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system (in-dash) for the 2000 (or 2001) MPV?
My van just came with the cd-radio system
and Mazda wants $1200 to replace it with
the newer cd-radio-casette system (!!!).
Cheers,
TB
We paid invoice minus the 1000 rebate for a 2000 ES, red, 4 season's package, 3 n 1 audio and fog lights. Just what I would have ordered if given the chance. Picked it up on Sat and am thrilled with it. It is just great.
One problem which I think we have overcome is my daughters booster seat didn't work with the seat belt set up, the bottom of the seat can slide forward fairly easily. The solution was to purchase a seat saver mat (like a rubber floor mat ) and really sit on it to jamb in down and get the belt as tight as possible. The tether will help too once that is installed. The top of the seat doesn't move at all now, the bottom can still move out, but not as much and not as easily. We also installed a Fisher Price Safe Embrace convertible rear facing, and that went fine. Would really recommend that seat saver though, I am going to get another for the FPSE seat asap The fit problem is caused in part by the design of the seat belt, the receiver being forward of the seat back, dumb idea for a family car if I say so myself.
The 3 hour drive home was great, played with the stereo quiet a bit, and I must of fumbled with the wipers 100 times (frequent washing due to wet roads), that will take some getting used to.
Jane
I'm an even bigger minivan fan than my wife. (All those "macho" SUV drivers don't what they're missing.) She really likes the Dodge (and still misses our Miata days) but reluctantly admits that she also appreciates the flexibility, reliability, and size of the MPV.
I was looking for an LX with a moonroof and RES because in the NY metro area they're running a deal on a free entertainment system on in-stock MPVs. As you can imagine, these systems only seem to be available in the in-stock ES MPVs. I am not a fan of leather seats but I'm glad I got "forced" into buying an ES. When I'm sitting on one of these seats, listening to tunes on the nine speaker sound system with the sun pouring through the extra large moonroof (when did a sun roof become a moon roof?), all is well; Especially when the kids are watching a video instead of fighting.
The slow starts don't bother me because the engine is fine after 10mph and runs on regular gas, but little things do a bit, like two cup holders on the right side of the right second row seat and none on the left seat, and no individual lights for the second row passengers. And we too are having big problems opening and closing the sliding doors. Otherwise the ES is like driving a three row Millenia ( no, not quite a Miata). I and (if she would admit it) my wife highly recommend it!
Now as a favor in return for my info, please reply to my following ques that no one has responded to as of yet. Many thanks.
----------------------------
I need a favor from you.
I just noticed the pass side of my upper dash pad
may be defective. It's right by the tweeter (2.5
inch round speaker). I originally thought there
was a crack in the dash but, the closer I looked,
there's an actual line outlining the round speaker
cutout. It looks like it may be from the mold when the dash pad was formed. This only exists on the pass side (driver's side has nothing like this.)
PLEASE check your dashboards and let me know if
any of you have the same.
Couple questions:
1. I though that the difference between sun and moon roof is that moon roof has darkened glass, vs. sun roof is clear. My is clear, so I guess it is sun roof? I would have liked it to be darkened glass.
2. Is the glass tinted? It feels really hot in direct sun light.
3. What are the good places to get accessories for it? I need cargo mat to go into the well behind the third seat. I saw on at www. weathertech.com. Does any one know it is just a flat piece of rubber or is it shaped to the well. Do I need to take out the mat before I fold the seat in? Where to get a cargo net?
Thanks for all the posting, that really helped me decides on this van.
Akash
I own the Weathertech floormats and the cargo mat which are manufactured by MacNeil Automotive. The cargo mat (I paid $79 at MacNeil's corp HQ located here in burbs of Chgo) is custom fit to the well behind the third seat. It's not flat - has curved up lip of approx 3 inches high so, if something were to spill on it, it would be contained on the mat. Because of it's custom fit, there's no need to remove it when folding down the third seat. Hope this info helps.
I plan to mount it by sliding the vertical bars of the 2nd row headrest (my daughter likes to sit in the 3rd row) through the hand strap, so it should be pretty secure. The LCD screen can be flipped around so that it is flush with the camcorder body, so it shouldn't be too cumbersome. Another advantage of this approach is that it's easy to remove the whole entertainment system after a trip, so there won't be the temptation to use it all the time, even for driving around town (I think that's a bad habit.).
What do y'all think? Obviously, my solution assumes camcorder ownership, but I'd be willing to bet that given the demographics of minivan owners (i.e. parents of young children), most of us already own a camcorder! And I believe that most camcorders these days have the LCD screen; it's no longer just a premium feature (my Sony was well under $500 two years ago).
