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Just leased a Silver 2000 LX last night, with the Security Package, 4-Seasons Package, roof rack, 3-in-1 stereo, and fog lights. It's actually the wife's vehicle, but I must say I'm pretty excited about it. No other minivan got my blood racing until I laid eyes on this MPV last night. I didn't think any manufacturer could make a styling statement with a minivan, but somehow Mazda did it. Looking forward to many enjoyable and trouble-free motoring miles. Thanks to all who contribute on this forum.
Let's see if it happens to this one, too....
Other possibilities that could have contributed are round-off error (recording 2.4 gallons as 2 gallons, or even 2.8 gallons as 2 gallons), misrecording the mileage, or math errors.
Or, maybe they just lied.
Thanks!!!
--javadoc
Although this accessory is of great help when you need plenty of storage, I decided not to get one because I felt that one of the greatest thing you get when owning of a minivan, is the ability to «move around» from front to middle seats quite easily.
Assuming most of you having at least one of those «almost always asking for something» things called kids, you get the picture !
Again, just my two cents...
Silver Driver
I just leased a 2001 Chrysler 300M, my wife has the MPV, this car is magnificent so I've been in that forum as well.
bvictor
The options are as follows:
Rainforest Green LX
Dual Air Conditioning
4-Seasons Package
2LX Touring Package
Our purchase price was one dollar over invoice (I checked invoice pricing at this site and on the Kelly Blue Book site) with the special Mazda financing. At the time, I thought it was a good deal. Based upon the number of people who have written about purchases that were significantly under invoice, I now feel that I was remiss for not having found this site earlier. In hindsight, it did seem too easy to get to the "one dollar over invoice" pricing.
Over the years, we have had a number of Mazda's (323, two 626's) and have been pleased with each.
We chose the Mazda MPV over the other manufacturers for the following reasons:
Honda - No movement from sticker and no special financing meant much larger payments. We preferred the Honda's smooth engine and transmission, but did not like it's more cumbersome feel and comparatively unattractive interior/exterior styling.
Toyota - More expensive than the Honda with no financing help gave higher payments than the Odyssey. Otherwise, my wife and I gave the edge to the Sienna over the MPV. We felt it would be extremely reliable, superior engine/transmission. Regarding aesthetics, we found the MPV's interior much nicer, but preferred the Toyota's body styling. We decided it would be better to use the difference in first cost to purchase a Roth IRA.
Nissan/Mercury - poor crash test results doomed this model early in our selection process. Otherwise, we know a number of people who have Villagers who all are extremely pleased.
Ford - We know too many people who have had terrible luck with the Windstar after warranty period expired.
Diammler Chrysler - Nice exterior styling (fair interior) and OK performance but we had no confidence in future reliability or resell
Chevy - Poor crash test and I have never liked Chevy's.
A lot of people feel that the MPV's engine is undersized compared to the offerings of other manufacturer's. I agree, but I also feel that the MPV is more than sufficient for our intended use. The way I am looking at it, if Ford had let Mazda use a better engine, then it is likely that the MPV's would be selling much better. This would have meant much less discounting off invoice and probably no rebate or financing. For us, the advantages of better pricing offset the disadvantages of the 2.5L engine and transmission. I just hope that the Ford Duratec will hold up. We typically hold our cars for well over 100K miles.
Regarding mileage, we have use three full tanks in local driving and have averaged 18.1 MPG. This would not bother me if I could forget that the Toyota and Honda each have engine's that perform better and get better mileage.
Some questions that we have identified:
1. Mud Flaps - I think I read that the Mazda flaps are too small to be useful. This is unfortunate, because when driving in the rain the noise of water being thrown up into the car is audible. Not to mention the dirt. Has anyone else experienced this noise? Has anyone tried aftermarket flaps?
2. Floor Mats - the tan interior in this car is not going to stay clean. I can already tell that the backs of the front seats will become stained because of the kids shoes (leather would probably have been a good idea, but more $). I would like to find a good set of aftermarket mats that are customized for the MPV. I stopped at Pep Boys today and they only had generic mats. Has anyone found a good set of custom mats?
Thanks for the help.
As for floormats, go to www.macneilauto.com. I have been buying these for my vehicles ever since I found them. These mats look good & are extremely functional. They are NOT cheap but well worth the $. Fantastic quality. They're avail in black, tan or grey. I purchased full set of grey ones & the color match is perfect. The rear mats require minor trimming (very easy) and have unique design (2 mats overlap in the center leaving no exposed carpet). I even purchased liner that fits perfectly in well area behind 3rd row seat. Good luck!!
MPG.
After 7 months with the MPV everyone in the family is still enjoying it.
I am getting ready to have the dealer do the bumper reinforcement recall work. It only took Mazda 7 months to "get the parts." Or is my dealer dragging its feet? Has anyone had this work done or know more about it? I'm surprised there hasn't been more discussion on this topic in this forum.
