Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The only problem was me constantly asking "Ok, what's happening now, huh"? and my daughter out of frustration asking "Do you want this on the dash or what, dad"?
Yeah, we MPV owners are wild and crazy, no doubt about it. Marcb... you making fun of my orange (blond really) spikes and 'Tee? And... what's a 'nubby van' or do I really not want to know?
Tboner, good to see your shining e-face here. Glad you had fun w/the kids, oh and on the trip to the park. If you're like me, you don't mind 'the look' when you're "testing manuverability" in the van. I still say, 'race the van, we love the van' Tboner.
Rich has an absolutely great point about Beevus and No-Chin Cleetus at Best Buy. Be mindful of your warranty folks.
/j
My $0.02... and that's all!
Tommy
I don't know, Tommy, I would question her again on that )
You don't have that new sparkling MPV in all that refinery area in Pasadena do you? (I just watch it from a seven story balcony at work)
And, nope, we live just a couple miles South of Pasadena. I don't think white "sparkles", but sort of glows. Me, I drive a nice '89 Toyota pickup... black with a bit of fresh white "overspray mist" from my refinery in Texas City.
Tommy
Mike
I just can't get wifey to AutoX.
Funny, because they have a go kart track at our local "Suck 6 million dollars out of your wallet" Flags park, and she said. Ohhh, I love driving, let's do that. I looked up, and it was $6/person for whatever time they give.
I asked her why she doesn't come AutoX with me?
I got another "look"
TB
I take it that wasn't the "Look" you desired was it!
Al Bundy and Peg come to mind with the theme song "Love and Marriage" playing in the background.
OOoppss MPV Content required: 53k miles still rolling strong. Thinking its time to do the brake pads soon, any suggestions?
After debating VHS/DVD we just bought a 9"
TV/VHS for $170 for the trip. We plan to remove one of the 2nd row seats and anchor it to the seat floor anchors - hopefully it will work.
Scary thought of it becoming airborne.
Has anyone had problems with blown fuse using the cig. lighter/power converter to TV setup? I saw a post regarding this (not on Edmunds) some time ago. They could not even shift the van out of park due to this. I'm a little hesitant to use this TV if this is a common problem.
Any advice on the cartop carriers, anchoring the TV, and the blown fuse would be appreciated. I enjoy this friendly MPV forum.
I'll share my bad news now:
Unfortunately the windshield has to be replaced on my 2 mo. NEW van due to a small crack (source unknown - probably flying pebble) which has become a huge crack now.
Guess it's better than an dent in the side! Happy driving!
Julieintenn--Factory installed racks have been debated as cause of windnoise. You might try removing the crossbars, or moving them all the way to the back when not in use as a way to reduce or eliminate the noise. Sears one size fits all carriers won't go on an MPV??? I find that hard to believe. I'd get a second opinion (watch it Dan--no Groucho-esque jokes here!) from someone else at Sears. Regarding the softside carriers. I have never used one but have seen them on top of many vehicles. Consumer Reports in their July 2001 issue (page 52-54) checked a couple of them (along with a number of hard top carriers. I'll summarize--"...provide about 15 cubic feet of space and can be folded and stored in trunk. But unless you carry roof cargo infrequently or have little storage space, you'll find a cargo box easier to use. Bags provide less weather protection, and drag down MPG more. Installation is a hassle with lots of mounting strap adjustment." Regarding the cig lighter and blown fuses. I believe someone on the 'other' forum described rewiring things so that blowing the cig lighter fuse wouldn't shut down the car. Or even easier, there should also be a power source in the back of the van that is (IIRC) on a separate circuit. Could you use that power source (and blow fuses till your heart's content!!) to power your TV? Hey--enjoy your trip!! danandkat
I'm a mom of 3 with a 2001 mpv. I love it, but I've been adding a few extras that didn't come with it. The dealer I purchased it from is frustrating me to no end. I called 4 dealers getting quotes on having a roof rack installed. I had 4 prices ranging from 265-665! It's the same roof rack, and all prices include the rack and labor! Why in the world would there be such a difference? I'm a little untrustworthy, based on an experience I had with a '91 protege. My dealer claimed I needed new brakes or it would be unsafe for me to leave. He said I had 5% left on the pads (25,000 miles). I had 2 babies with me, and I think they thought they had me stuck. I drove down the road (with huge protests from the mazda dealer) and had it looked at by a midas. They said they were fine! When I called the mazda dealer to complain, they told me I must have misunderstood! Right........Any opinions on the roof rack?
Btw-this is my 3rd mazda, and I think this is the car company few people know about. Oh, and my husband gets the company car, the mpv is mine! lol
For the roofrack, and if you want the factory one, I'd go to the dealership that quoted you $265. The parts list at about that anyway. You could check aftermarket racks (Thule and Yakima come to mind, in the $200-300 price-range) that would have higher load ratings than the factory rack, and aren't permanent. You guys to install those yourselves and forego the labor prices too.
/java
I scheduled the $265 roof rack. I'm not comfortable doing it myself, and my husband knows all about home building, little about vehicles.
Thanks!
