Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
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I think oldstyle has the right idea.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
BTW, our '01 ES is 13 mon old with 10k miles. Absolutely no problems. We plan to keep it 10 yrs. Would like the additional power of the '02; however, the '01 is "adequate".
Dennis
Roadtrip countdown--4 days and counting.
AJN
Roadtrip anolledo? Have fun!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
My wife and I have a 1992 Mazda Protege LX with 156K miles on it. It would probably make it to the 200K mark, but our family has grown with the addition of our first child. This dictates the purchase of a new vehicle since while the baby is small, all the accessories are not (stroller, pac n play, etc). Our other car is a 1997 Honda Accord.
We recently visited the Pittsburgh Auto show and looked at three vehicles: Honda Odyssey, Mazda MPV and VW Passat wagon (well, there actually wasn't one to try out, but we did look hard at the sedan). Each of these vehicles has it own charms, and each would probably work well for us, in perhaps slightly different ways. I'm also involved in amateur astronomy, and all of these vehicles would swallow all of my stuff with ease (if only I could keep my eyes open since the baby came).
I have some questions for you all:
1) Am I the only one who's a little queasy about the Ford powerplant under the hood?
2) 5W20 engine oil recommendation...gosh, that seems awfully thin. Is any other multigrade oil allowed? As you can see above, we buy new, keep'em till they're dead (sometimes even on life support) and then donate them to the Kidney Foundation
3) Air conditioning: One of the few things we found wanting on our Protege was a marginal heating and air conditioning system. Our Honda will give you frostbite in summer and melt your boots in winter. The Protege often required the a/c on 'recirculate' during the summer. Is the additional heater/rear a/c a necessity on the MPV? Summers can be hot and humid here.
We liked the hideaway third seat and the roll-down windows in the sliding doors. The overall size of the vehicle seems okay for us. I haven't visited the show room yet to see how these are coming equipped, thinking that I would get some answers here first.
Our Mazda has been a good car, as has our Honda. So we have no axes to grind either way. Our sales experience with the Honda was "here it is, here's our price; interested or not?" Last August, when we wanted to look at the Odyssey while in for inspection, they didn't have one to even sit in. Despite our clear interest in the minivan, the sales guy kept coming up with, "maybe you are not minivan people." If we are not, then who is? He obviously was trying to steer us towards the CR-V or the Passport.
Our servicing dealer for the Mazda has one great service write up person, one fair one, and one that I'll never use again (what a zipperhead).
The Honda has never had a service issue, other than usual maintenance (filters, fluids and Mobil 1 oil).
We owned a 87 Golf which served us very well but was involved in two accidents which really seemed to ruin it. So we understand the VW way, too.
Any answers to my above questions would be appreciated. Any comments are welcome, too.
Thanks.
We have owned Fords before and the engine (120 000 miles on 3.8L) shouldn't be a problem. Most of the time those little things go bad in Fords and especially AC. From this board you can see that Mazda MPV has very few problems. When we switched from Passat to MPV we noticed very few differences. Acceleration is similar if not better in Mazda. Mazda is as quiet as VW. Fuel usage: Mixed city 80% - Hwy 20% Mazda 20 MPG, VW 21-22 MPG. On hwy Mazda 24MPG, VW 30MPG. The major difference we noticed is the cooling capability. We noticed that in Mazda we need to run AC much harder (we live in Florida) than in a Passat. But again you have to remember that windshield in Mazda is twice as big as in the Passat. Also if you are going to use minivan in hot climate I would advise you to definitely get rear AC. Hope this helps a little.
MB
I agree with mazda_guy on the rear AC. We live in SoFla too, in fact it's been 90' here the past two days . With both units cranked, the MPV cools down fast. Put them on recirculate and you’ll get the frostbite. Remember, it also has the roll-down rear windows to help. If your climate is cold enough, you may want to consider the 4-Seasons package, but it requires either the Luxury or Security package first and I don’t think it includes rear AC.
Hope it helps!
SC
It looks like you put some decent miles on your vehicles. IIRC, Mazda used the 5/20 weight oils to lower emissions. I run 5/30 Amsoil synthetic in my MPV and it loves it year round.
A/C... I can't comment as our temps rarely exceed 80F. The heater is really good w/the 4Seasons tho. ;-)
/java-my2cents-doc
p.s. Steve, were users having trouble w/topic titles?
2000 -->
and <--1998
There was no 1999.
