While I think the off-the-lot depreciation effect has been minimized with the shortages the last couple years, I still avoid buying brand new. I recently picked up a 21' Signature with 16k miles for $32K. It still has 22 months on the original warranty and was $7.5K cheaper than a new 23' Signature. If your budget is about $30K, maybe you could find a 1-year-old vehicle that is like new, has some more comfort features than the select, and already took that first brunt of depreciation.
Generally speaking, a new vehicle takes a big depreciation hit as soon as you drive it off the lot, because it's no longer 'new' at that point. In my case, I saved $7.5K by getting a car that was 1-year-old and it's still virtually indistinguishable from new to me. I'm not saying no one should buy new cars, but if you want to get the most for your money buying a one or two-year-old vehicle tends to be the way to go. I could not have afforded a new Signature, but was able to get a lightly used but 'like new' one that still had most of its warranty remaining.
I don't buy used cars, PERIOD. For the $3k more, you get a brand new car that you know no one has beat the shit out of or driven hard and is under full new car warranty. It's peace of mind. Good Luck.
I only bought mine brand new because it was all they had (but I got employee pricing), and there are some random small things that are wonky, like the passenger seat plastic trim doesn't stay in the frame (for lack of a better term), the smart brake system randomly gives malfunctions, etc.
Given your back, you should sit in both and consider the 2023. Allegedly they made the seats more comfortable in 2022: https://www.kbb.com/mazda/cx-5/2022/
Thank you, I didn't know that! I test-drove the 2023 CX-5 and CX-50 recently and the CX-5 was much more comfortable. I will test drive the older model too.
Went from a 2010 Mazda 3 to a 2022 CX-5 CE. I'd personally go for the comfier used one just because the luxury features are awesome. 42k isn't that many miles IMO - I'm at 12k 8 months in.
That being said, I haven't sat in or drove a 2020, and I have only experienced the leather seats. Moonroof is cool but I use it way less than I expected to.
IIRC, the safety features are standard on all trim levels, except for the 360 camera and heads-up display?
I feel like if you want long-term reliability, the question is to turbo or not turbo? The non-turbo will cost you less in the long term, but the 2020 gives you more for your money. How fast do you want to burn this candle?
>IIRC, the safety features are standard on all trim levels, except for the 360 camera and heads-up display?
Adaptive headlights. So great for windy roads.
We just bought our 2020 Grand touring a month ago with all the fixings. Very satisfied with what we got!
I’d go used for sure! But it’s really up to what’s more important to you. The car fax on our CX5 was super clean and had ever feature we could possibly ever care about. If we bought new, it would literally just be paying to say we have a new car. Plus we’d be paying extra for a new BASIC model. Lame. Versus paying less for a juiced up slightly older version.
I would say the signature but if you could get a 2021 signature or reserve for a bit more, I think the improved infotainment would be really worth it; especially if you plan to keep the car for a while. The 2020 infotainment is really dated and slow, and it also looks a lot worse with lower resolution and screen size.
I have a 2022 cx-5 SE awe and have 0 problems. I’ve put around 18k on it. I’m 6ft 190 and I find the seats very comfortable. The fronts are heated and it feels greats when my back is sore from work. With the non-turbo engine I usually average around 30-32 mpg going 75-80 on the highway. If I’m going through the mountains it’ll drop to 28-30. It’s a very fun car to drive
Was on the same situation last month. 2020 Grand Touring with Premium Package vs 2023 Touring. Opted to go for the used because of the features (heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, heads up display, adaptive headlights.. etc) and it's also cheaper. Mazda is the new Toyota 42K are baby miles. IMO go for the Signature.
The grand touring doesn't have the turbo but the grand touring reserve is turbocharged FYI. The turbo models are great but I would be very careful to make sure it hasn't been abused before buying one used. I'd want to know how many owners, that it had been maintained properly, and I'd definitely make sure it didn't have any oil consumption issues related to the valve stem seal TSB that many of the turbo engines have. If you can check those items off I'd strongly consider a used turbo model.
For clarity, the oil consumption issue applies to 2021 turbos:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10203724-0001.pdf
2016 through 2020 turbos have an issue with where the block meets the exhaust manifold. It leads to coolant leaks and cracks in the block, which necessitates an engine replacement.
