Cleaned the car today

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
09/07/2014 at 19:58 • Filed to: None

It was something to do instead of the work that I have to complete today. For your viewing pleasure, I present the rare 2012 Mazda5 Sport 6MT in Copper Red Mica, one year only for this color on this bodystyle. Ignore the Homer Simpson doll on the dash - I can't remember why it's there, but it's become a bit of a fixture now and it would seem wrong to remove it.

If you look closely you can see the Oppo sticker on the right side of the window (the one on the left is a C&D 'Save the Manuals' sticker). The Oppo sticker freaks me out sometimes when I see it in the mirror as it is a reverse of a reverse image.

It certainly beats what I used to drive - !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (24)

Doug DeMuro > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:02

Manual Mazda5. Well done!

Crest > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:06

Can i buy the old one from you? Lemons is calling my name

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Doug DeMuro
09/07/2014 at 20:07

One of the few, one of the proud. I love this little bugger, and can't see getting rid of it even when I get another car (too much time has been spent lately hunting for older Miatas...)

But that begs the real question - does it get me enough cred to get out of the grey on the main page?

Doug DeMuro > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:09

Definitely provides you with such cred for me! Reply to one of my posts and I'll un-gray you!! I don't know if I have that power with the other guys.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Crest
09/07/2014 at 20:10

I'd do the same, but it was sold quite some time back. That previous post was a bit of reminiscence after stumbling across that picture. I must have used a potato as I think the ugly contained in that vehicle would have broken the lens on a good camera...

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Doug DeMuro
09/07/2014 at 20:12

Awesome! You are a gentleman and a scholar. I greatly enjoy your writing so I will be honored to reply to one of your posts.

N51fanatic > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:13

really hate that the stick was only offered in the base trim level. That being said, slam it, throw some D's on it

Steve in Manhattan > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:23

Never judge until you peek in the window and check the transmission. My GF makes fun of me because I peek in the window of every BMW 3 series I see on Manhattan streets - it has to be 90% auto or paddle shift. Depressing.

And that's a nice Mazda.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > N51fanatic
09/07/2014 at 20:28

You and me both. But I wasn't going to let that manipulation convince me to get an automatic just to get some of the toys I wanted. I have added most of the stuff that the next trim levels offer, and whilst not as well integrated as the factory stuff, I think I've done OK:

Bluetooth: Found $300 Rostra kit on eBay. I was the only bidder, so $20.

Trip Computer - Between DashCommand on the iPhone ($10) and a Garmin GPS, I have more than covered what Mazda would have provided.

Factory radio with six-disc CD changer - another eBay purchase where I was the only bidder - $10

HD Radio - not offered by Mazda, but added for $30

Sirius Radio - already had one, so transferred it over.

iPod integration - Harman Kardon Drive+Play new for $30. Mazda added this feature for 2013 and I really wish I had it from the factory, but I did get $4K off of a $21K vehicle, so I saw no point in waiting for a 2013.

Fog Lights - I'll eventually find some LED units and pop them in

Leather - don't want it; cloth is fine by me

Sunroof - don't want it

Automatic wipers - I can do it myself, thankyouverymuch

HID lights - I'm surprised at how good the stock lights really are.

Heated seats - I can add these for $70

Backup sensors - something else I can add for $70

Sure, there's a bit more aftermarket stuff inside than I would prefer, but if that's what it takes to get a manual transmission in the US these days then so be it. I have a co-worker that wants a new Mazda6 with a manual transmission, but really wants a sunroof, something you can't get with a manual. I'm trying to convince her that the transmission is more important than the sunroof, but she's being swayed by those marketing demons and their fancy options...

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Steve in Manhattan
09/07/2014 at 20:34

Thanks for the kind words. I too check transmissions on cars that I think should have them, and like you, tend to come away disappointed. It was depressing to search the BMW website to find that you can't buy a new 5-series with a stick; I was checking to see what the equivalent of my old E34 525i would go for these days, and sadly learned that I couldn't recreate it as a new car. And this just makes me want to hang on to this particular 5 forever.

Steve in Manhattan > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 20:42

I commented about this elsewhere on the site - in the US you can't get a lot of engine/transmission combinations you can get in the EU. Imagine a 5 series with cloth seats, crank windows, manual seats, a 5 speed (no need for 6) and a nice straight six engine. Don't need dual-zone climate control - and as I said before - I wouldn't delete ABS and ESC but would defend your right to do so. Sure, this sort of car might not be available anymore, but imagine how much crap you could leave off an American model and still have a thoroughly enjoyable sedan/wagon at a reasonable price. Backup cameras are nice, but I'd delete it if I could. I don't even really need cruise control, or dual zone climate control, for that matter.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Steve in Manhattan
09/07/2014 at 20:45

I saw three Fire Birds this weekend. ALL AUTOS, I was so annoyed.

