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Comments
Programming of electronic transmissions has affected other makes as well.
-Brian
For that matter, our '02 really hasn't exhibited the shift jolt either and hasn't had a reflash. YMMV. I did get the tranny fluid changed at 30k though.
-Brian
We have 43k trouble free miles on a 2002 LX. Battery went out on remote, had to reprogram it. We just put in a new 7 year battery in also, wifey was worried that it might die and leave her stranded.
John
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-Brian
Are the big incentives still in place for the 05's?
What is the difference between the ES and LX-SV trim levels?
A couple of other options to consider if you don't need a new van this instant: Kia is supposed to be coming out with a short wheelbase version of the all-new Sedona, and DC will offer a redesigned Caravan for '08 (in '07) and I read it will have a drop-in-the-floor rear seat, if not Stow-n-Go.
About $5,000.
The ES adds to the LX-SV: traction control, front side airbags, rear a/c, leather upholstery, 8 way power driver seat, leather wrapped steering wheel., 6 disc CD changer, power sliding rear doors,alloy wheels, floormats, rear privacy glass, fog lights and 17 " tires.
Currrently it has 19,100 miles. We just got back from a trip to Panama City Beach and was pleased with it's overall performance.(some slight hesitation with trans though when full throttle given at lower speeds) and mpg was near 23.5
with a fully loaded van, a/c on entire time, and an average speed of around 78mph. The slide by side second row chairs came in handy by seperating the kids they got into the little squabbles kids get into.
What I would change about the MPV: a more responsive trans., split folding 3rd row seats and better OEM tires than the Dunlops SP4000 that came with it.
What I like: sporty attractive styling... interior and exterior, safty/good visibility, comfort, quality materials, reliability, price, slide by side second row seats, rear a/c, handling, fold flat third row seat,warranty and its size. :shades:
I agree with you on the Dunlop SP4000's-- our wore out quickly.
I was actually happy with the tranny while driving CA-1 down the coast from Fort Ross to San Francisco and from Monterey down to San Luis Obispo. It held the gear through the twisties instead of upshifting, so I was able to get out of a turn at a decent clip.
I hope they sell it here in the USA.
I have an '02 with rear heat. The owner's manual says to bring it in for replacing the antifreeze, while vans without rear heat have a DIY rating.
Anyone know what this advanced procedure involves?
John
The new MPV is 4.87m = 191.8" existing 189.5
Width 1.85m = 71.7" existing 72.1
Height 1.745 = 68.8" existing 68.7
Guess they assume gas prices are going down again....
If the 2002 redesign had come in at $19 to $20k, it would still be a hit.
John
The market trend has been towards bigger and more spacious minivans, which has hurt MPV sales. The lack of the latest in modern features and safety equipment (i.e navigation, rear back-up sensors, side curtain airbags, power liftgate, tri zone auto climate control etc)has also hurt sales.
Agree that it came in overpriced, as it seems there has always been between a 2k and 3k rebate going on. Though price alone wouldn't have saved the MPV.
If Mazda had given some attention(features, price, more fuel efficient engine) to the MPV it could have been a sales winner. It has the short wheel based Dodge Caravan beat hands down in just about every category IMO(i.e quality, value, style, reliability)...which would have been it's only competition in that size category. The 2007 MPV , not available in the U.S, looks like a winner. Hopefully someday Mazda will bring it to the U.S
John
I would venture to say, however, that if Mazda/Ford had any brains and brought this over here (see below), the MPV, regardless of its not-as-big-as-the-main-minivan-players size, would jump to the head of the class in sales/desirability...especially with its smaller size (assuming they could get more frugality out of its MPGs).
http://www.mpv.mazda.co.jp/swf/main.html
John
Yes. And now that the MPV is off the market, the only one will be the soon-to-be-released short wheelbase Kia Sedona.
We had a 1999 Dodge Caravan and now have a 2003 MPV as we live and park in a city. In the 'burbs the "Big minivans" rule.
If Mazda had set their sights at 40-50,000 units a year they would have been all set. Personally I think they offered too many trim levels - they should have had one basic model and one with everything.
Personally I think they offered too many trim levels - they should have had one basic model and one with everything.
Isn't that what Mazda did? The relatively basic LX and the ES with everything including leather?
Theoretically. But the dealers offered LX's optioned with Four Seasons, LX-Plus, Leather, etc. Then they offered a third trim level, the LX-SV. And side airbags were optional.
The Duratec engine is pretty reliable, though there have been issues with the coilpacks in the earlier 3.0L V6's. The 5 is nice as well. Which one are you more comfortable driving?
-Brian
Now, I will seriously consider swapping my MPV for the 5 once the 6spd MT and diesel engine make it to the US. The economy and longevity of that package will make it one of the best multipurpose choices, IMO.
John
48 k on our 2002. Only non-routine maintenance issue was a mass-air flow sensor that needed cleaning. $7 can of Napa cleaner took care of it.
John
Only have one MPV left in my area (the one we are looking at) so i'm really thinking i need to make a move and just buy the MPV.
Thanks again for telling me about how great your MPV has been.
Dave
3 1/2 years ago I bought a 2003 MPV new. Right off the bat I had to have the dealer reposition the external temperature sensor for the dealer-installed temp-displaying mirror.
Since then, no problems at all. Zero. Routine maintenance, a new set of tires, and that's it.
Odometer currently reads about 58,000 miles.
P.S How would you describe routine maintenance? What mileage you do trans. flush, brake flush, oil changes etc? If you don't get this post for another 3 1/2 years, well...I guess I'll just have to wait.
Thanks Again everyone for a place to come and talk about how great these vans are.
D5A
I am leaning towards selling it around 90k, about 15k before the required spark plug change on the back bank. It is looking like that is going to be a $500 maintenance item, at least.
John
I guess I've been spoiled by my 1989(!) Pathfinder that I'm just now deciding to park after 193,000 miles with almost little maintenance beyond oil changes. Given that experience, perhaps you'll laugh to imagine me in the car I hope to replace the Pathfinder with: a Jaguar :surprise: !
Honest - they're a lot more reliable than they used to be - honest! I just need to keep telling myself that.
Love that everyone on the board has nothing but good things to say about them. It was not my first choice at first in vans but it has turned out to be the choice I should have made no matter what the price. ITs as good as the Honda and toyota that we looked at many times. A shame Mazda stopped making it. The Mazda 5 is way to small compared to the MPV so they need a bigger van to take on bigger families and cargo room. Maybe in a few years they will bring a new MPV back to market just in time for me to trade this one in.
I have to say I've been hearing a lot of great things about the 3.0 ford engine thats in the MPV. They seem to run for ever. Have a friend with a ford explore with 250,000 miles on it and it has the same engine as the mpv and has never had any real problems. I'm hoping the same goes for me and my MPV. I've got 1,200 miles on it and it just turned a month old. So far so good. To new to really tell. I did notice inside the door were it list the tire pressure and other information on the van that it was built back in November of 2005. Mean it has been sitting for well over a year since i bought it. Wow these vans where really not selling. Hey it paid off for me. Gave me the right size car for my needs at a great price. As far as resale goes I plan on running it until it stops to either way it wouldn't be worth much at the end of the day. Just goes to show there is a need or a want for most things. No one wanted the MPV that i bought so it sat for a long time until I came along and wanted it.