Welcome back! Today we’re checking out a couple of smallish boxes on wheels, just the thing if you need plenty of seating or stuff-hauling capability, but have a small parking space. And just to keep things interesting, they’re both stickshifts.
We had to settle for automatics with yesterday’s choices, but sometimes you do what you have to do in order to get that sweet V8 rumble. This was one of those days when I had no idea what the outcome would be: On one hand, we had a Jaguar-designed Ford product with a somewhat sketchy reputation, and on the other, we had a mechanically-solid but somewhat childish Dodge. I couldn’t have guessed which way you were going to go.
In the end, the Lincoln won out, and I don’t know if it’s due to the lower mileage, the recent maintenance, or just the animosity towards Chrysler products that seems so prevalent. Me, I’d take the Magnum – if I didn’t already have a Hemi-powered car with a much nicer interior.
So far this week, we’ve determined that you all like Mazdas, and dislike Mopars. That might seem to make today a foregone conclusion, but as always, the devil is in the details. Let’s go over these with a fine-toothed comb and see which one really is the better deal.
2012 Mazda 5 – $3,700
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, six-speed manual, FWD
Location: Richfield, WI
Odometer reading: 210,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
Vehicle taxonomy gets a little muddy sometimes: What makes a vehicle a van, for example, instead of a tall wagon? Is it just the presence of sliding doors? Mazda seems to think so; it calls this car, known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan and the Mazda 5 here, a van, yet when Nissan built a similar tall wagon with sliding doors on both sides, it was marketed as the Stanza Wagon. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to, I guess.
Here in the US, the 5 is powered by our old friend the MZR four-cylinder, here displacing 2.5 liters. It powers the front wheels through a six-speed manual, pretty racy stuff for a family hauler, but Mazda rarely does boring. It has 210,000 miles on it, but it has had a ton of work, and the seller has all the records dating back to 2015 when they purchased it. It runs great, and comes with an extra set of wheels with snow tires – a nice touch for the Great Lakes region.
It’s in good condition inside, which isn’t always the case with a used minivan. Vehicles like this tend to lead hard lives, and for this one to be this clean north of 200,000 miles, someone must have cared for it. The seller says, and I quote, “Everything works exactly as it should,” including the all-important air conditioning.
It looks good outside too, but it’s a Mazda, for sale in Wisconsin. Better take a good hard look underneath, to make sure the floors and rocker panels aren’t pulling a disappearing act.
2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: St. Charles, IL
Odometer reading: 130,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
Brand names get muddled and diluted too, even when they probably shouldn’t. One weak product, one thing that doesn’t measure up to the standards that the brand has always set, can do a lot of damage. If they say Hanes before Inspector 12 says they say Hanes, then the Hanes name means a little less. And when a so-called Jeep is nothing more than a Dodge Caliber in cosplay, it dilutes the entire Jeep brand. Even when it’s a sensible, popular little vehicle like the Patriot.
Jeeps are four-wheel-drive; everybody knows that. Except when they’re not. The Patriot was available with two different 4WD systems, but this one has neither. Its 2.4 liter “World” four-cylinder drives only the front wheels. But unlike most Patriots, which have an automatic transmission – or worse, a CVT – this one has a proper five-speed manual. It has a new clutch, and runs and drives well, but that’s all we know about its mechanical condition. The ad is one line long.
It looks used, but not abused; the interior has some wear and scuffs, but it’s intact and undamaged. This is the fancier Latitude model, so it has power windows and locks and stuff, which makes it even stranger that it’s 2WD with a stickshift.
I have to confess I always kind of liked the Patriot’s looks; it’s chunky and purposeful, and I tend to like boxier vehicles anyway. Unfortunately, I also know what northern Illinois winters can do to cars, having grown up there, and this little Jeep is already showing signs of rust. There’s a pretty good bubble on the right rear wheel arch, and you know there’s always more than what you can see.
I’ve been through a lot of used cars in my life. I mean, not as many as some, but I’ve had my fair share. Every time I go looking for a car, vehicles like these – practical all-rounders with manual transmissions – are exactly what I probably ought to shop for, but rarely do. They make sense, unlike most of the cars I end up with. But at least I get to shop vicariously for cars every day, and show you what I find. Which one of these makes more sense to you?
(Image credits: sellers)
My wife and I had a Mazda 5 and to be honest it was a good little car. I had half an idea to build it out into a bit of a sleeper. I kinda miss it periodically.
