How a random comment by a friend has you question why you really bought a car…
Doing my research really paid off with the last COAL. I really had to step it up and analyze the driving situation in Los Angeles along with my driving habits.
A sports sedan is great if you have a great driving location like the Angeles Crest Highway or can actually get it up to speed on the highway. I found myself planning my errands around traffic due to the Infiniti being a stick shift. It was truly a fun car but it was getting tiring. While kids hailed to the bus driver, I was getting no love, I understood why he cussed.
The majority of people in my area seemed to be driving big trucks, SUV’s, and crossovers. I found my visibility being hindered in my sports sedan, particularly when making left turns at intersections. The pot holes in the roads were also a concern and I would cringe and feel the pain in my soul when I would hit one in the Infiniti. Something had to be done.
I had to think practical. A full size truck/SUV would be nice, although I found the low return on MPG a turn off. I had no use for excess space or weight other than towing capacity. I sometimes find myself driving up to 1000 miles in a day for no reason other than me wanting to go somewhere. So those vehicles were a No.
The mid-size/crossover segment had vehicles that looked very similar. I had to choose one with styling and features to my liking, AWD was a plus I would look for as well. Nissan was a definite No as the CVT transmission was/is plagued with problems. The ever popular Honda CR-v and Toyota Rav-4 were out as well. There were simply too many of them. I needed to stand out and be unique.
I was watching Top Gear UK one day and they had the tow car challenge. It basically came down to the VW Tiguan and Mazda CX-5. I’ve seen them around the neighborhood but lacked interest until I was actually looking for one. I had to see what ridiculous challenge the boys came up with. It was entertaining and I honestly trust those guys judgment on cars.
Again I began the research to see what options and features were available. It was available with a 2.0 liter engine in base models (155hp) and 2.5 liter engine (185hp) in Touring and higher models. I wish the 2.5 had a manual transmission available, but it wasn’t, and that was okay too.
The auto transmission was not a CVT, but a true 6 speed. I researched who made the transmission. Apparently Mazda made their own stuff and in such a way to increase reliability and driving feel; described as connected like a manual transmission.
I liked the styling of the 2015 model vs. the 2017 model. The new model looked sharper and up to date, but the smaller rear tail lights made the back look plain.
The interiors were similar but I just could not get over the Satnav screen sticking out of the dashboard like that.
So it came down to finding a CX-5 with AWD in any color other than white, personally I think it makes most cars seem like rentals; to each their own. I found a used silver one available in Oxnard California, a good 60 miles away from home. I took the day from work to go look at the car and take a test drive.
I could immediately tell the shifting strategy was for fuel economy, with shifts coming low in the RPM range. The engine seemed matched to the transmission as it put down torque at low RPM, then hits a flat spot, then horsepower peaks at higher RPM. It was a different sensation than what I was used to, but this is a crossover and not a sports sedan.
I bought it the next day. I liked the styling in general other than plastic surrounding the wheel wells. I found that it was a good idea as I now found myself trying to find true off road trails to test it. No rock crawling, just enough off the beaten path to get the AWD to kick in. Mazda places and uses a lot of sensors to determine when it should kick in. I tried to squeal the tires off the line but haven’t been able to. I’ve only had it for about a year and placed around 10k miles on it. I do plan to keep it for a while so I’m not trying to push it. A limiting factor, even with the best AWD system is the tires. Mine is equipped with 19 inch rims. They certainly look nice but there isn’t an all terrain tire in such a size. I’m currently looking for rims that will fit it.
A feature that is hit or miss, depending on how you feel, is the Smart City Brake Support. It works from around 3 MPH to 19 MPH and will stop the car automatically if it determines a crash may occur.
The first time it activated on me I did not know what happened. My foot was already on the break, the car made a weird growling noise and stopped. I thought the ABS activated as its a similar noise. It sometimes activates at weird times, its almost like it’s criticizing my driving. With people being distracted by phones and on-board “info-tainment”, I think it’s beneficial.
Speaking of Info-tainment. I find the navigation on my Grand Touring model annoying. It works well when entering and setting an address, but just trying to view the map is a pain. Zooming in is either not enough or way too much. I stopped using it and just use my phone.
