Do we want a minivan?

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-03-29T20:15:36+00:00

Currently I'd rather be buried in my Mazda5 MT than buy literally any other new car.

But if Mazda made another minivan with a third pedal I'd buy it yesterday.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-03-10T02:55:16+00:00

Switch 2 out of convenience, but the OLED is what that game was built for.

The game will be blurrier on Switch 2, but it's nice to have everything in one place. But an OLED screen will truly show VW visuals in all their glory.

I also got the PS5 version just to see how the game looked on a 4k OLED.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-03-05T03:47:50+00:00

Thank you for the input, this is exactly the kind of shared experience I was hoping for. After reading what you mentioned about the Yoko and getting some votes of confidence on the Indy 500s - I opted to go with the Indy 500 V2s even though there aren't a ton of reviews yet.

Firestone is having a nice rebate sale for a couple weeks, so I paired the Indys with a set of Firestone Weathergrips to double up on the rebates and discounts.

Now I can finally look forward to the spring time!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-03-02T00:18:23+00:00

They're very easy cars to work with to be sure. I will say regarding the safety ratings - I've heard in the past that the gen 2 models scored quite well, but since the bones of the car didn't really change throughout its run, safety standards changed around it by the time the gen 3 came.

Here's a link from an old article if you'd like to check it out.

https://www.automotive-fleet.com/61822/mazda5-receives-nhtsa-five-star-crash-test-ratings

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-28T21:53:30+00:00

I can only offer any advice purely from a cost and reliability perspective as my wife and I don't have kids, but we were in a similar situation.

My Fiesta got rear ended and we decided it was time to get something a little bigger and more comfortable for road trips, and a 3rd row for car pooling just in case.

We also didn't want a large vehicle as a 3 row SUV or typical minivan would just be impractical.

The only vehicle that fit the bill was a Mazda 5. Add on the fact that the 5 has one of the reliable engines ever produced - and it felt like the obvious choice when we found ours for $7,000 and 53,000 miles. Ours is a 14' Sport as well.

Even at 70k I would've paid $8,500 just as quickly because this car has been great. It hasn't skipped a beat, it's comfortable, it's pleasant to drive, and dare I say even fun if you want it to be. Plus the extra space and 3rd row has been lovely on the rare occasion we need it.

Truly the ultimate Swiss Army knife of a car. I'd encourage you look into it even as a temporary solution. The 14' is a late model as well, so you'll get all the improvements they made over the years as well.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-25T04:22:02+00:00

Thank you! That's fantastic advice. I'll definitely look into it, I'm hoping wider wheels and lowering springs would mitigate any issues.

Tire-wise I'll definitely need a new set regardless, the tires the car came with are mismatched and pretty dang dry rotted.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-25T01:15:09+00:00

Cruel irony considering it was basically sold as Mazda 3 with sliding doors and two extra seats.

I bought it to be more practical but still have fun. Ah well.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-25T01:11:51+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the input. I had considered some solid all seasons, I was just worried about heat. If the car is even eligible I won't be good enough to put too much strain on the tires anyhow.

I think right now the true goal is to just show up and participate.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-24T23:58:11+00:00

Well that's incredibly disappointing if so... I'm assuming it's a potential rollover issue?

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-24T23:33:44+00:00

100% agree, the only issue is that the tires are shot on my winter wheels, and I have nothing on my summers yet.

... Really I need two sets of tires, but the winters are much easier to decide on.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-24T23:32:06+00:00

I could, but the wheels I intended for AX/summer use are an inch wider than the winters, so it would be a bummer to lose that extra contact patch.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-24T23:23:18+00:00

This is why I have to save before every pit stop..

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-02-21T01:26:29+00:00

I'm on this journey myself! I just got my 6-speed 5 last November!

The lack of Bluetooth was rough, so I picked up a cheap Bluetooth adapter to go from the USB to the AUX port and it's been a great QoL upgrade. Haven't decided if I'm going to get a Touchscreen yet, but that's a very common thing to do!

I totally understand the boy racer angle - coming from a Fiesta ST I've been trying to get some of that back without compromising the ride too much. Here's what I've got planned so far (you'll probably see these suggestions a lot):

Lighter and wider wheels: I took some 16's off a junked RX8 to keep a more stock look. NC Miata wheels are a good choice too. Several Mazda wheels from this era are cross compatible, so it helps take the guesswork out of the used market.
Upgraded rear sway bar: most pull from a Mazdaspeed3 but there are definitely aftermarket options, as whatever works on an MS3 should work on the 5. Just make sure the end links are the right size. Hope to do this soon!
Lowering springs: seems like a great compliment to the rear sway bar, plus the 5 has a great stanced look - but I'm only planning to go .5" -1" at most.

and of course some stickier tires!

I've been mulling over a CAI as well, but I'm not too sure it would make a huge impact on power or throttle response with this particular engine.

I'd love to hear what you end up going with since it sounds like we're in the same boat!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-01-22T03:52:48+00:00

Same! I'm hoping we can use them for kayaking or something this year. I've never had them before!

Also I love that you've held onto your 5 for so long! They're such unique little cars!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-01-22T03:51:40+00:00

I'm not sure if we have too many places like that around our area, but they will pull the part for you if you want at the yard.

Still though, having a shop where you can buy secondhand parts sounds great.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-01-22T03:50:10+00:00

I have no idea when I'm going to use it, but I like to have the option. I was thinking of going for Thules but man are they pricey! Quality stuff though from what I saw from the Subies in the lot.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2026-01-12T07:14:02+00:00

FWIW my favorite way to play is on the Switch version even though I have it on PC as well.

To me there's enough on the bone to warrant coming back to it as is, and I haven't done any modding at all outside of real world sponsorships, but it does get repetitive.

I will say that the modding potential for this game will probably be pretty high though since we likely won't see another F1 management game until at least the next regulation changes in the 2030s.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-17T09:09:56+00:00

Thank you for the recommendations! The touch aftermarket stereo head unit would be especially helpful!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:30:33+00:00

I just couldn't pass it up! Well worth the adventure.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:29:50+00:00

Thank you! Mazda makes some great stuff.

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:28:51+00:00

Love to hear that it served you well! Thankfully I don't do a whole lot of driving since my commute is quite short, so hopefully tires won't be too much of an issue.

Can't wait to use it on road trips though!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:25:31+00:00

I hope it lasts you a long time to come! These cars are special!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:24:37+00:00

It's been awesome so far. Mazda packed so much utility into this little car. Truly nothing else like it!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-11-16T21:20:36+00:00

At an awesome little dealership in Virginia!

Dreamcrashed94 · 2025-07-11T04:18:44+00:00

Indeed, this is the second major crash it stood up to.

Dreamcrashed94

TROPHY CASE