Mazda MPV

tccmn1

I wondered the same thing when I read my manual - 2003 MPV.
I asked the dealer and they shrugged about it...I talked to a tranny specialist and he stated that it would be smart to change the fluid around 50K or so...expecially, if you tow anything with it, as I do! So, I am going to have my fluid changed. I guess the filter in it is washable and can be reused. $90 to do it; cheap insurance on a vital, and somewhat fragile, part of this troubled vehicle!!

Again, wait until you need to replace the rear license plate lights! The dealer had to remove the inside of the tailgate to get at them!! Unbelievable! They were afraid they would break the lenses since they would not pop out as the manual says!!! More craziness regarding this thing of beauty.

subearu

Seems like most are using the tranny cooler lines to drain the tranny (most of it at least) and then filling via the dipstick. I've also read of some draining from the pan (there is a drain bolt IIRC) but you don't get much out this way so they drain/fill/drive/drain/fill a few times to get more fluid out.

-Brian

once_for_all

it just sounds like Jatco never designed this thing to be changed or flushed. At least with the standard equipment folks have.

Again, it puzzles me. Kind of like some power steering systems, some manufacturers don't have recommended maintenance, but it is never a bad idea (if done right) to change it out.

John

argrdi

I have an older 6cyl MPV ('96). About 2 weeks ago I had to jump start the battery 3 times because something in the switch was faulty and the headlights would randomly come on while the car was parked (jiggling the switch would fix that issue). Then last week, we had a hard time starting the car after I filled up the tank. I did notice a strong smell (kind of like burning brakes) but that went away after a mile or so (don't even know if it was my car - we were in heavy traffic). That night I did notice that (with headlights and AC on) the "fuel" & "check engine" lights would come on (though very, very dim) at every stop light . Reving the engine seemed to turn these lights out. The following morning the battery was dead (not due to the headlights coming on). After jumping the battery I drove about 10 miles to a store, came back and again nothing (not even the slightest click. About 3 minutes later, I pumped the pedal about 15 times and eventually the car turned over. After another 5 mile drive to get something to eat I stopped and immediately tried starting the car - again, not even a click - as if there was no battery. Half an hour later we went back to the car, pumped the pedal about 5 times and it started right up. The day after the battery was totally dead. I replaced the battery tonight, car starts just fine - no pumping - just turn the key. However, if I turn the headlights and AC on, I can see the faint lights of the "fuel" & check engine" coming on. They do go off at about 1100rpm. Can anyone offer some advise on what might be going on?

once_for_all

electrical to me. Possibly somewhere in the charging system.

John

prov221

help me please! i hear some noise from my engine. it is usually starts when i push hard my accelerator. i dont know what is the problem and where to find a good mechanic for this kind of vehicle here in Tucson. Thanks! appreciate any help from you.

clay7

Hi,bought a 2001 MPV with 80,000 miles on it after reading this forum.
I have a extended warantee till 100,000.Was wondering what maint. should I do ,or things to check.So far only oil changes.Dealer wants $179 for tranny service.It does shift rough sometimes.Have to keep this for 4 years.Thanks,Clay7

Claires

If you haven't already done so, you might want to check out the Mazda MPV Owners: Problems & Solutions discussion. You might find that you're not the only one who's had the same problem, and the members there may already have found an answer.

once_for_all

Claire, move me over to the problems board if you want. Although I am just making a general comment about the MPV trannies.

The 2001 MPV had a 4 speed tranny in it. The 2002 had a new 5 speed Jatco tranny in it and few of that year have had problems. The 2003 and 2004 models had some software glitches that caused hard shifting, but it was corrected by reprogramming. I don't recall any hardshifting problems on the 4 speed. However, after 80,000 miles, the tranny isn't a spring chicken anymore and you could be experiencing wear issues.

