Hear ye, hear ye, all CX-5 experts, nerds and fanboys!! I'm shopping for (used) CX-5s, please help!

I've owned Miatas (5 of them, 2 of which I still own) since 1995 and the only other car in that time was a 90 Honda Civic SI I owned from 2006 to 2011. No way in hell I'm giving up my extensively, but tastefully modded 2005 Mazdaspeed turbo, and I'm still hanging onto my original 1991 Miata I got in 1995, but it needs a serious restoration. SO.... I need a vehicle more comfortable for road trips, something for camping, mild off road (more like off paved roads), that can tow a trailer. Towing is a particular concern. Like towing my old 1200-1500lb 13" Scamp fiberglass "egg" camper or a box trailer for moving. Or, maybe even for towing a stripped down 1991 Miata shell to a paint shop on a car trailer??? That sort of thing. 2000 may actually not be far off from what I'd need to two, but I would prefer 3000, 3500, 4000lb rating? So, hoping the CX-5 will actually be ok, even if just rated for 200lb tongue, 2000lb tow???

I love the vibe of the CX-5, generally hate SUV/crossovers, and my Mazda fanboyism influenced cousins to get an older CX-5 and they are loving it. For years I've wanted something like an Outback for a camping/towing vehicle, but the prices seem really high for even older ones and while considered well built, and I don't doubt they are, certain Sube flat fours seem to have some big gotchas if you aren't ready for them.

CX-5 questions!

Would I mind giving up a half liter (2.0 vs 2.5) to get a manual? I've never owned an automatic anything, but would consider it for a vehicle like this? How is the reliability of the auto transmissions on these things and is that a factor in the tow rating?

What are the expensive/annoying repairs that an older or not so perfectly maintained CX-5 could run into. I'm very handy at most stuff car repair stuff, but I don't want to be unexpectedly paying for a new engine or transmission and those are the kind of jobs I don't want to do myself as a general rule.

Can I tow more than 2000lbs reasonably despite the seemingly really low 2000lb rating??? Beyond the number rating Mazda gave it, what is the limiting factor? I do know it's not a heavy vehicle and TV vs towed weight ratio is important. The tongue weight of 200lbs is also very low, limiting. What is going to break or be unsafe first if you started towing more than the 2000lb rating. Full disclosure, I towed a 1500ish lb camper with my Mazdaspeed Miata 3000ish miles over 2011-2012 even if it is rated to two ZERO lbs. But that was tiring, uncomfortable, not ideal for wear and tear on the suspension/transmission/clutch and generally not something I want to do more of. There were certainly challenges doing that and I could see how the wrong person, or just the wrong circumstances could have caused a big mess doing that (So don't do that at home kids!) But my point is I see tow ratings more as rough suggestions for the average person, a guideline, not a hard limit that if exceeded by a single pound will immediately destroy the tow vehicle and trailer in a multiple fatality disaster. So, vague "No you can't exceed the tow rating at all, ever, go buy a F150 or a Silverado or you are not a real American and a very bad person." will be ignored. Tell me the real factors that limit how much you can realistically, comfortably, safely tow with CX-5s.

1st gen (2013-2016) vs 2nd gen (2017---) pros and cons????

Would I be crazy to try find one of the very rare CX-5 2019 Diesels with the higher tow rating? Did that even actually exist???!!!! Seems like a ghost?! LoL! What besides the different engine gives that a much higher tow rating? Does it have a different transmission than the gas motor 2019s?

Anyone ever hear of importing a CX-5 diesel from another (Left hand drive) market? Like maybe South America? Not sure if they sent the diesels down there or not.

Would the big power of the 2.5 Turbo be worth going way over budget to get something newer like a 2019? I'm probably hoping to spend more like $15,000, not $30,000, but I'm trying to be open minded.

Should I even consider a CX-9 to get a tow rating closer to what I'd want ideally? I don't like driving huge vehicles (when I'm not towing), fuel mileage is a factor. The CX-5 is so loved and the CX-9 I don't know anything about so at that point I'd be back to considering a wide variety of options, most of which are not Mazdas.

Where are the cool places for CX-5 mods? Off road suspension, roof racks, towing bits and nifty accessories? Any specialists in the CX-5 out there?

Thanks in advance if anyone thinks these topics are interesting and wants to take the time to reply!!!!

 

I would stay away from the diesel.

Can you get the 2.5 n/a or 2.5T with a manual gearbox? ( not in my market)

I think you would find the 2.0 gutless.