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Mazda MPV

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Comments

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    the passenger side 2nd row seat doesn't slide as close to the door as possible (the driver side seat is closer); this makes the walkthough to the 3rd row narrower

    This is so the cup holder is still usable. Not saying you are incorrect, but Mazda didn't want your cokes to get squashed.
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    Ok, my '03 LX has 2,500 miles on it. Here's my list.

    Pros.

    -Very well constructed. No rattles or anything. Very solid feeling which I like.
    -The second row seats are extremely comfortable. With 2 kids, I can leave the third row folded down and put it up when needed.
    -Ample room for my 5'2" frame to get through to the back if necessary.
    -Love the moon roof
    -The auto rear sliders work great and have had no complaints on their operation.
    -Tranny shifts like silk. No issues even on hilly back roads.
    -handling is above par and nothing like a traditional minivan. More car like.
    -acceleration is awesome. I'm bound to get a ticket if I'm not careful.
    -tumble under third seat is a very nice feature.
    -Tailgate feature with the third row seat is very handy when at a park etc.
    -Second row seats remove easily and aren't that heavy.
    -Didn't have one single warranty "fix it" at our first service check.
    -I find the fabric on the LX seats to be adequate. I covered mine with seat covers and cut out the area (on the seat cover) for the side air bags and did a little sewing so the seat cover won't tear.
    -love having the big gulp holders in the doors.
    -10 cup holders a plus.
    -Overall fit and finish is excellent on the MPV.
    -Very easy to park in tight spaces.

    Cons.

    -The tires are somewhat lacking and will most likely change them at some point.
    -would like 2 more speakers for the sound system.
    -gear shifter is a bit long and hides the air conditioning button.

    That's all I can think of. Gotta go get the kids from school.

    Lsinc
  • kevriakevria Member Posts: 14
    Yup. We just got them installed last week (I somehow missed them when doing the initial purchase). I always buy mudguards on my vehicles because it:

    A) Help keep the paint behind the tires from chipping
    B) Reduces the rocks that get thrown at the car behind you.
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Lsinc... I just read you punny post from yesterday.... I'm still laughing!

    Great point on Resale values, Rich.

    /J
  • dwsmhadwsmha Member Posts: 35
    We got them too, as an option so they look great. My white car has nice tar stripes on it (will never get white again) but our MPV with 2500k on it is still tar free. Gotta love them! We also got shimmering sand color, mainly because it matches the color of dust, which is often on our van. :(
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    I ordered in last week of Feb. I got a Vin# April first. This means the car exists. I ordered a hitch. This is installed at Oxnard CA and takes two weeks extra. So it kind of depends on your options on how long it takes. Eleven weeks was right on target for me. The dealer "lost" it for a while but Mazda web site "found" it for me at Oxnard.

    A side note: I took the car up to 100mph 4.5K on tach today. Engine ran great and very quite with power left over. I could have "pegged" it (120) easily. The suspension gets a little light in cross winds. No vibrations, cockpit was quite. Low wind noise. No rattles. Tranny smooth as butter. Power stops on brakes fantistic. Excellent Brakes. No skip or hop and no drift. Very smooth stop. Steering very positive and road "feel" was ok. The engine temp was stable (air temp 100). Passing power is great. The CD and radio controls on the wheel are great. Cruising at 100 and playing with the radio is easy.
    Don't like the tires they have a bad "feel" to them. Checked with Discount tire. It seems that the MPV has an odd size and type tire. They had to order the Michelins. I got $35/tire trade in on the Dunlops. Discount said that the tire is very hard to sell.
    Like my MPV more and more...
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    Are you sure you bought the right vehicle? I know the MPV is touted as the "zoom zoom" van, but I doubt if it was made for running 100+ mph. It's good to know it'll do it though. Mine will probably never see more than 80.

