Mazda MPV

youdirtyrat · October 2003

Well just got my mpv last night $25,898 invoice
less 2,500 rebate. Before taxes and fees. 4 seasons pkg. power sliding doors. Love the mpv.

evaddave · October 2003

You'll have to rewind a page or so to see the post this refers to (#6663), but the '93 Civic del Sol Si also had a VTEC engine.

javadoc · October 2003

True true, but they came out in '93.

lsinc · October 2003

I took my sisters Suburban to the detail place and they got the paint off. Charged me $40 and not only got the paint off, they washed it and polished it and vac'd the interior.

We're still working on the camper. It's fiberglass so we have to be careful. The guy that got the paint off my sisters car suggested bug and tar remover. We will see. Thank goodness the camper is white and so is the paint. Argh!

Leslie

Kirstie_H · October 2003

MPV, folks, MPV.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

javadoc · October 2003

Actually, I think the discussion was about MPVs.. and how it'd be keen to have VVT technology in it. <rolls eyes>

tomj5 · October 2003

Nice to know the paint shops can take off paint splatter without messing up the car finish...
If the remover doesn't take it off the camper. I wouldn't sweat it...

VVT is silly when used in everday cars... I won't mentioned it again....

Tj

vu2000 · October 2003

I just took a round trip from Delaware to Texas, then Misissipi and back to DE. With the AC on 35% of the time, I've got 25.5MPG at 70+ MPH. The van(2002 MPV) rode very nice. The Dunlop 15" tires vere a little noisey. Not a single problem since I bought the van. Mileage is now 12,650 miles.
On another subject, I think Toyota, and Honda makes great vehicles. I own a 99 Accord V6 and loves it, not a single problem in my 4 years of ownership. A friend of mine has a 03 Accord EX V6 and it rides like a dream with lots of power. Lets not bash Toyota or Honda because you do not own one. I would have no problem spending my money on another Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, or Subaru. Relax and enjoy your MPV.

bsvoller · October 2003

Actually, the discussion regarding VVT involved explaining how the competition does as well or better regarding gas mileage despite making more power and weighing more than an MPV. I was under the impression that such a discussion is on topic.

But I guess we're not allowed to discuss the competition, or interesting industry developments that Mazda hasn't incorporated into the MPV yet, here.

Sorry for having burst the straight-jacket's seams...

Everybody put their blinders back on.

-brianV

wheelz4 · October 2003

....actually, we're probably not even allowed to discuss what we can't discuss here!

javadoc · October 2003

Right Brian. Well said.

So, just to keep on topic... MochaVan (which happens to be an MPV) has hit 38,000 miles now and still no real problem has ever cropped up...

...except that dangerously underpowered, not large, or powerful enough, non-VVT engine that is in it, which I'm sure has been detrimental to it's resale value in some real and serious way, if the van's resale value meant anything to me.

Also, 2004s can now be ordered from your local dealership. My dealer called me yesterday to see if I wanted to order one. I don't think that the even have brochures yet!

Can we speculate that it would be nice to have HID headlights in an MPV, since the competition is offering them? Or is that too far abreast of field? I'd hate to get

rutger3 · October 2003

Unless you are the type to drive your vehicle for 150,000 miles or more then scrapping it,or are independently wealthy, resale always matters. When you go to trade in or sell your van on your own, do not complain when you get much less for it then you thought. The primary reason the MPV holds less of its value then a Honda or Toyota is part perception and part from the reviews that many people remember about the van being underpowered; at least until a larger engine was put in.

javadoc · October 2003

Re: resale... Get over it... no really, get over it. My post was laden with sarcasm over the preceding MPV-related topic (I'll put up a warning the next time, maybe). It would be nice to have better resale value, but I'd find a way to live w/my decision of buying the van because it's a great vehicle, resale value or no. [warning: sarcasm] I'd find a happy place.

