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Anyone ever regret getting a Mazda5 over a full sized minivan?

Curious if anyone has ever bought a Mazda5 and regretted not getting the full sized minivan due to size. I'm currently a US expat and will be moving back to the US next year. Living here overseas I've come to appreciate all the pros of having a smaller car. Day in and day out, the smaller footprint is just easier to live with. However, before we moved last year, we had a Toyota Sienna. We really liked that car. However, I've been watching the prices of these vehicles go up and up and up over the last several years. Looks like now to buy a new Sienna with any sort of basic options you're looking at $30,000+. The top of the line Mazda5 GT can be had for $22,000 OTD with leather and everything (like the leather with the kids).

For everyone's information, we are a family of 4 (kids 2 and 6) with a medium large dog (~60 lbs). 95% of the time, it's just the 4 of us. Sometimes we have the inlaws stay with us, so occasionally, we'd have 6 in the car during their visit. We also take several 3 hour trips to the family lake house during the summer with the the 4 of us, luggage, and the dog in the car. Would we fit?

What do you think? Think we'll miss the size?

2 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes, a minivan is nice when you want to haul furniture or large group of people/luggage on a long trip. The price difference can be huge, some of these minivan's are selling for over $40K new. With your family size the Mazda 5 should be plenty big and you can always rent a truck for hauling the occassional item. My wife traded her Nissan Quest for a Toyota Landcruiser and I miss the minivan as the seating was more comfortable for 7 and it seemed to hold more equipment.

  • C7S
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    With only 2 kids and a dog, you don't even need a minivan. A hatchback or station wagon is enough space for al of you.

    The Mazda 5 will be plenty enough for your family.

    It also is the most fun to drive minivan with the best handling, fuel efficieny, and value.

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