the more sensible choice for a middle aged man. I haven't test driven a 3 sport but my experience with a cx5 GS didn't exactly thrill me. it seemed perfectly capable, just missing the zoom zoom.

So forum dwellers, what advice would you give to someone considering these vehicles? I love the feel of mazdas I just can't pin down what vehicle would suit me better going forward.

Welcome!

Okay so to get the ball rolling on opinions, I have this first question: Do you have any desire to modify the vehicle?

[hamiltonrun]

Welcome!

Okay so to get the ball rolling on opinions, I have this first question: Do you have any desire to modify the vehicle?


Does tinting count? otherwise no, none. Is the sport 3 really just an enthusist car, that needs to be modded to extract all the goodness from it?

I don't have much a commute and would like a comfy ride. I have managed to do ok storage wise with my 3 so far when i'm up north. It is packed to the gills but haven't had to leave anything.

[greaves82]

I purchased a 2015 CX 5 last year and it was alright but definitely lacking the power in my opinion. Had some problems arise that numerous dealerships couldn't figure out what was causing it. Sold it a month or so ago before it problems got worse and other reasons.

The only two things I liked about it was the styling and that with the fold down seats i was able to fit my snow board and gear in it

[natspriceless]

Does tinting count? otherwise no, none. Is the sport 3 really just an enthusist car, that needs to be modded to extract all the goodness from it?

I don't have much a commute and would like a comfy ride. I have managed to do ok storage wise with my 3 so far when i'm up north. It is packed to the gills but haven't had to leave anything.
I wouldn't say that its necessary to mod a 3 GT to get all the goodness from it...it's a pleasure to drive regardless. [emoji4]

I personally miss how easy it was to pack 5 million things to go camping with in the same tetris-like fashion that I had become accustomed to with my 05 hatch. I struggled last year to get all my usual gear in the car without having fold both rear seats and also use the front seat to hold stuff, compared to in the past only ever needing to fold down the 40 split side of the rear seats.

[C_Costa96]

If your looking for something that your truly going to enjoy driving I'd say go with the 3. The 2.5l just seems right in that car with the gt model. Unless you really want the space I'd say stick with the 3.

[jeff7670]

I think that the fact you are asking this question shows you want the 3 hatchback. Really how many times a year will you require the extra space? Once maybe twice. To quote Jeremy Clarkson "That's like walking around in ski boots all the time because you go skiing a couple of times a year." You will use the sportiness and fuel efficiency of the 3 everyday over the CX5.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I purchased a 2015 CX 5 last year and it was alright but definitely lacking the power in my opinion. Had some problems arise that numerous dealerships couldn't figure out what was causing it. Sold it a month or so ago before it problems got worse and other reasons.

The only two things I liked about it was the styling and that with the fold down seats i was able to fit my snow board and gear in it

Can you elaborate on the issues...

[Captain Mazda]

Isn't the 2.5L CX-5 only available in automatic? I'd stay away from it for that reason alone, the 2.0 is seriously underpowered.

[drazen]

I would stay away from the Cx5, no power at all. Had 4 adults in the car, the car was struggling to get up to speed. Mazda, I would get the 3 sport, preferably the 2.5L 3 sport with more power.

I dont understand why mazda would just give the 2.0 to the cx5, my 2.0 in my 3 already feels weak. They should just stick that 2.5L skyactiv T from the cx9 into the cx5.

[Rumble]

There is no more 2.0L offering in the CX-5 from now on. I have both the CX-5 and Mazda3 although not Gen3 and not with a 2.5L. I would say to stick with the Mazda3 because of fuel economy and a sportier drive as it's lower to the ground compared to the CX-5. I have a family so my wife takes the CX-5 to work and is our weekend car. The styling and drive of the CX-5 is great, but there are some features like a power tailgate and memory seats (on my car) that is missing compared some high models of it's competition. If you don't have kids, I would recommend you stick with the more "fun" car for as long as you can. There will be plenty of time in the future to be a responsible partner/parent. Good luck with your decision.

[proDJtege]

I thought Mazda sold a 2.5L option for the CX-5. I wouldn't think of buying it without the extra power.

If you've got no family to lug around in your vehicle, and no large amount of gear that won't fit in the 3, then just stick to the 3.

[drazen]

There is no more 2.0L offering in the CX-5 from now on. I have both the CX-5 and Mazda3 although not Gen3 and not with a 2.5L. I would say to stick with the Mazda3 because of fuel economy and a sportier drive as it's lower to the ground compared to the CX-5. I have a family so my wife takes the CX-5 to work and is our weekend car. The styling and drive of the CX-5 is great, but there are some features like a power tailgate and memory seats (on my car) that is missing compared some high models of it's competition. If you don't have kids, I would recommend you stick with the more "fun" car for as long as you can. There will be plenty of time in the future to be a responsible partner/parent. Good luck with your decision.

Does the Cx5 GT have auto lights and wipers? The one I drove didnt have nothing, and it was a GS model.

[greaves82]

I thought Mazda sold a 2.5L option for the CX-5. I wouldn't think of buying it without the extra power.

If you've got no family to lug around in your vehicle, and no large amount of gear that won't fit in the 3, then just stick to the 3.

my 2015 cx5 had the 2.5 lite engine and still felt under powered

[greaves82]

Can you elaborate on the issues...

During the winter whenever I put the car in reverse there was a vibration. The colder it got, the worse the vibration got. At one point, it got so bad the entire vehicle was vibrating. Dealership reflashed the computer.

After the reflash, whenever I stepped on the gas to either pass someone or to even get up to speed on the highway on ramp as soon as the vehicle downshifted and hit around 2800 rpm the transmission would start to slip

[proDJtege]

my 2015 cx5 had the 2.5 lite engine and still felt under powered

But what other cars are you comparing to? I can only compare with my own ('08 2.3L mazda3GT and my wife's 2011 1.8L Civic)

[ds2chan]

Are you planning on having kids in the near future? I assume no since you just mentioned that you don't have any kids. If yes, then maybe the extra room in the CX-5 would be better.

[Kiewan]

I would chose the 3 GT or even a Mazda6/other sedan.

IMHO I don't see the necessity of getting an SUV when you have kids. I don't have kids and many will say that's why I don't get it, but I grew up in the 90s with a Honda Accord and Ford Escort. We managed just fine as a family of 4.
I see the added convenience of an SUV greatly outweighed by other factors like higher cost, poorer mileage, not as fun to drive ect. That's just me.

[Aitch]

I would chose the 3 GT or even a Mazda6/other sedan.

IMHO I don't see the necessity of getting an SUV when you have kids. I don't have kids and many will say that's why I don't get it, but I grew up in the 90s with a Honda Accord and Ford Escort. We managed just fine as a family of 4.
I see the added convenience of an SUV greatly outweighed by other factors like higher cost, poorer mileage, not as fun to drive ect. That's just me.
I'm with you on the SUV thing. The only thing for us is we have a kid and a medium sized dog, a hatch instead of a trunk makes a big difference for the dog instead of crowding him on the back seat with our kid. Nonetheless I will seek any alternatives to an SUV lol.

[Drewmtb29]

I have a 3 sport GT MT and it's the best car I have ever owned. You will not regret it! [emoji5]


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[ShibbyDibbyDoo]

I have a kid and 3 hatchback and I do just fine for space. The need of a massive SUV for families is a myth. I had 2 sets of tires and my daughter in her big ass child seat at the same time without issue.