I'd still enjoy seeing awd on the MPV sometime, but I imagine that is going to be at a future revision. <MPV content>

Kirstie_H · October 2003

No, I don't care if you talk about the engine, or competing engines, or possible future engines. I was referring to other well off-MPV discussion. Sorry I was unclear. Carry on.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

glideslopes · October 2003

Glad we got all that straightened out!

lsinc · October 2003

me mentioning my sisters Suburban and the paint issue then I apologize. I do own an MPV and post here quite often. I was asking the advice of those who post here on how to get paint off a vehicle. So it was a little off topic but I was just updating all those who gave me advice on what we wound up doing to remove the paint.

Beware of line painting on the highways everyone. Hate to see MPV's with white paint all over them! Argh!

Leslie

owr084 · October 2003

Try contacting the highway department who was responsible for the painting. They may pay for the cleaning. After all, it was their fault.

As for the camper - go to a Boating/Marine Supplies store. They should have all the stuff you need for safely cleaning fiberglass.

bigdadi · October 2003

I tried Edmunds Internet quote with inquiries to 14 Mazda dealers in my area. Armed with the lowest offer and paper's ad car price,
in 9/29 bought my 2003 MPV-LX at 128Mazda in Wakefield MA $19,059 with the silver color, alloy wheels, tinted glass that I want. Its MSRP is $23,445 (dest chg incl.) - Mazda rebate $2,000 - Dealer discount $2,386

In Oct the price is even cheaper Today I saw one ad car at Quirk Mazda in Quincy MA for 2003 LX $17,939 discounted from
MSRP$23,445 - Mazda rebate $2,500 - Dealer discount $3,006

tomj5 · October 2003

Oh Yeah, the Govt will pay for it's screwups. That's funny (no disrespect). As a retired Govt 'Crat, I can say, it will be a very cold day in "you know where" before that will happen..

BTW, The new 2.3L engine in the Mazda 3 hatch is a super duper VVT. Ok, guess I will buy one. If it is made by Mazda it must be good....(besides, DW wants the car) (Snicker)

Tj

bob57 · October 2003

Gee, Java, only 38K miles? Probably due to that small state you live in.

)
I just bored through the 51K mile barrier (bigger state...ahem) with the '01. Although, I did have that one power/storage output problem... battery...

I knew I should have bought a Ford.
(not)

sebr0d1e · October 2003

As I noted earlier (post # 6369):

"Actually, Sienna/Ody have Variable Valve Timing (or VVT w/ Intelligence = VVTi or sum other variation)..this, along w/ fact that engine parts probably made from different (maybe lighter, stronger or better metals, etc.) makes for better fuel efficiency = greater fuel economy (however, also more expensive to manufacture and repair, hence > cost of vehicles). MPV makes do without VVT in engine (so do Kia/Hyundai engines), so gas mpg not as good..VVT allows better breathing/operation, which means better fuel/air mixture, which means optimum mpg, more power, torque, etc."

Add to this drag coefficient (wind resistance), vehicle weight, engine size, the transmission (# of gears, materials, complexity), and computer programming of the engine computer, and its understandable how the MPV doesn't get better gas mileage than Ody/Sienna. Besides, everytime a manufacturer releases a new/upgraded product, it ups the ante on the non-revised competition. The MPV was probably as good as the best and better than the worst in gas mileage when it was upgraded in '02, but that was 2 model years ago. When it is upgraded/revamped again in a couple years, i'm sure mazda will trump most, if not all, of the comp (hybrid engines soon to be deployed in Toyotas/Hondas notwithstanding).