One question for minivan TV veterans: is carsickness a problem? I wonder if staring at a small screen while in a moving vehicle for an extended period of time might lead to some queasiness.
Re: the Sony Handy Cam inquiry, I would want to make sure that in the event of an accident the camera strap is strong enough to ensure that it will not allow the camcorder to become a missile, or move into a position that your child can bang her head into. I used to bring a small combo TV/VCR unit on long trips but I stopped because I didn't feel comfortable with it not being secure.
I also seem to remember reading that queasiness, although people are affected differently, is generally lessened when looking up at a screen. I'm sure the condition/contour of the road is also a factor.
1--how is the reliability of Mazdas and how is the revamped MPV doing out there with you all
2--what kind of gas mileage are folks actually getting
3--how did those of you who always had sedans or small wagons before adjust to driving a mini-van--even a smaller one like the MPV
4--would those of you who bought an MPV buy one again? What do you like? What are you unhappy with?
Thanks--my first time using this and it's fun!!
Thanks
Scott
Thanks for all the input from DREW, tboner, JAVADOC, windowphobe6 and elvis_hoo.
After driving the van for another week, the light is finally gone.
Well, in this case, I won't call it a design fault because it can reset itself when the gas cap is tighten again.
However, I am surprise that the Mazda dealer and the Mazda North America customer service department DID NOT tell me that it will be reset. ALL they told me was IT IS NOT COVERED by warranty. I wrote a letter to Mazda North America about two weeks ago, and still didn't get any feedback. Well, maybe they just don't care.
Anyway, life is short, thanks everyone of you for your time.
In response to #664, I also have that same line on the dashboard
Silver (cheapo) Driver
Dealer just lubed my sliding doors (which were both terribly "sticky" especially for my young boys to operate). They seem fine now.
I've had good luck w/both mfrs. Honda definitely has the upper hand when comparing 626 to Accord. You pay more $ for the Accord but, I think it's well worth it.
I can't say the same for minivans. ODY are way over-priced & have a host of probs. Sevice mgr at my local Hon dealer (I currently own a '98 Accord, too) advised me to avoid the ODY when I mentioned to him mos ago that I was in the minivan market. He told me to NOT expect the same quality as I see w/Accord.
I found vast $ difference between the MPV vs ODY. My MPV is fully loaded & it cost me much less than a half-equipped ODY would've cost. ODY has a little more "oomph" under the hood but certainly not enough to justify its price. Frankly, I like the styling of the MPV. Call it the poor man's lookalike version of the Mercedes M320 (SUV). Good luck on your decision.
Funny, my neighbour has a '99 Ruby Red MB ML320, as well as a '00 Black Mazda MPV ES. Only from certain angles from the front does the MPV bear a very slight resemblance to the M-class; it's mostly because of the somewhat similarily shaped headlamps.
Drew
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Been driving a Chrysler Voyager. (That's right, no more Plymouth, so they are called Chrysler Voyagers.) The tranny hasn't fallen out yet, but I just can't seem to park this thing straight. I guess it doesn't handle as well as the MPV.
I hope the valet guys are taking good care of the MPV while we are gone
TB
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=536920100&r=0&t=0
It won't close for a few days.
Good luck
And speaking of daylight, if anyone out there is considering getting an MPV, I highly recommend opting for the moon roof. It is much larger than any one I've had before, and really adds to the driving experience.
I decided to try to find it online. Can someone confirm whether this is the same console that's been discussed? (If the link doesn't work, just go to www.walmart.com, Automotive accessories, consoles, Minivan console, taupe.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=14945&dept=3911&product_id=893751&path=0:3911:3912:14945&type=1
Steve_
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Anyway, we've managed to locate a 2000 MPV ES, nicely loaded, priced under dealer invoice. The van looks and drives nice, but I have one concern. Dealer showed us a copy of the invoice and it's been on the lot since May. Isn't that a little strange? I'm going to call and ask the internet sales guy why (we didn't notice 'till we were home), but wanted to get someone else's take on this.
You folks don't seem to shy about sharing your opinions, so let me know what you think please!
--java
Press Release
Steve_
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Also, what sort of deals are being had out there in the market?
I have recently fallen off the hunt for an Odyssey, since I can't stand to pay MSRP or above for one.
Now I am hoping to get a fully loaded MPV for below invoice. Any hope?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=538990045
Pics here:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/msgjvh?d&.intl=us&.flabel=fld3&.src=ph&start=1
Also, anybody aware of any incentives? I got some info from carcostcanada which described an $850 Mazda Trading Dollars program, but none of the dealers I have spoken to seem to have any idea of what this might be (or so they say).
Thanks for any help you can give me.