Mazda MPV

pjd58

As promised(early postings)we just purchased a sand mica 01 LX with Security pkg, 4 seasons, Rear air, roof rack and step plate. We will be picking it up tomorrow. We paid well under invoice and received a good trade on my wife's 95 626. We will fully test drive the van tommorrow before we sign on the dotted line. Thanks for everyone's help.

maltb

Well look at that...more people who don't plan on drag racing their mini-vans. Congrats and welcome!

Would either of you care to take me out to dinner with all that cash that you saved by not buying the Ody?

javadoc

Good for you! I recall you posting a few weeks back about considering an MPV purchase. Best of luck at the closing.

--j

javadoc

...that I had bought an overpriced, under-produced, bus-like-handling, personality-like-a-brick wall minivan. I had to order the van 2 months in advance because the dealer didn't have any, and couldn't get a sunroof, leather or roll-down rear door windows, and *had* to buy it in an "earthy" color. I woke up in a cold sweat, then fell back asleep...

...then the dream continued...I went to the F&I guy to sign the papers, and I was paying OVER MSRP for the van, and I was happy with the price?!?

Now, I have to down more mochas today from sleep deprevation, and for some odd reason, my rear hurts .

--j

drew_

Welcome to Town Hall! Wow, it sure is nice to have an AWD MPV owner posting in this topic. How do you like the AWD system so far?


Drew
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drew_

See Osaka's flag? That's what it was intended for...so that we could tell when someone was posting outside of the US :-) That's why we don't have state/provincial flags. ;-)

javadoc

That's too cool. I'm drooling (almost literally) at hearing from someone w/ an AWD MPV van. You're lucky Osaka!

I read that you also have a 2.0L 4 cyl available for the Japanese-market MPVs. Is that or the 2.5 a more popular choice?

--javadoc (Yankee spoofing as from Cayman, lol)

rjr425

pjd58--Knew you had it in you. You've been hanging around here drooling all over this site for too long not to pull the trigger. ;>) Good luck and happy miles.

Whisper--You're going to love that Sand Mica. It not only hides dirt better than any other color I've ever owned [a major consideration for someone as lazy as I am], it's got the nifty habit of color shifting according to the ambient light. In a crowded lot, I can't always find it by color; I end up just heading for the handsomest car in the general vicinity--usually gets me there.

Osaka-- welcome to the group. I can't wait to hear your take on driving in Japan and with AWD, which we don't get on the American version. Yet.

Playing nice, Drew, playing nice.

RJ

stevecanuck

You might want to try putting only one of these on your set of four tires (and make sure your spare is OK)

I've known two people who have come out to flat tires on their cars on a cold winter day after putting these things on.

...keeping my stick on the ice, Drew

drew_

RJ, thank you, carry on ;-)

Javadoc, well "lorry" = "big truck". For a better/more diverse definition, see this:

http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=lorry


Drew
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javadoc

Woah, that's de ja vu all over again! You posted in both boards Drew, freaked me out...note to self...decaf after lunch, lol.

--javadoc

msgjvh

I do not believe these are there to replace the regular maintenance and checks you should do. They are more preventative in nature. I know they are a great visual aide to my wife who never checks the pressure. At least now she and the kids know to look down at the "little green thingy". Thus ensuring they don't drive on low tires.

msgjvh

Sorry I mislead you. It is not the blue Queen Classic you want. It's the red one. However the marketing genius's put "Rhaspody" and "Pressure" on the blue one but not on the Red one. I am fixing there grevious mistake and compiling them on one cd. Sorry about the confusion.

drew_

I know, I had both windows opened at once and posted in the wrong one. I though, what the heck, I'll repost part of it here too ;-)


Drew
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drrocket

I hate when they do that... create a "Greatest" CD but leave off something important. I like your idea of compiling the two CDs onto a single disc. When will you be marketing it?

stevecanuck has me worried about the Tire Minders now. In the flat tire cases he referred to, do you suppose the Tire Minders sprung a leak due to cold weather? Or were they frozen in the green position even though the pressures were actually low? I check my tires fairly regularly, but I like the idea of a quick glimpse letting me know all is OK (or not).

sedsmom

Thanks to all of you for your great info. I am looking into buying and MPV ES in Canada (BC). Because of the strong US dollar it is actually quite a bit cheaper to buy in Canada (this is discouraged by mazda, however). The warrantly holds in the US to 80000 Km. You do have to deal with an odometer/speedometer in Km and a bit of paperwork. I have been comparing buying the Canadian MPV to buying a 2000 ES in the US.

