Mazda CX-5 for teenage driver

[steamin rice]

I've been looking at getting a 2017-2020 CX-5 for my 16 year old daughter as a first car. From what I can tell, they are pretty reliable without major issues, correct? Besides the obvious things like looking at carfax, looking for signs of an accident, etc, is there anything else I should be looking at when considering these?

 

[Cdog]

Go with the 3. Girls don’t care about cars and the more you spend the more you’ll care.

Come over and check out Summers car

 

[TPC]

Go with the 3. Girls don’t care about cars and the more you spend the more you’ll care.

Come over and check out Summers car

X2.

 

[samsah33]

I queried the braintrust a week or so ago, seems like CPO is the way to go, plus the obvious add-ons such as roadside assistance/lockout/extra gas protections from AAA or your insurance company, or most CPO's offer roadside assistance. This doesn't include the extra "track my daughter" dad apps, but those are more for you than her...

 

[Gelcoater]

X2.

X3, my daughter has an older one than you are looking at and been a good car.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

CX-30's a nice cars if she wants a crossover more than a sedan.

 

[2Driver]

Give it 4-6 months and but Mrs Cdogs H2.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Mazda’s are often overlooked , but are very nice , dependable cars .

 

[CommanderLee]

Daughter has a 3 and it has been a great car. Its an 05 with I think close to 170K on it now. Made the trip back and forth to Nebraska, where she goes to school, twice now. Once loaded with all of her crap and three people.

 

[Joe mama]

Have 3 CX5’s in our family all have been flawless

 

[dribble]

I just bought a new CX5 last Friday. For the money it’s a lot of car. For a teen I’d probably do a CX30. They look sportier.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Weve owned two new Mazdas SUVs back to back (18' and 21') have nothing but praise for the product also as a warranty inspector I seldom see any issues with the product (vs other similar cars)

 

[boatpi]

Keep in mind, she will total or do major damage, a 50% chance by 18 years old. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Outdrive1]

My wife has a 2021 CX5 I think. She probably has 15k miles on it? I think it’s had 2 oil changes and still on the factory tires. Lol She doesn’t drive it enough to give real results, but we haven’t ever had anything go wrong with it. I think it’s a nice little car.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Keep in mind, she will total or do major damage, a 50% chance by 18 years old. Don't ask me how I know.

Yes ,My then 16 year old Daughter wrecked her first three cars. In her Geo storm she hit a tree, a power pole and the corner of a house (in one "accident" )

 

[boatpi]

AND.......Have a hidden GPS installed BEFORE she gets the car. protect your daughter at all times.

 

[530RL]

I’ve got a buddy with Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen and Mazda stores.

All his grandkids drive……..Mazda’s.

They are great cars, especially for the money.

 

[pixrthis]

Yes ,My then 16 year old Daughter wrecked her first three cars. In her Geo storm she hit a tree, a power pole and the corner of a house (in one "accident" )

Impressive

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Yes ,My then 16 year old Daughter wrecked her first three cars. In her Geo storm she hit a tree, a power pole and the corner of a house (in one "accident" )

 

[Hypnautic]

For new drivers--I think size should be a consideration.
I would opt for the 5 over the 3.
If something happens--I want as much metal to protect them as possible. Saving a few thousand is just not worth it.

We looked at both the CX30 and 50 for our youngest. Ended up not buying either but I do remember not liking the 30 cause it did not have AC vents for the rear PAX. Now, most of the time there would be nobody back there--but still did not like that the 4 front vents had to cool the entire hatchback.
But it was very nice rig. Even had headup display.

Both my girls ended up with Audi A4's. Both were about 3 years old when I bought them.

And for those whos Girls do not care about cars--lucky. Mine both put me through it. To the point they almost got a bus pass. One didnt even like a BMW 5 Series with the M style package cause the display was orange and did not have a digital read out of the speed. Other cars that had round air vents were excluded.
What they both wanted--Bluetooth, back-up camera, Leather and something they felt proud to drive.

 

[steamin rice]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. CX-5's seem to be popular with the high school kids around here at least. My daughter isn't really into cars, but I want to get her something safe and reliable that fits with a 16 year old girl. I have 2-3 months before she gets her license, but there are a couple for sale locally that I've been looking into and may buy if the seller and I can agree on price. I've never had a Mazda, but from what I can tell they are pretty reliable and that seems to match up with feedback here.

 

[PRORACER7474]

anything but a European car, look up the 10 most undependable cars in America

 

[Cdog]

I helped my mother in law get into this cx30 we have now with my scca discount. After buying budget ford POS cars for the last 20 yrs and those cars being worthless after 6 yrs of her driving like a timid old lady she finally gave in and asked my opinion.

I’ve seen Mazda Miata’s flip & barrel roll twice then go on to finish a race. Thats the car brand for the buck to choose