Mazda MPV

beachnut

For some reason I thought you already had an MPV (?) LOL on the seat comment! BTW, the handling and power of our '01 LX is NOT as good as my Accord, and it's got an I4 I've got to go test drive a '02 MPV!

SC

beachnut

Thanks to all for your comments on the shoulder belt rig. Seems like a lot of passion out there for child safety, as well there should be! I knew the booster seat was prolly the best route, but my daughter is a *big* girl now (so she says!). She'll be in a booster real soon, maybe tomorrow 8-)

pjd58: I wonder too how we made it growing up. When I was around 6, dad drove a Corvair. I don't think that thing even had belts in the back!

SC

warank

Can anybody let me know what is the Extended Warranty price for Mazda MPV ES 2002, dealer here says its around 1600 for 6 yrs 100,000 miles,

I could not get any quote from Internet as, State of california has passed a legislation that stopped all internet extended warranties.

jeremyl1

I remember reading here a while back about the cabin filter located behind the glove box. I finally got around to looking at mine and found a mouse's nest of shredded stuff. Luckily the filter was intact and nothing was sucked into the fan.

My question: Where is a cheap and easy place to get another filter. I'd rather order something on-line or by phone and save the time and $$ of going to the dealer. Suggestions anyone. I have a 2000 LX with going on 30,000 trouble-free miles.

J.L. in Kentucky

otish

I appreciate the expert putting this info out there! My almost 10 year old was in a booster until she was 7 and it seemed like we were only one using one back then. (I was driving a Saturn wagon at the time and fit the backseat at that time but wouldn't have if we would of had the MPV back then). We had more people making comments about it and to me it was such a no brainer. It just allowed her to sit higher so the belt fit her correctly. She actually preferred it because she could see out the window better and of course the belt wasn't rubbing her neck. Her friends would all ride with the shoulder belt behind their backs.

Those no-back boosters are 'invisible' to most people and shouldn't make your child feel like they are in a baby car seat. Maybe if more parents saw info on what happens to a child's body during an accident when the belt doesn't fit correctly they might be more open to boosters.

dulnev

warank,

Dealer showed me the table showing rates for Mazda extended warranty. BEWARE: Mazda offers three levels of warranty (something like Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum). Only the top one is an exclusionary bumper-to-bumper policy; the others are not particularly worth considering.

The "sticker" rate for the 6 year/72,000 miles policy was $1898 or about that with a $50 deductible. The dealer kindly offered me the policy at $1,500 at which point I had to laugh out loud. I'm sure I could've gotten him to knock down another couple hundred, but I came prepared having priced warranty from 6 or 7 on-line dealers. They all came in at $950 to $1,200 with $0 deductible ($100-$150 less with $50 deductible). This is for the same 6 years/72,000 miles.

By the way, why not price the policies on-line by inputting a different state/zipcode? It's not like a Web site checks California IPs...

danandkat

My owner's manual (page 8-14) for my '01 LX recommends for oil filter changes that "Because you need a special tool to retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda Dealer should do the work." I have changed oil and filter twice now, using nothing more 'special' than a graphite (plastic--let's get real!) end cap filter wrench. Does anyone have any idea what kind of 'special' tool they are talking about? BTW, I have found it easier to get at the oil filter by removing that piece of plastic that is under the filter, and then remount the plastic when done.

Also, I can find nothing in my manual regarding changing the transaxle fluid and how often it should be done. Is it in there and I just missed it? Or??? I can't believe that Mazda would have you run the car forever without recommending a change. The same thing for the timing belt--though as I recall the Duratec has a timing chain and perhaps a chain is considered more durable than a belt and normally wouldn't need to be changed. (On the same subject, is the Duratec 2.5 L an interference or noninterference engine?)

And one last thing, the maintenance schedule recommends changing the cabin air filter once a year or every 12,000 miles, IF INSTALLED. Were cabin air filters installed only on certain models? How do I tell if my MPV has the filter?

Thanks for all the good posts lately. I have enjoyed seeing everyone's input on various topics.
danandkat

maltb

No worries about the oil filter, that tool is a 1,000lb gorilla that is required to to remove the filter. A good heavy screwdriver is all that is needed for most stubborn oil filters.

