Wifey just got a Mazda5 sport. How difficult is it (or easy) to install the factory roof rack ?

Or is a yakima or Thule aftermarket the way to go ?

The most that would be up there is a few bikes or a cargo box on longer trips.

 

We went with the Thule aftermarket ones that bolt onto the fix-points. It is crazy easy to install. The only real difference is that the thule aftermarket ones have longer load bars, the ones from Mazda (also thule) end at the "feet". the longer bars are nice if you put lots of stuff, but the ones from mazda look nicer when not in use.

I take mine off when not in use, so the longer bars, which look less nice, were the better choice for me.

 

We also just got a 5. We went with the Mazda roof rack. The rack itself went together in about 5 minutes. I haven't put it on the 5 yet, but it seems like the most difficult part of the whole operation will be removing the 4 little plastic covers from the roof of the 5 to expsoe the attachment points. I would imagine that will apply to any make of roof rack.