Also, u have 2 consider what car manufacturers decide to spend their money on. You can get a fully loaded MPV compared to a barebones/midlevel Ody/Sienna because Mazda takes 'loaner' Duratecs (excellent drivetrains though they may be) from Ford that already exist, which is much cheaper than designing/building their own engines from scratch, and uses the money it saves on engines to provide us with more features for less money than Honda/Toyo are willing to provide. My point is, Mazda is just as capable of providing us with VVT engines equivalent in technology/reliability/complexity/efficiency as Toyo/Honda, but to do so would require them to also provide us with the same price premiums Toyo/Honda provide for their VVT-loaded vehicles. VVT engines don't make Toyos/Hondas better vehicles than Mazdas..thats just a perception propogated by car mags/media outlets. What makes good cars is quality of materials, fit/finish and reliability, to which I say my MPV is as good as the next Ody (probably better)/Sienna, both of which have been recalled for serious defects; my '02 MPV has yet to get hit with a major mechanical defect recall.

Also, GM vehicles still use overhead valve technology, and get almost equivalent gas mpg with this old technology as Toyo/Honda with their VVT. Even w/out VVT, the MPV is competitive with Hs/Ts w/ VVT. You won't see 30mpg minivans until hybrid engines are put inem.

sebr0d1e · October 2003

Just wanted to let MPV (2002) owners know...We bought used '02 MPV ES with 11,2K miles on it..we're now at 15,9K. Around 15,7K the other day, I noticed when I cranked the van up, it was slightly shuddering. Since it was 1st thing in the morning, a cool one at that, and the wife had just filled up the gas tank the night before, I chalked it up to bad gas, and decided to monitor throughout the day.

Drove the entire day, still noticing the rough idle (especially when in neutral), went home. Decided we'd head out to shop, and becuz I'd parked to close to driveway wall, the wife had to wait for me to pull out so she could open passenger door. That's when she asked me what the hissing sound was.

I got out of the van, and sure enough, it was hissing very loudly. Sounded like air escaping from the tire, only magnified. I suspected right away it was a hose, but not being a car guy, wasn't sure. Was gonna wait til in the morning to take it to the shop, but decided since it was just purchased couple months ago, it needed TLC right then.

Took it to the shop, pulled in, and the conversation between maintenance mgrs and techs went something like this:

Me: Do you hear that hissing sound? (By now, the hissing was audible, but not like it was at my driveway..which is normally what happens when you take your car in to the shop).

Mgr: No, don't hear anything. (then he stoops down, still not hearing anything; he then proceeds to get a technician to come check it out).

Me: Do YOU hear that hissing sound? (I ask the other, younger Mgr).

Mgr2: Yup, sure do. (I'd left the van running, not knowing what was wrong and not wanting to turn it off and it not crank if it was something serious).

By now, Mgr1 and technician come back.

Mgr1 to tech: You hear a hissing sound?

Tech: Yeah.

Mgr2. <Tech name>, sounds like another PVC hose gone bad.

Tech: Yep. (Tech turns to me) Did you notice it vibratin' or shudderin' while drivin'?

Me: Yep. All day.

Mgr1: We got any in stock?

Mgr2: Yeah, we been talking to Mazda about this; its been an ongoing problem. We've had quite a few ofem in here for this.

In the end, it was a bad PVC hose. I bring this to your attention, cuz, from their conversation, this was a recurring problem they'd been experiencing with MPVs. Not sure if its locale related, or dealer related, or MPV-related, but be aware if your MPV gets the shakes, it may need its PVC (or whatever the right name of it is) hose replaced.

javadoc · October 2003

Thanks for posting this experience. It may save other owners (and technicians) a lot of time scratching their heads. I'm glad it's just a PVC hose.