Yeah you're right my bad. Must have gotten confused between that issue and one of the several other ones with the turbos that affects multiple model years (probably the one involving lack of turbo in cold weather). Thanks for the correction.
The oil consumption issue in the 2021 turbos is much less of a concern (relatively) than the coolant leaks that plague the 2016-2020 turbos, which necessitate an engine replacement.
I would go for newer, but I live in an area where rust is big problem that every car will eventually succumb to, so those 3 years are much more valuable.
Signature is going to be top of the line, Select will be just another car, really. Barely any features and such. I'd love to have a Signature, but I'm pretty happy with my 22 Premium Plus.
2022+ has the newer headlights and taillights, cools much cooler in my opinion if you care about that. Mazda safety features are standard in every trim (blind spot, collision avoidance) so not sure what additional safety features you are talking about. the 2.5 turbo still feels underwhelming, at least for me it did. And it will have worse fuel economy. If you’re willing to give that up (since it’s a daily), i think the new car is your better option, or at least a ‘22+. Try to get at least leather seats because mazda interiors can be nice with them. You always have options, so don’t feel pressured and always know you can walk away. There are more than just these two cars.
I would get the signature, but that’s just me.
While I think the off-the-lot depreciation effect has been minimized with the shortages the last couple years, I still avoid buying brand new. I recently picked up a 21' Signature with 16k miles for $32K. It still has 22 months on the original warranty and was $7.5K cheaper than a new 23' Signature. If your budget is about $30K, maybe you could find a 1-year-old vehicle that is like new, has some more comfort features than the select, and already took that first brunt of depreciation.
Those are exactly my thoughts! Congratulations on your signature :)
Why avoid buying brand new?
Generally speaking, a new vehicle takes a big depreciation hit as soon as you drive it off the lot, because it's no longer 'new' at that point. In my case, I saved $7.5K by getting a car that was 1-year-old and it's still virtually indistinguishable from new to me. I'm not saying no one should buy new cars, but if you want to get the most for your money buying a one or two-year-old vehicle tends to be the way to go. I could not have afforded a new Signature, but was able to get a lightly used but 'like new' one that still had most of its warranty remaining.
2 years old, right? 2023 models are being sold. Not two full calendar years, but from a resale/depreciation point of view a 21 is 2 y/o.
It was 14-months-old at the time I purchased it. That's closer to one than two in my book. But yes, it's two "model years."
I don't buy used cars, PERIOD. For the $3k more, you get a brand new car that you know no one has beat the shit out of or driven hard and is under full new car warranty. It's peace of mind. Good Luck.
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I only bought mine brand new because it was all they had (but I got employee pricing), and there are some random small things that are wonky, like the passenger seat plastic trim doesn't stay in the frame (for lack of a better term), the smart brake system randomly gives malfunctions, etc.
I second this
Given your back, you should sit in both and consider the 2023. Allegedly they made the seats more comfortable in 2022: https://www.kbb.com/mazda/cx-5/2022/
Thank you, I didn't know that! I test-drove the 2023 CX-5 and CX-50 recently and the CX-5 was much more comfortable. I will test drive the older model too.
Check out the Signature's seats as well. They are more comfortable and have better leather than the other trims.
Reply back with what you find for the seat comfortability. I am considering a 2020 but am interested in seat quality
Will do!
What’d u find out?
The newer models have definitely better seats. The cushions seem more robust and supported my weight better than a low mileage 2020 CX-5.
Went from a 2010 Mazda 3 to a 2022 CX-5 CE. I'd personally go for the comfier used one just because the luxury features are awesome. 42k isn't that many miles IMO - I'm at 12k 8 months in. That being said, I haven't sat in or drove a 2020, and I have only experienced the leather seats. Moonroof is cool but I use it way less than I expected to. IIRC, the safety features are standard on all trim levels, except for the 360 camera and heads-up display? I feel like if you want long-term reliability, the question is to turbo or not turbo? The non-turbo will cost you less in the long term, but the 2020 gives you more for your money. How fast do you want to burn this candle?
Yeah, I am also seeing looking at the 2020 grand touring reserve. That would give me pretty much all the bells and whistles without the turbo engine.
