2014 CX-5

[Evan]

Its a slow day on the forums so you get to see my new car. No turbos or v8s or track machinery unfortunately, so temper your expectations.

With fresh offspring and a couple of mutts, Annes focus 5 door was proving to be way too cramped for family duty, and ever since selling my 99 miata (*tear) Ive been jonesin for a new DD anyway, as my Titan is neither fun to drive, park in dc, or put gas in.

Now I love me some wagons, but Im not about to pay $50k for a new 3 series wagon, Id have to mortgage my house to pay for the gas on a CTS-V wagon, and the TSX wagon is more outdated than RJs wardrobe.
And since Mazda decided to be a dick and not bring this over here, that left me with SUVs, and the CX-5 is the most un-SUV SUV out there short of a Cayenne. And at least IMO, it looks better than anything else out there by far.

So the deal was made and this followed me home


2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring in Soul Red.
DI "skyactiv" 2.4L 188hp and crazy high compression. Quick locking auto trans that shifts like a dual clutch without the shudder. Its about as light as a SUV comes (~3200 lbs iirc) and handles damn good. Slightly less boring than your typical family mover.

I originally planned on getting a touring, as I dont like leather or a sunroof and I can upgrade some of the rest myself, but the GT has a bunch of cool exclusive shit so I said fuckit, Im old and cranky, time to get something nice. GT with tech package. Like a boss. Or something.


"project" stuff
All weather floormats.
Cargo protector.
dc door dings
dog hair
LED DRL
HID Fogs
baby spitup
springs with a light drop to get some of the wagon look back
wheels

so there ya go.


the detailing crew wasnt there when I bought it, so Ill get it shined up soon and post some more pics. the soul red really pops.

[Goodspeed]

Very nice, I'd imagine thats damn near the perfect family hauler. And it looks like Mazda has been pimping them out:

the detailing crew wasnt there when I bought it, so Ill get it shined up soon and post some more pics. the soul red really pops.

Dan just let out a sigh of relief, they probably would have butchered the thing

[BLINGMW]

Seems pretty nice, I don't really know anything about them. :dunno: Your mods list appears to be very realistic at least. :thumbup:

[Jake]

Nice, looks good! I'm not much of a red person, but I like it.

Did you consider the new Escape at all? I'm curious what your opinion is of that vs. the CX-5.

[navin]

dog hair

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autogeek.net/rubber-pet-brush.html">http://www.autogeek.net/rubber-pet-brush.html</a><!-- m -->

UH-MAZING.

<- who thought short-hair dogs meant less shedding... :facepalm:

[Maengelito]

I think it looks pretty sharp and half of your project list is stuff others are going to do for you.

BTW, at this point, this is pretty much you: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-with-strong-brand-loyalty-willing-to-kill-for,31761/">http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-wi ... for,31761/</a><!-- m -->

[D_Eclipse9916]

I would agree on the CX-5 being a very sharp car. I didn't know they were that light either. That is a huge plus. The euro brand's "entry-level" wagons are now in the 40-50k region which in my mind is insane. Good pickup!

[WRXtranceformed]

I actually really like that purchase. Fun enough to keep you happy and safe / practical enough to tote your kids and stuff around

[Evan]

Nice, looks good! I'm not much of a red person, but I like it.

Did you consider the new Escape at all? I'm curious what your opinion is of that vs. the CX-5.

Yep. You really get a lot of features for the money in the escape, especially with the recent 1500 rebate. I really like the wiggle-foot hatch opener, great seats and interior, 2.0T and the infotainment/smartphone integration.
Its not nearly as good looking as the CX-5 and doesnt handle as well but its good enough on both to make the rest of the positives worth it.

Unfortunately what killed it is the small backseat. Not nearly enough room for a rear facing offspring retention device.


Also looked at the santa fe. bigger than both, really nice interior and solidly built. huge 8" screen, but poor infotainment/tech options, no blind spot monitoring or pandora. didnt handle as bad as i expected but not great, a little sluggish. probably would have been the smartest buy for its size, but I didnt want to drive a big SUV everyday to work.

[Evan]

when I was going to buy the touring model (with 17"s) I had planned on going for this look


Since the GT comes with pretty good looking 19"s, Im not so sure dropping $2000+ on wheels/tires is really worth it though.
On the fence about lowering it too.

[ScottyB]

holy crap that actually looks good. and 3200 lbs? the zoom zoom is strong with this one.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Who makes springs for this thing already?

[BLINGMW]

Who makes springs for this thing already?

[Evan]

Who makes springs for this thing already?

H&R and Eibach
this is the H&R before and after. its a nice look without looking ricey or slammed

[JustinG]

Looks like H&R and Eibach have em.

[WRXtranceformed]

I think you should do the springs, it looks so much better. And I am not usually a big suspension-changing guy for a daily driver

[V1GiLaNtE]

Damn.. A little drop and that made all the difference. I'd say go for it!

[HAULN-SS]

I think i actually prefer the stock height.

[JPolen01]

Am I derping or am I just missing the before and after. I only see one picture?

[WRXtranceformed]

You've been derped. It's an animated gif