    My salesman is going to do some checking with the Mazda folks to see if he can find out what's going on with our MPV. Hopefully it will get built here pretty soon.
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    Hey, got to be punny once in a while! Glad I made you laugh. They say laughter is healthy! =o )
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    Oh yeah, no doubt, it is a MPV. It criused at 100 no problem. The wind got up otherwise I would have "pegged it". It was stable, but cross winds raised the "pucker factor". I have driven so called " hot cars" that would not do what the MPV will do.
    I am rethinking the tires. I can find no reason after cruising over 100 for 5 miles to change the tires. Yes they have an odd feel to them but I can get used to it. I have never experienced any vibration with them. There was a slight "rumble" at 40 PSI. I lowered the pressure to 35 and it went away. Plus no sulfur smells.
    The MPV is more of a ZOOM ZOOM machine than people think. If it is breakable, I want to break it before 12K miles. With tighter suspension this baby would out run anybody.. It is a great cross country machine. Look out 18 wheelers you will eat my dust..
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    Ok, I don't think I will go out and try that tomorrow but......I was coming home today on the highway and was driving along with the moonroof opened, blasting the tunes (kids were in school) and before I new it I was cruising along at 85 MPH!! For me, that's like WOW! (Ok, I don't get out much!) Anyway, I didn't even realize how fast I was going. I didn't slow down either! My MPV just wanted to move and it was FUN! I just love the way this van handles and moves along!

    Zoom-Zoom!

    P.S. The 18 Wheeler comment had me laughing! All I could think of was a basketball court where all of the players are over 6' tall. Along comes the 5'11" guy/girl out maneuvering, out running and basically stealing the court! Bigger isn't always better! I'm 5'2", I should know! :)
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    Forgot to say "Congratulations" on finally getting your new MPV! Have fun!

    Zoom-Zoom!

    Lsinc
  • eddie777eddie777 Member Posts: 33
    Maltb, I guess it makes sense for the seat not to slide all the way over so you don't squish the cupholders. But since you mentioned it, I don't like that they put two on the passenger side and none on the driver side. Oh well, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a couple $4 holders and they fit very nicely over the outer armrests. Easier for the kids to reach too.

    Mudguards - love them. Reduce mud, snow, rocks from hitting the car body. On my old car that didn't have them, in the winter I hated having to always kick the 10 pounds of snow that stuck all along the side of the car. I think all that snow contributed to that car rusting faster too.

    Acceleration - I think this van has plenty of zoom, zoom. I was surprised how easily and casually I got up to 70 or 80. When cruising at 80, I felt like I was going 50.

    Excellent brakes. Nuff said.

    I'm surprised some people don't like the Dunlop tires. Mine are the SP40 and the Dunlop site says their best feature is a quiet ride. I find the ride quiet. Having said that, given a choice I would always take Michelins over anything else. 40 psi seems high, mine are recommended at 35.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I hear you about how effortlessly it will do 100. One evening I was taking my 15 y/o nephew 12/13 y/o nieces home after babysitting for us. On the 3 miles of freeway between mine and my sisters, I got up near 110 and motioned to my nephew (sitting in the front) to look at the speedo. He looked at me in shock. So when I dropped them off he said something to my sister and she turned to her girls, "were you going 110?" their response was "no, not even". My nephew was left high and dry...hehehe. It really feels like you are still doing 80.
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    One reason to do a high speed run is to raise oil and coolent pressure and temp so any leaks will show up. Not a drop or any sign of leakage. I am very impressed with the car and engine. The engine is really smooth for a V6. I got underneath tonight and was impressed with the "I beam" rear suspension. The gas tank is in the middle and protected from rear enders. Lots of hoses and wires underneath. Must be the 4 seasons stuff. But well protected. Nice bash plate under the engine. Although the drive boots kind of out in the open. Got to watch out for road junk.
    Neat hitch installation. Added armor for rear enders.
    ZOOOM and ZOOOOOOM
  • jwtotojwtoto Member Posts: 11
    More advice from the initiated requested: Has anyone ever found a product or procedure to remove hard water spots from auto glass? Evidently hard water was allowed to dry on the windshield sometime in my MPV's past and left these ghost spots that show up in bright sunlight at the correct angle. Any help would be appreciated.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Just a guess, but I'd avoid getting it on the paint or metal that surrounds the affected area.
  • jwtotojwtoto Member Posts: 11
    How do California car prices compare to other State's prices? I assume that the smog restrictions would add something extra to California cars.
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    We have had no issues with the SP 40's on our 02 LX. We have 11,000 miles. They have been great so far.