John

bcman

I have a 1995 MPV that has a very strange brake problem! This MPV has 4 wheel abs brakes & a factory tow package, it has 4 wheel disc brakes. What is happening is this....all 4 brakes are locking up the wheels....whether I drive the vehicle or not....but at night when the outside temperature cools down....all 4 brakes unlock & the wheels all spin freely!. I've had the MPV up on jack stands the last week or so...all 4 wheels are off the ground...& everyday the wheels all lock up...then at night they unlock....without me even getting near the vehicle! This seems to be a heat related issue....but I've had the MPV in my garage...not outside in direct sunlight......the temperature has been averaging 100 degrees in my garage...so the heat really isn't that much to be causing this I would think.

Claires

Welcome to the Forums, bcman! This discussion is for the features, attributes, etc. of the MPV, but we do have a place to discuss MPV problems. Click the link below to post your question and the members there will be happy to help you out.

Mazda MPV Owners: Problems & Solutions

When you get a chance, try our search tools at the left side of the page. They'll help you to find help on just about anything regarding your car.

hansienna

Will it be larger than the current MPV? Will it continue to be a minivan or will it revert back to being an SUV as was the previous MPV? :confuse:

once_for_all

pure speculation here-- I think the MPV will go away in 2006 and the Mazda 5 will be its replacement.

While we love our MPV, it is getting roughed up by the competition which get better mpg, more space, and is "recommended" by CR.

But I must admit that the current pricing on the MPVs looks very attractive compared to the other guys. At a recent visit, I saw 20 MPVs lined up at the local dealer, and for the money they were much more attractive than the 2002 LX we bought.

John

audia8q

The MPV is going to be redesigned into a larger package based off a stretched MZ6 platform. It has not been confirmed for the North American market at this point....so it's a little up in the air at this point.

PF_Flyer

Hope you can join us tonight for our weekly chat session! It's always great to meet "new faces" at the chats!

PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles

The weekly Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule

hansienna

Do the 2nd row bucket seats in the MPV slide forward and back as in the Ody and Sienna and now DC with Stow 'N Go?
OR, do they only recline or back rest fold flat onto seat as in DC minivans without Stow 'N Go?
I have to admit that the MPV is quite sporty in appearance and is more attractive with the rub strip on the side than when the sides were flat with no strip to break up that large, boring slab.

jipster

Yes, hans...as a matter of fact they do slide forward and back like those other vans you spoke of.

I was told they did not when inspecting and test driving our 2004 MPV LX for purchase. But, after reading the owners manual it showed how to move the second row bucket seats up and back. But, when I went out to our MPV I could not get them to do so.

Called the saleslady that sold us the van. "No", she says they don't move up and back.When I took it in for its first oil change..."No, I don't think so" says service manager. But, they will check it out. Well, they checked it out. It was only stuck and now easily moves forward and back. Though not a whole lot of space to move forwards and back....maybe 3 inches.

I agree about the rub strip on the side. It comes with the all-sport package, amoungst other things, and dresses it up quite well. :shades:

hansienna

THANKS. That 3 inches or whatever is VALUABLE. The 2nd row passengers can stretch their legs while little children in 3rd row would not need as much.
Another reason the MPV is a better choice than the Caravan or SWB T&C (in addition to the fold-into-the-floor 3rd row seat and more sporty appearance).

carquery

I've been test driving too many vechiles to mention to find something that works for my family of 4 (4-year old and a 4-month old, plus stroller and other trunk gear). I currenlty have an Acura MDX, which I like for the comfort and driving pleasure, but find the 3rd row fairly useless since I have two car seats in the 2nd row. Plus, it needs premium fuel and only gets about 15-16MPG in the city which is where I do the bulk of my driving.

I seem to be down to the MPV ES (leather and the works so my wife doesn't miss the luxurious feel of the Acura so much and afforts us seating for 7 in a pinch) vs. the Mazda5 (after-market leather...easier with kids spills; better MPG for the city, not as big as the MPV).