I am still waiting til April-June for the 3.0L but now I need to save up a few more bucks for the pretties!!
I had my bumper reinforcement done today. Can't tell really what they did, but it was painless...at least to me! They also reprogrammed the computer module (an earlier recall). I left my van and picked it up when they called me. It took a while, but I don't know how long they actually worked on my car or how many other cars were in there to be repaired.
Sandy sue, just out of curiousity, when did you buy your van? I believe that the recall you are referring to was probably the first announced and was from last fall.
It's really interesting having the same V6 Duratec in the relatively small sports sedan. It really flies.
thanks
bhig:
If you read the messages on this board and Cruisers, you'll see we all love our MPV's. Since you're considering a Caravan, though, let me tell you my experience. I had a '98 Caravan...thought I would have it for years. No problems at all. Then I saw my friend's MPV and it was love at first sight. When I saw her lower the "magic seat" and remembered my third seat which weighs 100 pounds and had sat in my garage for two years, I bit the bullet and traded. Here's the "OUCH" factor on the Caravan. I paid $19000 for it new (not many options). The trade-in value in exactly two years was $10,500!!!!!!
Can't say what the trade-in value will be on the MPV, but I can't think it could be any worse!
new 2000 MPV LX security package, 4 seasons package, foglights, roof rack, 3in 1 audio casette,cd radio, and rear air on 1 oct 00 all
factory options when we bought it fm Cush Mazda
in Escondido CA. Had 7 miles on the odometer and
so far only 211 miles since it stays in the garage
most of the time. The MPV is flawless since we get
stares fm Nissan Quest owners and Toyota Sienna owners. We love this van, especially since Honda doesn't make enough odysseys to even test drive
one even here in San Diego, and forget about paying 3000 to 4000 over MSRP just for an odyssey!! To test drive one you have to put $500 to reserve one and forget about negotiations! The only problem I noticed since reading all the mpv problems was the burning smell when we drove it back in the garage and turning the ac on, but was assured by the friendly staff of Cush Mazda during the New Car Seminar (Glad We Went!) that
the smell is the special coatings applied to Mazdas before shipping to prevent corrosion. It may cause a temporary burning smell during the first few hundred miles of operation and eventually burn off. In the deal, received the
rear bumper step plate, and even had Cush Mazda
throw in the beige dash cover at no cost!!
Only mazda accessory that I had put on myself was
the Mazda mud guards for $66 tax included. My wife
and I would like to thank Edmunds.com for the appreciated help in helping us to get the best deal on the 2000 Mazda MPV with your true market
value information! Wished we had the Rainforest
Green Mica but was so hard to find especially in
the San Diego CA area, but instead chose the
Sand Mica color.
Good Luck in Dealing!
Another satisfied 2000 MPV Owner
They have a fax strategy which worked for me.
Good luck with the decision
I was intending to offer the suggested price off of Edmunds here and allow a small amount of adjustment, I don't want to squabble over hairs, but of course I want the best price possible.
Input?
Thanks
So again my question is does anyone have experience ordering? I guess I will post the q on the cruisers board too.
Jane
So the owners you know of don't think the power is as much of a problem as the press says. Well no kidding. Talk about unrepresentative samples. The owners are by definition those people who didn't think the power is acceptable, or they wouldn't have bought it. That still leaves a lot of people, many who have commented on this or related forums, who have postponed buying or have bought another vehicle because they didn't like the MPV engine.
Rather than being mad at these "naysayers" and the evil press, you should be thanking them. They have apparently done enough damage to the MPVs reputation that demand has been reduced to the point that people can buy them for under invoice, instead of at or above list like the Honda. The real losers in this are Mazda and its dealers who has lost out in potential profits of thousands per vehicle because the company decided to save a few hundred dollars per vehicle on the engine.
Silver (Yeah, I know it's not a hot rod but was it meant to be ?) Driver
The 2000 sales of the MPV are low. So it will be in 2001 and the bargains will probably continue, including into 2002. Why? Mazda needs to gain badly needed market share.
IMHO
Reality check. I bought a recent model used Quest van 4 wks ago because of precise reasons (after extensive test drive) posted by kkcymru. I will probably buy an MPV when the engine situation is addressed to my satisfaction. Current MPV buyers benefit from this decision, (you're welcome.) Yes, I'd rather had the fold away rear, better handling and looks, however, those considerations lost out to ~$9,000 saved postponing buying an MPV.
The test drive at Putnam Mazda in Burlingame, CA will pale in contrast to your rich insight as a happy, satisfied owner and defender of the engine. I not going to engage in that, I lose.
Regarding my purchase, it was a reasonable compromise, IMHO. This isn't the comparison site and I've tried to keep comments re same to a minimum.
Silver (I guess everybody else understood that, IMHO) Driver