    Mark.
  • eddie777eddie777 Member Posts: 33
    For the record, I'm fine with the Dunlop SP40's, but there were some other people making comments about not liking the tires and trading them for something else. Glad to hear you've been happy with them so far. I'm not about to trade them in unless something goes seriously wrong with them.
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    Yes, in order to replace the stock speakers you have to remove the door panels. You also have to remove the rear panels to access and replace the rear speakers. There are sites dedicated to the MPV that have in depth details of how to replace the speakers . . . along with some good recommendations on the type of speakers to get.
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    My salesman sent me an email today to tell me our van was built on 5/15/03. I asked him what the shipping time will be and he said it generally takes 5-7 weeks to get here once it's been built. I was thinking the shipping time was only about 2 weeks. Why would it take so long to ship it here, or is my salesman just pulling my leg? It doesn't seem like it should take that long to get here.
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    Get the VIN # of your car. That is proof that it is built. Then go to the Mazda web site and email them asking where the car is include the VIN#. If sales can't get the VIN# then they are blowing smoke up you know where.. I did that and Mazda found the car at Oxnard having stuff installed on it (extra 2 weeks). It took 11 weeks to get my car...
    I love it... When the word gets out these cars are going to be hard to get...
    I have always believed that the cars built in the model year spring time are the best cars.. Problems have shown up by then and they are fixed at the time. Never buy the first models of the year... Those cars are for the guinea pigs....
    Hang in there you will get it...
  • saber86saber86 Member Posts: 128
    just curious. there are lot of mpv sitting on dealers lot right now. why are you special ordering a mpv?
  • mazda_guymazda_guy Member Posts: 183
    Rutger, your theory of poor MPV resale value seems to be going down to drain

    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/99280/article.html

    MG
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Per Edmunds.com's list, the MPV is closer to the worst on the list than the best. The Ody and Sienna (the old design, not the new '04 model) are tops at 51% and 52%, the MPV is at 60%, and all the rest are at 63-64%. That's a big jump from the Sienna to the MPV. Still, these numbers are only part of the story. Acquisition cost is important, and the MPV shines there. Also, it's really a different kind of van than the Ody and the new Sienna. It is the best small-wheelbase minivan out there.
  • kimandmark3kimandmark3 Member Posts: 6
    My MPV's TMV was $24514. Therefore, in 5 years, according to Edmunds, my MPV will be worth $9864 (24514-$14649.57 (24514 x .5976)). I paid $22175 which is $4435 below MSRP and is typical of what others are getting with invoice pricing and $2000 rebates. Therefore my depreciation would be 1-($9864/$22175) = 55.52% over 5 years. Still not as good as the Ody or Sienna but it more accurately reflects the reality for many recent MPV buyers.
    Another way to look at it is I lost $12,311 in value in 5 years. If I had bought a Ody LX for the TMV of $24212 (zip code 36106) its value would be $11842.44 (24212-12369.56) (24212 x .5067)) in 5 years. I would have lost $12369.56. So I saved $58.56 and got more options and a little less room.
    I had no idea how this would work out when I started typing but now that I calculated it all out, I feel even happier with my MPV purchase.
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    I think too that the MPV can be called a "true mini". The other vans really aren't mini at all. I feel that the other vans, i.e. Ody and Sienna, Windstar, Grand Caravan/T&C, GM's and now the upcoming Quest are really trying to be in league with SUV's i.e. the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition etc. Some of them even offer AWD as an option. I'm not saying it's bad, just that it's the league I think they are trying to enter. Oh, another good example would be the Montana. It will have a whole new look and they are aiming at it not looking anything like a van.

