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But as near as I can tell, most Oddysey owners love their vehicles. Good for them
reqcon: I'm glad I have an MPV in my garage. I tend to choke when trying to say "Baaaaaaa. Baaaaaa." dan
I'm really rather relieved I didn't get that Odyssey LX in '99. My Quest has a 6 foot stripe down the side now from hitting a barrel flower pot at the end of the garage. I did the major damage, then my wife tagged it a little last week, and I hit it again yesterday. I used to have the same problem when I had a VW van in '69. No telling what damage I'd cause in a full size MV like the Honda.
Mazda really needs to make a 5 passenger MiniMPV like the old Access for guys like me who want something tallish but shorter. I really need to move the flower pot soon too :-)
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Nathan
Luckily I have some epoxy left over from fixing my driver's side mirror that I dropped the canoe on....
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Does anyone have a MPV with a factory DVD player? Have you had any problems with it?
Thank You
Steve, I think Mazda already has the MiniMPV, although they named it something different: (oooh, yellow...)
and in case that image isn't enough, here's a link to more of them: MiniMPV.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
P.S. I think everyone can agree. Not many people have researched a van longer than me. Yet, I picked a MPV. Sorry, Honda owners. To many documented problems. Oh, and money was not a issue. Truly hope everyone is happy with their van. MPV or otherwise. Paul
With the acquisition of my '01 MPV I've found that it's been trouble free, fun to drive and gets a heck of a lot more looks than the Sienna.
No, I would not give up the Sienna but the MPV is the star attraction to me - and the 11 kids who pile into it before the soccer games start.
(Ever see what it looks like when six soccer balls are flying back and forth inside a van.....?)
Jane
Now that tires came up again....
I have two Michelin Symmetry's on the front (after 30K miles), rears in good shape yet. I noticed that the load rating is 92 as compared with the OEM Yoko's 94. That's about a hundred pound load difference. The speed rating is higher on the Michelin's (like I'm doing 112 every day going to work...) but the load rating had me thinking - or is that difference fairly minimal?
Badgermomma, Michelin makes a great tire, but as Bob said in his post after yours, just make sure you get a tire that's load rated at 94 or higher. If you have 15" wheels, you'll have to go up one size from the OEM size, but that's no problem on the MPV. The X-One or Pilot are good choices, though a little pricey.
After years of shying away from Dunlops, I must admit that I like them quite a bit. The new SP4000's A/S on my MPV are very sporty and have a nice ride.
I know several folks here have tried the Yokohama Avid Touring's and are very pleased. Pete could give you better info on these than I can.
HIH
Pjd58
I've asked a few questions on this town hall board last summer about the MPV and winter driving. Well, after looking at more car models than I car to list (oh, okay - here's is what we've considered: MPV, Odyssey, Pilot, CRV, Highlander, Accura MDX, Outback) I think we have come full circle back to the MPV. I can't figure out why so many makers are creating coccoon-like cockpits with no wiggle or squirm room for my 6' 205 lb. frame. I'm just spoiled by our '91 VW Vanagon.
So I came back to the MPV which is actually fairly comfortable for my frame and sprawl tendencies. In looking at the options, though, I am wondering about the wheel size options. It would seem that getting bigger wheels would make for a quieter and smoother ride, no? Or would having smaller wheels and, I thus assume, narrower tires, make for better traction in winter driving?
Any ideas or suggestions along these lines? Or any comments on other options that are good to have? We are looking at TCS and the four-season package. Ideally we'd like to forego the roof rack and get a Thule or Yakima, but I don't know if one can realistically get an MPV without a roof rack around here.
Carlos
Jane
So it has nice tall sidewalls to soak up any road imperfections. The 225/55-16's I replaced them with (new wheels included) are about the same diameter, but with a smaller sideway.
I wanted that because I'm more interested in tire responsiveness, than a smooth, quiet ride.
So if you want smooth and quiet, go for the smallest wheel such as a 15" and get the higher profile tires.
OBTW, quiet is typically a function of the tread pattern, not the sidewall. So read the reviews, check with your tire vendor and ask which is the most quiet that fits your application.
FWIW,
TB
Some of the competition is very good but not better and the arrogance of many Honda/Toyota dealers has made this even easier.
We sell alot of different brand mini-vans and none are in the same league as the MPV.
