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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
2000 (JULY 99)
25,000 miles
22 MPG (wifey)
19 MPG (Me)
Moonroof
Mats
Stepplate
Roofrack
Mudflaps
Rear Air
NLEV
6 CD Changer (WE LOVE THAT!!!!!)
Problems
1) Fryed rear seat belt - Fixed immediately by dealer
2) Preceived rough shifting in tranny - Dealer tells me I am overly sensitive, my wife disagrees!
3) Broken Passenger Visor - Dealer fixed, Kids reprimanded, they broke it again anyway
4) Wife took out the Passenger mirror - Not fixed yet, waiting for wife to cough up the dough
5) Broken Belt on tire - Instructed wife to stop before hitting the curb. Not covered by Dealer BUMMER!
6) Bumber recall - Fixed by dealer (Remember that?)
7) Pulled to right - aligned by local shop, seams ok except on my sensitive days. (Midol, NOT)
So out of the seven I have listed, 4 are self inflicted. Not bad at all.
Disclaimer -- I am not reccomending this to anyone unless you fully understand your air bag system. --
However, flaming bag of hate mail aside, do you know if you can get a non-racheting assembly...say, as if the driver's side assembly would work on the passenger's side?
--javadoc
Emerald Green (Java knows green is for geniuses)
Sunroof
6-changer CD
Mud Flaps (don't waste your money)
Basically everything except RSES
42,034 miles!
20 mpg around town
21-22 highway (I speed)
Problems:
1. A fairly large door ding on each sliding door. Gawd, I HATE those! And one scrape on bottom of rear fender, made by the tractor at the farm where our horses are stabled. Driver (culprit) never fessed up.
2. The driver's side sliding door has just started to scrape against something on the track. Plan on having it looked at.
3. The Dunlops are history. Put Michelins on last week. The tire guy said the Dunlops don't have the life my new tires will have.
4. My new Lifehouse CD won't go into the CD slot. All others work fine. I find this to be particularly troublesome. (great CD BTW)
5. I'm still waiting for Mazda to offer a wind deflector for this van. I love cruising with the sunroof open, but find that the wind noise gets annoying. My Camry had one, and it was wonderful.
Good things:
1. I haven't had to get new brakes yet. I figured with the weight of the van, I would've needed brakes by now.
2. No burnt out bulbs or fuses. Everything in working order
3. No tune up has seemed to be needed yet.
4. Everything about this van. I love it as much, or more, than the day I got it. Just today, I was cruising around town, Ray Bans on, rear windows part way down, sunroof open, blasting AC/DC. Aahhh. Great day.
But, I buy about one new CD a week, some older, but most of it new. Some new purchases have been, Lifehouse, Train, The Wallflowers, Freddy Jones Band, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day, Everclear, Al Green, and Billy Idol's Greatest Hits. I'm wierd, if you didn't already know.
msgivh, GET WITH IT!! I think you should jump right in and get the new Train CD. The best I've bought in a while.
I can't get the CD player as it is with the kids in the van. The wife won't let me drive it unless I am shuttling the kids! You should have heard the fit she threw the other day when I tried to nab it. Whoaaa is me.
I know the cost is more and hence more profit for them, but I seem to recall a post about better performance/mileage with synth oil or was it tranny fluid?
Will take back in about a month from now the way I'm racking up miles, so would appreciate an answer.
In any event, the tire still holds air but a portion of the sidewall got worn away--approximately the top half of the Dunlop lettering is abraded away (an indented groove is present in place of raised lettering). A Mazda service advisor who looked at it wasn't comfortable with how much the sidewall may have been weakened and suggested I ask a tire specialist. A tech at Costco's tire center thinks the tire should be ok unless something punctures the sidewall, which wouldn't be too likely. But I'm concerned about a high speed blowout and would feel better if I replaced the one tire.
My tires currently have ~20,000 miles on them. When they're sufficiently worn to warrant replacing them all, I'll most likely replace them with Michelins. Until then, I don't want to spend too much money to replace a single tire, and I recall someone in the MPV forum having some for sale, so...
Anyone who has a slightly used 16" Dunlop for sale, please speak up. Or if you think I'm being overly paranoid, that my current tire should be fine, please try to convince me.