    The price of the MPV is also decent. I'm happy I bought one based on the numbers!

    Lsinc
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    Plus the MPV is pretty....My 03 MPV is a coastal blue color that changes to silver at night and alternates between sea green and blue in the day.... LOVE it...
    Lots of people are asking about the MPV. They want to know where we got it..
    Hondas and Toys are ugly and the dealers are snotty. (my biased opinion). LOL

    TJ
  • rutger3rutger3 Member Posts: 361
    A few points: On resale,how did the VW Eurovan come in third ahead of the MPV or anything else? You walk into a dealer with a trade in, one is an MPV, the other an ODY. If you are the dealer which one do you want? If you're a Mazda Dealer which do you want?
     Tires: I have the original Dunlop SP40's on my 01 LX, 31k miles,need to replace (probably go with BF Goodrich Control T/A), and have always rotated and kept proper inflation. They were fair,expected more treadlife.
     mileage: The MPV like many other vehicles should and could get better mileage if the Mfg's were put under more pressure. The technology exists today to increase the mileage dramatically but the auto/oil industry and the Bush administration stand to lose too much. Even so, I am disappointed with Mazda/Ford for not doing more to improve mileage on a van which is one of the smallest and has one of the 'weaker'engines. On our 01 you would think with the 2.5 engine would be better on gas; one reason it wasn't is because the hp/weight ratio was too low.
  • eddie777eddie777 Member Posts: 33
    I have a coastal blue MPV also. It really is a gorgeous color. Everyone has commented on it. My neighbor claims he had the exact same color on his 65 Barracuda (but I doubt his memory is that good).
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Re: Resale... In that case, I still don't know why you don't cut your losses and buy a Honda then.

    Lsinc, good points. AWD is becoming mainstream in vehicles as a bonafide safety feature (imo), and soon it'll be as common as side impact airbags as an option.

    The size increase of 'mini'-vans leads to higher inertia in a crash, and that energy has to go somewhere... either to the occupants of one vehicle or another, and it would be selfish to hope it was 'the other guy' getting crunched in the crash w/ a heavy minivan/SUV wannabe... 4500lbs Odys, Siennas, Windstars, Voyagers, 5500lbs Sedonas... They *need* bigger motors to haul their heavy keisters around... but now I'm broaching over to an anti-SUV thread ;)
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    rutger3 I have to say you lost me on the trade in thing?

    As far as gas mileage goes, I'm not so sure that the MPV is getting a fair trial! What is good gas mileage for a 3.0 DOCH V6 on a vehicle weighing in at 3,794 lbs.? I'm not unhappy with my average of 20 mpg. around town and my 25 plus mpg on trips.

    I'm going to go out on a limb here and please, correct me if I'm wrong. Is there not a difference between a DOHC V6, 24 Valve enigne and a push rod V6?

    I'm confused, the '04 Sienna is also using a DOHC V6 except it's larger and the '04 Sienna is larger and weighs more. So how is it that it's claim is 19/27 mpg? The Sienna is totally new, so how do they know that 19/27 is accurate? Are they basing it off of the old model? What technology is the MPV missing? What is good gas mileage?

    I guess I'm just sick of the MPV being bashed because it's not big and get's "bad" gas mileage. So again, what's good gas mileage?

    Sheesh!

    Lsinc
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    True AWD is nice. But it can also be dangerous. I'm not trying to bash anything. I think sometimes people purchase AWD for the wrong reasons. Ice is ice and no matter what you are driving you are going to slide. IMO, if you have 4 wheels driving, the slide will be harder to control. I love driving my husbands subaru legacy in the snow (not ice). It pulls along so nicely and I have to admit I feel safer. On that same note, there are people who think they are invinceable when they are in an AWD or 4WD vehicle and will travel at excessive speeds in bad conditions. I'm not bashing SUV's because it's not only SUV's that come with this option.

