Hello everyone, new to the forum. I am looking seriously at a dealer's 2 yr 9 mo ex-lease 2019 CX-5 Grand Touring with AWD but not turbo.
I'm putting together a checklist before buying in a couple days. I have some obvious stuff like tire wear/tread depth, moon roof works/doesn't leak, power/heat/cool seats work, oil/tranny fluid level.
I'd greatly appreciate additions to the list from the collective wisdom of the forum. Best regards, David

 

Check to be sure any open recalls have been done.
Confirm a full service has been completed including belt inspection and/or replacement.
The navigation card has the newest update(s).
Have them install a new battery in the FOB and the vehicle battery if it has not already been replaced.
The OEM batteries in the CX-5 are not all that great.
Verify all your controls/lights/buttons/switches/gauges/window/liftgate/moon roof/cruise control and all the rest are operating correctly.
Specifically, everything in the infotainment system, electronic parking brake, seat adjustments.
I would also make sure the brake pads and rotors are replaced if needed.
Muffler and CAT are operating as required and free of any holes/rust or the like.
Obviously make sure no trouble lights are on.
I'm sure I missed something.

 

I would really suggest that you find a service shop that will do a 100+ point inspection. Normally these will cost from 50-100 and well worth it.

pardon my comment but if you are asking what to look for on a forum than this is a good reason why you should take the vehicle and have it independently inspected.

Try to find a shop that has a sign in the front ASE which mean that they earned and that sign and should have 1 or more ASE certified Auto Technicians. You can also see their certification in the service bay or in the main office. We like to present them in a spot that can be seen for customers.


Lobstah has some good starting points.... but at least you do not have to worry about safety recalls if your are buying from a "DEALER". It is illegal in the US for a dealership to sell a new car with an open recall.

 

I had already checked with my local Mazda dealer to see if the lift module replacement had been done and it hadn't.
Alas the salesman at the dealership I purchased from was "apparently" not aware of that law.
He specifically told me it had been done when I asked.
Suffice to say I got another $1000 off because the dealership is great the new salesman was just an asshat.
Well, perhaps not so great in choosing sales reps...
I'm not certain the guy works even there anymore.
I had the module replaced at the Mazda dealer who was/is my local motorcycle shop/dealer as well.

 

Run a CarFax. Yes, it's a bit of an extra cost but I have never regretted buying them. I ran one on my current CX-5 and it showed a small bump in the rear. Minor, but because it was insurance, it showed up. Prior to buying the CX-5 though, I looked at a Mitsubishi Outlander with the automatic, rather than CVT transmission. It looked great. No paint issues, clean as a pin and it had EVERYTHING I wanted on a car. Right options, color, everything. I didn't have my check book or I would have left a deposit.

I copied the VIN and ran a CarFax. The history the dealer had showed no accidents. The CarFax was a different matter. The only original panels on the car were the roof, drivers door and right front fender. A car can be in and out of a body shop in two weeks and be like new. This was in there for a month and was traded in the day after it got out. I had noticed some odd harmonics in the drivetrain and I'm pretty sure the chassis wasn't right. Yes, it cost money but it saved me from buying a car that had been creamed. The CX-5 has worked great from day one. No issues except for maintenance.

 

First, I'd like to thank everyone for weighing in. I've already purchased the car and put 600+ miles on it, but I have some things to add to my to-do list now. Perhaps this will help someone in the future.

Did this myself on the Mazda USA web site prior to driving 3 hours to the dealership. ☑︎
The dealership itemized their full service, but I'll have to dig the paperwork back out to verify the belt inspection part. ☐
Sadly, it does not, and as this wasn't a Mazda dealership, I let it go. Definitely already on my to-do, as it has crashed twice. ☐
To check. ☐
Done before the test drive. ☑︎
Brakes seem in good working order; the car has only around 35,600 miles. I was under the vehicle to check the installation of the hitch (a Curt 13315 btw) and the muffler looked good. ☑︎
Obviously. ☑︎
I don't have a (reputable) Mazda dealership nearby, so this will require some homework. I'll look around for an ASE shop. ☐
Yep, I am well aware of that. Geographic and time constraints conspired against me.
I did; it was clean. ☑︎

Best regards to all respondents—David

 

I think you'll be happy with your car. I had never heard of the CX-5 until it popped up in my search parameters. After driving it, I was impressed. I've had mine just under 3 years and have never regretted buying it. It's held up well even when I'm up on the farm and dealing with washboard gravel roads.

 

Agree, Sometimes vehicle history reports can save your budget in the future

 

Without knowing the price and mileage of the 2019 ,and where the vehicle was used I can't say if it's a good deal . If the vehicle was used in snow country ,IMHO I would give it a lessor value. Being 4 years old what kind of warrantee does it have if any ? First thing I would do is determine the true value of the vehicle ,and what the difference would be on a new vehicle with a warrantee. Right now used cars prices are dropping rapidly and I expect them to drop even further in the next 90 days. The auctions are overloaded with used cars now. interest rates on auto loans are up. Dealers aren't selling new cars at a brisk pace and there is plenty of inventory, and are willing to deal now. So IMHO if you can stretch your budget ,a new CX5 might be a overall better choice now . Now IF you can steal ( buy it well below wholesale blue book) and the 2019 checks out perfect than it is worth a shot. All used vehicles are a crap shoot ,no matter how you check them out. Add to that ,every model year the manufacture updates and improves the vehicle and fix's the bugs. Unless you can save 25% on the 2019 over the price of a new 2023 warranted CX5 ,you are not making a wise purchase. So i am just saying there is more to consider than just vehicle condition . Good luck with you new purchase weather it be new or used .

 

First off, we have no idea about the buyer's financial situation so what may be good for you or I could be irrelevant to them.
Depending on what state you live in, aside from the initial costs, a vehicle can add a large amount in excise tax, sales tax and increased insurance.
In my state that's an additional 6% in sales tax alone.

I'm more curious as to how you arrived at your 25% figure and why you feel that anything less would be an unwise decision?
Yeah, I'm one of those math guys that likes to see the reasoning behind figures.