Transaxle fluid: It's not uncommon for manufactures to leave this detail out so that their maintenance costs appear lower. I wouldn't go more than 60k miles on auto trans fluid.

Interference? with a chain I really wouldn't about whether or not it is. Your motor would be noisy or run poorly long before you found out if a valve was tweaked by a piston.

All >2000 MPV's have a cabin filter. It's behind the glove box and not very difficult to get to.

bean3422

Congrats on your van...interesting where you bought it from. Lets just say that I work very close to Browns, and am considering purchasing from there. (I practically know them all by name now!). So you had a good experience? Good to know...

I will keep my eyes open for a Green MPV ES around here. If you see someone in a dark green Protege waving at you you will know it is a citizen from the small world of Edmunds!

1anda2

I just bought a MPV LX last night for $200 below invoice plus tax, title, and $45 doc fee. I did not go to the dealership (in northern california) until I had the salesperson agree to this price. Also got the 24 month 0% financing.

I wonder if they have some factory to dealer incentives going on that we don't know about or if I was just lucky to be able to dig into their holdback.

Hope this helps others negotiate a good price.

BTW, what is the best source for accessories online?

maltb

try http://www.mazdastuff.com for Mazda factory accessories.

daddyo4

I just placed my order for a Sand Metallic ES. The dealer is finding the vehicle that matches my criteria. GFX package is not being made yet in Japan, it will be a few months until we see them here. Couldn't wait that long. The compass mirror can be added by the dealer - same price.

Am debating on the 6 CD player. Seems like a lot of $$ for what is basically a single player and a holder for five CD's since you can't random them all. Anyone REALLY like theirs and can offer an opinion?

jwm271

My dealer offered 72 month/100,000 miles with $50 deductible for $870.00. The deductible was waived if returned to selling dealer for repairs. This was thru a company called Co$tguard.

javadoc

We went from a single to a changer a few weeks ago. I wish we'd gotten one from day-1 b/c of the convenience while on the road.

/j

mazda_guy

I agree with javadoc, I have single CD in Acura and I hate it. I had a changer in VW Passat but it was mounted in the trunk. This one is in a dash and I love it. I don't know how I could live with out it. $450 is not that much for CD changer. I paid $500 for the one in the VW in the trunk.

MB

prlamz

I am quite annoyed by the random mode of the changer. Our Volvo had it in the trunk; no big deal, you only change them once in a while, but much more fun "randomly". You can get "in the trunk" changer for not much more than $100. Some go to 10 or 12. Mine was part of the luxury package on the LX. I would not have gotten it otherwise. In the dash might get pricier.

suhx0009

My MPV LX is with luxury+4season+rear a/c+roof rack+step plate+casset bought at invoice now 800miles. The brake pedal, front floors and sometimes the steering wheel vibrate usually after driving for a while like 30mins. It comes on and off once it gets started, and sometimes it's worse and the other times the vibration is very weak so I have to concentrate a little bit to feel it. However, the vibration happens always after driving for more than tens of minutes. I first suspect it's brakes that cause this, but now I'm not sure if it comes from the cooling fan or something else. I'm not sure if this is something to be fixed or not either. I took the vehicle to the dealership that I bought from but heard it's normal since it's not that bad at that time. I got an impression that the mechanic didn't really want to look into what's going on until the problem gets easily noticeable. Has anybody seen the same thing?

danandkat

A 1000 pound gorilla--I'll remember that the next time I am monkeying around with an oil/filter change.

Transaxle fluid--Hmmm. Makes me wonder what other details I should know about that are commonly left out of owner's manuals to make maintenance costs appear lower.