Any info on prices people have paid in Canada for the 2001 ES would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

msgjvh

I would think the most common problem would be not installing them tight enough. They could fail, they are just like all other valves. But since it would be just a loss of air, it would be only a few minutes connected to the portable air compressor we all have for those bicycle tires. Certainly, the maintaining of proper air pressure over the course of time would make up for any time loss replenishing the lost air. As long as the failure didn't take place at 70 mph. I don't know of any of those cases. Ours have been in use for six months and I haven't had a problem.

Sorry but I am afraid the Queen licensing rights haven't been past to me yet. But I think in a few more years the copyright will expire. See me then!

jimjps

I did a little investigation into this. Members, please correct me if I am wrong. You have to pay a Goods and Service Tax and a Provincial Sales Tax. Both are substantial. The GST you can get refunded when you provide Canada with your proof of US registration (I think there is a 30 or 60 day time limit). The PST you don't get back except in a few eastern provinces. But Alberta has no PST so if you buy it in Alberta (Calgary) I think you will save over $1,000. The prices are pretty amazing. If you check CARS4U a DX is equivalent to about 15.5K US !!! But, CARS4U won't sell to you unless you have an Ontario address; neverhteless I think this is pretty indicative of the deal you could make. There's also an excise tax, but that's only about $100 and I don't know if that is refundable. Also, I doubt MAZDA USA will honor the warranty on a Canadian car. I think the emissions is the same for all of North America on a 2001, but there may be some technicalities bringing it into California. Lastly, MAZDA may not permit the sale of a Canadian MPV to a US resident, so this requires some investigation. Ultimately that decision is up to the dealer and depends on what type of retribution MAZDA would deal out (I don't think they are too eager to drop dealers these days). I'd gladly put down 15.5K US$ for A DX any day. Just not sure if there are any other snags....

maltb

When you purchase a vehicle in Canada, you must have a letter of certification from Mazda before you can register it in the US. Of course, obtaining that letter assumes that the Canadian MPV is built to US specifications(call Mazda @ 800-222-5500). Also, I highly reccomend checking with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for their take on this before you end up with a MPV that you can't drive.

whisper1

Javadoc
Leaky shock: The service manager said the rust chemical got sprayed inside the shock sleeve and when the shock compresses ... blah blah blah. I didn't believe a bit since I am a wannabe mechanical hobbyist and have observed the problem for two weeks to know it is the faulty shock. Anyway, it had been replaced after 2 visits and some heated conversation.

Synthetic ATF: The maintenance schedule does not shown service interval for ATF, at least not on my manual. The manual does indicate ATF used is Dexron III, which is an extended life fluid from GM. Called Mazda Canada about this, it said MPV's ATF is for lifetime, no service is required! Anyone used Dexron III ATF? Is synthetic ATF compatible with the MPV transmission?

rjr425
I am also one of those lazy kinds who prefer something else other than washing the car every week! It came down to sand mica or silver mica. The sand mica looks like silver under some lighting conditions.

My MPV experience - continue
Gas mileage is ~18mpg in city for the first two fill ups. I think the advertised 21mpg city is attainable after breakin. Although the engine is claimed to be hi-tech with variable air intake, however the hp and torque per liter is only typical, advertised mileage is slightly below average compared to all other minis (both domestics and imports) which all have bigger engines and heavier chassis. I didn't want a domestic junk; the MPV offers the biggest bang for the buck amount the imports. On the plus side, the engine is refine, quiet, free revving, emits pleasant sound when pushed hard (well not that hard, just occasionally at 4000rpm since it is still breaking in).

