Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
2003 ES w/
roof rack
6 cd player
4 seasons package
rear step plate
GFX package
Fog light
24,200 after the $2K rebate
without sales tax (that's variable depending on community)
It seemed that the five dealers I contacted via the internet were all selling about $100 or so over invoice, so it's up to you to decide what you want and what you don't want. We got a few extra things that I really did'nt care about, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time trying to find the "perfect" vehicle. We were happy with what we got and how fast we got it. But we are very happy with the van so far....
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I change my van's oil every 7,500 miles as recommended in my manual for normal service. Using dead dino too. ymmv :-)
Steve, Host
PS: I viewed my beautiful LX today at the dealer and drolled on it:) I wanted to take it right home, but decided for them to keep it and put the special brushed dash applique and bugshield on it to save me another trip back and forth.
Heck I waited 4 months for this gem, what's another 4 days!
Will be truly ready for my drive home with it mid next week. I played with the 6cd/cass. stereo and loved the sound. This baby should keep a smile on me and my wife's face for many years. They also gave me the extra $500 rebate on top of the $1500 that was given at order time back in Oct.. Out the door price was $27,000.
LX = Moonroof, Compass/Temp Mirror, 4 Seasons, Trailer hitch, GFX, Fogs, Pwr Sliders, 6CD+Cass and 8 speakers, Traction Control-side bags, Step Plate, Mazda Bug Shield, ES Dash insert, Roof Rack...everything but Leather and 17"wheels.
The GFX flairs look different on the latest 03's than the 02's did. There is no 'fake' chrome strips on the front and rear flairs now. Just color-matched pattern. No big deal since the fake chrome would chip and take a beating at that low level in MN. salt anyway. They DO put the Chrome exhaust tip on them all now though.
The Mazda Trailer hitch looks nice too.
Zoom-Zoom-Zoom.
A link to one of Javadoc's "Iffylube" places won't suffice ;-)
I've even tried to find a petroleum engineer to weigh in on this issue, without any success to date. Bobtheoilguy is nice enough, but anyone with the membership fee can join his oil specialist group.
My van is at 79,000 miles with 7,500 mile oil changes, and so far so good. I'll let you know if I don't get to my hoped for 150,000 miles without an engine rebuild.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
We got in the front, adjusted the seats to our comfort then moved to the 2nd row. Moved them back as far as they would go and there just wasn't much room. In fact, we were both more comfortable in the 3rd row seats.
I just wish they would have had a few more inches of travel, even if it was just with the 3rd row folded.
We want the van just for the occasional 3rd row of seating, therefore that seat will be folded 90% of the time. But it concerns us that the 2nd row passengers won't have the legroom we'd like.
So it's still on the list, but now other things are creeping in. Neither one of us wants a bigger van, so we're starting to decide whether the 3rd seat is that important.
This big snowstorm hasn't helped matters either, since my wife is very concerned about her next cars snow ablilty. She's really starting to think small SUV now. Won't have the cargo capacity of the van, but will have 4 wheel drive and good legroom, at least in a few we checked out.
The 2nd row seat are made for kids. :-)
CR once did a test on oil changing intervals using NYC taxi cabs and found no wear differences.
Congrats on the new mini.
I know cause I had an HL on order last summer but cancelled when I lost my job at that time.
I've lived with a DC shorty (second row tight) for 9 years and the MPV actually has more legroom in the second row than my old DC did.
It's all up to what you want of course; small SUV's may not handle THAT much better in snow anyway. I never have been stuck in snow in MN. with 13 years of mini-driving!
And I'm not kidding myself in thinking a small SUV will pull the same duty. Changing direction means changing priorities. We may decide other factors are more important than total cargo volume and 3 rows of seats.
The price/features will keep the MPV on the short list, but just not as far out in front in would have been.
It's going to be an interesting shopping season.....
Make sure to cross reference this stuff in SUVs vs. Minivans too. ;-)
Meinrad & Tccmn1,
I couldn't agree with the two of you more, that's why I own both a MPV and a Highlander. ;-)
Steve, Host
But let me add a true story: I get into my MPV with 4 other passengers, the 6'2' passenger riding in the passenger seat has to slide his seat all the back because his knees hit the dash. Now the second row passenger is complaining because of the lack of leg room. The sole 3rd row seat passenger is complaining also, but it's difficult to hear them because they're way back in the cheap seat.
Solution: we all get out of the MPV and get into the Highlander, and everyone is happier than the proverbial pigs in slop.