/j
And yeah, newbies couldn't find "MY 2000+" as easily as they'll be able to find "Madza MPV". We should be at 6,000 posts in here easily :-)
I assume you regulars are using the Message Center anyway? Reading Subscriptions is the easy way to keep up in here.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
If you do get the Mazda--and I can recommend it, especially with the 3.0L engine--make it a point to get the rear AC. It does a terrific job of cooling the car. Last summer, even on the hottest days, I'd use it to quickly cool down a hot van, then turn it off and just run the front AC, usually at 1 or 2.
The rear heat certainly won't hurt, but I don't have it on my 01 LS and didn't miss it. The back heats up--a little more slowly than the front, but just fine. There is a heater vent under the front seat that blows to the back. Never carried anyone in the third seat this winter, so I can't comment on what it felt like back there.
Hey MaltB: I installed 400 sq.ft. of Pergo in our kitchen last summer. I felt like I was back in preschool with the Elmer's...hehehe. With 2 kids and a dog, Pergo is the way to go.
Pjd58
The Side airbags and ABS are "must haves" in my book. The CD Changer, plood dash treatment (I still like the plood...call me a redneck), bigger wheels etc are nice to have w/the Luxury too.
/j
(hopefully this isn't against the TOUs) ;-)
/java
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
/java
Right
TB
Conceptually this makes sense to me (more debris in the 1st 1000 miles that I don't need that floating around for another 2000 miles), but would there be any problems with it. I seem to remember some involved discussions on oil - mostly about when to start using a synthetic oil - as a dino oil can 'help' seal the gaskets initially.
Would the same hold true for a transmission fluid & filter change...(or an upgrade in synthetic ATF)
Comments - suggestions - witty banter?
Thanks
Mat
WHY would commercials on TV show a happy Alaska Native ready to eat his 'non-frozen' waffles & then have a bunch of penguins wandering around the house?
Wife & I were discussing (after talking about oil change in MPV) that the only penguins in Alaska would be in the zoo. (java/Steve - Penguins are a southern hemisphere occurance, right? -or am I just loosing it ;-)
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Yep, I'm a life-long Pittsburgher, except for a 7 year sentence...uh, transfer to Philadelphia. Got back here in 1990. We live in the lower North Hills.
Thanks for the advice on the rear a/c. I kinda thought it would be a necessity.
It sort of bugs me that you have to pay extra for the security of having the extra side airbags in the LX version. Seems like that should be a standard item across the board.
Where did you purchase yours? I'm closest to Don Allen, but Billco is not too bad. I really need to get a close encounter with this vehicle to see how they are coming equipped and what the prices are actually like.
Were you content with the sales experience? How 'bout service? Thanks for your thoughts.
Regardless, I think either of my remaining choices would work out fine. As I see it right now, it's a trade off of space/utility versus fuel economy/safety. Passat gets 5 stars for frontal impact, 4 stars for side impact, and 'Good' overall rating from the IIHS tests along with fuel economy of 21/30. The Mazda obviously has more room, got 5 stars on the side impact test from NHTSA (no front impact results) and gets an 'Acceptable' IIHS rating along with fuel economy of 18/24.
I need some 'quality time' at the dealers to get some final answers and a decision. Thanks for all of the help from you and the others!
Mat, I wouldn't go w/synth atx till 15k miles. I put Redline atx in and was impressed w/the improvement in shifting quality. I'm conservative and imo I'd change the oil after the first 1k miles.
/j
So I changed my filter at 1K and added a quart of Mobil1 5W30.
TB
I don't know the definitive answer to whether to change to synth right away, except that many cars come w/it from the factory, so why not, right? I'd do what TB wrote and change the filter and top it off, then change as your normal schedule.
/java
So I wouldn't be surprised if MPV gets 5 stars all around for this model year...
MB
I've only taken it back there for service once, but I was mightily impressed by their friendliness and competence. Because of convenience, I've usually taken it to Rohrich on West Liberty, about 5 min from where I teach. Based on their service dept, I wouldn't recommend them. Period. Surly clods.
RJ
Thanks.
Is there any official notification that the MPV will be retested? Where is it? Though I wouldn't postpone buying until the results come out, I'd still like to know if there is going to be a test soon.
The most serious problem in the NHTSA (frontal)and IIHS (offset) tests for the MPV were intrusion into the foot area and force on legs. While the steering column changes wouldn't affect this, the other changes might help.
Does anyone know if, while they were strengthening the front, they decided to put in functional bumpers. The IIHS page still lists the 2000 results, which are pretty bad, though of course not nearly as bad as for the 2002 KIA Sedona. I know they did a little fix on the MPV bumpers after this test came out, but it would be nice if they took the redesign in 2002 as an opportunity to make some more significant improvements.