The handling is outstanding for a mini. It took those on ramps and off ramps at speed well over the recommended limit with confident and little body lean. In return it lets you know every bumps and potholes on the road (except those tiny ones), awesome. My 6 years old girl said the empty 2nd captain chair is shaking! No squeaks or rattles at all over bumpy roads, well assembled together. I actually prefer sport/athletic suspension since the vehicle is more controllable in emergency situation and high-speed lane changes and it is more fun to drive. The front and rear stabilizer bars definitely contributed to the almost sports car like handling characteristic.

Peeve
The center vents should be moved more toward the center, I found the center left vent directs too much air flow at the driver, even at the extreme position away from me.

The washer/wiper controls are not intuitive to use, too much functions on one lever.

Questions
For 2000, the engine is rated at 170hp and 160hp for low emission states. I read somewhere that for 2001, MPV is certified LEV. Does this mean all 2001s are at 160hp. A recent local newspaper auto review printed as 165hp and Canada is not a low emission country, not that I am aware of. The 2001 Mazda booklet did not print the hp and torque rating, so I assume it is 160hp?

I recently pulled the transmission dipstick out to check the level. There is some kind of white grease (looks like grease) on the dipstick. I wiped it off, putted it back in and out, again some white grease but on a different part of the dipstick. Tried this 4 times, each time the dipstick picked up some white stuff on different part of the dipstick; the fifth time had nothing. No, the white stuff is not where the ATF is, it looks like somewhere in the extended dipstick sleeve/holder. Anyone know about this?

javadoc

Regarding the ATF, I talked to my service mgr at length (over many micro-brews) about putting a synthetic ATF in our MPV. I don't think I'd personally keep the same fluid in there for the life of the tranny, except the "life of the tranny" is only until it breaks, right? And slushboxes are all about the fluid that's in them, unlike manual trannies that aren't (quite) as sensitive to their fluids. I.e, Volvo specs their ATF as lifetime also, but most techs will urge/plead/beg you to change it every 20k miles using a machine that flushes the fluids properly. This goes for 100k mile spark plugs IMHO, but that's another subject. Maybe maltb has some input on this ATF issue.

I switched our MPV over to a Redline ATF at 14k miles, the dealership did this for me for a fair fee. I hear Amsoil is a very good brand also.

--javadoc

blondemom1

About the gas mileage... Doesn't the specs claim that the van is supposed to get 18mpg city, and 21mpg highway?

sedsmom

Thanks for the pointers. I have already investigated most of these things. You have to pay the GST but are exempt from BC tax. The GST is refunded to you. You have to pay 2.5% at the border because MPV is built in Japan. MPV meets my state emmissions but California may be different. The canadian MPV will have day time running lights on where as the US doesn't. I have spoke to Mazda's Canadian import/export specialist. They do honor the warranty but you do have to make sure to register it with mazda/USA so it is in the US system. Our state DMV requires some fairly straight forward paperwork and a state patrol inspection (I had to do this when I bought a car in another state anyway).

I have had several dealers agree they would sell to me. I have received two quotes for a MPV ES: $32,189 and $31,488 (Canadian dollars).

I would appreciate input from anyone who has bought an ES in Canada as to how these prices compare with their purchases. Thanks.

javadoc

That's less than $20,000 US. Gulp, Why don't I take a short drive to Whitehorse and...

--java

rjr425

I had a set of those pressure gauges on two different cars. They're sitting on a shelf in my garage right now--haven't gotten around to putting them on "President McKinley" yet. Never had a failure problem with them. As a matter of fact, the only problem I ever had with them was remembering to look down at them to check. Be aware, though, the color tends to fade pretty badly after a year or so. So you have to look pretty closely to see what's going on. I have absolutely no idea what I paid for them; it was a number of years ago.

RJ

drrocket

I stopped by Target this evening and, lo and behold, the Tire Minders for Minivans were on clearance; so I bought all 4 remaining sets (@ <$5 each). What a deal!

pjd58

We took delivery of our 01 LX today. The van rides sooooooo well. Had it up to 70mph and it was solid, no vibration or pull. The tranny shifts very smooth and there is plenty of horses to get us around. I never thought I would be this excited purchasing a minivan.