Thanks in advance.
The tire store may tell you they recommend the new tires on the back. Just ask them what they do when it is time to rotate them.
May not be as classy, but you can put two Michelins on the front and keep the Dunlops on the back.
Or check out www.tirerack.com, generally cheaper than your local tire store, but add $10-$20 to have it mounted and balanced.
The illegal option would be to rent an MPV for a day, making sure it has the same wheels.
You know what to do from there
Cheers,
TB
I have three of the 4000's with approximately 16k on them. Email me at MSGJVH@bigfoot.com. They are taking up room.
roflmao
--java
Rolling
On the
Floor
Laughing
My
[non-permissible content removed]
Off
This topic always brings back memories of...well...let's say, times gone by. Do any of you remember when the manufacturers would recommend changing the filter EVERY OTHER oil change? I never could figure that out, even in my dumber days. Well, then again, they wanted you buying a new car every couple of years and I guess they wanted you to have a reason.:-)
BTW, I believe the factory recommended oil viscosity is 5W50, but it was pointed out to me by a Red Line Oil retailer that the wider the viscosity range, the more additives used. He suggested that for the Atlanta area, 5W30 might be more appropriate. All in favor say, "Ay!" Opposed, say "Oy!"
You don't have to tell them what you are looking for.
You could shop like my wife does, "I'll know what I want when I see it."
It is a good thing I only think of these devious ideas. If I ever start acting on them, the world would be a bad place.
TB
With rental companies charging double for a tank of gas, I'd hate to see what a well used tire is worth.
1500 mi (including 2 trips of 400 mi ea when I was allowed to drive it!)
No problems (except for 2 scratches -grr!)
Haven't calculated mpg - but know it's not great.
Love it & many thanks to all you regulars who have contributed to the various forums. You guys and gals have been of invaluable help & assistance!)
Dennis
Some Sienna postings talk about protesting Toyota, Winstar people talk about all kinds of problems and MPV owners discuss fishing.....
What's wrong with this picture?
Had a "die for babe" wanting to sit in my MPV this morning at the gas station to see what it was like because she was interested in MPVs. I was mumbling to myself- I'm married with two kids...I'm married with....
Love my MPV.
Some people have all the luck. The only ones who've asked to sit in mine are my dogs. And the worst of it is, I'm so desperate to show it off to somebody--anybody--that I let them. And every time they get in to it, they turn it into Lower Slobberovia (Does that qualify as a problem?)
RJ
--java
BTW, now that the temp hit 86 degrees today and I've turned the A/C on, I'm getting the more traditional hot-pitch smell as well. What an olfactory treat The Prez is turning out to be!
RJ
As for the flatulence, it actually does seem to be fading. I almost never smell it anymore, even in my garage. And when I do, it's very faint. So maybe it isn't the car's smell that's keeping that Blonde at a distance (Does that mean I should stop showering with Murphy's Oil Soap?)
RJ
I am probably going to the dealership this weekend to negotiate a good price.
My concerns at this point are:
1. The lower priced DX does not have ABS, even as an option. While I am not that keen on the ABS, this will definitely reduce the resale value of the car, should we decide to sell the car.
2. Mileage - seems a bit too high. How come a smaller engine (compared to all the other
minivans) is in fact consuming more gas.
3. Going to 160hp (or 170?) from my Ford Escort's 88hp is a big jump. However, compared to the others (Toyota, Honda), it seems very little.
I would really appreciate your comments and advice.
Thanks
I agree about the gas mileage; it's relatively low for such a small engine. One the other hand, I'm coming out of a gasaholic Cherokee. My 17+ suburban mpg looks pretty good to me. [On the third hand, let's see how happy I am when gas hits $2.50-3.00 per gallon.}
As for the hp, 160, which is what NLEV states get, seems pretty adequate to move this van around. Word of warning, though. The van does NOT like a lead foot. Tromp it and all you get is a bucking transmission. There's a definite learning curve in figuring out how to get the most out of its engine and transmission. Gentle and steady pressure moves it smoothly up to speed with no cause for embarrassment at stoplights or heart failure getting onto Interstates.
