HI Everyone. My Wife and I been looking for good awd vehicle that last us awhile. We were looking at crv and rav4, but had chance to see and test a 2016 cx-5 awd. It really impressed us and now it's what we are hunting for. Being a former researcher and now computer geek. Is there really a bad year. So fart I've seen 2016 is worse, but everything I read about sounds like it's electrical not mechanical. The other I've seen is 2017 is best year. Anyways just curious what everyone thinks and has experienced and looking forward to getting to know more about the car.

We looking for used probably max budget of 15k fyi

Cheers everyone!

 

2018 Model 3 hands down.... IMHO....

 

Oh I shoulda said I meant for cx-5. Although I think 3 are pretty sick, I remember when first came out.

 

We get enough various year cx5 in the shop to state that no year was better than the other once the warranty has expired from Mazda. It really all boils down to the panels keeping up or for better norms lack of basic maintenance and as for preventative maintenance it is almost non existent.

 

That's super good info, the 2016 we test drove seemed fine. they wanted 15k for it at 125k miles I thought that was a bit too much. But I figure that at 80k to 120k miles most problems have either been resolved or would easily present themselves. And like you said maintenance is key.

 

Welcome to the forum

Good choice.

 

Yeah thanks like I said my requirments being poor, were something that last a long time has, awd, and is very dependable and won't need possible tranny's or things replaces. We came across rav4, crv and then recently cx-5. And I was like really blown away with cx-5 having not had a car since like 2018. Been some huge leaps in tech. I'm just trying to get users advice on what to watch out for and inspect when buying.
Here in KC the market seems inflated, and very competive. But I wasn't here during covid.

 

Assuming you already did the VIN service record check and also accident and what ever service information may be left in the vehcle (ask the owner if independent seller).
Honestly users owners and on all forums owners are the worst to ask questions of problems related to their model vehicles (better to check for all verified information vis Mazda records which included TSB directly related to your exact model and VIN) Owners will if there is even one thing wrong they go nuts with negativity that is generally not fact based.
I recommend that if you find any vehcle you are interested in then pay a service shop to do a complete comprehensive inspection of it.

If after you do get the Mazda then do a fresh service start with basic service items. Regardless of what the last service date and miles are. This way you have a base line of your own start of a service history.
Most basic. The service shop may suggest other tests when they physically have the vehcle present?
Engine Oil and filter
Air filter
Cabin filter
Have the shop do a Oscilloscope test to see the state of the ignition system
Strongly advise a transmission pan and filter fluid change
Complete and thorough scanning in all areas of the ECU
Consider a brake fluid flush a and replacement
Battery health check (load test)
Charging system test, (ECU scanning diagnostics)
Coolant fluid test

 

This was what I needed to know. I was planning on independent sevrvice mechanic, but alot of seem like they want to charge me for looking it over with a flashlight. Not trying to be harsh, I'm not from MO but honestly some **** I've seen here is like wtf? I can look it over myself with flashlight, but I was lacking what to tell them to do. Should I just take it to a mazada dealer if I can't find a specialist?

Unfortunately private sellers here seem non existent, I think all dealers buy everything and then try flip em.

also most of them seem to be 2016 which why I specifically asked about it.

At least I'm cheap and not in a hurry, and may even buy remotely which has it's own logistics.

 

Look for a independent service shop that advertises ASE and has shop signage. To use ASE listing the service shop must have at least one employee that is Certified with an ASE certification
A really great shop would be one that has an **ASE Master Automotive Diagnostic Technician and at least certified in the last 6 years.
A standard mechanic that is not attended a automotive service school and has some form of certification since at least 2015 is not a service shop you want to use or a person you want working on your MAZDA manufactured from at least 1995 to present.
Then you can also check your local BBB and other media sources for what others using the shop have to say. But you cant go wrong with >* * <

I would also suggest to talk to the shop directly and see if they offer in a complete vehcle inspection service and what the cost is. It should take 2 hours at most. Firestone is actually a good source for this kind of service inspection.

If you do find a shop that does a vehcle complete inspection you can PM (only) it to me to look over


Not all dealerships have a Factory Trained Mazda Mechanic so not all Mazda dealership are always the best for used Mazda servicing.