I don’t especially like the Mazda5’s design, but it is a vastly better vehicle than the cheap poser “Jeep”.
This is a difficult choice. This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t understand the appeal of the Mazda 5. Minivans are supposed to be practical. I don’t think a performance-oriented very mini van needs to exist. It sacrifices too much in an attempt to not be like a typical van. Also, for what it is worth, the ad for the Mazda says it has a rebuilt title. I would like to know what happened and when. I am assuming the incident was a long time ago since I doubt anyone would rebuild a 12 year old minivan. It probably isn’t a big deal, but it is something to consider.
My opinion of the Jeep Patriot isn’t any more positive. Most non-Wrangler Jeep products seem like cynical attempts to sell something called a Jeep to buyers who can’t afford a Wrangler or those who find a Wrangler doesn’t meet their needs. They seem like vehicles that were built knowing they would never be a buyer’s first choice. None of them have strong selling points, and they all seem half assed.
If I were seriously considering between these two vehicles I would get them inspected and choose the one that seems like a better bet mechanically. Truthfully, if I saw these ads in a Craigslist search I wouldn’t click on either. I think I am going to abstain from voting today.
Yikes! I totally missed the rebuilt title status! I’d still pick it, tho.
It probably isn’t a big deal. It presumably was rebuilt a long time ago. If that is the case it must have been rebuilt correctly to accumulate so many miles. The alternative is that it was recently totaled for minor damage since it isn’t worth much.
The only thing I would want to know is if it is a flood car. The interior of that car is so nice it is almost suspicious. The driver’s seat looks nearly new, which is odd for a 200,000+ miles car. I don’t want a flood car, even if the flood was years ago.
Also, as I look closer at this car I am seeing quite a bit of rust, particularly below the rear passenger door. Between the rust, mileage, and branded title, I’m starting to think this car is a very bad idea.
I initially didn’t vote, but I’m voting for the Patriot. Its visible flaws make me far less nervous than the hidden flaws of the Mazda.
After looking at the Mazda ad again for some reason, I am even more convinced this thing is a terrible choice. There is visible damage to the hood. Also, “New rear sway bar links (2024)” and “New battery (2023)” seems like a positive way of saying the old muffler and sway bar links rotted off. “Included is an extra set of wheels with SNOW TIRES” is also a positive spin for “driven frequently on salty roads.” Between the replaced parts and the visible rust, I suspect this car is very crusty underneath.
This vehicle is a very bad idea. Don’t be fooled by the nice paint and interior.
The Mazda5 is still practical as a minivan. The sliding doors are a major selling point for people who have kids but need or prefer something smaller than what’s offered by other “mini”vans.
Think of it less in direct comparison to larger vans, as there isn’t really any intent to sacrifice. It’s more like blending some vanlike attributes with something more say, CR-V-sized. In a full lineup, a vehicle like the 5 would exist in addition to those minivans, not in spite of, and be priced accordingly. The Mazda 5 started around $20k in 2012 and topped out about $25k, which is about where the prices started for most of the full-size minivans of the time.
I guess that makes sense. I still don’t quite understand its appeal, but more vehicle variety is better than less variety. This vehicle has its fans for a reason, even if I don’t quite get it.
I would still avoid this particular Mazda5, though.
Thee 5, the wife loves her ’12, “It’s not too big” and I don’t mind driving it other then the lack of passing power.
I’ve always had a weird fascination with the Mazda5. I even considered buying it in the late 2000’s but the wife put the kibosh on that idea. Even with that many miles, I’d take it over the Mopar product.
Mazda by a mile here despite the significantly higher mileage. It shouldn’t be a total penalty box to drive.
I briefly worked at an auto auction house between jobs and they did a tonne of off lease Chrysler sales. Something about the way the plastic below the steering column on the Patriot and Compass meant that I would frequently and painfully bash my knee into them getting in and out even if I was being careful. I have no memory of how good or bad these were beyond that impression but it is enough to make me hate them.
Loved my 5 with the stick. This should be an easy winner over ANY FCA product.
Give me 5!
All my quirkier friends’ parents had these or the earlier MPV.
A stye in my left eyelid. Preferable to either choice.
I’ve had a few 5s as rentals way back; don’t let the van thing fool you, they’re really engaging to drive.
I’ve also driven this exact spec Jeep a few times; your assumptions are correct, it’s as bad as you think it is.
Mazda!! We had one from the previous generation, and I like the style of that one better, but a stick makes up for a multitude of flaws!