Speaking of learning curves, I'm in the middle of a new one. I used the A/C yesterday for the first time, and it's a whole different beast with the A/C running. It takes a different type of pedal pressure to keep it smooth, and I'm just beginning to get the right feel for it. I'm confident I will, though. It took me a couple of days when I first bought the car to learn how to drive it in cool weather, and now it's as smooth as silk under my foot.
I guess what I'm saying is that you sound as though you might be having a case of pre-buy jitters, wondering if what you're about to do is the right thing. It was for me, and if you have read the previous posts on this and the other MPV forums, you already know how we universally feel about our purchase.
Good luck with your decision.
RJ
What vans are we comparing that are returning better mileage than the MPV? Not the Ody I hope...I've two friends now with Odys and they are both griping about their 14mpg minivans, wishing they'd bought SUVs for that kind of mileage. The Windstar is a thirsty thing also. I don't know about the Sierra, but it's probably got good economy numbers.
I agree with Bill that ABS is a ying/yang argument. Some folks just gotta have it, some don't want it. My MIL spefically had me find her a '01 Jetta w/o ABS (and she wanted crank windows, go figure). Now, that was a tough task. Personally, ABS has saved my bacon a few times, being able to steer out of the way. I think a DX w/o ABS isn't a big deal at all as far as resale goes.
FWIW, I saw an analysis a few months back about resale values-vs-options on cars, and the findings were that the base model cars held a higher percentage of their original value than optioned out cars of the same exact model. Interesting.
I'd say, give the MPV a try. It's a great little van with lots of room...and personality!
--javadoc
That seatbelt replacement and my visor mirror frame cracking are the only problems we have had with our van. It is a 2000 ES with GFX that we purchased in Jan. 2000. By the way, it is the best color of all - beautiful red!!
Thanks in advance for any advice
Green with MPV Envy
2) Mileage - affected by many variables: right engine size, the engine designers' skill, efficiency, body aerodynamic, vehicle weight ...., etc. Note - V6 contour owners don't complain about mileage, so the engine must be OK.
3) 160hp for all 2001s. Good enough, unless you intent to drag race from light to light.
There have been several posters who have said the 3.0 engine is supposed to be available about Sep; but, last year several posters also said it would be out by this month!
Dennis
I would suggest that people choose ABS based on necessity determined by where they drive and not opinions.
I'll give you a bit of my background. I came off a 98 Cherokee, which, to put it mildly, went like a bat from a standing start. The MPV will NOT go like a bat from a standing start. What it will do is get you moving without any embarrassment whatsoever at a stoplight. It will climb hills, even steep hills such as we have in Pittsburgh, with a minimum of fuss and bother. It will merge in highway traffic safely--I once had to merge into rush hour traffic on one of our local expressways from a dead stop and lived to tell the tale.
No, it's not the fastest van in the stable, but it's not a dog, it's not a cement truck. I don't miss my Jeep in the least.
Good luck,
RJ
I am looking at a 2000 MPV ES with GFX as well, and it has a crack in the passenger visor mirror frame. (Interesting)
Also concerned about the power. You can really feel the diff. in pick up between the two. Only thing is Sienna is A BIG YAWN inside and out. If MPV coming out with 3.0, would be worth the wait for me. Any more comments about availibility?
Joanne
Jscara - we have had our van since Jan. 2000 and have had no problems except a cracked visor and a seatbelt that seemed to lock up too easily. I have found the van to be holding up great and running great. We have driven it from Kansas to Minnesota and down to San Antonio and have found it to perform with no problems. I don't find it to have a power issue (and our other car is an Infiniti Q45 which has way more than necessary). We love this van! It looks beautiful and I can't get over how many people still stop us and ask us about our 'pretty new van'.
Odyssey: Great minivan with a great safety rating. But Honda is living in a dream world right now. Their van (like many others) have some serious design flaws. Some of the bigger issues would appear to be doors, transmissions, and electrical. Most dealerships will deal around MSRP, but what's with that?.
