Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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There are a couple things to consider here. Price isn't a big consideration as both are within a few hundred bucks of each other. The one major plus for the aftermarket system is, it would be superior to the dealer installed system. The down side would be that I would have to install the system myself, which could end up being a huge pain in the [non-permissible content removed]! The dealer would install the system if I chose their option, and I'm assuming since it was dealer installed, the system, and the installation iteself would be covered under the vehicle's warranty.
Do any of you have this option? If so, how do you like it? I have kids, and we will be taking some long trips in the MPV, so in my case, a DVD player and monitor are a must.
Man, this place sure has been dead lately.
Steve, Host
Your's sounded like it should have been arriving right behind mine here in MN. That was back in mid February.
Hope you did get it and are enjoying it. I love mine so far.
I went with the black version for $119. It fits like a glove with a nice lip around the edges to hold dirt in, etc. Also can be rolled up for storage when you're using the third seat. Ordered online and got it within 4 days. They sell colored ones too for $10 more...but may show more dirt and wear than basic black does.
I tried to find one locally and hit EVERY after market auto place around the Twin Cities. I inquired at Mazda and all they had was a CARPETED cargo mat...which I certainly did not want...I use my van for hauling stuff and the thought of paying big bucks for a carpet that would be stained up quick did not appeal to me.
Just an FYI for those who want one for theirs.
which is about $50.
I don't think $50 would make me happy.
Just my $0.02
My wife and I have decided we want an LX model with the 4 seasons package, rear air, roof rack, and the DVD player for options, in silver or sage green. Wanting the factory DVD option is causing a major problem. Both salesmen have told me that most of the MPV's that come with the factory DVD option are ES models. Very few LX's get the DVD's.
Both salesmen did a nationwide search and came up with two sage green LX's in Washington state that are optioned the way we'd like them. That's it, the only two in the whole country!
My salesmen said there are a couple of other options. They said the port facility (this is where the MPV's enter the U.S.) is where the factory DVD option is installed. The dealer can contact the port facility to have them earmark an MPV that has the options we want, then they'll install the DVD system, and ship the vehicle to their dealership. One salesman said this process would take about 2-3 weeks, while the other said this process doesn't guarantee they'd end up getting one that fits our needs. In that case we'd have to order one from the factory. To do this, in order to get the vehicle by June at the latest, I'd have to have the dealer place an order by no later than March 18th, which would also require a $500 deposit. I would have no problem ordering one from the factory, especially if it means we can get one exactly the way we want it, and we know we're getting one for sure. However, haven't some of you who have ordered one from the factory had to wait 5 or 6 months or more for yours to come in? I can't have this happen to me. We have to have ours by no later than June because that's when the lease on our current vehicle expires. I had no idea this ordeal could get so complex. What should I do?
Or get an LX with aftermarket DVD.
Or if the one salesman is so confident that the port-install option will get you your van in 2-3 weeks, have the sales manager promise in writing that they'll loan you a new MPV for free until yours shows up, if it takes more than 3 weeks to arrive.
Or if the salesman is so confident that the factory order will be in by June, have them promise in writing that they'll let you drive another MPV for free until yours is delivered, if yours is late.
Or get a Caravan--there's thousands of those around crying to be purchased.
Yeah, we know a couple of oil changes are worthless compared to over $20k for the van, but the owner said, "It's not in my POSSESSION. I don't even OWN it yet on my lot. Therefore I can't give you any more." Waaaaaaaah! We're blue in the face from arguing, and so just give us our van!
Bottgers,
We ordered an LX with a DVD player. Yes, only a few LX's have a DVD player, but we had to order one from scratch. I wanted it factory installed to make sure port workers or aftermarket people didn't screw up the wiring, but we've had to wait 4 months. The sales manager pulled up the inventory of over half the U.S., and only found one in Florida that was remotely close to what we wanted. Your list of desired options is pretty short, so you may find it at the port or be able to make the dealership trade for it. (Although trading can drive up the hidden cost a bit).
There's a reason there's thousands of those Caravans crying to be had. I have a DC product now, and I don't think I'll be buying another.
dwsmha
Both of the salesmen I'm working with said the factory installed DVD system is not installed at the factory, but at the port facility. I like the idea of ordering from the factory and getting it exactly the we want it, but the downside is the inconsistant delivery times. If I do order one and it doesn't come in by June, I'm screwed! And there isn't a dealer anywhere that will agree to let you drive another MPV until the one I ordered comes in if it's late getting there.
At first you were getting yours way ahead of mine...now it's dragging on like a boat anchor in cement. That really sucks. Have them add stuff on; bug shield, dash carbon fiber...whatever you can. My dealer was very understanding when I complained about waiting 3.5 months after they said it would be 2 months...but you know my story already and it hurts now. I hope that it does REALLY come in when they say now. My dealer installed the carbon dash option and bug shield plus greatly reduced the extended warranty to appease me. I took the mellow approach though...I didn't rant too much and it seemed to work with them...but they all are different. My only screw up was when they temporarily lost my MPV right here in the Twin Cities! They found it after 5 days of tracing it...dah!
