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  Aug. 12, 2010 6:41 p.m. integraguy Dork

  I just saw the pix and read a roadtest of the 2011 Mazda 5 this afternoon. The styling is.....a bit unusual, so if you are thinking of getting one, you may want to get a 2010. At the front it has that "corporate grin" seen on all Mazdas (the one that makes an Audi look beautiful), the sides are heavily sculpted with a sort of wavy curve that starts at the front wheel opening and arcs over the side below the window line, but it's the back that is a real mess. Think of a homemade loaf of bread that has "overflowed" the bread pan just a bit.

  At least on the bottom trim level there MAY be an available 6 speed manual....if Mazda doesn't decide to do away with a manual transmission on the 5.

  I think I may seriously start to look at an "old" model.

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  Aug. 12, 2010 6:52 p.m. JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director

  I think that may have survived the smile treatment better than any of the other models (certainly better than the 6, which was transformed into a grinning death's head). Still doesn't make me want to part with our '07, though.

  jg

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  Aug. 12, 2010 7:38 p.m. Mazdax605 HalfDork

  Not the worst looking car on earth,but the side swoop will take some getting used to. The front grille treatment isn't too bad in my opinion,but the old style looks better. I wasn't a big fan of the new 3,but the speed edition is a nice looking car in black,and red even with the big grin grille. The speed3 grille actually looks quite nice compared to the regular 3 in my opinion. I hope they keep the manual tras option on the 5 as that is the only one I would be interested in.

  Chris

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  Aug. 12, 2010 8:50 p.m. Vigo HalfDork

  Just checked the pics..

  Wow, that is... not great.

  I dont know what's gotten into Mazda.

  In other news, I like the new Sienna. Got problems with that front end too, but less than i have with the ENTIRE new 5.

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  Aug. 12, 2010 9:54 p.m. fastEddie Dork

  Nobody get up, I'll go get the hotlink for everyone....

  

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  Aug. 12, 2010 10:04 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

  Thanks Eddie!
  Strange wave ripple.

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  Aug. 12, 2010 10:19 p.m. TJ SuperDork

  

  I guess they told us it was coming when they made the Furai. I guess people didn't complain enough about this mess and now there are Maximum Overdrive smiley faces and swirly sides. Has Mazda completely jumped the shark? Who is buying these smiley cars?

  I saw a new Sienna yesterday....I really thought someone had put a body kit on a minivan. There was something about the fender wells that reminded me of a bad body kit. It also has nice ricer brake lights. Swagger wagon indeed.

  "Members of Congress should be compelled to wear uniforms just like NASCAR drivers so we could identify their corporate sponsors."

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  Aug. 12, 2010 10:21 p.m. TJ SuperDork

  

  This is what the rear wheel well on the new Sienna reminds me of.

  "Members of Congress should be compelled to wear uniforms just like NASCAR drivers so we could identify their corporate sponsors."

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  Aug. 13, 2010 6:44 a.m. 1988RedT2 Reader

  fastEddie wrote: Nobody get up, I'll go get the hotlink for everyone....

  I dunno, I kinda like it. At least it doesn't look like a Cube.

  But what do I know? My wife bought the 2010 smiley Mazda 3s.

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  Aug. 13, 2010 7:41 a.m. Nitroracer Dork

  I think it took the nagare design language the best of the car that have been updated, but I still like the original better. I also hear this is the last car getting styled in such a way.

  1968 Fairlane 500 / 1998 Camaro Z/28

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  Aug. 13, 2010 8:45 a.m. Jeff Dork

  All you need to do is add the plastic teeth.

  I kind of like it too.

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  Aug. 13, 2010 9:56 a.m. irish44j HalfDork

  Well, they finally made the rear view/taillights look good. Too bad they ruined the rest of the vehicle in the process.

  And is it me, or does this new one actually look MORE like a minivan than the old one did, albeit a minivan that sideswiped a parked car?

  My wife had a 1st gen Mazda3 that she loved and thought was very stylish and was trouble-free for the 4 years we owned it. She absolutely hates the looks of the new one and would not even consider it when we discussed getting her another small car.

  Up until 2010 or so I also always thought Mazdas were overall one of the best looking car lineups out there for the last decade at least. Now, it ranks near the bottom. Same with Acura.

  Corporate grilles only work if they look good. Mazda should take a page from Subaru, whose "corporate grille" in 06-07 was roundly disliked (except by a small group for subaru loyalists) and Subaru made quick work in going back to something more conventional. And surprise, sales went up.

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  Aug. 13, 2010 12:17 p.m. dollraves New Reader

  I look at it this one - those swirls will hide the ripples and scrapes I inevitably put into a car better than flat panels. ;)

  Damn women drivers... oh, wait...

  Does this car match my shoes??

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