Our dealer was excellent (Byer's Mazda Columbus, Oh) and very professional. No games or hard sell for any extras. They had the LX we wanted on the lot. I dealt directly with the Mgr of the dealership. Paid below invoice and received a fair deal on our trade (Mazda 626). I own a Protege, so we are familar with this dealership and their service dept. I guess you can tell we love Mazda.
The Mgr. told me they sold 5 MPV's this past weekend. Our secret is getting out guys, won't be long before great deals on the MPV are gone. I checked Edmund's TMV price on the MPV and it's a couple hundred above invoice in my region. Maybe the TMV reflected the great deals on the 2000s and it has been adjusted up.
We love our van! Thanks again guys for all your advice.
Pete

P.S. Just love the Color, Sand Mica!!!!!

msgjvh

I should be listening to Rod Stewarts "Some guys have all the luck" song! You got a great deal as you can tell by the website price. Good Luck!

tango_28

I like doing my own oil changes, but when I read the manual for doing oil changes and mention that you need a special tool for the oil filter. Does anyone know what that special tool is? I have 98 Ford contour(V6) and bought a filter wrench for it, is it the same tool? Are the oil changes harder to do than doing it on the Contour? We have had our MPV for two weeks now and put a 1000 miles on it. It is averaging 20.3 mpg with mix highway and city driving. Not bad for the breakin period.

msgjvh

You will want to get the filter cap type of filter wrench. Loosen or remove the plastic guard, this will greatly facilitate your work! It's only four bolts. Make sure you tighten the new filter. If you do not you can experience leaks and in some rare cases blow the filter. Others have recommended the higher brands of filters. Stay away from the standard FRAM and WALMART cheapies.

Good Luck

tboner1965

The factory filter is attached by a gorrilla, so you will have fun getting it out. I'm a pretty big guy and can usually remove a filter by hand. However, the MPV's first filter was impossible to do this way, and I had to resort to a filter wrench.

Nothing special in the line of tools.

The Ford/Motorcraft filter is actually a good quality unit. Personally, I would avoid Fram and avoid all of the oil additives like Slick-50.

Cheers,

TB

whisper1

blondemom1

2001 Mazda MPV booklet shown "Transport Canada Fuel Economy Rating (Estimated) 13.6L/100 km city, 9.9L/100 km highway".

Using a lookup table (from Transport Canada), the numbers translate to 21mpg and 28mpg, respectively. I confirmed the table accurancy a few years back.

Online version of booklet at

http://www.mazda.ca/eng/cars/mpv/images/mpv_brochure.pdf

Anyone managed to found a suitable storage bin that fits in between the front seats? The park brake is the problem.

msgjvh

Two words - Clutter Catcher
Scroll back a few pages and you will see dozens of post regarding the Clutter Catcher as the preferred storage bin, if not the only one.

alexv1n

I got into this trap when I was buying my MPV. Everyone was crying about 18/23 MPG but on the sticker in the windshield it was saying 21/28 MPG. Then I realized that there are two different gallons:

UK Gallon = 4.546 L
US Gallon = 3.785 L

Thus,

18 * 4.546 / 3.785 = 21.62
23 * 4.546 / 3.785 = 27.62

So you can see how the two mileages translate into each other :-)

I guess Mazda Canada uses UK gallons to "show off" higher MPG values. (Sort of cheating?).

alexv1n

Uh, 2001 ES for $31,488... I have purchased loaded 2000 LX for $29,000 8 months ago. I'd gladly have paid $2,000 more for the leather, moonroof and a couple more features that come with ES...

It looks like a good deal to me.

P.S. Do those $31K include any of the taxes or fees?

javadoc

That's interesting. I didn't even know that they spoke "Gallonese" on the Canadian MPVs, thought it was strictly metric.

