Mazda CX5 SUV (with turbo)
 

I'm planning to deep six the Subaru Forester (even tho it's only 10 years old).

Looks like the CX5 GT-R (the Riserva or whatever) which has a turbo is the thing to get for fun getting to the trailhead and some limited off-paved road use (?)

It scores well in safety & reliability.

Any thoughts?

Comparisons?

I’ve only driven the NA CX-5, a bit underpowered but fun to drive (for an SUV). I wish it came in a manual but that’s never going to happen. Mazda has some neat engines coming to market.

Is being new (presumably for warranty purposes) a requirement? I’d keep a nice 10 yo Forester XT with a manual but I must be missing something because that car shouldn’t rot away in no-salt Oregon.

cyl. head leaks - only 56k miles too + bad attitude from Subaru

I think new or an '18 on the CX5

Loved every Mazda I've owned and have owned a few.

Like any car they have their particulars but the one consistent thing is they manage to build fun reliable cars at a reasonable price point.

Hard to go wrong.

Sure. I get it but also had the head gaskets replaced in mine ('08 outback). I'm at 130k miles and I still count on it for 80 miles every winter weekday and it doesn't let me down. I need it to work -35F or not. I only wish it were an XT but then I'd worry about the turbocharger at this point.

While I love my Mazdas (current one is Mazda #4) I gotta say the most recent one - 2013 CX 9 - has been less than superb.

No real mechanical issues, but little quality-indicative expensive to fix things, and some little trivial things that are kind of a pain.
Drivers side sun visor support arm broke - $300 replacement due to how it broke and how it attaches. Wife flipped it down one day and it dropped in her lap.

Wheel well liner on back passenger side - $150 part, $100 labor. Came off while wife was washing the car at one of the DIY places.

No external tie down points. While I can get a canoe up to no problem, there is no way to properly secure it.

Key fob with flip out key part is rather flimsy. I have a butterfly knife I paid $10 for in 1988 that feels tighter and better made than the key fob mechanism.

All of that said, the wife does put a TON of miles on (20-22k/year), does drive it hard, etc. and it has been extremely mechanically reliable with no issues. Just isn't rock solid like our previous ones.

Okay - since nobody has asked this yet: What’s the plan for “Deep six” the Forester?
Are you going trade-in route, or something else because of the head gaskets?
Don’t know about logistics, but it sounds like a fun project....

-probably stupid for me to even ask. But I am not very smart....

I'm not a Subie expert but seem to remember hearing that the turbo engines don't have the same head gasket problems; that they build them more stout because of the additional combustion pressure.

I dunno - I usually sell has-been cars myself, but may just see what a dealer will do.


speeder - the turbo is on the new Mazda (not Sube), or maybe the 4 cyl. BMW - I don't see any reason to pay a lot for something that gets (moderately) thrashed on logging roads, etc. - not to mention the stoners & phoners who tend to bash into your car in this town...

I drove the CX5 against the Ford Escape and went with the escape and have loved it. Beat it down some fairly rough trails and it had done just fine. 240hp ecoboost motor makes more than enough grunt for anything we need.

Thx - what else did you like about the Escape?

I was shopping for an AWD small SUV last year and test drove the CX-5 and many others. I thought the CX-5 had the “sportiest” handling which was important to me but the CX-5 could have used a little more power.

I eventually purchased a 2017 Ford Escape (46,000 miles on it now) and have been pretty happy with it. The Escape handles almost as well and has much more power with the Ecoboost turbo engine (more cargo space also). One day I had it heavily loaded to the gills and was climbing a long mountain pass here in Colorado, probably around 7000’ elevation. The thing accelerated up the hill surprisingly well.

Only problem so far has been a leaky Intermediate Shaft Seal which was covered for free under a service bulletin.

Agreed with both the Escape and CX5. Definitely my two favorites.

Thx - the Escape has not fared too well in reviews, but I'll take another look...

if I do get a X5, it'll have the turbo for more punch; IIRC it is sequential & low pressure.. torquey