I suspect that the big price discrepancy with dealer installed roof racks comes either from 1) someone not knowing what he/she is doing working up a quote or 2) quoting an exhorbitant price is polite way of telling you that they really don't prefer to install roof racks--but they will if you are willing to pay an arm and leg or 3) some dealers are more profit hungry than others. Though if it is just plain old price gouging and P.T. Barnum is correct they will probably get their share of business from folks who don't get competitive quotes. And perhaps end up going the way of the Hwy 100 dealer after they have enough dis-satisfied customers. ;<)
I have a Yakima rack that I put on our MPV when we need it. It is not hard to put on or take off, though Yakima is very specific about where to place the components--i.e. part A needs to be exactly 13 inches from part B...that sort of thing. You cannot adjust the crossbar distance like you will be able to with a permanently installed rack. I agree with Java--go with the dealer who offers the best quote. danandkat
When I asked the service people at Hall why their price was so high, they said they had to take the headliner (?) off, and it was time consuming. What is a headliner? There were other more minor things, so it's all added up to me not trusting them. It's enough to make me feel I have to buy a Venture next time! lol Ok, maybe I can send a child or two off to college and get a miata!
The unit is made by audiovox.
Rich
I will have further details to pass along once they start arriving.
BTW:....for all you MPV believers out there. The MPV is doing very well!!! Our sales are strong and we are taking more sales away from the Oddy than we are losing. Our local Honda dealer is becoming very frustrated with the MPV..hahahaha.
Rich
Jane
Our 1st mini van. Says alot, because we have been pretty much anti mini-van all these years. Picked up a Silver 2002 LX, security, rear a/c and roof rack and we are loving it.
I would like to haul our mtn. bikes on the roof for some trips. I already have Yakima bike holders (the LockJaw) and would like to attached them directly to the factory rack. I couldn't find the corrct adapter on Yakima.com. Does any one know if there is any Yakima adapter that will go on the MPV rack ?
Thanks.
Now, if you already have bars, then you're that far ahead of the game. If you have Q-Towers, then I don't see why you can't just buy the Q-Clips for the 2000/2001 MPV and use those. Don't quote me on that, I just don't see how the clips wouldn't work on the new van... how much of the door opening could they have changed?
Hope this helps,
/javadoc
Now that's exciting to watch - while you total body puckers up.
BTW - I have no ABS but the MPV stopped very straight. It & I drank a martini in the garage last night to settle things down....
I'll tell you, I'm so shaken up by your close call that I think I better go and mix me an extra large perfect Manhatten to calm myself down--thanks for the excuse.
;]
RJ
/java
I wish they would have put more override controls up front. I am going to test the modes this weekend.
RBB
Pjd58
I have the MightyMount on my Subaru factory crossbars. It works pretty well and it is a much less expensive option ($30).
I have put 500 miles on the LX and I like very much. However, my dream MPV shall have :
1. Sport Package - Stiffer suspension. Thicker roll bars to reduce body roll and understeer.
2. AWD.
3. 6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic shift
I can dream, Can't I ?
Cheers.
Thanks
;-)
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
To answer your question, the MPV handles just fine here, imho. We've had ours for almost three years. Like any snow-belt area, you are smart to buy dedicated snow tires for the winter months, I prefer studded tires, but to each their own. The MPV's abs works really well in the snow, which is due to the EBFD system that basically uses brake bias to modulate the braking when you're trying to woah the van down in the slick stuff.
I always wish for awd, but (don't listen to this part Mazda...) it's not necessary, just a luxury that would be nice to have. Also, with the 2002 van's having available traction control, the van should do even better. I tested out an MPV w/TCS, at the end of winter, and it was a great improvement over our 2000 model's non-TCS drivetrain.
I have a friend with a 2001 Ody, and he curses it in the snow for some reason, something about it being too low-slung and getting stuck in the snow (his other car is a 4x4 F150 tho). My wife loves driving the MPV around in the snow and never has issues w/being stuck, even in the heavy snow days.
The heater and defrost systems work wonderfully, as you'd expect for anything these days, and you always have goodly amounts of heat. Don't buy an MPV w/o the 4Seasons package if you'll live up here, that's my advice.
Email me if you need any help too, and I can always recommend a great grease monkey if you need one. What else is important? Don't eat yellow snow.
/java
Pjd58
Bill & Pierac;
Thanks! I felt I was driving like a 90 year old lady this morning screaming "Stay away from me...".
Then came the CRV and everyone wants one; again long waits and selling for sticker. Now the Pilot SUV which you know is going to be in incredible demand,will sell well above sticker and have people lined up to buy. This is incredible marketing; too many times for it to be luck. And with the new Accord at the ready,I have got to buy some stock in this company. Yes, they can be arrogant to deal with,and I still hate to pay more than sticker,or wait for any vehicle; but this is just too much.
buscandauto, You folks planning on driving up from Houston, or shipping your stuff? Driving, although a long trip, is really beautiful thru Canada and Alaska. Am I right Steve?
Rutger, you are right about them seeming to always churn out good vehicles. My opinion of the entire fleet over there at H-co. is that they have no soul, no character... even the S2000. They're instruments. Precision instruments, but no pizzazz. Mazda's lineup has some spirit! Not the most powerful, but imho, definitely much more fun to drive than any car w/an 'H' on the grill.
/j
Does the 4 Season package have a heavy duty battery/charging system and block heater Java? Heated seats? (aftermarket conversion sounds easy enough to do).
Are you driving it up, Buscandoauto? If so, a hood deflector might be a good idea, or some of that clear stuff for rock chips. Mud flaps too.
Yeah, great drive up the Alcan - highly recommended.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Read the real world returns here on Edmunds...you will see some very consistant problems...ones you do not see on the MPV.