So now you’re reverted to an immature attempt at crude humour. Seems I was at least partly right about the hand-holding, but hey, at least you know how to do a Google search! Good try little buddy, maybe you’ll get it right next time.

For anyone else who might actually be serious, my Reddit username is not the same as my forum username, but that shouldn’t matter much as there are dozens of guides available according to pina_koala.

Try following your own advice re: being a dickhead. You’re being a prick just because I didn’t hold your hand during a Google search.

Because I already went through the labour of taking panels apart and figuring out how to run the wires myself. Then I sat down to write it, while including the pictures I took during the process. I’m not making anyone do anything, I just posted so that they would be able to find it if they wanted to look.

I could provide the link, I suppose. But you could also get off your ass to do a 3 second search and find it yourself.

I wrote a guide for running dashcam cables on my CX-9 and posted it to a Mazda forum. Quick Google search should get you the link.

I’ll be blunt - fuck this dealer.

Do your own oil changes with any synthetic. Supertech from Walmart, Kirkland from Costco, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum from an auto store, they’re all good enough for the CX-50. You’ll save a ton of money. Or, if you really don’t want to do your own oil changes, take it to any independent shop to do your oil changes and bring your own oil and filter in (use the OEM Mazda filters made in Japan or Thailand). Synthetic is a better oil by far, and when the oil is on sale, the price difference is negligible, especially if you go with brands like Supertech or Kirkland. The only reason they want you to keep using the Mazda blend is because they can make more money from you using the cheaper oil that they get in bulk, and recommend a shorter oil change interval to get you in there more often.

Use synthetic oil, do your own oil changes, and follow the basic maintenance outlined in the Scheduled Maintenance section of your Owner’s Manual. Keep a log of your maintenance and/or keep all of your receipts and invoices for any parts or services you buy.

I try not to base my decision on only one source, regardless of how credible it may be. I try to include multiple sources, from outlets like CR, Car & Driver, online forums, Facebook groups, Reddit, etc.

Sounds like you’re in a good spot financially, but I would still reconsider a 60+ term, it’s just money thrown away on interest, but whatever works best for you.

2017 is a good year if you prefer the design of the 2nd gen. Personally I don’t like to recommend the 2018+ N/A CX-5s because they have cylinder deactivation, and those engines may have issues with cylinder head cracks that Mazda hasn’t resolved. Actual failure rate is pretty low, but still. 2022+ turbo models are good too, as long as you’re okay with the potential extra failure point down the line with the turbo. I have a 2018 CX-9 with 103k kms and it’s been nothing but good to me.

Run from both deals.

Do not base your vehicle purchase on a monthly payment with an abnormally long term. 48 months is plenty, 60 is pushing it, and 72 is flat out absurd.

The Rogue is not a good car. They are generally cheap but their CVT transmissions are the worst out there, even Chrysler has better CVT transmissions. Toyota and Honda have better CVTs, but CVTs in general are not reliable transmissions compared to the 6-speed auto in the CX-5.

The CX-5 deal is a bad deal considering the expensive LoJack fee, the largely unnecessary extended warranty and the oil change package. Buy a CX-5 and finance it for 5 years if you absolutely have to, with the goal being that it is fully paid off when the factory powertrain warranty expires. Do the basic services yourself if you have the tools and you’re willing to watch a few YouTube videos. Or take the car to an independent shop for basic maintenance, and follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in the owner’s manual. Then you can take the money saved from the warranty and the dealership oil changes and put it towards an emergency fund, which you may never need to use.

The alternative is to buy a used CX-5 at a much lower price, but you’ll need to be ready for any potential repairs should something happen outside of warranty.

IMO, if I were buying my daughter a car tomorrow, I would be looking for a good deal on a used 2015 or 2016 CX-5. Very reliable, cheap to maintain, and probably easy to find on the used market.