Timing chain--sounds like from what you're saying that the chain will stretch (and let you know that it has done so) far more likely than it will ever actually break. d&k

oldstyle

Signed papers last night. No mention of MPV not being avialable uner the plan. S-Plan price was only $15 under invoice (LX w/ few options). Dealer did add a $50 doc. fee to the price and I questioned that since this is not allowed under the plan. She said it was associated with the title and tag and she charges all s-plan cutomers with this. She said Ford/Mazda reviews all s-plan paperwork and they have never said anything about it.

dennispaul

I'm new to this board, just having bought a 2002 Mazda MPV. I have a question about the cabin filter. My dealer didn't know anything about it. I seem to recall reading about the filter along with instructions on how to replace it, but I can't recall where. Could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

dbs2001

I’ve shamelessly copied 3 of the messages about this from mainsail2, javadoc & maltb. Hope this helps.

Dennis
*********************
Glove box removal/cabin air filter by mainsail2 Aug 27, 2001 (07:28 am)
Don't pull out on the whole door assembly! Look underneath with a flashlight with door open and you will see that the LEFT lower hinge assembly is the "pull out" hinge. You must firmly,but gently pull out from this lower left hinge and then slide door slightly to the left. Once this hinge is released the door will feel loose and will wiggle right out. It's also easy to replace.This applies to the 2000 MPV and I assume the 2001 as well.

Here's how to remove the glove box...
There should be some "stoppers" that you bend in on the inside of the box to get it loose. Basically, it's a matter of flexing the back-top of the compartment. Then, you pull the glove box toward you while pushing down, and remove what Mazda calls "Clip A" which is located on the left wall of the compartment I believe. Finally, you slide the glove box toward the driver's door (left) and the box should be free and in your capable hands.
After you get the box out of the way, you just basically remove the cover from the filter box and pull the filter out. Carefull, I'd get a plastic bag ready for the filter just in case it's extra dirty.
Hope that gets you thru it!
/javadoc

by maltb Mar 21, 2002 (12:43 pm)
Open the glove box and press the left and right sides in until the stopper tabs release. after tilting the box out all the way, pull the left side of the box up to release the left hinge and then slide the box to the left to release the right hinge. Now that the glove box is out, remove the air filter cover by pulling the tab on the right(or left, don't remember). The air filter will then pull straight out towards you.

maltb

I'm too lazy to look for my own post.

javadoc

I'm too lazy/tired/lazy to do the legwork too! Besides, I'm too busy rolling around my office in my chair ;-). Per Dennis' post, can you actually change the filter w/o removing the glove box? I never tried it that way.

/j

audia8q

doc fees...

Some states do not allow the elimination of the DOC fees because somebody is an S-plan.

For example. If I remove the doc fee for one person, everyone who purchased a car from us in the last 18 months is entitled to a refund of the doc fee...can't charge one and not the others.

this may explain why some dealers will not do away with the fee.

budmelon

I was over at Ody vs MPV and you wrote that you installed a sunroof wind deflector. Can you please tell me what brand name or where you purchase it? If I can get it here or shipped here to Canada, I would definetly get one. I went to one of my local auto chain and the one they have doesn't have enough curve so I would have to push down pretty hard on one side and the other side would pop up. So I said forget about it. Do you have that problem with your deflector?

Thanks in advance.

dennispaul

I'll take a look tonight and see if there is a filter installed. It still seems odd that no one at my dealer knew about it. One mechanic even told me if the MPV had one, it would be under windshield cowling. That seems to be an inconvenient place for an item that needs replaced annually.

BTW, my MPV is a midnight blue LX with pretty much every option available (security, luxury, 4-seasons, and roof rack, it was the showroom vehicle). I thought about the ES but didn't want the power doors. I find them annoying more often than helpful. I do wish I could have gotten the ES sound system, however. Maybe I can do something after market.

mazda_guy

budmelon, I have purchased wind deflector in a local store called Driver's Seat. It wasn't cheap, $69 but I like it. It installs in minutes with metal clips. No drilling, no glue. Fits perfectly and holds great. I checked it driving at 85 mph. The wind noise with open sunroof has been cut by 80%.

With the deflector come few sets of different metal clips which are numbered. I tried to use recommended ones but they seemed too short so I used other set and they worked fine. Unfortunately I don't know the brand because I trashed the box.

If you are interested I can give you phone number to the store. Let me know.