The big downside is you can’t get a sunroof with the stick.
Our 2010 Mazda 5 also had a ton of work done, mostly steering and suspension related. The only engine work was new spark plugs and valve cover gaskets at 170k miles. It’s a 5 speed and I love that van but it’s all rusted out. It won’t be passing inspection next year without some major rust repairs and that’s just the stuff you can see from 20 feet, never mind underneath.
I can’t believe this one from WI looks so good!
Too easy. Just because a car lives in the Great Lakes doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a rust bucket- it’s all about the salt exposure. Some cars are kept in a garage, washed regularly, and the owner just doesn’t take it out when the chances of salt exposure are high.
And then there’s me, who works Public Works and has an assigned snow plow route. When it snows, I get into my car and drive, and this extreme exposure to salt really takes a toll.
This Mazda falls into the first category, easy win.
I agree. If this was a rusty Mazda, you’d know it, as the whole damn thing would look like crap after 12 years. Mazdas from this era and earlier let you and everyone around know when they’re rotting. They’re not Saturns.
Oh Mazda all the way. It’s a similar size, while being way more useful than the Patriot, inevitably more fun to drive than the Patriot, and likely more reliable than the Patriot. Also… van. Sliding doors. And while this was before Mazda went premium with their interiors, the 5 is going to be a much nicer place to be than the Patriot, which comes from an era of Chrysler interiors that I would describe as “Masochist’s Delight”. Seriously, the interior of that Patriot will make you beg for a Cozy Coupe.
I would still pick the Mazda if it was an automatic, but these manual 5s are becoming hard to find in decent shape. Now, if the Patriot had that dogshit CVT (most of those seem to have been junked at this point) I wouldn’t take it if you paid me.
Is this even a question?
I think you would have to compete the Patriot against a broken Huffy for it to ever get my vote.
The Mazda5 is gold in the handicapped community for ease of ingress and egress, it lasts forever (part of just being a dead-simple car), and it isn’t a Patriot.
I think they’re trying for their first 100%-0% poll results.
I get irrationally excited everytime I see a Mazda 5. Such an awesome utility vehicle. Mazdaspeed5 should have happened.
We were really close to a MAZDA5 when car shopping a couple cars back. Ended up with a 6 instead, then a Pacifica. I’ve never once considered a Compass.
Do with this information what you will.
I really want to like the Patriot because they look great, but not at that price and lacking in features.
I love how nobody in the comments is going for the Patriot (me neither), but I do agree with your insight on it – the rectilinear OG Cherokee-esq design always struck me as a nice counterpoint to the muscular jellybean style of the era.
That’s what I love about it. It kept that old boxy look, but the proportions and size were just right. The Liberty and Commander had a similar style but they look just slightly off.
I do weirdly like the top-heavy look of the Commander, as it seemed to recall what SUVs commonly looked like back in the day before they were called SUVs – tall and tippy.
I can see that. The narrow, long, and tall look like an original Defender 110.
The 2.5L MZR/Duratec Engine is the new KA24 for swaps based on their reliability. Add the minivan form and you have a proper family mover. Ugh now I need one of these for my “collection”
“The 2.5L MZR/Duratec Engine is the new KA24 for swaps based on their reliability”
As the owner of an older 5 with the 2.3L MZR and an Accord with a KA24A3 this makes me happy.
Had a Patriot as a rental once, Mazda wins without question.
You get more for your money with the Mazda. I’d love to know what the Patriot’s seller is thinking, trying to get that much for a rusty Rustbelt Jeeplet that doesn’t have the one thing Rustbelt buyers really want- 4WD. There’s no good reason to buy this Chrysler phone in job over something like a Civic that will be cheaper to keep running
Having had the distinct displeasure of ever spending time in a Patriot of this era, I’ll be taking the higher mileage 5 and not second guessing myself for even a second.
That Patriot is a known commodity to me, so despite having a Chrysler FWD 5 speed (likely meaning it’s gonna have 3rd gear issues), I chose it instead of the Mazda.
It’s also boxy. I always kinda wish I got a Patriot instead of a Compass, but eh.
I already have one manual and it’s a Mazda, so I’ll take the zoom zoom van even though I could probably walk over and have a look at the Jeep based on it’s projected Craigslist location.
Hmm, a stick shift people mover from Mazda’s glory days, or the Jeep that’s hate from owners is only outshined by it’s godawful reliability. Such a hard choice!
I’ll take the Zoom Zoom.