good morning, everyone,

i've been reading posts on this forum for a while. i saw friendly, helpful messages from good people. so i wanted to join.

in about 3-4 years, i put about 50k miles on my 2012 mazda6 i touring plus.
in about 2-3 years, i put another 30k miles on my (correction, wife's...) 2013 cx5 touring.

the 2012 mazda 6 has a lot of road noise. so i dynamatted the trunk (which anyone can easily do), put extra mats in the trunk, put extra floor mats in cabin, and sprayed a rubber sound deadening material in wheel wells, and got quieter tires.

did similar things to my cx5

while they are definitely no quiet benzes right now... they are a little quieter. for cost/labor i put in, not a bad trade.

i like these cars, and want to keep them forever. i'm planning to get my third mazda. i narrowed it down to either prior generation mazda 6 (looks better with bigger headlights and more curvy than current mazda 6).... and prior generation mazda3. to me, previous gens look better than the less lines/less curvy/big slab current mazda3 and 6.

i'm sorry if i offended any fans of current mazda styling.

i've got a lot of fat on my thighs :/ ... but i actually can fit ok inside my 2013 cx5.
i'm worried i can't fit comfortably in 2014-8 mazda3.

anyone out there own previous generation cx5 and previous generation mazda3? is it literally same seat?

same (or almost same) amount of driver space in cx5 or mazda3? or i'm just incorrectly dreaming that a compact suv = compact mazda3 for driver leg thigh space?

gratzi everyone!

 

The Mazda3 is smaller than a CX-5 in almost every direction, although I have never owned a CX-5. I find the space in a 3 to be enough for me and I have never had a complaint, my much smaller wife does complain about how small it is. Go figure. I have found the type of seat is more of a factor than the size of the vehicle itself. Mazda seats, in my opinion, are not as restrictive as the seats in some sportier cars. I would be uncomfortable driving a Civic SI, as an example, based solely on the seat.

Test drive both the 3 and 6 and decide for yourself. I love the handling of the 2014 - 2018 Mazda3. It is a great car for anyone who wants to enjoy the drive.

The 2019 Mazda3 has made huge improvements in limiting road noise. Prior to the current year, Mazdas are known for a lot of road noise, so back to work on whatever you buy.

 

Thanks!

 

also, one more thing i wanted to add. for 2013 cx5, on the right of your right foot... there is a little panel you could take off to give you more foot space.

mine fell off by accident. i left it off. so much better. more comfy, easier/safer to drive

 

Again, I have never owned a CX-5, however, I am intrigued by your creative adaptations. Why the heck would Mazda have put a panel in that blocked usable space?

I have never been a fan of mods, thinking Mazda has spent a fortune engineering the vehicle to be optimal, how can we, mere mortals with limited budgets. improve on the functionality? Yet in two examples, you have as you define your needs.

 

"Why the heck would Mazda have put a panel in that blocked usable space?"

idk, but, here are my theories:
cheaper?
maybe easier for someone (owner/mechanic/mazda technician) to get in there and access electronics or wires or stuff if necessary? maybe easier for them to build on the assembly line??


taking out that panel was the best thing i ever did. whenever i want to move my big foot to gas pedal, i can actually find it more easily (and safely), faster... can drive faster and maybe more confidently without some panel "banging back" my foot the other way.... that panel used to block me and was a distraction.

i can control the car better and move better. i'm happy with that panel on the right of my right foot gone.


"I have never been a fan of mods, thinking Mazda has spent a fortune engineering the vehicle to be optimal, how can we, mere mortals with limited budgets. improve on the functionality? Yet in two examples, you have as you define your needs."

mazda is actually a small company based on japan. if i'm correct, every single mazda 3, cx5, 6, cx9 is built in japan.... then shipped over here?

only the mazda2 (which mazda doesn't even sell) is built in us, for toyota, rebadged as toyota yaris?

they don't have crazy money for research and development.


i would also say mazda (and all car companies) make one car and sell it not only in all 50 states, but in other countries such as those in europe, asia, africa, middle east...

so they make a "generalized" car that hopefully everybody likes.... cars that are made so the biggest number of people will buy.

imho, there's no way a car built for the masses can be perfect as is for someone to fall in love with :/


eg, i personally like Quiet and comfort. so i put in that sound deadening stuff and took out that panel. i bought uiet tires that have decent cornering ability - mazda oem tires are so cheap that they must have gotten them for a low price.

i also bought special armrest cushions so my 2012 mazda6 is more comfy.

[i'll take some pix and post them later.]


so a person could definitely spend very little money to customize/modify/make his mazda more suited to a his uniQue desires.

on another note, if i get a mazda 6, i might get the super awesome / almost beast like lenzdesign body kit.
https://lenzdesign.blogspot.com/2013...-2013.html?m=1

i think that body kit makes the 6 look so much better!
it costs $700, gotta spend another 1500 to professionally paint and install.... but hey.... you only live once? :/


on another note, some of these customizing ideas, i found on the internet.

there are tons more that can be done. can go crazy with engine, suspension, buy a chip.....

gotta go