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Comments
Is this third screw really needed? I hate to drill a hole if I don't need too. However, I want the guard to look right.
With or without that screw, I think the Mazda guards don't fit as snug as I'm use to. The ones on my Outback are very flush, whereas the Mazda ones don't fit as snug to the body. But, they seem sturdy so far. I will watch 'em to make sure that they don't marr the paint.
-Brian
However, according to the weather maps on the tele, I could take the van over on a ferry... (reqcon)
It has so far about 1400 miles.
Most of the driving is in city with AC on.
Just a little frog stranglin' rain down here - only had 10" in a 12 hour period. Cattle barely got their feet wet....
That mileage isn't bad for a 200HP engine in a minivan (in town w/AC on).
The HL suv I was looking at before were in the 20mpg range...and my current DC get's about 20 consistently and that's an old 3.3 160HP engine.
Another note: Anyone heard if the 2003's will have a compass/temp built into the overhead console like Chrylers got? The mirror deal is ok, but I'd rather not have it tied into the mirror. I did hear that the LX's will have more of the ES's features in '03.
P.S. Once in Flagstaff we picked up our friends. We fit 4 adults and 3 kids with car seats along with hiking gear . Everyone fit fine. Put one car seat in the middle of the 3rd row with two women on each side. They said they had plenty of room.
Zoom-Zoom!
Other than that the auto-dim mirror is fine and no problems after dealer install.
I put on the mudguards and bug guard yesterday. The back mudguards are a poor fit. I monkeyed around with them for a good hour and couldn't get them to fit snugly against the body panel. They aren't going anywhere but it is just irritating me the way they look. There is a gap, especially towards the top. I agree with Subearu, other vehicles, including my Altima and the Outback I just traded in, have much better fitting guards. The front guards look fine. I put the third (bottom) screw in. Actually, I just put in an aluminum sheet metal screw with some putty (to prevent rust).
Reminds me of the old days when you could get a little adhesive backed dial thermometer to stick on your driver side mirror. It was pretty accurate, as long as the sun wasn't baking it. dan
There are many good points about the MPV but that would take too long and not be as much fun to talk about. On the negative side however...
That damn engine gets on my nerves whenever I am merging onto a highway and want some extra zip, or when going up a hill and there is nothing left to give. Also, it revs too high and that can also drive you a bit nuts after 10 hours behind the wheel. And to think this was all because Mazda was to cheap to put a properly sized engine in it.They did such a nice job with this van and then go and mess around with perhaps the most important single item in it.
The Resale value when compared to other vehicles. Yes, I got a good deal when purchased new,but I will pay when it comes time to sell; and part of this is due to the engine size.
Did I mention that someone forgot to install a passenger side power lock switch on my MPV.
If I bought a different van, I'd still owe $15k on an Ody that's worth $20k (same $5k net but paying $80/mth more), or I'd owe $12k on a comparable DC van that's worth $14k. I would've been worrying about lemony-scented transmissions in either case.
Where is this resale downside again? I haven't seen any numbers to support this. Has anyone that traded a 2000 MPV taken a bad hit when trading/selling their van?
On the first leg, about 95% higway, 5% city I got 24.5 mpg which is what was expected... on the way back I averaged 27.5 mpg. Hopefully after the engine gets some miles it and loosens up, I can reach the 30 mpg range.
Also the engine was quiet and smooth... but the seat needs some lumbar support... and at 65 mph my rpm's were 2000.
hopefully they wil shave a few inches of the shift lever too, and provide for stronger upholstery for the third row. in the stow-away position, my kid's stroller already wore out a spot in less than 2 days.
Regards
OldStyle
All I can suggest is that you take your lumps and trade it in for a 2002 or later. I kind of feel sorry for those who brought in to the MPV before the addition of 3.0 engine (big improvement), Mazda should have known. But I think what we're talking about may be a problem only those who drive around the Northeast corridor will understand. :-)
I'll report on gas mileage after I get a few more miles on the odometer.
Rutger3, You story about resale, no power, Mazda being cheap etc....is very old and tiresome. Sorry you don't like your van, maybe you should have bought the Highlander.
Sorry to be blunt, I'm not sunshine and lollipops today. Some nimrod hit skipped my Protege today in my work's parking lot. Not much damage, left front fender above the wheelwell. My Protege is 2 weeks from being 1 year old and was mark free, not one scratch, rock chip or doording. Just hope my body shop matches my Mill red color.
Pjd58
pjd58: sorry about your Protege getting nicked up,that's beat. I'm sure that's the main reason you are upset with my comments because I would find it hard to believe anyone could grow tiresome of my old and tired opinions.I am impressed that you remembered the Highlander as my other vehicle of choice. BTW, haven't seen many HL's on the road and the Toyota guys are now ready to deal. Those crazy dealers.
I was just about to start my always interesting thoughts on the Odyssey, unless of course anyone has objections.
In the scheme of things, having a car with a fender bender, is small potatoes, as long as there are no injuries. My neighbor's brother was murdered Monday afternoon, shot 4 times by a deranged co-worker.
Pjd58
safe driving.
Actually, this is nationwide. Local dealers, distant dealers, and those in between all have the same offer. If you can't find what you want at this dealer, you can shop elsewhere and get the same terms.