/java
i just signed a sales contract yesterday for 02 ES @ invoice + $300. i tried hard to get Subie-type deal (5k off MSRP but, w/ck in hand, nobody would bite). am very happy with deal i obtained. i beleive once news of 02 updates (engine, tranny, pwr doors, etc)reach the van-buying masses it will become, depending on supply, a much better player/seller in the market (read: sold at/near MSRP). Ody was too big for our needs and too boxy.
altair,
the MPV is for wife. i have a 2001.5 passat that i bought last may. GREAT car, very happy with it. base model (1.8T engine/manual) plus alloys & monsoon sound (no moon, no cold weather). VERY happy with it. at the time, i knew they were planning on dropping a V8 into it and potentially a V12 (i.e take it upscale into the 40k range). the quality of fit/finish/materials on my $22k passat is same on $40k. there is a little more body roll than i would like, but not too much. its side & curtain airbags are rare for its class. lots of great touches.
samk3
/java
One note,however, you cannot finance KIA, Oldsmobile, and I belive Hyundai and Daweoo. I think reasons are obvious. :-)
MB
Pjd58
On the subject of tires, I know that gas mileage is sometimes a dissatisfaction with MPV owners, especially now when gas prices are rising steeply in many places. I've always heard that keeping tires properly inflated will help the mileage. And keeping tires inflated is easy to do, though often neglected.
So, hope to see you on (and not beside) the road. Happy travelling! danandkat
mazda guy is corect re no app fee. the only fee is a $15 charge IF(!) you want the ck overnighted. they approve w/in 15 minutes on biz days.
maybe i'm odd, but after working with a dealer over a period of time i'm reluctant to start sharing income etc. by applying for loan online, it becomes a little more "distant" or "impersonal". which is what i want, in this type of transaction.
you dont have to "make the payments online" as you say. but, in order to get 5.99% you have to agree to establish an auto transfer from bank on monthly basis. YOU select the trans date. if you prefer to be invoiced monthly you pay an extra .25%. if you apply for the loan itself over the phone or by fax, instead of online, you pay an additional .5%. still a competitive rate.
let me know if any other Qs. dealer is searching for my Sand 02 ES. should be able to p/u next week.
samk3
I agree that it is great that Mazda did something about there bumpers. I just don't understand how they got in the situation where they had to. In the late 90s they got a lot of bad press for having the worst bumper test results ever from the IIHS. You think they'd be a little bit sensitive to the issue this time around. This would be like Ford coming out with a new Pinto, and not checking that the gas tank doesn't explode in rear end collisions. (Alright, maybe a little bit of a stretch here.)
I think the MPV is the best car out there right now for what I need, and I plan on buying one, but I think some of the compromises weren't the best. Performance on the 5 mph test is a management decision. To get decent bumpers you add a very little bit to cost and a very little bit to weight. The main compromise is cosmetic: the bumpers stick out more. The decision-makers clearly thought no one cared about bumper strength. I do, and enough other people did that they needed to do a recall. Just like when they thought minivan drivers don't care about engine power, they made an unnecessary, expensive mistake.
I'm glad the MPV is looking like a good fit for you. I'm trying to find a way to move up to a 2002 w/o losing on the deal. Right now it's a near thing. Mainly my outlook is, I'd get some better features, marginally stronger motor, but 3 more years of factory b2b warranty... if I can get my payments the same, or better yet lower than I'm paying now (half way thru a 6yr loan), and maybe look into.
/java
/javadoc
does it have 4 seasons ?
So I did and I setup an account for my Mazda to learn that there is a recall under my car's VIN number. Because it didn't explain very well what the recall is all about I have sent them an email. Below is their response. If this is the biggest problem that I will have ever with my Mazda then I am in a good shape LOL
MB
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.
You are requesting current campaign information regarding your 2002
Mazda MPV, Vehicle Identification Number JM3LW28J42030XXXX.
Our records indicate that your vehicle is affected by Mazda Recall
Campaign 0602D, MVSS Label. Mazda North American Operations has
determined that 2002 MPV vehicles produced through November 20, 2001
fail to comply with the labeling requirements of the Federal Vehicle
Safety Standards.
The MVSS label located on the B-pillar and in the Owner's Manual Towing
and Specification sections does not accurately state the maximum Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Mazda will be expediting MVSS and Owner's Manual labels to owners to
correct all subject vehicles. The owner notification letters will start
going out in early April.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely
satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also
contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.
Regards,
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
when you do get the new label, it would be interesting to note the differences. Probably just the weight ratings changed (lower maybe?), as it mentioned above.
-Brian