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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.
-Brian
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
John
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
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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
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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
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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.
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:
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).
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!
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
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
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!
Our "slide-by-side" seating is mostly in permanent captains chairs mode... as it is needed that way quite often. :shades:
BUT, who can place a mere monetary value on the MPV "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" factor that is not optional on the Odyssey ?
-Brian
I'm seeing a lot of $6,000 off sticker on all MPV's at this time.
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.
It's definitely worth a test drive, especially at the prices they're going for.
-Jason
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.
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)
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.
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
-Jason
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
-Brian
-Jason
-Brian
To be shown at this years Tokyo Auto Show
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/697
-Brian
-Jason
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.
That looks alot like the new copper red found on the 2006 MZ3 and Miata
More Photos
-Brian
CR will probably bad mouth those seats since they were not introduced by Honda in the Odyssey. :sick:
John