Mazda5 - Like a Six-Passenger Miata

I've spent the last several days tooling around in the Mazda5, a unique mini minivan. It combines the sportiness of a compact sedan with six-passenger accommodations (three rows of two), dual sliding doors--and even has a manual transmission!

I took four friends with me to lunch last week and they rode just fine--as did the car--although one of them said the third row back cushion was a bit firm. I not only drove on freeways and around town but had a crack at some nice curvy two-lanes, including one evening in the dark for 17 miles, and I felt completely in control.

My colleague, who is expecting his second child soon, swooned over the compact size outside and grand accommodations inside. I think I've sold him one!

This size of vehicle is common in other countries, but for now, Mazda offers the only one of its kind here. Come 'n' get it!

One Man's Favorite Car--that You May Not Have Heard Of

Today, my colleague Slava told me about the first car that he had when he came to the U.S. It was a Nissan Axxess. He loved it and put more than 160,000 miles on it. He also developed a fondness for Nissans from that experience.

Do you remember the Axxess? Known as the Prairie in Japan, it was a small minivan with sliding doors on both sides. It was sold here only in 1990-92. Small and economical, but also roomy, it was a niche vehicle and came and went quickly. But--today, you can buy the swoopy 2012 Mazda5 and get nearly the same kind of thing. The new Ford C-Max minivan, coming out soon, will also offer a compact way to transport lots of folks.

What's your favorite oddball car? Mine is the Nash Metropolitan (see post of January 19). I also like the Volvo 1800 ES--a sportwagon from early 1970's. In modern cars, it's the MINI Cooper--especially the extended Clubman version.