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Mazda Tribute
KarenS
Vans host
Also, has anyone tried the lubricant X-1R? Does it actually do anything or is it snake oil?
Thanks
Here's my take on fuel mileage. I'll probably ramble, so forgive me.
Tboner and I both have (I had) the 2.5 duratec in Contours. I drove the bejesus out of my Contour with a 5 speed, and always (no, really) got 20 mpg in the city. I figured there were two throttle positions on the car: on and off. (Tb, if you want gobs of power in the duratec, find a Roots blower or Turbonetics T4 turbo, and hang on. It'd probably be cheaper than a 3.0 transplant)
Since I've owned two cars with the 2.5 engine, I'll try and make a comparison. Gearing, cd (coefficient of drag) figures and weight are the big differences here between the MPV and Contour.
I think the Contour tips the scales at around 2900lbs, vs the MPV at 3640lbs, so it'll have to work approx. 24% harder. You could say that you should expect 24% lower gas mileage from the engine, all things being equal. That would give you an expected 16mpg (the Contour's rated at 20mpg city).
I don't think gearing or drag numbers are going to change mpg's for city driving. You spend too much time ac/decelerating, so I guess the differing factor between the two vehicles with the same motor is weight.
So, last weekend, I observed how Mrs. Javadoc drives the MochaVan. I have to say that she drives it with a heavy right foot. She says the van feels sporty (she's used to driving a long line of sports cars...spoil't) and so she drives it that way. We are seeing 17.5 to 19.5 in town with her leaden foot. She wants another MPV, with awd and the 3.0, btw.
In contrast, our Volvo 850 Turbo with its 275 hp (Tb...it weighs 3100lbs...grinning) inline-5 is rated at 19mpg city, and I have to nurse the thing to get 17 mpg, 14 if I drive it like I drove my Contour. So, that car is definitely sensitive to a heavy foot. Of course, a turbo cramming air/fuel into the combustion chambers does nothing for mileage. It has quite a different torque curve than the MPV, as it has tons of it down low, and you don't have to rev past 2500 rpm, unless you want to get a ticket/go to jail. I consider the added fuel bill a fair trade to the added fun-factor.
So, what does this all come down to? I doubt the MPV's engine is very sensitive to the manner in which you drive it in-town, except for hills. The motor is pretty small, and can't suck *that* much fuel into it's small combustion chambers. The Volvo's cylinders are larger (each), and suck in more fuel, hence lower observed mileage and the greater variation between my light/heavy foot driving on the Volvo.
I agree that 15mpg is fairly low for the new MPV. That's worse than we saw last winter with 10% MTBE and warming the van up after work everyday for 15 minutes. Our mileage has increased at certain increments: at 5,000miles and again at 10,000miles. If you've got a van that's well run-in (10k+ miles) and still swilling fuel like an Aussie with two pitchers of Fosters, then something's up. Either it's a fuel additive, or something else. I'd wonder if the CA emission cars have worse mileage, but I don't think so (Julyar?). But, mileage will vary, as they are fond of saying.
--Javadoc
JAVADOC: pretty soon I'll quit rambling on fuel mileage, however, reading your last post, it appears that you agree that 14 to 15 mpg is not up to factory specs. My question to you: As I stated earlier, my es was manufactured in sept or oct of 99. Does this make it an early production MPV? If so, I think I'll ask dealer service to check PCM. Thanks
I hope there is some truth to this, as the main thing that has kept me from getting the MPV to date has been the lack of power (without a corresponding increase in gas mileage).
It looks to me like Mazda - or Ford - decided that they could cut corners and put in an engine that was not well suited for the MPV, and was in good supply, and no one would notice. If you look at most of the reviews, both car buff magazines and consumer oriented magazines and newspapers, they noticed.
Any car requires compromise to keep cost down, but I feel think the MPV made a few bad decisions. After the 1994 debacle where the MPV was cited by the IIHS for worst performance ever in the bumper test, you'd think they'd have spent a few extra dollars on a functional bumper. While several posters here seem to be more than satisfied with the engine performance, it's taken it's knocks in the automotive press - as painfully slow (for a Minivan, not a hot rod) and mileage isn't so hot either.