MB

doublel9

I need some quick answers as I'm under pressure to plunk down deposit and get my Sage green ES located:
1. I negotiated to $300 over invoice for ES w/Moonroof,4 seasons, fogs,rack,bumper, 6-disc. Am I paying too much? Someone mentioned $1 over. Any dealers in the NYC Metro region offering this?
2. What is S-plan? Even though it "seems" to be discontinued on MPV, how did one get it? $15 below invoice? sounds tasty.
3. Any opinions on lease vs buy? My concern with buy is the resale values on the 2000-2001 MPV's are CRAPPY. Huge depreciation if you browse Kelley's or Edmunds.
4. Does any one else realize that Mazda is totally suckering any buyer who can't wait to order a MPV with all of these ridiculous options/add-ons? I only want the Moonroof with Sage, but nothing is available UNLESS you spend for pathetic options like 4-Seasons (what's wrong with the regular battery and wipers) and a 6- disc changer!!!!! This stinks. Realistically, with all of this stupid garbage tacked on, the MPV ES is not much less than an Ody at full sticker!!!

Unfortunately, my wife is allergic to parallel parking and god help those around her if she had to manuever that boat.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

DoubleL

snupi

We've had our shimmering sand LX for over a month now(took delivery 03/02)with no problems and it has exceeded all of our expectations. I, like most people here educated myself a much as possible before making any offers. Got ours for 1% over base invoice. We wanted only LUX and Security packages in sand color so I did the legwork via the MazdaUSA site(yeah real legwork!) and located one at dealership 56 miles away from home. My salesman didn't even know the other had it but he swapped for it and it was driven in that night. Apparently it was FOB because it was still wrapped in plastic in and out and unprepped with 59 miles on it. Yes we did have to pay for the usual "option" choices and I mean the roof rack and bumper step but no big and they're useful. Which brings me to another point of the real choices you have with these. One could order from Mazda exactly the van you want but you would have to wait at least six weeks for it is what I was told.
In my opinion and understanding of economics, one large factor that determines resale value, therefore including depreciation rate, is market demand of any vehilce on question. Real world reliability performance has a soft directing hand in of it as well. Marketing image does too. Keep in mind that popularity breeds unto itself which is why you see so many people buying into the whole Odys and Town&Countrys and Camrys and Accords sensation that these are the best out there for you. Anyways continue to learn as much as you can before you buy. Be firm, its your money so you're in the driver's seat as to how and where your deal will end. Good Luck.

prlamz

An unbalanced electric fan can give quite a shake, but I don't think it would affect the brake pedal. Have you taken a look at you tire pressure?

prlamz

In the front page review of Kia's Sedona, the editor mentions that the only two vans available with 5 speed transmissions are the Kia and the Odyssey!

Despite the overall good review, the mood on the Sedona thread is no longer glowing. Reality seems to be settling in.

mazda_guy

prlamz good point I caught it too 5 speed auto transmission error. I think credibility of Karl Brauer (the author)in the future reviews will be questionable. He should also mention that peoplefirst.com (car financing company) will not finance KIA. Why? Anybody take a wild guess?

MB

budmelon

Mazda_guy,

Sure if you don't mind giving me the phone number. I know what you mean about the wind noise. We were driving at about 60km/h (about 35mph) and the wind noise is so terrible that I had to close it and use the tilt instead and that just isn't the same as a fully open sunroof. And you were doing 80mph with the sunroof open? Wow, that's amazing. I have to get one soon before summer comes. If it ever get here, it was snowing again last night in Calgary. Oh well.

Thanks again.

lal_clt

I live in NC and recently purchased an MPV ES under the s-plan. Some dealers tried to charge me doc fee. I contacted the NC Attorney General's office for clarification. They told me that dealers in NC are not supposed to charge doc fee under the s-plan if the rules don't allow. Apparently a speaker from the AG's office was misquoted several years back and some dealers still think that they must charge those fees to everyone. Of course it's in their favor to do so, because it's money in the dealer's pocket. I did pay a $25 dealer fee and $30 fee to Mazda but I can live with that.

Linda

anolledo

Has this guy driven the 2002 MPV? True the MPV doesn't have the most useful of storage areas but I get a kick when I accelerate off the line and beat out the other minivan next to me!