I saw an article in the (8/22) Wall Street Journal that DaimlerChrysler was going to raise prices on 2003s to make up for the deep discounts (rebates and low interest rates, IIRC) they have been offering over the past few months. Not certain that every automaker will follow this, but it is an indication.
My guess is that you will be able to get better value (more vehicle per dollar spent, if you will) buying an 'almost one year old' MPV (with no miles on it) with current interest rates/rebates now, than you will waiting a few weeks/months to buy a 2003. We bought our 2001just about a year ago and I haven't regretted it.
Whatever course you chose to follow, hope it works out well for you. Keep us posted. dan
From a few days ago, sulfur smell started burst out once I open the door after the car stopped after a not long driving. Is there a conclusion of where does it come from? Could it be gone after a period of time?
The volume of all AM stations are much lower than any station of FM band(It sounds to me that the FM volume is about 5 times stronger). I don't think this is a signal problem. Does anybody has the same experience? Should it be fixed under warrenty coverage?
1) I am worried how it handles in bad weather. I just moved to Denver and I have heard from minivan owners that their cars don't handle well and slip on hill in bad weather. Anyone have any thoughts on this. I am thinking about an MPV or an Outback. Safety and handling are important for my wife.
2) I read in consumer's report that the bumpers were very fragile and that the car sustained expensive damage in their 3 mph and 5 mph crash tests. Has this problem been fiuxed in the 2002 model?
Concerned Car Buyer
2) The bumper issue only affected the very early production 2000 MPVs. Mazda even did a Special Service Program to fix it, but many organizations had already done their testing so the vehicles were branded.
Javadoc must be out filling the back of his MPV with halibut ;-)
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
It will be for DW to drive kids around, but figure if I run chores as ordered, I might get to drive it once in a while.
As MPV, especially ES, are in short supply in New England, I hope and think that this is a solid vehicle to go places in inclement weather.
Sorry Steve, but if you live in Southern New England, it will do you good to drop Rich a note first.
What a van, it is worth waiting for...
Javadoc must be out filling the back of his MPV with halibut ;-)
No, he's playing "Java, the Tool Man" this week.
And my astute So.Cal neighbor is correct. A Subaru Outback will smoke an MPV (or any fwd vehicle) in the snow, when the going gets tough. If I lived in Denver, I'd be purchasing a separate set of snow tires for the winter and keep the Dunlops for the dry months of the year.
We get a bit of snow here. I think our biggest day was 39" last winter, or something close. Haven't gotten the MPV stuck once in three winters here, and my darling wife has taken the van out in some pretty nasty stuff, while I've stayed home b/c my sedan won't get out of the driveway due to low ground clearance. Having TCS would help, but just about nothing is going to beat awd.
Hey, here's a concept... offer awd on the MPV!!!
RBB
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
"I just have one more question about your reply from a week ago about the GFX colors. When you say the GFX comes in any color choice, do you mean you can get the ground effects in any color, but the rest of the vehicle is limited to the sparce color palette, or are you saying that if you get the GFX package, you can have the whole van in any color? I'm sure it's the former, but that still seems a little strange. Why would Mazda allow someone to get one in, say Midnight Blue Mica, with red ground effects?
If it was the latter, and we could get an MPV in Millenium Red, that would be great, but I don't like the GFX package as much, especially with that awful silver insert.
It's really disappointing that Mazda wouldn't offer the MPV in some kind of red. There was a picture of a one-off MPV that Mazda Speed put together for the launch of the 2002s in Truckin' Magazine that looked REALLY SHARP in Millenium Red.
I wouldn't mind so much about the lack of more color choices, because I like the Black and Midnight Blue Mica, but my wife is really bummed about it. She enjoys having a sporty red car, and really likes how the Chrysler/Dodge vans look in red. I think we would have a 2002 MPV in our garage right now, especially with the incentives going on, if Mazda would have wised up and done the right thing.
Why would they tease consumers with the one-off custom MPV in a beautiful red anyway?! That's just torture..."
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Is it true that, with the 4 season package, I should be able to tow 3K lbs. with no problem??
Thanks.
Tccmn & Rutger
Plus I came from a DC that was problem free. True, the MPV's hatch opening is bigger than the HL, but at the same time its also smaller than the DC. On resale (and I could care less) the HL is the clear winner, but then again the HL cost me more to insure. According to KBB figures, I've taken approximately a $2,500 hit on my HL over the past year. On the MPV, I guestimate I've taken a $4,000 hit when I drove it off the lot. Thus, Rutger, I would expect your dealer to give you market value as a trade. The MPV is a cool minivan, but the HL is waaay cool minivan disguised as an SUV. :-) One plus for me is the HL can seat 5 passengers plus gear, but the MPV can really only seat 4 with gear, as the MPV's seating arrangement is a disadvantage for me. I think the MPV really shines in the low $20K market, but begins to lose its appeal around the mid $20K mark. It all comes down to how much you want to spend. I see plenty of both in my neck of the woods.
True Cost to Own
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Thanks for your comments anyway.
Worrying about resale after you already purchased your car is a moot point. I'd rather have a great riding MPV, than a box of bolts Hproduct knowing my resale is higher.
Pjd58