A little more spent on these and a few other things (e.g. driver footwell protection in crash test, 4 wheel discs) and MPV would be selling for healthy premium and not a discount.
Plus.......it looks pretty cool!
Of course, this is just my opinion
Cheers,
TB
TB
We have the leather trimmed seats and an 8-year old. So far, we haven't really had to test how well they repelled spills and the like. My car (not the van, but also leather seats) passed the gum test already. I think the leather would be quite nice for your average messes: ketchup, soda, gum, Mocha, crayons, etc...
Cheers!
1. This van definitely prefers a lighter touch on the pedal. We call it "babying" the pedal. Helps alot.
2. The van has a very distinct break-in period which is more noticeable than on other vehicles I have bought. You should see a big improvement after the first 1000 (more or less) miles. Babying the pedal during this time will further help.
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
up LX model and added the video entertainment system after-market (flip down/ i.e. Rosen).
We really love the van, and our daughter loves the video system on long trips to see family. We had a MAJOR accident involving ketchup and assorted fast foods, but the light tan interior cleaned up flawlessly. So, don't panic and pay premiums for leather if you really don't want it.
I do have one complaint - gas mileage. My '98 Explorer gets better gas mileage. I know our MPV isn't yet broken in, but WOW...it's never seen a pump it does'nt like.
security package, rear a/c, and roof rack?
Invoice price of 22,500. is about the best any local dealer in the DC,MD,VA area is willing to do. Is this a good deal? Or should we wait until the 2001's. Will there be that much of a price differentiation and will there be a problem with supply/demand? We would like to make a purchase in the next month if we can get a 2000 MPV LX below or around 20,000. Is that a reasonable price?
I'm guessing the 2001 would be about $250 higher invoice, no incentives for a while.
Some feedback if that wwas a good price please....
Just ordered it from POPLAR in Brooklyn NY...
1. They should hit the dealer showrooms in November. The NLEV engine (160 h.p.) will be standard in all states, so that means a 10 h.p. reduction for everyone living in a non NLEV state. I reduction that will hurt the already underpowered motor.
2. Recognizing the need for a bigger engine, starting in the second quarter of 01' (sometime between April and June) the 2.5 will be replaced with the 3.0 200hp Duratec engine. It will be a mid-year run change along with some other minor changes to equipment. He said that they are getting tons of complaints about the lack of power in the 2.5 and they are "scrambling" to get the 3.0 going. As a side note, he believes, and I agree, that current owners with the 2.5 will take a bath on resale value when the 3.0 is introduced.
That's what I know. As bad as we want an MPV, we will wait until the new engine appears. The van should be a real pocket rocket with the 200 h.p. motor.
I have reported this to the DOT.
Those folks unhappy w/performance need to remember this is a minivan (NOT a Porsche Boxster). I've driven BOTH ODY (has 3.0 L)and MPV (recently purchased a '00 ES) and I found overall performance between the two very minimal. Frankly, I thought ODY felt more truck-like. I find acceleration & handling of the MPV to be quite adequate.
I totally disagree w/"modiecast" thinking those of us w/2.5L motor will "take a bath" at resale time. I can't imagine a dealer telling me at trade-in time, "...we could give you a lot more had you waited for that 3.0L motor".
I seriously doubt that Mazda will opt for a mid-year motor swap. I bet they will wait until 2002 to address that. Don't forget that Ford has a major stake in Mazda & with all their probs related to F'stone/B'stone tire recall, they've got much higher priorities than addressing a motor swap.
TB
Can someone recommand a Mazada dealer in Los Angeles area? Someone who got a good deal without spending too much time and energy to haggle.
I am interested in adding the fog lights. Is this something that I could do myself and save money over the dealer? I am pretty mechanically inclined.
Or should I take the van back to the dealer?
Thanks for any input.
Now, they may build 'em there too, but there is no reason for this guy to lie about this, so I tend to believe him.
Cheers,
TB
It is also old information as I believe it was published when there was talk of the 2.5L engine going into the Escape. (Or that part was just plain wrong.)
Still doesn't tell us if the 3.0L will find it's way into the MPV
TB
Cheers!
--java
Cheers,
TB