2014 Mazda5 Sport: Say Hello To Tom's Hardware's Project Car

[tuanies]

We love reviewing the latest and greatest automotive technology. But when the factory toys don't evolve fast enough, we turn to the aftermarket. A new 2014 Mazda5 will serve as our platform for testing third-party technology moving forward.

2014 Mazda5 Sport: Say Hello To Tom's Hardware's Project Car : Read more

 

[Gelid03]

Looks great cant wait for the rest of the planned mods.

 

[Amdlova]

nice mazda 5 you have sir I liked the wireles charge.

I want see some night vision on car. drive without lights...

 

[Matthew Busse]

I might have to upgrade the wife's 2010 =)

 

[tuanies]

Thanks guys. Next up will be a Blind-spot monitor system from Gosher's, ScanGaugeE, and some sort of wireless storage. Even have a set of Mazdaspeed 3 wheels ready to go, just waiting on tires

 

[SinisterSalad]

I recently picked up a non-Nav equipped CX-9 Grand Touring AWD. I look forward to the head unit reviews. So far, I've put on an aftermarket trailer hitch, and half installed a Pyle backup camera system.

 

[tuanies]

I recently picked up a non-Nav equipped CX-9 Grand Touring AWD. I look forward to the head unit reviews. So far, I've put on an aftermarket trailer hitch, and half installed a Pyle backup camera system.

How do you like the CX9 so far? The CX5 is still one of my favorites to drive. I've yet to get into a CX9 but I do love the Ford Flex, its platform mate.

 

[SinisterSalad]

It's been good so far. I got it at the end of April, so haven't had it too long. The only thing I don't care for is the headroom up front. I'm 6'3", and If I have the seat adjusted more upright like I prefer, my noggin hits the roof.

 

[tuanies]

It's been good so far. I got it at the end of April, so haven't had it too long. The only thing I don't care for is the headroom up front. I'm 6'3", and If I have the seat adjusted more upright like I prefer, my noggin hits the roof.

How's the driving dynamics? The CX-9 is supposed to be fairly sporty compared to the usual dreadful driving CUVs.

 

[SinisterSalad]

It does drive very much like a car. I'm coming from a '02 Durango. I had also test drove the Acura MDX. Very similar ride at a lower price point.

 

[tuanies]

The first gen Durango's are awesome. I still love how they look. The MDX is nice. I drove the latest one and its a very nice car minus the annoying dual screen infotainment system. The price tag didn't help sway me either. As much as I enjoy driving expensive cars, I'm quite frugal when it comes to my own car

 

[SinisterSalad]

It's an SLT+ with the 5.9l and a bad tranny. Interested?? LOL

 

[tuanies]

I don't need anymore cars, but you sure it's not just a sensor? My dad picked up a '97 Grand Cherokee 5.2 a few years ago with a bad tranny. Turns out it was a bad sensor or something. Been running fine.

 

[danwat1234]

THANK YOU for the LED headlight install. I have been watching this tech and am intrigued at the LED headlight kits on Ebay for under $100 that look similar to the kit you bought. It's now competitive to HID kits, though not as bright especially compared with 55w HID kits.

Maybe if you adjust your headlight up a bit with the adjustment screw the light pattern will be better?

I would be skeptical that power into the LED is 35 watts. Most say 25 watts or so on Ebay. More watts is more heat and less lumens/watt probably.

 

[tuanies]

THANK YOU for the LED headlight install. I have been watching this tech and am intrigued at the LED headlight kits on Ebay for under $100 that look similar to the kit you bought. It's now competitive to HID kits, though not as bright especially compared with 55w HID kits.

Maybe if you adjust your headlight up a bit with the adjustment screw the light pattern will be better?

I would be skeptical that power into the LED is 35 watts. Most say 25 watts or so on Ebay. More watts is more heat and less lumens/watt probably.

I wanted to like them so much but the way they're designed, you can't really get proper lighting out of them. If you're in the city and only need close range lighting, sure they'll suffice. However, I live in the country side and being able to see the signs way down is necessary. I ended up pulling them out and buying wiring harnesses to install H9 bulbs. They're 65-watt and 2100 lumens. Life span is shorter but they're only $15 a piece.

 

[SinisterSalad]

I don't need anymore cars, but you sure it's not just a sensor? My dad picked up a '97 Grand Cherokee 5.2 a few years ago with a bad tranny. Turns out it was a bad sensor or something. Been running fine.

I've thought about the possibility of it just being a pressure sensor. The transmissions in these are notoriously bad, though. I haven't decided if I want to bother with it yet or not.

 

[tuanies]

I'd at least get the code read and if its just a sensor, replace it and sell the car for much more.

 

[SinisterSalad]

I'd at least get the code read and if its just a sensor, replace it and sell the car for much more.

No codes are being thrown for it. 🙁

 

[tuanies]

That's odd. Could just need a flush and new filter?

 

[SinisterSalad]

Did that less than 10k before this. Went from WI to Badlands and back just fine last year. Did everything to it as far as maintenance right before the trip out. Mechanics are family, so I trust them. 😉

 

[tuanies]

Yea if its not throwing codes, could be anything from solenoids or clutch packs burning out :-\.

 

[chyll2]

for Headlight, you can try HIDs, of course being responsible driver as we are, you need to do it properly to avoid glare or disturb the incoming traffic. This is where retrofitting HID projector comes in and there are a lot of information out there in the net. What is even better, there are some package out there that runs on 35W but can really deliver the 3x promise VS halogen (the same promise that LED HL was suppose to deliver but it really lack something)

 

[tuanies]

for Headlight, you can try HIDs, of course being responsible driver as we are, you need to do it properly to avoid glare or disturb the incoming traffic. This is where retrofitting HID projector comes in and there are a lot of information out there in the net. What is even better, there are some package out there that runs on 35W but can really deliver the 3x promise VS halogen (the same promise that LED HL was suppose to deliver but it really lack something)

I'm not quite ready to retrofit the headlights. I may end up just pickup a set of JDM HID projectors and dropping in an HID kit. The International headlights don't have the amber reflector, which I prefer.

 

[Darth_Kaar]

Very interesting article. I will follow this column in the future.

 

[DarkSable]

The trouble with the dashcam being on only when the car is on is that when you do get in a crash, more than likely, the dashcam will cease recording, thereby not catching the other party's actions afterwards.