Steve in Manhattan > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/07/2014 at 20:51

Similarly Golfs - rare to see a straight stick. Even the rare Boxer/Cayman/911 I see here in NYC usually a slushbox with paddles.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Steve in Manhattan
09/07/2014 at 20:52

But these were the 1960's and 1970's cars. That's why it was so annoying. At least Subaru only offers the WRX/STi with a stick.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Steve in Manhattan
09/07/2014 at 21:01

When I was a teenager I remember looking at books that listed every single option available on new American cars back in the '60s and '70s. At the time I thought it was somewhat silly that a manufacturer would nickel and dime you to death for every single option, but nowadays I long for those days of infinite customization. Even for a base model my Mazda is surprisingly well equipped, but I really could do without some of the features. I'm OK rolling my own windows and adjusting the temperature, for example. I think I'd be willing to wait to have a car of my chosen configuration built, but like wanting a manual, I think I am in the minority on this one.

One more item on the transmission - if I take my car to the car wash, I have to wait until the one guy that can drive stick is available. What is this world coming to...

Steve in Manhattan > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/07/2014 at 21:03

To me, the Camaro and Firebird were never sports car - they were muscle cars. Hit on a high school girl (yes, I was in high school too) once (unsuccessfully) but she let me drive her '71 Camaro with a 4 speed Hurst and what she called a "racing clutch." My left leg ached for a day.

Have you driven the new Camaro with either transmission? I'd really like to see how that tranny feels.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Steve in Manhattan
09/07/2014 at 21:07

No I haven't. Still I would prefer a Trans Am to have a 4 on the floor, regardless of what ever you call it.

Steve in Manhattan > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 21:09

As a tiny kid I remember my dad stepping very carefully through the options list on yet the latest Impala he ordered. I would sooner pay sticker and get exactly what I want than get a couple grand off and take stuff I didn't want.

mazda616 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/07/2014 at 23:11

Very cool. I really like the 5. I could see myself driving one someday for sure. Would make sense as a practical upgrade from my current car (Mazda3).

Doug DeMuro > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/08/2014 at 00:16

Thank you! I'm honored to whiten you (assuming I now have)!!! How come you moved from CA to MO?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Doug DeMuro
09/08/2014 at 01:07

The move, like a lot of yours, was job related. I'm in a somewhat specialized position within the airline industry, so I go where the work is located. I would have moved to Houston, albeit reluctantly, for a position with my previous employer in the US corporate office, but my then boss sabotaged my plans (he probably didn't want me to tell his bosses what he was actually up to). I work very well in a support position and make others look good, and as a result of my work he didn't want to lose me. He also didn't want to pay me a dime more, and that's where we had a bit of a disagreement.

One of the other underlings, the one whose job my boss wanted me to take (the guy was leaving anyway, so it's not like I was forcing him out), taught me a very important thing about dealing with people like this. His wise words, which I shall never forget, were: " Helping someone not to fail is not the same as helping them succeed ". This came in very handy when idiot boss and I applied for the same job at the Department of Airports. I made it through the first screening, but he didn't. He then came to me asking for my assistance in writing an appeal letter so that they would reconsider him for the position. I could have used my knowledge to craft a brilliantly worded letter demonstrating his alleged virtues [should I be able to fabricate some] (helping him succeed) but instead cleaned up the grammar, punctuation and other miscellaneous errors (helping him not to fail). I really had nothing to worry about since everyone at the DoA knew all about this guy and his actions and attitudes, and therefore would never have been offered the job even if he did get through the interview process. And me? As is the norm for me during interviews, I choked. C'est la vie...

D T > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/10/2014 at 09:05

Wow, someone actually has a manual Mazda5! I like those too, but I am holding out for a "true" sport version by dropping in their turbo engine from say the Mazdaspeed Miata or Mazdaspeed 3....

Now they would have me @ the dealer lookin'.....

On an unrelated matter, wish FORD would bring over from Europe the "wagon" version of the Focus ST..... Another great alternate wagon contender...

Every vehicle I have owned has been a manual, except for the SVT Lightning- back in 2001 had to have one & 13 years later the only "automatic" in my stable....

VoltRon > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/10/2014 at 09:29

Love it. Now just keep it clean and stay out in front of rust! That's the Real Mazda Killer.

Buick Mackane > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
09/10/2014 at 19:13

It's funny how car guys/gear heads will spend a whole weekend detailing every crevice of their beloved car when most guys can't be bothered to floss their teeth for 3 minutes.