Also any thoughts on the 5 vs. the MPV would be welcome...I like them both and it seems like the MPV's are are a bit more plush than the 5 and are heavily discounted so the prices really aren't that far apart. The MPV might be a big more vehicle than I need, but sometimes that is handy. I like driving them both, but prefer the manual on the 5, but that's not a dealbreaker. If the city MPG (or overall MPG) is very different, that could sway me one way or the other.

Since I live in CT, I had hoped to get at least traction control (available on the MPV, I think), but figure I can get snow tires for whichever vehicle I end up with.

Finally, I've read a few posts on this board that indicate this is the last year for the MPV at this size as it's growing to compete with Honda and Toyota's offerings. Is that definite?

A lot of questions, I know...any input on people's experiences with their MPVs would be really helpful.

Thanks!

subearu

There will be an '06 MPV, should be very similar to the '05. So far, nothing concrete about the growth of the next MPV. More once the autoshows start up (Detroit, Chicago, etc.).

TCS is available on the MPV. Deals can be had on the MPV, that is certain. City MPG on the MPV can be low, I've read of reports elsewhere on the 'net of 18 city and 26 hwy. We've tracked 17 city (below zero F temps in winter) and 25 hwy, overall 20 with mainly city or short trips.

Drive both, and spend a good amount of time in them. The 5 has some good features in it that I'd consider if it was available when we shopped in '02 for our MPV.

-Brian

jaserb

FYI, there's a simple modification you can do that will let the second row seats slide back a couple of inches farther without compromising the design of the seats. I did it and now have enough room for a rear facing child seat in the seat behind the driver's seat, even with the driver's seat all the way back. Also, my 3 year old can't kick the passenger's seat anymore. See the "other" site for the procedure.

Also, don't forget about the "slide-by-side" seating. It's nice to be about to put the second row seats together like a bench (helps with 3rd row access) or apart like captains chairs (helps with squabbling siblings) as needed.

-Jason

jipster

We have a 2004 MPV LX. Out of all the minivans on the market it is noted to have the best car-like driving characteristics. I have seen the 5 and liked the styling...though I have not ridden in one.

Have not had any problems with our MPV in over a year(knock on wood). The overall quality and styling of the vehicle is tops in my opinion.It has the looks and feel of a much more expensive vehicle. We are a family of 4 as well and find the size of the MPV perfect for our needs. Our MPV came with traction control as well as the driver and front passenger side air bags...which also offer head protection. I would think the bigger/heavier MPV would be a little safer...though I really don't know what saftey features the 5 has.It's not as quick off the line as some other minivans...but has more than enough power (200hp) to get the job done.Air conditions and heat work wonderfully. Cruises on the hwy great....very smooth. I have been satisfied with our overall mpg thus far...about 19 mpg.

Good luck!

jipster

Yes, I have read about the modification on a competing web site,which offers step by step instructions on how to modify the seat as you described.

Our "slide-by-side" seating is mostly in permanent captains chairs mode... as it is needed that way quite often. :shades:

hansienna

Apparently the MPV will remain in production indefinitely. However, at $ 29,075 MSRP and TMV $28,117 it is difficult to compete with the larger, more powerful, better fuel economy rating Odyssey EX MSRP $28,945 and TMV $28,206.
BUT, who can place a mere monetary value on the MPV "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" factor that is not optional on the Odyssey ?

subearu

Though most MPVs have sold well below invoice due to rebates or incentives. That trend will probably continue for the '06 model as well.

-Brian

hansienna

Exactly why the MPV is a better buy than one may assume by just looking at MSRP.

jipster

I don't know if this ad campaign if national or local. But, our local paper has advertisments that say," Mazda MPV...the minivan with a sportscar inside its soul" Or, something along those Zoom Zoom lines. :shades: Though as Tim the Toolman Taylor would say..a little more power never hurts.