Steve, Host
That reminds me...it's time for an oil change in MochaVan! I actually switched to going by time instead of mileage b/c I only put about 8,000/yr on the van... so it's every 6mths for me for every K&N filter and 6qts of Amsoil!
:-)
Guess we should ask Java how Mocca is handling the heat....
Steve, Host
Erl? (oil in Texas...). I change the Sienna oil around 3K just to make sure of all the heat from the past sludge topics (let's not go into that again) don't cause a problem. Why take a chance on that one anyway. Lots of short trips and idleing on the Toyo.
The '01 MPV (Red) soars at 70 MPH, 66 miles every day. I let it go until 70K on the last oil change and it still came out golden. Of course, makes me wonder where the dirt is....! Hmmm. Using the "Ferd" standard replacement filter and dino Castrol. Toyota changes it for me if I bring the filter - about $10 cheaper than Iffylube and anyone else I've found.
I'm nearing 39K and developed one problem - the ashtry is ...oh, I already mentioned that...sorry, Steve.
)
Fun van, sleeps with me ever night. Or is that my Golden...? Must get more rest...
- Do they improve gas mileage (if so, to what general extent)?
- Are they "plug and play" or do I need some adapter kit or some other modification for it to fit?
- Where's a good (read inexpensive) place to buy them, online or otherwise?
Thanks in advance,
Bill
Then a month or so ago I visited their site and it looks like they don't again. Maybe the FTC asked for some proof?
If they do claim any improvement, I bet dollars to Krispy Kremes the weasel language says "up to x%". Your seat of the pants mileage may vary :-)
Steve, Host
Now, cone (and cold-air intake) systems... those are another story, but I haven't tried that on my MPV yet. I do have a spare K&N cone filter from my Saab 9000 sitting on the workbench. I wonder...
I really have no opionion since I was thinking that may be a problem..at least in the MN. harsh climate....come to think of it though, the east coast has had much more snow than we have here this year, eh? (21" in the Twin Cities all winter so far).
The only way to find out if they improve mileage would be to test several different vehicles, in a controlled environment, using indentical methods for each vehicle.
The only advantage K&N filters offer for sure is never having to replace your filter again. No thanks. I'll use OEM and go with better filtering.
I got the GFX package with my 03 MPV. My dealer did not tell anything abt peeling / stripping of the chrome strip. Is there any concern with this chrome strip?
mpvowner3
That's all I know....TCC
Putting the second and third row seats on a movable track is what I always thought was the best idea that allows the most versatility. The seats in the Villager/Quest are made that way, but they usually rank at the bottom in reviews.
I'm not trying to turn this into a MPV vs. HL debate, but I think the HL is more comparable to the MPV than most minivans. Also, my HL and MPV get the same gas mileage (both V6s).
Just kidding. True, the MPV has a Ford engine, but its not the same one in the Windstar.
I need a van to haul my RC planes around and small camp trailer. Kids are long gone (Yesss!!!)(I miss'em. One is a Battalion commander in the Gulf.)
The MPV has all the bells and whistles we were looking for and I really like the smaller size and the handling.
Thanks
Mazda has announced a new model MPV that is available for april production. It's called the MPV-SV which stands for 'special version' it is a price leader model....There are a few items that are deleted from the LX model. They are the privacy glass is changed to a lighter green tint, steel wheels replace the alloys, 15'' tires, 100watt am-fm stereo, no CD, delete bright tip exhaust, delete floor mats and bodyside moldings.....but you still get all the other standard MPV features....only available option is rear a/c and some port installed features.
base price $21,375 + destination $520
for comparison purposes the LX has a base price of $22,690 + destination
Granted, I'd almost readily switched my 2000 with 2.5L and 4 speed tranny for 02/03 with 3.0L and 5 spd if I could just replace one for another, but I did test drove 02 MPV and it doesn't feel that much different. Yes, I can notice the somewhat faster pickup and smoother transmission and (most noticeably) less body roll while cornering but is it worth the money I'd loose if I'm to trade now? No. Is it worth those precious two years we had spent? No again (well, we don't have any other car, so it's either MPV or something else, we just couldn't wait a year or two more).
I guess it boils down to words from a pop song "it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got"... You buy 02 MPV and now you start biting your elbows over the new and cool Sienna. If you buy Sienna, you might regret it when the new MPV will come out in '05 or something. It's never ending story. You just need to jump in at some point and enjoy it while it lasts...
My (very humble) $0.02
Steve, Host
Rich