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Was your mileage that good from the beginning, or did your car need to be broken in first? In other words, did you car get poor or mediocre mileage (below the EPA rating) until you had put a few thousand miles on it??
/j
Pure highway driving 24-27mpg. We have put 26,000 miles in the first year we own the van. Mileage started improving a lot a 15,000 miles
Ron.
Are you sure you are calculating MPG correctly?
I have a very close numbers that Java quoted. Just put on my OEM Dunlops (16") back after winter and last two tanks were:
Tank #1 (70% city, 30%hwy): 13.13 L/100 km (17.92 mpg)
Tank #2 (20% city, 80%hwy): 12.02 L/100 km (19.57 mpg)
With my winter tires on (Michelin Arctic Alpin) and rather poor road conditions I usually got around 14-15 L/100 km city (15.6-16.8 mpg) during winter (quite steadily).
Finally called one up today and told them I wanted an ES with the following options: roof rack, 4-seasons pckg, cargo net, mud guards, and rear bumper st. plate.
The guy called back and told me that they don't get many with 4-seasons here and that without it, the price = $28,000 !!!
Any thoughts?
Last night I got to take Maxine out to hockey practice, and while I was cleaning it out (a prerequisite every time I get to drive it) to make space for the hockey gear, I discovered our 10-year-old's version of rear heat. You guessed it, a blanket.
Wipers:
I've noticed that vehicles with smaller, more rectangular windshields tend to have the right side wiper work the same direction as the left side, and vehicles with larger, more square windshields tend to have the right side wiper work backwards. And then there's Mercedes, which I think has a trademark on unusual wiper blade patterns. BTW, thanks, javadoc, for the tip on the Bosch wiper blades. I replaced all the wipers on all our cars, and the results are absolutely amazing!
2nd-row recliners:
It'd be cool to have rotating seats in the second row, and it would be even cooler if they had the flip-out footrest. But how would you buckle in? (and the driver would probably have to have a control to lock the rotation. That would be too much fun for a kid.)
Max you can pay is 500$ more than the invoice. Invoice is usually 2k to 2.5k less than MSRP. Otherwise you are overpaying.
They try to make it look like these are hard to get etc etc....be tough !
Also, try carsdirect.com, imotors.com for a haggle-free price.
But if you are good negotiator, you can get better deals than the online ones. If you are not a good negotiator, take a friend or relative who is.
I am going to try to put the seats together and put her in the middle, but I am not sure if the seat-belt will tighten up enough, being so far from the seat. If not, she will just move to the passenger side and like it (ha, ha).
Thanks again for everyone great info. Has anyone ever installed a spoiler on their MPV? If so, what is involved in the installation?
One reason the SpeedMPV was missed is due to the location. Its not with the mazda display but with the Ford truck display...along with the mazda trucks.
I really think the windshield wiper design is great. Like other posters, I think it clears the windhield much better than your typical conventional wiper configuration. If you want to see unconventional, look at some Mercedes models. Some have mono-wipers, where they mount at the bottom, center of the windshield, like on old VW Sciroccos.
The switching gear is subjective. It never bothers me, but I'm always the driver when I'm in the van (my controls! All mine!). Actually, and maybe I've missed this feature all this time, but it would be nice to have a door latch on the inside of the rear hatch. Did I miss it in my almost 3yrs of ownership?
/j
Mazda made a great van at a very reasonable price. Manufacturers make decisions on what features are best for a specific car, to meet a competitive price point.
Pjd58
/java
What tranny fluid was everyone going to when this was first brought up? I plan to do this in the next week or so.
Thx.
wife was hoping to add a *nice* car once we get MPV paid off. Considering Saab95 , but if it isn't a real saab - may have to scrap the idea. (or look at Audi A6 - but they seem to gouge $$ if you want all the goodies.)
Java - weren't you daydreaming about adding Audi to the fleet?
Mat, yes I was/am thinking about an A6 quattro, but I've sunk 'some' money in my sedan and need time to enjoy that investment, heheheheh. Needless to say, it makes my old Contour seem like a Metro in the power dept. now (eggs tb on).
Just to redeem myself with some content, our MPV wouldn't be replaced by anything but another MPV. I'm still trying to weasle my way into a 2002 w/o losing my shirt on my '00.
/j
Java, do weasles wear shirts in Alaska?
Uh-oh, I hear Steve coming ....
I just love my new MPV. Never had a vehicle like this before. You sit a little higher than in a car, great visibility, handles real nice, and the designers paid a lot of attention to the details (except for that blasted gear shift!).
