I saw this puppy at the auto show. Kind of a 3/4 scale mini van. It's tough to tell in the pictures, but it really is no longer than the 3. What do you guys think? Hot, or Flop.

 

Any other pics?
What are the engine options?
If it's no longer than a 3 then what is the difference (other than appearance)?

 

Lots more pics on the mazda canada website, under "Upcoming vehicles"

Engine is the 2.3, with auto or manual.

The big difference is that the car has 3 rows of seats, 2 of wich fold flat. It's a european "space wagon." Basically, it is a tall station wagon with a flexible interior.

Plus, I think it starts under, or right at 20 grand.

 

It's the latest crazy in Europe and Asia... Essentially it's a minature mini-van... Suppose to give you better versability with less room...

Underpinnings is based on the 3 platform.

And according to the latest stats, these type of vehicles are selling like hotcakes over in Europe...

Lates,

 

We have a flyer on one of these.
It looks pretty cool to me...

We're going to look at one once the local dealer gets them in...

I drive the 7, but we're looking at needing somthing a bit bigger for the second car...

 

On account of Spencer Jr?

 

If something sells like hot cakes in Europe probably means it won't do well here! Completely different cars and car culture of there...

I personally find it ugly! Like the 3 much better...

 

I'd personally want a little more horsepower. And then I'd probably buy the 6 wagon over it if I had to buy either the 5 or 6 wagon. But I wouldn't buy either in real life...I'd buy the 3 sedan or 6 sedan sport edition

 

Dear Mr Feds,
I hope that your family planning goes well, as the 2006 Mazda 5 starts production for Canadian vehicles in May 2005. In english that mean we should start to see them July or Aug 05 at the dealer level. I'm sure you and your wife and KIDS will love it!

 

Funny Feds...

Anyway, we have the baby, plus a friend who doesn't drive, and somtimes a good amount of cargo (trips to the cottage and so forth)...

 

Plus my family and his dad hate the 7, and with the gas prices I'm not willing to have 2 RX-7's on the road when we go on family trips.

Maybe in a few years when we have Spencer Jr, it'll make sense to have a car with 4 or more seats. I know how much Spencer love his RX-7, so I'm willing to get the "family" car.
What a nice and loving wife I am.

-Sarita

 

i think it will be nice !! mazda has good sales since 4-5 years ..

Max

 

Kind of reminds me of a non-disgusting PT Cruiser haha. I think it'll do well, myself. Practical design, has a sort of sporty look to it, and good ol' Mazda backing

 

Its not quite what I'd want (more power, lower centre of gravity - eg, the 6 Sport or wagon), but I think it'll be a winner. I'm actually sort of in the market for a sporty (non-SUV) wagon for a family car - and while the 3 Sport is cool, its hard up for hauling capacity unless the seats are folded, so not much use as a small family wagon. If the 5 has good space efficiency and handles well, it could the right vehicle at the right time - gas prices are only going to go up, so I think more people will turn away from thirsty SUV's and even the full size mini-vans to some extent.

 

Mazda has always had a bit of a niche in North america with their people haulers. The 1st MPV's were small and RWD. The current MPV's are smaller than the competition, the Tribute is a small SUV, I think this thing fits nicely into the portfolio, and is launching at just the right time.

I guess I am so fascinated by it because it seems like Mazda is a car company not run by idiots. I'm just not used to seeing that.

 

Well, it's based off the 3 platform, so it should handle well...
And from the flyer we have, it seems to be a pretty good cargo hauler....
Six seats, all "captain's seat" style, and the rear four fold down independantly, so it should have good flexibility. Good headroom too...

 

Hey Al,

I just got news on the Mazdaspeed 3, 250+ HP. Wowzers!

Any word on the Mazdaspeed 5? You've got to compete with this bad boy:

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/herita...ltespacef1.htm

 

I saw that thing run - and it was retarded lol! I have some pics somewhere.

It is an early 90's Renault F1 Chassis with an Espace "cover" on it.

EDIT:

Ok, here we are.... I didn't hava any digital Action shots - but here are a couple stationary ones!

 

Hi Jamie I wish someone would tell me about all this new stuff, why are we dealers always the last to know????

 

lol yah nissan tried this in the 80's, the wonderful nissan multi! lol i searched for 10 min and couldnt find a pic of this pos good thing... it was the family car growing up. i think that new mazda sucks as bad as the mazda3 sport. im not much of fan of those long but skinny lookin hatches; pontiac vibe, mazda3 sport, toyota something. on a side note.. even dodge, is gonna replace its neon with something similar... i smell another suv type craze..

 

Here's a better Pic:

It's called the Caliber.



Here's your Multi!




But it just goes to show how the breed has grown, as these new "Super Minivans" are the same size as the original Dodge Caravans!

 

And Caravans are knocking on '70's style Short Wheelbase full-size vans!

 

It should just be called the Mazda Matrix.

 

My grandparents had a muti....

It was neat-o back then...