I'm seeing a lot of $6,000 off sticker on all MPV's at this time.

hansienna

Now I must look more closely at the MPV. The very clever 2nd row seating, fold down rear seating, and MPV pricing make it a most appealing minivan. IF we did not take 4 extra people on long trips where cargo space is needed for luggage for 4 adults and 2 children, the MPV would be ideal. :P
The addition of a 60/40 split in the folding 3rd row seating and addition of separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger are small improvements Mazda could make.

jaserb

I got the chance to do just that in March. Our group was 3 adults and 2 kids in carseats. We rented a SWB Caravan and I was very surprised that the amount of luggage and people that fit just fine in our MPV on the way to the airport needed to be absolutely crammed into the Caravan. While the MPV is on the small side the space usage is very good, as I could fit 2 large suitcases and a number of smaller bags behind the third row. And access to the third row was an absolute joke in the Caravan, while even my 74 y.o. grandma has no problem climbing into the back of the MPV.

It's definitely worth a test drive, especially at the prices they're going for.

-Jason

hansienna

Agree. However for my wife and I, the separately controlled temperature for the driver and front passenger is a NON NEGOTIABLE feature since I am cold all the time and need warm air while my wife needs cold air .
Sure wish DC had learned how to put a "fold-into-the-floor" 3rd row seat into the SWB Caravan and include the split 60/40 3rd row feature Toyota brought to market with the 2004 Sienna.
Would have been just as nice for Mazda to include the separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger AND make 3rd row seating a 60/40 split.

jipster

Well hans, you could always splurge a little bit and get the luggage rack for extra cargo space. But, of course that would cut down on your mpg a bit. You wouldn't mind a little less mpg ,on those long trips, in your next minivan would you?

The back seat in the MPVis a little tight for 3 adults. Two adults and a small child should be comfortable though. Though with the extra space of Ody/Sienna and DCX vans, their third row seats are much more comfortable.

I'm guessing that with the newly remodeled 2007 MPV, should it be available in the U.S, it would have the fancy gizmos and saftey features most of the other mini/maxi vans now have (navigation, back up sensors, 60/40 split, seperate controlled temp, VSC, side curtain airbags etc)

mtbiker1

Thanks for all the posts here; very interesting. We took delivery of our MPV mid-Sept of '04, now have just over 13K on it. Pluses: right size, just big enough for our usual needs (up to 3 mountain bikes packed in back of 2nd row seats), small enough for most parking situations, tight but ok for most building materials (yeah, 4X8 goods just don't fit), and most important, the 2 front seats are very comfy on long road trips.
Gas mileage has been ok, but not exciting; around town we got as low as 19 but mostly around 21-22 even in winter; best interstate mileage has been just over 24.
Big minus: OEM tires (Dunlop sp4000 somethingorother). Going to replace those before our first transcontinental road trip in Oct.
A Minivan (a true mini) suits us grandparents who want to haul some kids now and then, bring some big items (e.g. a compressor or stepladder) to the kids' house now and then, and is actually roomier than SUV's with same outside dimensions. Always a gamble, but I'd rather deal with Mazda/Ford than DC if we have a warranty issue, which based on the feedback so far on this site, I hope we can avoid.

jipster

Why replace the Dunlops with only 13k on them? What are you replacing them with? Do you have the 17" tires? Have fun on your trip!

jc9799

carquery,
If you're considering the 5 vs MPV, I'd consider the space behind the 3rd row. If there's just the 4 of you, then space shouldn't be an issue either way. If you're carrying more than 4, then storage might be a problem, based on posts I've read on the 5 boards.

We've had our MPV for 3 months now. It's an LX @$6000 under MSRP, so yes, you can get an MPV for around the same price as a 5. I did consider getting a 5, but our Explorer lease was ending (early July) right as the 5 was supposed to be hitting the market. However, since the salesguys didn't know when the 5 would be arriving (I talked to 3 different guys and their range was early July to mid Sept.) we decided to go with the MPV. However, I think the 5 would have served our needs just fine as well. (we have a 5 and 3 year old)
The 5 is also currently under a recall. A fairly major one by what I've read in the 5 boards.

good luck

jaserb

Lots of folks are replacing the Dunlops before they're completely worn out. This is one of the few cases where I think the manufacturer "over-tired" a vehicle. The Dunlops are definitely skewed to the performance side of the spectrum - TireRack classifies them in their "Ultra High Performance All-Season" category, which is the very highest performance category for all season tires. That's about what you would expect to find on a BMW, but on a minivan, it's probably overkill. I'm OK with ours so far at 16k miles, but when they wear out I'll probably go with something in the Performance or Grand Touring categories. I'll be giving away a bit of ultimate performance for comfort, better winter traction, lower noise, and longer tread life - all good things on a family hauler.