Passenger Van sales in US (August 2002):
=====================
1. Dodge Caravan - 16,585 (17.4%)
2. Honda Odyssey - 14,810 (15.5%)
3. Ford Windstar - 12,048 (12.6%)
4. Chrysler Town & Country - 11,011 (11.6%)
5. Toyota Sienna - 7,935 (8.3%)
6. Chevrolet Venture - 7,899 (8.3%)
7. Mazda MPV - 5,071 (5.3%)
8. Kia Sedona - 4,826 (5.1%)
9. Pontiac Montana - 4,825 (5.1%)
10. Chrysler Voyager - 2,922 (3.1%)
11. Nissan Quest - 1,960 (2.1%)
12. Mercury Villager - 1,674 (1.8%)
13. Oldsmobile Silhouette - 1,621 (1.7%)
14. GMC Safari - 1,368 (1.4%)
15. Volkswagen Eurovan - 535 (0.6%)
16. GMC Savana - 222 (0.2%)
=======================
Total - 95,312 (100%)
Passenger Van sales in US (August 2001):
=====================
1. Dodge Caravan - 14,582 (16.9%)
2. Ford Windstar - 11,846 (13.7%)
3. Honda Odyssey - 11,792 (13.7%)
4. Chrysler Town & Country - 9,341 (10.8%)
5. Toyota Sienna - 7,684 (8.9%)
6. Chevrolet Venture - 7,438 (8.6%)
7. Pontiac Montana - 4,278 (5.0%)
8. Kia Sedona - 3,725 (4.3%)
9. Chrysler Voyager - 3,383 (3.9%)
10. Nissan Quest - 3,038 (3.5%)
11. Oldsmobile Silhouette - 2,843 (3.3%)
12. Mazda MPV - 2,532 (2.9%)
13. Mercury Villager - 1,469 (1.7%)
14. Volkswagen Eurovan - 1,193 (1.4%)
15. GMC Safari - 970 (1.1%)
16. GMC Savana - 189 (0.2%)
=======================
Total - 86,303 (100%)
I noticed my new 2002 MPV lx has Dunlop SP40 a/s(15'), a lot cheaper than SP4000.
I found on the dealer's parking lot that some other new MPV has Continental tires.
--kcz
Say you let off, the computer is getting ready to shift, and you get right back on the gas. You could experience a very rough shift.
That's just one example.
HTH,
TB
Here is more info:
http://www.mpvclub.com/index.php?action=showprb;PrbID=57
http://www.mpvclub.com/index.php?action=showprb;PrbID=58
I was at a Mazda dealer today and they quoted me on an LX with Rear AC, Roof Rack, and floor mats with MSRP $23700 for $22532 where the Invoice price is $21899.
First, he told me that $22532 includes the local tax and tag but not $2000 cash incentive.
Local tax is 3.2% so this offer sounded like $21833 + tax which is lower than invoice by $66.
So far, it sounded good, and I did not take $2000 cash incentive into factor since I was going to finance it for 0% x48 mo. (48 mo. @5.49 -2000 cash was about wash I will be paying $2383 in interest and payment per mo. would have been higher than 48 @0%)
However, here was a kicker.. He then turned around and told me that to finance it(which he knew was my intention), it would cost me $486 / Mo. Then I left the dealership thanking him for taking time. He was telling me that I should get back to him ASAP since they are selling them out fast. Hmm..
When I got home and did calculation, $486 per mo. didn't jibe (this is correct spelling, look up your trusty webster) with quick calculation, since $22532 / 48 = 469.81 not $486, then when I calculated out $486 / mo, it totaled to $22532 * 1.032 which was added tax. Hmm.. Did he make mistake when he quoted me $22532 contained tax and tag fee? Or was he trying to put a wool over my eyes by quoting me $22532 but actually trying to have tax hidden into higher monthly payment?
Do you think it would be reasonable for me to ask to get the van for $500 below invoice since 2003 are here already and I am willing to take old stock from him? I remember the days when invoice price was FAR below the MSRP, I wonder how the MSRP now a days seem much closer to invoice price. Are they hiding something here?
BTW, we still had this problem AFTER the module had been replaced. The module was replaced because of transmission's hesitations. It was fixed once we "learned" how to shift. It's so ironic that we had to learn how to shift an automatic. We hate automatics and will buy the first (new) minivan with manual sold in US.
--kcz
At what point do "Test Drive" miles affect the price of the vehicle?
Regards,
Mark
It seem like the dealer DEFINITELY was trying to pull wool over my eyes. When I called him back, he told me that he said "22532" is the sale price and Monthly CONTAINS tax and tag fee.
I even said "Geez 22532 including tax is below the invoice price" before leaving his desk.
22532 is actually $800 over the invoice price, good price? I don't think so. Especially for 02 model.
I called another dealer, and this one tells me that he CAN get me the deal $22500 for LX with tax and rear air, floor mat, fog lights and roof rack. This comes out to $21811 selling price which is actually $260 below the invoice. Now we are talking!! Now, of course, can he deliver on the promises?? It was just too late for me to run down to the dealer so I will deal tomorrow. Wish me luck!!
By the way, Mazda just announced 36 month zero % financing on all new 2003 MPV's. The dealer told me about it today. So, it may be that 2003 may have cash back announced very soon. Not on their website (MazdaUSA.com) though.
Mainsail2: I too noticed that Mazda does not recommend a service interval for the fuel filter, and I don't know the official Mazda word on this. Personally, I generally replace them every few (3-4) years on my cars. They're cheap, and usually simple to replace. If you live in a region that uses MTBE in the fuel, filters may clog sooner than other regions, due to the trait that this type of fuel mixture has to pull all the crud out of your fuel tank and send it down stream.
There is a strainer in the tank that does not require regular maintenance.
Thanks Maltb!
TB
Basically, look in the floor cargo area in the back and look on the vertical surface near the hatch latch. There should be a carpet tab (hidden, perhaps) that pulls up revealing the tether anchor location. This should be on the driver side of the vehicle, maybe within a foot of the rear hatch latch. At least that's where it is for ours.
Hope that helps,
-Brian
Gee whiz....everyone tells me they are perfect. hahaha. Ok, I'll stop gloating, our Acura store is in this mess..
Guess this makes the MPV shine even more!!!