Setting the audio input and adjusting the sound is similarly annoying. I found it very distracting compared to having dedicated or multi-function buttons. It isn’t just phones that are distracting, its the car themselves sometimes.
The last complaint is the driver’s seat cushion. I find it gets uncomfortable after a few hours of driving. I still occasionally drive Lyft with this vehicle as well and I find myself needing to shift in the seat or get out and stretch more often than the Infiniti. It is the leather trimmed GT model and I am a “roomier” gentleman, not sure if that factors in.
The interior quality is high, not as nice as the older Infiniti, but here’s how I know. Again I picked up Bella. She had not seen the car before. Since I bought it from a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Oxnard, it had the sticker on the windshield with the Benz logo. She touched the dashboard in excitement and seen the logo after which she proclaimed in excitement “IT’S A MERCEDES!”
I laughed and explained to her it was a Mazda. She has a Mercedes ML SUV herself, so it said a lot about the quality. I kept the sticker on the window just to remind me of that funny interaction.
Bella and I started talking cars as our night was winding down after going out one night. She told me why she got her SUV. She pictured herself one day going out with her girlfriends, having a fun night of partying. She called it her “party car”. However she went on and explained that it hadn’t happened for her yet.
For the rest of the night, and a few days after I was out of it. I was lost in thought and searching for the real reason why I bought this car. I could of bought anything I wanted, but I got this.
I recall watching families as I drove around, ate lunch, or just hung out. I remember thinking that despite their economic status they were happy with having family. I figured out that I isolated myself and was so focused on making money that I never slowed down and thought about family.
That random comment by her really made me change my attitude about what I have been doing with my life. I can honestly say I wasn’t the best person when I was younger. Through the good and bad times I persisted and kept on.
In a subconscious decision, in a subconscious desire I thought that this car would bring me a family. The good money I was making was great and my job makes me happy, but not truly happy as having someone to come home to.
The reason Bella got her car hasn’t happened for her yet, and the subconscious reason I got mine hasn’t for me. But we’re both looking forward to that someday it will. This is my current COAL, my daily driver. There will be many more I’m sure, along with their adventures.
Cars can be many things to many people. They can be just disposable transport. To me they were more than that. A ticket to freedom, adventure, sometimes a home. When everything else was going wrong they became a friend. Every car has a story, I thank you all for reading and letting me share.
I love my job. Unfortunately, it has never loved me back. I’ve also owned cars that I loved. Some of those cars were fun, but they never loved me back either.
Appliance cars depress me, but at least they are honest. They make no pretense of being anything other than what they are.
A man can love a lot of things, but it takes another person to return the love.
Danny F Cabrera: I’ve really enjoyed your COAL series. Thank you for sharing your story and your perspective.
Danny, This has been an enjoyable series; it makes this reader feel good about where you now are.
You noted: “It isn’t just phones that are distracting, its the car themselves sometimes…”. Yes. In the past, I could adjust any control on my various cars because I knew where they were and could find them by feel. Touch screens need eyes on them to work. But then again, I am now dependent upon the Tacoma’s backup camera, so progress has its rewards (and steering wheel mounted remote controls for the sound system).
Thank you for the ride (and remember to keep your CC readers updated).
Will do. I also enjoy the back up camera but still use the mirrors.
Get a Ducati. It loves you back!
Never disappoints.
Mark me down as another who has enjoyed getting to know you and your cars. I find these CX-5s to be attractive but have not really had any close contact with one. You make a good case for it.
And it is very true that what we find important in life can change as the years pile on – in what we choose to drive and in many other ways.
Thanks for your series and for another interesting Sunday morning read with my coffee. It’s something we don’t always think about but it’s amazing how our vehicles drive themselves into our lives. They’re with us at every step (or occasional mis-step) and they’re part of our memories. I’m sure your new Mazda will take you down many more actual and figurative roads, and hopefully you’ll share a few of them with us.
“I needed to stand out and be unique.” Sounds like somebody else I know–ME–wanting a vehicle different from everybody else’s!
Great series, thanks Danny
My youngest son’s girlfriend at the time (now his wife) bought a 2015 in grey. They put a lot of miles on it. The times my wife and I were with them in it, I was impressed with the materials, build quality and the ride.