-Jason

jipster

Agree with getting better comfort, traction and longer tread life in another tire. But, I thought the Dunlops usually rate quite favorably in terms of noise. Our 17" Dunlops are fairly quiet.

jaserb

The 16s should be similar, as they have the exact same width, but I've always found them somewhat noisy. Question: with the 17s, do you think your speedo reads fast, slow, or right on? The reason I ask is that our MPV reads fast - IE, 70 on the speedo is actually 68 or so according to the local radar signs, and the odometer is off by a couple of miles per 100 if I keep track of mile markers. I have a theory that Mazda didn't want to make any changes to the computer programming or speedo gears to compensate for the different height of the 16" and 17" tire combos, so they just split the difference between the two.

If that's the case a van with 17s should read slightly slow on the speedo - 70 is actually 72, or similar. If so maybe I'll need to listen more to the little devil on my shoulder telling me that a set of 18" RX8 takeoffs with 235/50/18s would look really sweet on an MPV...

-Jason

jipster

I have never noticed any irregularties in our speedometer or odometer. Just assumed they were accurate. Will keep my eyes open though with local radar signs...though don't really know how accurate they are.If you are correct in your theory that means I'll need to slow down 2mph as to avoid getting a speeding ticket.

subearu

comparing the OEM sizes of 215/60-16 and 215/60-17 shows a difference of 2.6 mph when going from the 16's to the 17's when travelling at an indicated 70mph. You're actually going 67.4 mph with the 17's.

-Brian

jaserb

Yeah, I did a lot of calculating before I realized what should have been mind numbingly obvious: The 17" combo is exactly 1" taller. The question remains, did Mazda do anything about it, such as modify the computer or change out the speedo drive gears. I haven't been able to find any evidence that they did: the dealer told me there is no option in their computer to compensate for different sized tires.

-Jason

subearu

they probably just calibrated at the size of the 16"s and called it a day. I haven't seen anything about the computer compensating for the differences either.

-Brian

sukispeed

To be shown at this years Tokyo Auto Show
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/697

subearu

Just watch that red never make it to the U.S. shores...

-Brian

jaserb

Wonder if we'll get it here.

-Jason

chacobleu

...the MPV is dead in the USA after 2006 model year. Apparently, Japan re-designed the new model, but Mazda USA execs say they didn't make it big enought for US tastes.

I don't see why not try to sell it in the US and see how it does before determing it's not fit. Obviously, some yen has to be spent to spec for the states. The Honda unit has become way to pudgy. The Toyota unit is a good fit. If the Mazda is within inches of the Toyota (a few inches shorter, a couple of inches narrower, and an inch lower) with most of the bells and wistles of the Honda and Toyota, minus a couple/few grand $, it has a shot.

audia8q

Just watch that red never make it to the U.S. shores...

That looks alot like the new copper red found on the 2006 MZ3 and Miata

sukispeed

More Photos

subearu

Cool, reclining 2nd row seat with foot rest. No doubt that WON'T make it to the U.S., most anything cool in the JDM market is never given a chance here. Not to mention the NHTSA probably would be all over those seats.

-Brian

hansienna

Great idea for 2nd row seats just like roll down windows in power sliding doors that Mazda introduced and are now copied by Sienna and Odyssey.
CR will probably bad mouth those seats since they were not introduced by Honda in the Odyssey. :sick:

once_for_all

second row seats have a lot of front and back slide as well.

John