Best of luck and hope you're zooming very soon!
PS: I owned a 95 DC and to the comments made about them...it's true...they tend to suck. But they sure do sell them puppies everywhere.
But I am little skeptical about Mazda quality. I know I can get a good deal on MPV, basically on invoice, plus bunch of discounts.
Did you guys also went through the same problem?
Would like to know your comments
As for the quality issue, I read this board for months before I decided to get the MPV. No real quality issues stood out. There were a few broken window motors here and there, and such, but nothing huge. Mazda has roadside assistance, a 48 month warranty, and loaner car (plus 0% financing). Honda has NONE of those, and is $3k higher in price (before you consider interest)
Seems like a no brainer to me.
1. Rear A/C.
A. Is this an option worth getting? I understand that the volume of air in a minivan is significantly larger than an average sedan, but does the standard "front" A/C have trouble cooling the whole vehicle adequately on a hot day?
B. Is there a separate control for the rear A/C? Or does it come on whenever you turn on the A/C for the front?
C. Does the rear A/C make the engine compartment extra crowded and difficult to do any routine work/maintenance?
2. Traction Control (comes with Side Airbags package). For folks that have this option, are you glad that you got it? For those who don't, do you feel you should have sprung for traction control?
Thanks for your help/insight!
If the DVD hangs up the car several weeks, I would say forget it.
I figured if WWIII starts the factory will probably shut down or get blown up... Or the boat will get blown out of the water... Did you see in the news about a load of Volvos sank over by England.. The old Mitsy has a few more years in it... I am not going to sweat it.....
Speak of the devil, the dealer just called and said that the car is due first week of April and we will get the 2K rebate.. Wow!!! (yeah, I know, don't hold your breath)
I would get a four seasons pack that adds cooling to the engine and tranny, plus a heavy duty battery and heater controls in the back... (ac option required)
I agree with others that the LX is cheaper than the ES unless you want leather seats..
Regarding traction control, read the forum.. Some say it is not worth it due to the fact it doesn't work too good and some say it is great??? Although the side air bags would be good.
If you have a boat get the tow package..
Get the auto rear view mirror (neat gadget)
The Edmunds TMV price is a good figure to start with on pricing...
don't sweat it, they do a good job. No problems with any of the DVD units we have sold...
Rich
Can anyone confirm that the current '03 traction control employs engine retarding?
Also, is there a button/control by which traction control can be disabled (i.e., temporarily turned off)?
For those of you with a roof rack, is the factory rack a good quality design. Or did you ever wish you had just purchased an aftermarket, removable rack (like a Thule or Yakima rack system)?
Thanks,
MC
Yes, there is a button to defeat it.
bottgers--I thought you would know I was kidding about the Caravan. I guess you didn't like any of my other ideas either, eh?
Overall they (I never get to watch it :-[) seem very happy with it. Note that it took them 4 hours to install it.
Also, when will the Mfg's realize that safety should not be an option or only for the wealthy. Side airbags should be standard on the MPV,even head protection. Volkswagon has got this safety thing right.
Now onto the Ody issue. It still amazes me that the demand for them is as high as it is after all these years. The one thing it has that most other vehicles do not is very high resale values. So high that even if you save $3000 on the MPV, you will probably get that back when you trade it in. I think the MPV is a better van than the Ody but for some reason the 'experts, and the general population love them.Too bad you have to deal with the Honda salespeople.
I think the LX is a better buy than the ES, but again come resale time check out the difference between the two models. Sometimes when you buy the 'lower' level model and add options to it, you do not get as much back when trading it in.
I despise leather so much I would pay for cloth seats as an option. I don't know why so many people like leather. It make look nice, and it may be more of a status symbol, but it's uncomfortable as he11. I will never own a vehicle with leather interior.
prlamz
There are couple of reasons I want the factory installed DVD. The main and most important reason is because it will be covered under the factory warranty. The other reason is so it will be in the vehicle the day we pick it up, and there will be no other hassles with it.
Plus, the tow package.. The dealer said they cannot add it later. So I got the factory one. Wonder why?
Probably requires changes to the gas tank?
I agree the side airbags should be standard. Go figure....
Comments and answers greatly appreciated.
-Payton
Sorry it took a while to get back. We bought a White LX MPV with fog lights, DVD, Wheel Locks, Rear Air, Power Sliders, 4-Seasons and Roof Rack. The DVD was listed for $1200 on the window sticker. The local dealer had 1 more LX with DVD on the lot (2 weeks ago). So far we love the van and my son loves the DVD. Email me at gami144@yahoo.com for any specific questions (i don't read this board everyday).
Also, read that the MPV is built on a Ford chassis. Anyone know which one? Thanks.