--j

osaka

Thank you for some responses to my first message.Though I know only a little about technical matters, I'd like to introduce about AWD MPV as far as I know. In Japan, we can select the MPV which have 2.0L or 2.5L(V6) engines. However, the AWD is applied only 2.5L. The rate of the ADW is from about 10% to 15%. The 2.0L is a little popular than 2.5L. The AWD system for MPV and TRIBUTE, which is categorized Full-Time AWD system, is shown as "Rotary Blade Coupling(RBC) and 4WD(AWD) Lock System" in a mazda'catalog. In normal driving conditions, it is the FWD. But, when the front wheel slip slightly like on a freezing or snowing road, the power will also transmit automatically to the rear wheel at once by "RBC", so that it can't slip. Besides, for example, in case deep snow or freezing steep slope, it can keep the AWD continuity on driver's will by using a Lock mode. A feeling is very smooth in changing from FWD toAWD, so we can't feel it. Last month I drove a freezing road on my way to skiing and&#129;@snowboading ,the ADW MPV with "Studless tires"(tires for snow)is very comfortable and reliable I had ever driven. In additional information, I'd like to introduce the Japanese peculiar typical equipments and optional parts ,probably, as below,/DVD navigation system(using G.P.S)/Front and rear sonors(sensors)/MD and CD audio-system withnine or four speakers/Full-automatic air-conditioner/Touring computer/The second row seatscan't remove,&#129;@but fold up/Automatic front lightingsystems/and others..Last, as I can hardly write an English sentence,&#129;@I worry about anyone can't understand. Thank you.

lfoerster

I am writing to bring some closure to my posting earlier last month, and to thank Steve, and everyone who responded, especially my fellow Michiganian, who suggested Ferndale.

On Monday, April 2, I took delivery of our brand new, 2000 MPV ES from Metro Mazda in Ferndale, Michigan. This vehicle is fully loaded, including a moonroof, fog lamps, 6 disc CD changer, etc. The MSRP was almost $29,000 US, with an invoice price of between $25-26,000 US. We purchased the vehicle (excluding tags, title, and tax) for $20,345 US!

I am in the process of selling my 1994 Saturn; the dealers wouldn't give me in trade, what Edmunds and NADA said the car was worth. The sale of my Saturn takes care of the tag, title and taxes on the MPV!

Grant it, I've only had the mini-van for two days, but I love it!! While it is somewhat underpowered, it handled the "wonderful" Wayne county freeways without a second thought (let me have the second thoughts about the wisdom of driving a new vehicle on the "well-maintained" Jeffries Freeway!). And it is great to be able to load our toddler into the car seat without either knocking my head or hers on the car!

While I love the vehicle, the buying experience left a lot to be desired. I think the biggest issue is that the paper process at the Mazda dealer has not caught up with the internet age. Coupled with the internet manager being fired on a Friday afternoon (as we were awaiting the required paperwork), us leaving for vacation on Monday, a new salesperson (new to both the business and the transaction), and UPS with their usual sterling service, the experience left a lot to be desired.

As to the financing, the dealer came down a percentage point (from 8.61% to 7.61%) when we indicated we could do better at our local credit union. We also explored options through lendingtree.com -- wonder if anyone else out there has experienced this.

Through lendingtree.com, we were hooked up with, and accepted by peoplefirst.com. And, at a lower interest rate than 7.61%. When I called the dealer to let him know we would be going through peoplefirst.com, he refused to accept the voucher peoplefirst.com would issue. The dealer indicated the Detroit area Dealers Association issued a letter, advising dealers not to accept the vouchers. Purportedly, the internet lenders are refusing to "make good" the voucher once the consumer accepted delivery of the purchased vehicle. This in turn left the dealer and consumer holding the ball. Anyone else experience this? Are the internet lenders really this shady? Or are customers choosing to dispute the purchase of their vehicles by requesting the internet lenders to withold payment? Is this something the Michigan Attorney General would like to hear about? Am willing to run it up the AG flagpole, if truly a consumer protection issue.

Thanks again; sorry about the length of this missive.

Laura Foerster

maltb

Thanks for your post about the Japanese MPV options. DVD navigation: Can you watch DVD movies with that in-dash system?

As far as your English skills, they are just as good as some posts I have read in other parts of the Town Hall. Besides, your English is much, much better than my Japanese. Please keep all of us updated about your MPV and new items that Mazda makes available to its home market.

stever

Congrats on your new MPV!