Sienna: This was my first pick till about a month ago. The styling of the Sienna is dated, and Toyota will probably release a new design within the next few years. We monitored the "problem" discussion boards and were seeing significant problems. Now forget the "sludge" stuff, the real issue there was that Toyota was not serving their customer-base....
MPV: This was my wife's choice all along. I had the same power concerns, and was not really excited about the 2.5 duratech (ford) engine. But as we watched the boards and the ratings at msn.com (autopoint), car review.com, and epinion.com, it was clear that people loved the MPV and that the problems (those that occured) were being handled.
We purchased a MPV LX and are very happy. The power issue is not valid for everyday use. You will really love the design and interior (far superior). Also you can get some great deals right now......
:-)
--javadoc
I never thought I would be a minivan owner (all my previous cars were sporty foreign coupes), but I must admit I enjoy my '00 MPV ES a lot; and it's SO convenient for carrying cargo, either in addition to, or instead of kids. For me the tumble-under third row was the only way to go (which is why my choice was narrowed down to either the Ody or the MPV); I drove my friend's Ody extensively and (surprisingly?) didn't care for it. When, on a whim, I test drove the MPV (after reading a reference to it by minivan "researchers" on a Honda/Ody website), I knew it was the clear choice for me. And my girls, at the time seven- and fifteen-years old, loved it!
If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the exact same vehicle (color and options), though I'd probably opt for the larger engine if it were available. I like the MPV so much, in fact, that I think I'd like to always have one in my "stable" of cars.
But I'll chime in - my flaming red 2001 MPV is a ball to drive. It gets a lot of looks and people wanting to sit in it - especially that "babe" the other day ) It is the best handling van I ever drove. The power issue (in my opinion) is not an issue.
I also looked at the Honda Ody before I purchased a new '00 Sienna (Yes, I have two vans...). I have had excellent experience with Honda over the last 15 years and inquired, I think last September, with a Honda dealer about a new van.
I was told (quote) "$1000 down, choose a color but you have to wait 90 days".
Ok, I thought - what is the price? "MSRP plus $1800 plus acessories". What's the MSRP? "We don't know". BYE...
Actually, the people I know with Ody's like them a lot even tho then they had to wait long periods to get one. It's a new van and is still going through the "new" stage with some problems which I'm sure Honda will eventually work out.
At any rate, my wife loves HER Sienna and I definitely love MY MPV. Neither one has given us any problems at all. She jumped in the MPV the other day to run to the store. I was waiting in the driveway for MY van to come home... (Must be a man thing...). She also loves to drive it as she can avoid the maniac Houston drivers very easily with the MPV.
My wife got a fantastic deal on the MPV (I really don't want to tell you - but it's posted waaaay back here somewhere).
Thanks in advance,
Amir
Another cause could be brake dust settling on the rear edge of the pads forming a wedge that starts to squeal when you apply brakes gently. You can try to fix this yourself. Go to a remote open space (empty parking lot, etc) with no traffic and go in reverse as fast as you can and hit brakes hard. Repeat this procedure 10-15 times. See if this helps.
I'd not bother with this problem unless this causes you big inconvenience. Anyway, at 15,000 miles there should be brake inspection (if this is the same in the US as in Canada) and you can bring it up at that time.
My van shows this problem as well (light squeal when I brake gently at slow speed) and the mechanic told not to bother. It doesn't justify the cost of brake service at this time anyway...
P.S. It's my opinion. However note that heavily glazed brakes could result in reduced effectiveness of the brakes or even complete failure. So be careful with this.
For those of you that ask about the MPV power, five years ago, the MPV would have been mid-pack in respects to power output. The '97 Dodge had 150, 150, and 158, the Fords went 140, 160, and 200, GM 180, Toyota 161, and Honda 140. Two years ago it wasn't much different with Dodge 150, 158, and 180, Nissan 170, Toyota 194, and Honda stepping it up with 210. Other notes, the '96 Dodge had 100 and '96 Toyota had 138.
I've read old reviews of all of these minivan that had under 170hp and more than half the time reviewers stated that acceleration was great for merging and passing. Ten years ago no van had over 170hp and power was a non-issue then, so why is it now?
Anyway, I'll take the handling over power anyday which the MPV has tons of (for a minivan that is).