She moved up to a Lexus after she became an RN. I do recall an incident before she moved on, they were traveling to Lake Tahoe on a winding mountain road, when they were attacked by a bear. It was dusk and they said they saw something large bearing (no pun intended!) down on them at an angle from the side… the bear struck them a glancing blow on the right front fender, just in front of the door. You could see the slight dent that was left, but you had to look hard for it. So, you can add “bear tough” to it’s attributes.
I thoroughly enjoyed your series, you are a true “car guy”!
Thank you for taking us along for the upward trajectory of your life. It’s been quite the ride.
Cars are very good for helping people (primarily those who frequent here) remember the distinct chapters in their life. Some of the chapters are long, some are short, some are sad, some are happy, but all help delineate eras of our life and your COALs have really provided those distinctions.
Don’t leave now that your COAL series is over; there’s undoubtedly more cars you can tell us about.
“Don’t leave now that your COAL series is over; there’s undoubtedly more cars you can tell us about.”
I agree. Danny, stick around.
+1. Thanks Danny!
I will definitely submit more stories, I’ll be doing research this summer.
When I buy a car, I think about how well it will do the things I’ve used my previous vehicles to do.
Thank you for a thoughtful narrative of your life with cars. Glad that you got to reflecting on who you are as a person and how you experienced personal growth through life. We have to live it in order to find ourselves and know who we really are and our values. Hope to read more from you in the future!
Good call on the Nissan CVT. I’ve never driven a CX-5, but the contemporary 6 and 3 were impressive efforts.
I remember that Top Gear episode. I have mixed feelings about Jeremy Clarkson, but that show sometimes hit the right balance between entertainment, commentary, and originality, and that episode was one. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy watching them bounce those rigs across fields and forests until the RV trailers disintegrated from the strain?
Awesome COAL series Danny! It was very deep and well balanced with the technical stuff we love. Thanks!
I talked with a guy who was in one of these recently he turned up at the diesel stop while I was refueling my truck so I enquired as to how it was on fuel and how much grunt the Mazda had, he told mehe was hooking his car to a 8 metre caravan the following day to leave town and that it handled that quite well with its 2.2litre turbo diesel engine and that used just as a car it was pretty good on fuel generally, Towing capacity is apparently two tonnes approx 4,500 of your itty bitty pounds.
I forgot to mention the towing conspiracy that someone wrote about a few years back. I honestly think this vehicle can tow 4500 lbs, but not sure the transmission cooling system as is can handle it.
Thanks for an excellent COAL series. I’m sorry to see it end, for more reasons than one. Now I need to find another COAL writer, or two.
Another great piece Danny! Good luck with everything. I feel like I never got anywhere in life until I had a very clear idea of what exactly I wanted. It seems like you’re right on your game.
On the end of COAL series: COALs like yours are the reason I’m refreshing this site every Saturday and Sunday morning, Danny. Not only for the cars’ stories, but for the authors’ stories, if they’re willing to share those, too. Many of these stories I found inspirating and I consider yours the same. Thank you for the entertainment and wish you all the best!
On the CX-5: I haven’t driven any of these, only sat inside on autoshows. I find the 2nd gen more Jaguar like, with its negatively raked front and smooth rear. And both generations are very nice to look at. New Mazdas have made a good impression on me, having ridden even only in a 3. For the next few years, I’m not in a market for a new one, though…
Danny, I really enjoyed your series and the fresh perspective and different experiences you’ve brought to the format.
I will never understand how Mazda isn’t bigger there. It’s the #2 brand in Australia and deservedly so. Great-looking and great-driving cars. You made an excellent choice.
I always hear the term “drives like a Mazda” and from my practice up on Angeles Crest I understand what they mean, this car handles it well.
I have a 2016 CX-5 GT and my mother had a 2013. The 2016 was the last year of the first generation and they fixed everything that had been annoying in the earlier versions. Much better navigation/infotainment, more sound deadening, more support in the seats, improved trim pieces and quality in many parts of the interior and a Sport mode for the 2.5 that makes it feel pretty jet-propelled when you flip the switch.
I love it dearly and have yet to warm up to the pointy 2017- second generation.
“in any color other than white, personally I think it makes most cars seem like rentals; to each their own. I found a used silver one”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at this 🙂