    While I'm at it, back to the gas mileage. Let's pick on the H2 with it's 10 mpg average and leave the MPV alone. Even my sisters Suburban get's about 12 to 15 mpg. Nobody picks on her car! It must be because it's bigger and nobody wants to tangle with it??? ;o )

    Lsinc
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    it's the only way we could get one optioned the way we wanted it.
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Many people don't know this, but the EPA's testing method is antiquated, and it's actually a simulation. as they don't drive a vehicle on an urban/city route to get their numbers. To derive a vehicle's EPA fuel economy numbers, they test the vehicles indoors on a dynamometer with a test driver accelerating and braking according to a procedure that is computer-monitored for consistency.

    Basically, they roll the car up on these spinning drums, which allow the car's wheels to roll during the testing. The EPA does adjust for the vehicle's weight, cd and rolling resistance... numbers that the manufacturers supply, and they are not independently verified (read: it's in the mfgr's interest to give numbers that favor the vehicle). Highway speeds are simulated at 48mph (a number that they've used for almost 30yrs).

    Here's the most important part: The EPA does not measure how much fuel has actually been liberated from the fuel tank in calculating their figures. They base the figure on a measurement of carbon released during the simulation, I mean test. This derives the EPA fuel rating. This is why they always write "Your Mileage May Vary" on the window sticker.

    Now, since they don't measure direct fuel consumption, which is okay, they area more directly measuring how efficiently the engine is burning the fuel, which sounds like the same thing but isn't. If the Sienna motor has lower internal frictions and the camshafts are tailored more tamely, then it's going to burn less fuel, doing similar work than the MPV and its Duratec motor... but really only slightly. Myself, I think the difference is mainly found in the transmission's gearing, for a more relaxed engine speed during cruising, which will require less fuel... and since the Sienna's motor probably burns more efficiently than the MPV's, it'll release less carbon to be calculated in the EPA's fuel economy calculation.
  • kimandmark3kimandmark3 Member Posts: 6
    Just to be more accurate in my comparison of the Ody to the MPV when it comes to resale and cost at the end of 5 years. The TMV for a Ody LX is $24,224 (I was in error on my previous email). An MPV equipped closest to match an ODY LX (rear air, 4 season pkg, traction control+side airbags, cassette player) will have a TMV of $23,078, but will cost $20,988 (assumes you get the MPV for $2000 below invoice). So after 5 years the Ody is worth TMV-depreciation or $24224-$12274 = $11,950. The MPV would be $23078-$13971 = $9287. Therefore a 5 year Ody would be worth $12,274 less than you paid while a comparably equipped MPV would be worth $11,701 ($20,988-9287) less.
    A $573 advantage to the MPV (plus you get a CD player).
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    4 weeks on the water, 2 weeks at the port and a few days for shipping to the dealership is normal for the MPV...
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    My salesman sent me the VIN for my MPV. I sent the VIN to the folks at mazdausa.com. What exactly can they tell you? Its location? When it will arrive at the dealership?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    When doing your resale calculations on the MPV or any other vehicle, you need to consider the impact of rebates. The big rebates in effect today for many vehicles drag down the resale values of new models. That is one reason why Odys tend to have high resale value--lack of rebates and other discounts on new models. Same with the Sienna (at least until recently, while Toyota is closing out the last '03s). The rebates do hurt the resale of the MPV, DC vans, Ford vans etc. But you get a big discount up front, so it's at worst a wash. You don't get something for nothing.
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    Hey, thanks for the gas mileage information. It really helped! Now I know I can put to rest this entire mpg issue. It drives me NUTS! ;o )

    Lsinc
  • tccmn1tccmn1 Member Posts: 278
    I had ordered mine in Oct.last year. I received it on 2/15/03. (4months - 15 weeks) Orders only go in once a month and must be booked by dealer before the 15th to make that month's batch. That was the story I got in DECEMBER! Dealer did not state that in October.

    My MPV also was lost locally in the Twin Cities at the terminal where they come in. It took a week for the dah dealer to locate it! Dealer originally said the unit would be in around the early part of January...no-no-no!
    Then, apologized and kept me posted until February. Threw in a bug shield and some other stuff for me because I was a little edgy.

