The V&R Machine Ownership Diary: Chapter 4

The V&R Machine continues to soldier on, as the odometer rolled over 20,000 miles. It was pressed into service for a few items since our last update. 

For starters, George did an IKEA run to get a new tabletop for his “studio set.” The product measured 62 inches long. The test was to make sure that the tabletop fit behind the front seats. It did! The box measured out to 67 inches and cleared the liftgate perfectly. 

See, we knew we found the right vehicle because of its practicality!

Lately, George and I have swapping press vehicles to create our content. One stint in the V&R Machine resulted had me taking it on errands leading towards recovery from a couple of more surgeries. I also took it to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport for my FAM (media familiarization) trip to Connecticut. It was safely parked at the Quick Ride Ramp near Terminal 1 in one of the disabled spaces while I was halfway across the country. 

While I was in Connecticut, a hailstorm slammed the Twin Cities. I got a message from George wondering if the CX-5 was safe at the ramp. It was – parked on the first floor in the most protected part of the ramp. Because of a crew issue on my last flight home, I ended up staying in Charlotte overnight, retrieving the V&R Machine from MSP a day later than anticipated. 

In terms of how the V&R Machine has been doing over 20,000 miles on the clock, we had to take care of some things along the way. George found that there was an issue with the installation of the replacement window and had the body shop come out to inspect it on site. After taking it to the original site of the repair and some customer service snafus, the fixes were done. 

A lesson for us here: When you are dealing with a “one-stop shop” of any sort, make sure they do live up to that promise of being as such. The core of the customer service snafu was the fact that the systems from one part of the business seemed inaccessible to the other. It would’ve been easier if they had appointment and service records available at reception and beyond. Just saying…

George also experienced a Check Engine Light, which one would think unfathomable on a Mazda. A quick diagnostic test pointed to an exhaust oxygen sensor fault. He took the V&R Machine to a local dealership for a follow-up check on the fault. Because of the Labor Day weekend and the shortage of technicians at the dealer, we had to take a loaner for the weekend – a 2023 CX-5 S Premium. 

The dealer looked at this issue deeper the following week, following any instructions from Mazda. They indicated that this issue was something new, especially for a vehicle of its age and mileage. It turned that the fault came from the catalytic converter. The dealer informed us that the parts were ordered and will work on it as soon as they were received. 

What they eventually found was a wire for the exhaust oxygen sensor connecting into a wiring harness was chewed by some unknown critter. This turned into a larger repair than expected. As of publication, the V&R Machine is still in the shop awaiting further repairs to the wire and the harness.  

While we dealt with this issue and another, we started preparing ourselves for the change in seasons. To do so, George purchased set a set of wheels to mount winter tires for the CX-5. Originally, we thought of getting a second set of factory wheels. That would’ve been an expensive way to do so. Instead, George bought a set of the same 17-inch wheels from an owner of a similar CX-5, who had upgraded their wheels to 20 inches. George paid much less for the set of four from this seller than he would’ve bought just one from a dealership. 

Since then, George received a set of Michelin X-Ice Snow tires for SUVs. These are from the same tire family as he uses on his Golf R, but this set was designed specifically for SUV applications. Based on our experience with these tires, we made the right choice. 

Perhaps we need to explore the connection I have with the CX-5. This is not my first time at being a steward of a Mazda. In the early 1980s, my brother replaced his unloved 1974 Ford Mustang II Ghia with a used 1979 Mazda 626 coupe at a Ford dealer in North Hollywood, California. I thought it was a cool car with its stylish body, gold paint job, light brown interior and the optional alloy wheels. When he took delivery from the dealer with the trunk struts not working at all. We had to prop the trunk open with a wooden stick. That was just the beginning of my brother’s dislike of the 626.

When the Mustang II died on me, my brother brokered a deal for me to take over the 626. My approach to the gold coupe was different than his. I loved the car. It was sporting and fun to drive. The steering was a bit heavy, but I excused that for its era. I didn’t mind the trunk, either. 

Since then, I always receive some feedback from my brother whenever I worked with a Mazda because of his experience with our 1979 626 coupe. However, the V&R Machine is proving that things have indeed changed since 1979 at Mazda. The CX-5 is bringing back the fun of the past for me, while delivering on quality and functionality. 

Certainly, the 1979 626 had features that made it stand out for the era. The CX-5 is significant because it offers something extra in its crowded segment – a pulse. Rather, a driving experience that is not readily found among its rivals. 

Both Mazdas share a DNA that has lasted over five decades in the USA alone. Something that fits the enthusiast than the average family. Yet, the CX-5 does a good job taking the average family along for its share of adventure – just like the two gentlemen who produce V&R’s content to the world. 

Cover photo by Randy Stern