hi all...i'm in the market for a new vehicle to replace my 2013 subaru legacy with 244k miles and have settled on a 2025 cx-5 preferred based on it meeting a lot of my wants/needs list below...prior to the subaru i had an 05 mazda 6 which ran to about 240k miles...anyway i typically only do what i deem to be necessary/functional changes to my cars (don't really car about cosmetic changes)...here is what i have so far...any suggestions on these items or additional items are welcome...thanks...also is carplay wireless on the 2025?

will edit this as i find items while searching on here and amazon

not ordered
-magnetic drain plug M14-1.5 (researching)...goldplug or votex
-14mm crush washers
-oil separator (not sure yet)... https://www.jlosc.com/j-l-oil-separa...-5l-non-turbo/
-window rain guards (which won't stress the motors or increase road noise)... looking for suggestions but may pass on this because i don't see them working like i want
-wireless carplay adapter... looking for reliable suggestions

ordered
n/a

received but not installed
-oil filter (researching)...mobil1 m1-108a
-oil (researching)...0w-20 full synthetic...preferred choice order from walmart...pennzoil platinum...castrol edge advanced...mobil1 advanced fuel economy...valvoline advanced...not buying quaker state, super tech or royal purple (overpriced)

installed
-phone holder...frankensteined 2 different ones together...car mount https://a.co/d/4uCizTv + phone cradle https://a.co/d/dNn8anv
-infotainment screen protector... https://a.co/d/chsNYZI
-hood struts https://a.co/d/cZSZPXj
-all weather floor mats and cargo tray (upper position)..."https://www.huskyliners.com/p/husky-liners-weatherbeater-floor-liners/v/mazda/cx-5/2024/" & "https://www.huskyliners.com/p/husky-liners-weatherbeater-cargo-liner/v/mazda/cx-5/2024/"
-arm rest cover (that boosts height?) (i believe it is soft and not hard plastic but not positive) because dogs... https://a.co/d/7RqnSRj
-mud flaps... "https://www.mymazdapart.com/accessories/Mazda_2025_CX-5/Exterior-Protection.html"
-seat covers for passenger seat and rear seat because dogs & a kid... https://a.co/d/9HT85FZ & https://a.co/d/5PPSGkP
-silicone key covers https://a.co/d/6qPIp5I
-seat back protection https://a.co/d/7zZMxpo
-fumoto quick drain oil plug https://www.fumotousa.com/cars-picku...4-cx-5-2-5l-l4
-lower grill guards https://a.co/d/j3JBS0Z
-tire pressure monitoring system Tymate TM2 https://a.co/d/05xmKNTa
-windshield wiper hole dust cover https://a.co/d/07TcHvPQ
-drivers seat thigh support search amazon: Brand: XXUGHUJO , Car Seat Extender Leg Support Cushion for Mazda CX-5 2012-2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, PU Leather Ergonomic Extension Cushion for Long Drives, Breathable Leg Rest Cushion,A Black

CAR SHOPPING LIST

new car needs:
check - reliability
check 40/20/40 - 60/40 folding second row
check - pleather/leather or seat covers (because dogs)
check 15' - be able to fit in the garage have about 18’ of space would like to have 2’-3’ of that to walk around the front or back
check awd - awd or fwd
check - not a cvt transmission if i can avoid it (toyota's planetary style cvt is fine though)
check - timing chain, not belt
probably not - would like 30+ mpg
check 17s - smaller wheels with more tire
check add on - splash guards
check add on - all weather floor mats and trunk tray
check - no lights in bumpers
nope - aux input
equalish - more cargo floor area (not volume) than my legacy
check (i-stop not available until trims higher than preferred at the time i bought) - no engine autostop without a button control with memory
check (cylinder deactivation not available until trims higher than preferred at the time i bought) - no cylinder deactivation

new car wants:
check - dual driver memory settings
not sure - dual bluetooth phone connections
can add on - window rain guards
check - CarPlay
can add on - 2nd row seat back protection (rubberized)
check - heated seats
nope - cooled seats
check - backup camera

 

I prefer WeatherTech floor mates (perfect fit) Hood struts, Arm rest cover (not high enough for some of us), and aftermarket GPS (~$40) as opposed to $350-400 from Mazda.
You will find hundreds of do-dads and other gee Wizz item on e-bay.

My 2¢

 

thanks for the input...much appreciated....

weathertech are really nice...my wife has a '22 telluride and i bought smartliners for that vehicle and i'm very happy with the fitment and coverage...the ones i linked above i am going to try and see how they fit due to cost...if i don't like them i can always return to amazon

i noticed that the hood didn't have struts on it...that is a good idea...i didn't look at the higher trims...do those have hood struts?...will the preferred trim have the mounting points on it so they can be easily added?

i will wait on the arm rest cover until i receive the car...in the mean time i will throw a towel over it so the dog's nails don't dent them...i didn't even pay attention to the height of the arm rest when i test drove it...is it really low?...i'm just shy of 6'...any recommendations for an arm rest cover that boosts the height of it?

as far as the gps i totally agree...i never pay for navigation...especially when the car has carplay...i have a garmin drivesmart 65 with live traffic through my cell phone as well as a hd traffic antenna in the cord as a backup in case i don't have my phone or it doesn't connect for some reason...i have had a garmin with traffic antenna in my car since maybe 2004ish (garmin nuvi 360)

 

Mazda doesn't have hood struts on the CX-5 at all. Not difficult to install and available from Amazon or e-bay.
I get ads for the armrest pads on Facebook, several vendor several styles.

My 2¢

 

thanks again...i just took a look for the hood struts on amazon and found a pair...like you said, they look easy to install...pull a couple existing bolts and put them in...added the link to my first post

as far as the arm rest goes i will have to figure out how thick the padding needs to be for my height i assume...i found some on amazon but i can't gauge how much padding i will need until i sit in the car and get the seat dialed in i assume

 

There is a YouTube video on installing struts. the pin goes in the rear hole on the sides.

 

thanks...i'll def take a peek at it prior to buying the struts

 

hoping to make a deal this week for a 2025 cx5 preferred in white...my dealer is going to have to do a swap to get me a white one...i already have a white car currently so i'll probably stick with the same color...seems like the 2025 preferred is available in white, dark gray, red, black, dark blue and platinum...black and dark blue are out as they get too dirty although the blue is nice...the platinum has a yellowish tinge to it so i'm not a fan of that...the dark gray i like but i'm also afraid of how dirty it will look...the red i really like but will attract too much attention...i figure the white stays cleaner looking and if it gets scratched it won't show up as much

 

deposit down on '25 cx5 preferred in white...time to order accessories so they are here when i receive the car

 

Bam Wholsesale Parts has many of the genuine Mazda accessories for less than OEM price. That's where I ended up getting my cargo mat and rear cargo cover from.