When I was filling out my profile for this Town Hall site, the question is asked: "What is your dream car?" I answered "Ferrari" for lack of a better idea, but my real dream car is my MPV. I have wanted a minivan for a long time because its easier to put my family (wife, 2-yr old, and 1 month old baby) in, including my parents.
With the old 89 Celeb, one of us had to stay home when parents were visiting and we wanted to go on a trip, so the MPV has come at the right time.
This is the first new car I have owned since I bought a 626 in '86, so it feels good to get into some new wheels. Been driving that used '89 celebrity since 1993. Fairly reliable car, but poorly laid out in the interior and few creature comforts.
I have 1000 miles on ES02 and Mazda is doing 20MPG 80% city 20%hwy
MB
[ot]
Scarter... weasles wear parkas here, and mittens. Fwiw, I didn't like the 900/93 either, as it had way too many issues. At least they kept the 2.0L & 2.3L turbos.
[/ot]
/javadoc (weasling my way home now)
one interesting config. was Front seat can go flat all the way & make a bed ? wondering if evryone knows about it.....
I called another dealer and he gave me a quote of $28,700 originally, then went down to "$500 over invoice" if I come in. ...wouldn't tell me exactly what the number was exactly over the phone.
I paid invoice for my MPV. It comes with 4-seasons, Security, Luxury, Cassette, Rear AC, Roof rack. The price was $24352. This is alot more options than what I originally wanted, but since it was a good deal, I went for it, and hey, you only live once. Also got 0% for 24 months.
Like most of minivan shoppers, my choices came down to the Ody, Sienna, and MPV. I owned a Quest before, and just want to try something new this time.
After high anticipation for the Ody, I finally got to test drive one. It was dissapointing. The car is not a quiet as I would have like, and it was too big for my family. Perhaps I was expecting too much after reading all the glowing reviews for Ody. The Check Engine light was on all the time, and dealer wanted 1K over MSRP. I walked.
Next was the Sienna. The van was the quietest and smoothest ride of all the van I've driven so far. However, the sludge board made me think twice about the Sienna. True, it might be overblown and that Toyota just came out with an 8 years warranty for sludge problem, but I didn't want to always worry about making sure I change the oil on time. The styling of the Sienna didn't help either, but that is personal taste. It was tough not buying this fine minivan, especially with the current very competitive price with the MPV.
The Mazda wasn't perfect, but it has the best features that I like. I love the roll down rear window. My 8 and 9 years old daughters always roll down the Windows in my other car, and I just hate to drive them on a scenic ocean drive and have them stare at the ocean from behind the tinted glass. The only concern I have for the MPV was the Ford engine. However, that concern was short lived after I found this board and the MPV problem board. The MPV also drives like a car, and the styling was as good as a minivan can get.
Sorry for the long post. Later folks.
MB
1. Front power windows auto one touch up and down
2. Sunroof wind deflector and one touch close.
3. Ability to close all windows and sunroof using door key like in VW
4. External temperature display
5. CD changer that plays randomly all CDs
6. Separate time clock, not the one with radio
7. AC outlet in glove compartment to keep chocolate from melting.
MB
Congrats on the purchase.
Wish you may trouble free miles.
Mat
java
What I like to see from the MPV is more reasonable options layout so that if I want side air bags, and rear heat, I don't have to shell out over 1K for them.
Thanks guys for the congrats.
1. Color option red. It doesn't have to be bright red, but some shade of red.
2. Delete options for woodgrain trim and power doors on ES.
3. Option for Rugged bumpers - even if they detract from the styling.
4. Center rear lap/shoulder belt.
5. An add-on cassette for the LX that costs more like the $10 Mazda pays for it and less like the $200 they're they're charging.
6. James Bond-style ejector seat (I've always wanted one of those since I was a little kid.)
Note: You can get your external temperature if you get the auto-dimming mirror option for only $230.
I'd say my wishlist would be:
1. AWD (pretty please?)
2. Heated seats w/ 4Seasons
3. Auto up/down Driver's window
4. Super-Sound as an option in the LX model
5. Switch to turn on all interior lights
Minor details, but since the question was posed... I'd buy TWO vans if it had AWD!!!
/j
MB
/j
If someone, like myself, is interested in buying a 2002 MPV then 2001's and before are irrelevant.
Also, I've notice the S-plan price for the 2002 LX version is a few dollars above invoice but the ES is a few BELOW invoice.
MB
New, they also scraped against the wheel wells going over speed bumps even at very low speed. They still do now but to a lesser degree. One caveat is i've been inflating them around 38 to 40psi so i'd get less lean on corners. So far they've worn evenly so i'm keeping them at that pressure.
The bigger stab bars and springs on the 2002 tho are veerrrryyyyy tempting!