I should ask, do you live in a harsh environment, like where there are heat extremes of the like?

sebr0d1e · October 2003

No harsh environment. Durham, NC. We experience a little of all seasons (hot, cold and mild), but nothing I would consider extreme (i.e. not as cold as it gets in north/midwest, not as hot as Florida/Texas). Last few weeks we've been holding steady with 70s for HIs and 40-50s for lows.

sebr0d1e · October 2003

One other thing I forgot to mention was that I overheard one of the Mgrs saying they were gathering data on this problem (PVC hose) to submit to Mazda for a possible technical bullentin.

owr084 · October 2003

Where abouts is the PCV / hose located? Every vehicle I've ever owned had a unique location to hide it. I'm sure the Mazda is not any different...
RBB

sebr0d1e · October 2003

dunno...i didn't fix it, so i can't say where the hose is. caught a glance, looked like it was at the top rear of the engine. i know they didn't have to put it on the lift to fix it, so, hope that helps.

van02 · October 2003

Hello, I will be hunting for a minivan pretty soon, I'm thinking MPV or 8-seat TOYOTA Sienna,I'm leaning over MPV,the question is can we remove 2nd row seats and move 3rd row to 2nd row postion, to make 5 seat config.? I just need 5 seats and I need some space in the back.
thank you very much for any input.

backy · October 2003

No. The Caravan works this way, because the rear seat doesn't fold away like on the MPV and most other vans. One of the few advantages of the Caravan over the MPV. The Sienna has tackled this problem with its 60/40 split folding rear seat, so you can seat 5 people and still haul a lot of gear.

lsinc · October 2003

No the third row seat in the MPV folds away so it doesn't move forward. The Sienna offers seating for 8 but I've heard that the additional seat is not a full size seat. Just what I heard. Even the Ody. won't have the option of moving the third row seat forward as it also folds away. Same with the 7 passenger Sienna. You can however, fold half of the third row seat for extra storage and still have your 5 seat config. My only concern is having someone riding next to cargo. Can the cargo be strapped down??

Good luck.

Leslie

mjvchicago · October 2003

I've had my MPV for about 3 weeks (500 miles) now and love it! I especially like the power door buttons right behind the driver/front passenger seats... very convenient. However, I have noticed just one thing out of the ordinary: when going up ever so slight hills there's a rough shift, I'd say between 2nd and 3rd. It happens at relatively low speed - no more than 25 MPH. Anyone else notice this? I'm thiking it has something to do with the ascent control keeping it in a set gear, then realizing that the hill is not THAT steep and shifting up. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

wheelz4 · October 2003

The easiest way for Mazda to make the MPV a 5 seater would be to split the 3rd row seat like the Sienna so you could carry 5 & still have room for a fair amount of cargo. Alternatively, they could offer a 3 piece bench like the 8 seater Sienna so you could seat 3 in the 2nd row and fold the back down for mucho cargo space.

steveeast · October 2003

Your 2-3 hard upshift is probably a known problem. Mazda have a notice (MT000003925, not a TSB) out for it. The fix is first to reflash the TCM, if that doesn't work, then replace the control valve body assembly. From what I've read, that usually fixes the problem. In my case I've also had the TCM replaced, but I've still got the problem though somewhat less frequent.

Steve.

bottgers · October 2003

I've experienced exactly the same thing with our PeeVee. Rough 2-3 shift. However, the only time we experienced it was when we went home on vacation. I live In Cheyenne WY, and the elevation here is 6,000 ft. When we went to Michigan on vacation, the elevation there is roughly at sea level. The rough shifting only occred while we were in Michigan. I wonder if the elevation had anything to do with it? Once we came back home, it completely stopped rough shifting. My wife and I have been waiting for it to happen again so we can take it to the dealer's service dept., but it doesn't occur anymore. If this is actually a problem, I'd like to get it fixed while it's under warranty, but more than likely if I take it in now they probably won't find anything wrong with the tranny. Is this true, or would they know what to fix even if it's not doing it anymore?

steveeast · October 2003

I'm sure they'd know what to do, but they probably wont do it if they can't reproduce the problem. Here's what the notice actually says:

DETAILS:
Symptoms and Conditions:

There may be a 2-3 shift flare (slippage or large increase in RPM during the 2-3 upshift). This condition is only for the 2-3 shift and can occur when the engine is cold or at operating temperature.