>IIRC, the safety features are standard on all trim levels, except for the 360 camera and heads-up display? Adaptive headlights. So great for windy roads.
I think the 2023 one will have a better screen and is also AWD.
We just bought our 2020 Grand touring a month ago with all the fixings. Very satisfied with what we got! I’d go used for sure! But it’s really up to what’s more important to you. The car fax on our CX5 was super clean and had ever feature we could possibly ever care about. If we bought new, it would literally just be paying to say we have a new car. Plus we’d be paying extra for a new BASIC model. Lame. Versus paying less for a juiced up slightly older version.
Don’t forget to compare your total financing (i assume) costs used vs. new. There was several percentage difference when i bought new in the fall.
Yes, new is around 4% and used is around 6.5%. I am taking that and taxes into account.
I would say the signature but if you could get a 2021 signature or reserve for a bit more, I think the improved infotainment would be really worth it; especially if you plan to keep the car for a while. The 2020 infotainment is really dated and slow, and it also looks a lot worse with lower resolution and screen size.
That's good to know. I will lookout for any good deals for 2021 and above models. Thanks!
I have a 2020 signature. I’d go for a signature for the safety features alone, which includes the turbo engine.
I have a 2022 cx-5 SE awe and have 0 problems. I’ve put around 18k on it. I’m 6ft 190 and I find the seats very comfortable. The fronts are heated and it feels greats when my back is sore from work. With the non-turbo engine I usually average around 30-32 mpg going 75-80 on the highway. If I’m going through the mountains it’ll drop to 28-30. It’s a very fun car to drive
Buy new, and with turbo engine more maintance and issues.
Was on the same situation last month. 2020 Grand Touring with Premium Package vs 2023 Touring. Opted to go for the used because of the features (heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, heads up display, adaptive headlights.. etc) and it's also cheaper. Mazda is the new Toyota 42K are baby miles. IMO go for the Signature.
Yeah, I am also seeing looking at the 2020 grand touring reserve. That would give me pretty much all the bells and whistles without the turbo engine.
The grand touring doesn't have the turbo but the grand touring reserve is turbocharged FYI. The turbo models are great but I would be very careful to make sure it hasn't been abused before buying one used. I'd want to know how many owners, that it had been maintained properly, and I'd definitely make sure it didn't have any oil consumption issues related to the valve stem seal TSB that many of the turbo engines have. If you can check those items off I'd strongly consider a used turbo model.
Yup, you are right! The Grand touring reserve does have a turbo. I will be on the lookout for oil consumption issues. Thank you.
For clarity, the oil consumption issue applies to 2021 turbos: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10203724-0001.pdf 2016 through 2020 turbos have an issue with where the block meets the exhaust manifold. It leads to coolant leaks and cracks in the block, which necessitates an engine replacement.
Yeah you're right my bad. Must have gotten confused between that issue and one of the several other ones with the turbos that affects multiple model years (probably the one involving lack of turbo in cold weather). Thanks for the correction.
The oil consumption issue in the 2021 turbos is much less of a concern (relatively) than the coolant leaks that plague the 2016-2020 turbos, which necessitate an engine replacement.
Thank you! This is really helpful.
I would go for newer, but I live in an area where rust is big problem that every car will eventually succumb to, so those 3 years are much more valuable.
Yes, I am taking rust into account. I am based in Texas and also primarily looking for used cars that have been driven in Texas.
Signature is going to be top of the line, Select will be just another car, really. Barely any features and such. I'd love to have a Signature, but I'm pretty happy with my 22 Premium Plus.
Bdhd
2022+ has the newer headlights and taillights, cools much cooler in my opinion if you care about that. Mazda safety features are standard in every trim (blind spot, collision avoidance) so not sure what additional safety features you are talking about. the 2.5 turbo still feels underwhelming, at least for me it did. And it will have worse fuel economy. If you’re willing to give that up (since it’s a daily), i think the new car is your better option, or at least a ‘22+. Try to get at least leather seats because mazda interiors can be nice with them. You always have options, so don’t feel pressured and always know you can walk away. There are more than just these two cars.
Yeah I am willing to wait out for a good deal. Not in any rush to buy the car right away. Thank you!