Anyway, I'd like to see the reliability data for the Sedonna after a year. I'm real comfortable with our 2002. Over 2000 miles and no problems!(knock on wood )

AJN

bean3422

Don't know if the dealer would give you any kind of competitive discount, especially if you do not live near the other dealer, but if you go to www.fitzmall.com, and look up their vans, they list prices from $100.00 to $400.00 over invoice. (Which makes no sense, but others have purchased from them at the lowest price.) I live close enough to about 10 mazda dealers to buy from them, but I work 2 minutes from one, so I would prefer to buy from there. My plan is to take the printout from www.fitzmall.com and see if that dealer will give me the $100.00 over invoice. If not, then I will just go ahead and buy from Fitzgeralds. (No arguments, they already have a price listed!) Not everyone is lucky enough to live within 40 miles of 10 competitive dealers. (If 40 miles seems a distance, I commute 45 miles everyday one-way, so it is a walk in the park for me!)

Good Luck! (Hang in there, unless you will be walking to work if you don't buy, then you have nothing to lose, and the dealer has everything to gain!)

dulnev

$300 over invoice is a fine price. I mentioned that $1 over deal at the local Arlington, VA dealership, but I have NOT tried to buy at that price so I don't know whether it's just a marketing ploy.

S-Plan is only available to certain group of people whose employers have close ties to Ford. You most likely can't get it.

Leasing MPV is a terrible idea precisely because of what you mentioned: low resale value. I paid $10 to get quotes on leasing an MPV at leasewizard.com and resale after 3 years is shown at around 45%.
Buy one, the rates are very low.

I don't know what you're talking about regarding the options. I could've had an ES without the changer or 4-seasons. They told me it might only take a week or two to get one like that. I did want both of these options, however, because they are useful to me.

mazda_guy

budmelon, like I said the store is Driver's Seat and the phone number is 561 687 3900. I want to make clear that I drove at 85MPH and at that speed of course sun roof is noisy but the same as at 60MPH without wind deflector. Before I installed wind deflector driving at 35MPH it was too noisy for me, I had to close the roof. I found out that when you pull down a little this metal plate that pops up you can reduce the noise a little. I also tried covering with tape the slits in the metal plate but that helped only marginally. Wind deflector is definitely a way to go.

MB

javadoc

I suggest we send a very nice email the author ( karl@edmunds.com ) so that he knows that there is an error in his article.

/j

stever

Feedback Form often gets faster results. You can also do a Letter to the Editor in the hope that your missive gets published (they seem to like the sarcastic, bombastic ones the best ).

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

javadoc

But, I don't know how to be sarcastic OR bombastic. Can you help me out with that?

/j

stever

Sure, and if I can't, I know a good discussion where we can both get some pointers ;-)

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

oldstyle

The wifey thinks the steering wheel on the MPV is slippery. Does anyone know where I could purchase a good custom-fit leather wrap.

Thanx

owr084

Dulnev - Which Arlington VA was offering the $1 over invoice? I live in Northern VA and am interested.

Bean3422 - I assume that you are in the DC area. If so, which dealer(s) are you leaning towards?

RBB

msgjvh

Try Autozone they have one for about $10 bucks

dulnev

owr084,

The ad was in last weekend's Post and it said that they were selling all Mazda's for $1 over invoice. The dealership was called Arlington Mazda, or something like that. I'm sure there's only one with such name. Good luck.

mazda_guy

I did as Steve suggested and I wrote a feedback to Edmunds that KIA's review contains an error listing only two minivans with 5 speed auto transmission. They fixed the error and now MPV is listed as well.

MB

tanjohn

I have just placed my MPV on order using the S-plan. I paid about $500 under invoice for a fully loaded MPV ES.

The S-Plan is for those who qualify for the Ford Partner discount. I qualify through my company. You will need a partner code and apply on Ford's website. You will get a pin number and you will tell the dealer that you qualify for the S-plan.

They will give you the price with no haggling.

oldstyle

It appears that with S-Plan, the more the car costs, the more under invoice you get.

mazda_guy

I think the price under S-plan is entirely based on the local market
demand. I think I paid for ES 02 something like $50 under invoice.

MB