Repair Procedure:

Make sure the ATF level is correct. Prepare the vehicle for a road test.
From a stop with the shift selector in the '3' position, accelerate vehicle at full throttle to confirm a shift from 2nd to 3rd gear.
Note: When the shift selector is in the '3' position, the transaxle will start in 2nd gear and shift one time to 3rd gear only.
If there is a 2-3 shift flare or slippage during the 2-3 UPSHIFT, re-flash the Tranmssion Control Module (TCM) or swap a TCM from a known good vehicle. Refer to Service Bulletin No: 05-011/02 for TCM re-flash procedure. If the TCM does not repair the shift concern, replace the control valve body assembly.
Caution:

When replacing the valve body assembly, be careful to re-install the two small O-rings between the valve body and main case. If one or both of the O-rings are left out, the transaxle may have no movement in any shift selector position.

Parts Information:

FP01-19-750 (control valve assembly)
MT02-K2-001 (TCM Flash Kit. Order from MSTORE)

bottgers · October 2003

The symptoms and conditions in that notice don't exactly describe what my tranny was actually doing. It describes the problem as a rise in RPM's or slippage when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. My tranny wasn't doing that, it was basically just slamming into 3rd gear. There was no slippage or increase in RPM's. I wonder if it's the same problem?

dlmc4 · October 2003

I have an 03 LX that we purchased in mid July. I've been experiencing a hard 2-3 shift for about a month now. For me, it seems to only happen when it is shifting from 2-3 between 25 and 30 MPH. Its been in for service twice now and the dealerships are fully aware of the problem and they were able to duplicate it on a test drive. The first time it was in, they reprogrammed the TCM per the above mentioned bulletin. That did not work. Today, the dealership informed me that my vin# did not match the service bulletin and that there is a new TCM program in development by Mazda to correct the problem. It should be available in a week or two. I'll keep you posted.

bottgers · October 2003

Is this shifting problem something they'll have to be able duplicate when you take it in for service before they'll attempt to correct the problem? What I'm worried about is this problem has occured with our van, but it hasn't happened in a couple weeks. If this is something that's going to cause problems down the road, I want to get it fixed while the van's still under warranty. I don't want the tranny dumping 3rd gear right after the warranty runs out. Will the service department take my word that there was a shifting problem if they can't duplicate it when I take it in for service?

dlmc4 · October 2003

It probably depends on the service dept. When I scheduled my 1st appt., they reprogammed the TCM on my word. When I said it was still doing it, they wanted to duplicate it. The service manager said that there were 3 others on "his list" that were experiencing the same thing as I and that we would all be notified when the new fix was available. My recommendation would be to start documenting every time that you experience this.(this is what I did in the beginning) I wrote down mileage, speed, car temp, and how severe the clunk was. I began to notice a pattern and I was able to present this info to the service dept which was also helpful for them. For my van, this problem always happened when the van was at normal operating temperature, shifting from 2-3 between 25-30 MPH which is normal to moderate acceleration. It still did not happen all the time during those conditions but it did happen maybe 10% of the time. It only took the tech about 15 minutes for him to duplicate. Hope it helps.

mjvchicago · October 2003

That's exactly what I'm experiencing. Glad you were so scientific about diagnosing it on your end. If the TCM flash didn't work, wondering what it really is then. Let us know when you go in for the "new" fix.

steveeast · October 2003

I too just heard from the dealer that Mazda are working on a new TCM programming fix, but they didn't have any idea when it would be available.

One other thing my dealer mentioned is that the problem never seems to happen on the 1st run of the day, even after the van has warmed up. As if the problem only occurs after the van has been warm-started. That matches what I've seen (and felt).

Bottgers, you say your symptom is that it just suddenly slammed into 3rd. It's surprisingly easy to miss the "flare" that comes before the hard shift if you haven't experienced it more than a couple of times. It's not as obvious as you might expect. The van basically drops out of 2nd into neutral, the revs go up for about 1/2 second, then wham, it's into 3rd. You can soften the blow, by easing off the throttle when you know it's about to happen. I'm getting pretty good at that :-)

Steve.