It'd be interesting to learn peoplefirst's position on your dealer's voucher refusal but something tells me you are going to have more fun cruising along the lake instead of cruising the net or AG's office :-).

Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

whisper1

Ok guys ... 2001 MPVs all have 160hp, direct from the horse's mouth. The lucky ones are the 2000 owners.

"For a rewarding driving experience, the MPV features a high-tech, low maintenance 2.5 litre-DOHC, 24-valve V6 engine with 160-horsepower and 165 ft-lb of torque. A variable air intake system allows this lightweight and compact engine to deliver exceptional low- and mid-range torque. A durable, smooth-shifting four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transaxle is standard."

Full article at

http://www.mazda.ca/eng/atmazda/press/press27e.html

maltb

...as more environmentaly friendly and the Fed. emission 2000 owners as the Dow chemicals of the world. We 2000 owners in California are one step ahead of the game.

alexv1n

They (we) really speak metric, but I guess MPG is just specified for those friends south of the border coming to get it for less (wink, wink, sedsmom) :-) Imagine you go across the border and buy almost the same vehicle for less and with much better fuel consumption! :-) And who could say that those guys decieved the public? They just happen to use Imperial Gallons instead of US Gallons. But the figure is technically correct... Nice move.

alexv1n

I just did my 16,000 km maintainance service and the manual says to inspect brakes and rotate tires at 16K (10K miles). When I went to the shop they told me that according to their schedule, this should be done at 24K, not 16. I'd not say I care much (tire thread wear is barely noticeable and it looks pretty symmetric so far) but I'm just curious why the manual and dealer's schedule are different? Any insight?

alexv1n

Anyone knows where I can buy Bosch Microedge wipers in Canada? I tried Canadian Tire and they do not carry Bosch wipers at all. I know that in the US you can buy them at Pep Boys. Is there a Pep Boys store in Canada? Just curious.

drew_

No, not that I know of. Canadian Tire mostly carries their own brand of blades. I bought my Microedge Excel and Microedge blades from Lordco Parts. The Microedge blades were ruined after one (accidental) sweep over ice on the windshield - the van was parked overnight at the dealership after servicing, and they left the wiper switch in the 1st position. After that, they kept streaking over certain spots.


It was minimal at first, but eventually annoyed me enough to get new blades, even though the Microedges were only a few months old. Anyway, I stopped by Lordco, where I saw that they had a 40% discount on all Bosch blades. That was too good to pass on, so I picked up the slightly pricier Microedge Excel blades instead. I've been very pleased with their performance so far on the van, and on another vehicle that I drive (came with them from the factory).


Check out Lordco's website at http://www.lordco.com


Drew
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javadoc

I just rotate my tires with every oil change, which is way sooner than recommended, and is probably overkill. This way, I have two rotations on the summers, two rotations on the winter tires every year. For you Northerners, that's rotating in the rainy season, the sunny season, the windy season, and the snowy season. For the SoCal folks, that's the warm/hot/OMG-hot/not-so-hot seasons, lol. My 3.1438 cents (Canadian, of course, ).

--javadoc

maltb

And I've been waiting on Winter for 30 years. It took an Eskimo to explain that one to me.

javadoc

btw, Mrs. javadoc's fallen in love with a house on Balboa Is., thx...u don't wanna know the price. Now I'm going to be officially broke, lol. thx for that info.

eskimo, HA...I'm a Long Beach native.

--j

smpeterson

Many thanks to all of you who have posted the praises here of the Mazda MPV! You sold us on its virtues when we were convinced we would have to wait 5-6 months for a HO. When we went to the auto show here in Minneapolis we looked at the HO but fell in love with the MPV after seeing its phenomenol features! Your messages were the reassurance we needed to make our decision! (Plus you gave us important information for bargaining!) My husband and I, and 2 boys 7 and 9, just picked up our new 2001 Silver MPV LS last Friday, and after 150 miles, we love it! So much to enjoy for such a terrific price! I've yet to find it underpowered even in our snow...Again thanks for your help!

Sharon, Gary and the boys