    I ordered because I wanted Silver, GFX, PWR ROOF, 6cd chnger, fogs, TCS, LX, ROOF RACK, ABS, Side air, PWR DOORS, trailer hitch FROM THE FACTORY.
    Glad I got all this stuff!!... especially the pwr doors. Kids like it and people think they're cool...they are handy too!

    Was worth the wait though.
  • tbonertboner Member Posts: 402
    Rich's times are probably pretty accurate. It took my car 4 weeks to arrive from Germany when I returned from my tour of duty.

    I picked it up directly at the port in Charleston, SC instead of waiting another week or two for it to ship to Fort Gordon, GA.

    FWIW,

    TB
    Wondering why I shipped back my Beretta GTZ instead of a Bavarian Built Machine???
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    A little edgy after waiting 4 months for your car and then finding out in the iterim it got lost somewhere in shipping? Hmmmmmmmm, I think that I would have needed therapy by now! Yikes!

    Hey, my MPV is Silver too! I love the color! With the exception of fog lights and the FREE bug thingy (I'm jealous) I have all of the same options. My kids also love the auto sliders! My little one (she's 7) asked if the moon roof is called that because people "Moon" other people through it! I really don't know how she knows about "mooning". Oh wait, of course, she goes to school! }= o )

    Lsinc
  • tbonertboner Member Posts: 402
    With javadoc on the MPV mileage. Heck, if poke around on the internet there is probably an MPV fan site with my story of taking the '00 MPV down to visit Mickey and Shamu last December, me three girls with luggage that weighed more than they do, a car top carrier, and a driver with a very heavy foot and the speeding ticket at the top of Monteagle in TN for 80 MPH (and that's after slowing from three digits going up hill, just to see if I could) and we averaged around 19 IIRC, (that's what it looks like according to the data on my PDA)

    I wouldn't say the MPV fuel economy is stellar. My 87 LeSabre at 3300# empty, plus me and a rubbermaid tote full of tools averaged 23.1 in 75K miles of mostly urban driving with maybe 10K of that being cross country.

    I think one advantage of the low revving pushrod engine is less internal friction. So ultimately a pushrod engine will get better fuel economy, since it can run at lower speeds and hopefully generate less heat and internal friction.

    However, with a few exceptions, I find DOHC more fun.

    TB
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    Mazda sent me an email telling me where the car was located. Plus what week it would be delivered to the dealer. The dealer has a routine delivery schedule. The car will come in one day and it will be ready the next day. Mazda was right on with my car. It came in as they said....
    Hang in there...

    TJ
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    How long after your MPV was built was Mazda able to give you that info? Mine was built on 5/15/03 and I sent them an email yesterday. They replied today and said the only info they could get at this point was its build date. They couldn't get any shipping info yet. They said to check back with them in about a week.
  • mlbaron27mlbaron27 Member Posts: 3
    Okay I know I'm a woman and for some reason that make the service department think I don't know anything about my car.. Well the transmission is slaming into gears and the check engine light came on that's the first time with only 155 miles. The second time we had all five of our children in the car the check engine light came on and they said to drive the car so we did. But then the over drive light was on and the check engine light,but the over drive light was flashing.. 400 miles .. So know the MPV is at the dealership again.. Funny thing is we used to own a ford windstar and we traded it in for the MPV.. Our rental car is a ford windstar.. thanks for listening any advice please... Melissa
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There's also a MY2000+ Mazda MPV Problems discussion you may want to cross-post in. Try a "Search This Discussion" there for "overdrive light" - I saw some posts that sound similar to your problem. Good luck!

    Steve, Host
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    Incredible information on the the EPA numbers. I had no idea it was set up in such a way.

    Fuel "liberated" from the tank. Too much!!!!

    Mark. : )
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    The short answer is to make sure that the gear selector is in 'D'. Sometimes the blinking OD light was caused by not being exactly in gear.

    -Brian
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