Steve.

tomj5 · October 2003

Good point... I have noticed that if you stomp the fuel just before the shift point it will jerk a bit. But that is normal for an automatic. Otherwise I haven't seen any problems. The tranny is super smooth... Fuzzy Logic trannies are tempermental. I think a "new driver" button (clear the computer) would solve a lot of problems.
Probably most are cases of lead footitis...

Tj

steveeast · October 2003

I haven't tried increasing power just before the shift, I'll see what happens. I can tell you that the hard shift normally occurs on light to medium acceleration. Never had it when accelerating hard, but then I don't do that often with the 2 kids on board.

Steve.

lsinc · October 2003

It's interesting reading all of these different posts on hard shifts. At times my MPV will shift hard from 2nd to 3rd. It does it mostly after my husband has driven it. We both drive very differently. After I've driven it again, the prob. goes away. I've never asked my husband if it does it to him. I will though. He doesn't drive the MPV that often and to him it may be really smooth all of the time considering he drives a '92 Subaru that really needs to retire.

I do notice that it's best to let my car idle for a few moments before starting out. It's not just the MPV that I do this with. I've always let my cars warm up a bit before taking off.

Other then a few hard shifts here and there, my MPV shifts smoothly. I know what a tranny feels like when it's "slipping" and my MPV certainly does not feel anything like that.

tomj5 · October 2003

Yeah, I have noticed a rough shift when I do a fast take off without warming up. Normally, I let the engine warm a bit (habit from driving the old V8s)..

Now days you should let the computers wake up and settle down and say "good morning" to each other...

How would you like to jump out of bed and take off running, without a stiff cup of coffee????

Fuzzy Logic computers are designed to think like we do.... (snicker)

Tj

lazyfox · October 2003

I noticed the other day the little kick in the shift. It was in the morning after I started the car. I had to slow down to let another car turn in front of me, going slow already I just let the gas go to decrease my speed. When I stepped on the gas again, it made the hard shift. I figured I try to reproduce it. And sure enough, after I let the gas go again and when pushed on it than, the hard shift happened again. So I tried to reproduce it again and again, but it would not do it the rest of the day. So seems like it happens when the engine is cold, after warm-up it goes away. I tried to reproduce it yesterday morning and I could do it only once and the kick was more saddle than before, but it was there. Also it happened to me once, that I was turning left on lights and cars in front of me slowed down. I let the gas go and braked a little. When pushed it again it kicked very hard this time, it pinned me into a seat. However this time I think it was some random fluke when the tranny got confused. It happened only once for the 8K miles we put on our MPV.

steveeast · October 2003

I tried Tom's idea of stomping down just before the 2-3 shift, only effect was to delay the shift point. The actual shift was smooth. But since I now only get the hard shift a couple of times a day, I can't say whether this would actually "cure" the problem.

Interesting that other people see the problem on acceleration after deceleration. I have only ever got it from a standing start, i.e. having had to do a previous 1-2 upshift. I'll try and reproduce it using the deceleration/acceleration method, though since the TCM was replaced the problem has become infrequent enough that it could take me some time.

Steve.

bigdadi · October 2003

I also noticed the sudden hard shifts (not all the time but here and there a few times) on the 2003 MPV LX that I bought in 9/29/03

Since many in this board are having the same problem. I will write down exactly when this hard or rough shift happens to share with you guys or may be Mazda officals (if they are really care to know how the Mazda ownership experienced)
Raphael

ytz · October 2003

I also had twice hard shifts for my 03' MPV LX, only 1K miles on it.

steveeast · October 2003

Couldn't reproduce the hard shift while decelerating/accelerating, but got it twice in a row from a standing start. The only times today, so far.

Steve.

Mazda MPV

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles