You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV

Mazda MPV

8192 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM

You are in the Mazda MPV Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Van

Messages Page 2 of 820 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 820 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#5 of 8192 comments by bugaboox Jun 15, 2000 (6:35 pm)
kondo: thanks for the tip! I will try that next test drive. elvis_hoo: I agree with you. I want the brakes to work, effectively and consistently. Rear drum or rear disc deep down are not that important. I've noticed a lot of the car reviewers and car magazines are interested, and comment positively, only on the latest and greatest technological advances that are going into cars today. I rarely see comments about reliability and affordability (except maybe in Consumers Digest and the like), two things I think their readers would be very interested in. The greatest disc brakes in the world aren't any good to me if they're part of a defective batch from the brake manufacturer! A couple of other comments about my first test drive: the saleslady, who was very nice but very new, said to put a 3/1 stereo in the MPV would cost about $300 (all they had on the lot were CD's and CD changers). That still doesn't sound right to me given the MSRP on the 3/1 stereo is $150 from several sources, including Edmunds. Also, driving on a hot day at noon in Houston, the A/C did a good, but not great job. But I think she should have rolled down the middle windows to let some more of that heat out. I did like the rear A/C blowing on my neck when I sat in the middle row, and my wife could feel it all the way up in the driver's seat. I just don't see now how you can live without it in hot climates (and I don't see any MPV's on the lots here without it!). She also said she would have no problem getting us an MPV in sapphire blue or sand mica, but that the teal would be difficult, that it was not a popular color. What's the latest you're hearing on color availability? We're also looking at the Montana short wheelbase and the Subaru Forester (just in case 4'11" wife can't park big minivan in garage). We looked at Saturn LW2 but the tilt wheel in its most upright position still impeded my big knee when trying to hit the brake. That could be a problem, you know? In the next couple of weeks, I will rent wife a Venture or Montana short wheelbase (almost identical size to an MPV) to let her practice putting in and pulling out of garage. Anyone know of anyplace to rent an MPV, esp. in Houston area? Also, any comments about the other cars we're looking at would be appreciated. Thanks!
#6 of 8192 oops I forgot one comment by bugaboox Jun 15, 2000 (6:40 pm)
With the article I posted before, I was trying to make the point that as early as September 99, Mazda was saying that a 3.0 liter was in the works for model year 2001. I hope they stay true to that comment, because I think it will benefit all potential MPV buyers, even those who don't want the bigger engine!
#7 of 8192 bugaboox by dcol Jun 15, 2000 (7:08 pm)
I'm 5'2" and have no trouble parking the MPV-- I did have to learn to trust the front end since I can't see where the front of the van ends. We considered similarly-priced large sedans as well as the MPV, and it has a smaller footprint than anything else we considered. It also takes up less room in the garage than my husband's 1988 Taurus we traded-in. I also think it's about 3-4 inches narrower than the short Venture (but the same length). Our dual-air MPV "sleeps" in the garage and has no trouble keeping us cool out here in 100+ degree West Texas, but our humidity is nothing like Houston.
#8 of 8192 two things.... by sammysmiths Jun 15, 2000 (8:49 pm)
Er, make that three... 1) Thanks TBoner for all the excellent posts.. 2) Anyone know more about the 3.0 litre in 2001?? We'll have 3 kids & 2 adults on trips. In the test drive, the van seemed a bit to eager to shift. 3) The only other thing I can see needing would be a split back seat. Don't know if that's possible with the tumble under uh.. make that four.. 4) How `bout power controls to vent the rear window. Does anyone else find they need the feature on the MPV?? The wife and I keep coming back to this van, and think it'll be the one for us. My biggest concern was/is the engine. But then she drives a `87 Tercel wagon, so any more power is great, but how `bout durability..
#9 of 8192 Sammysmiths, etall...cont'd brake comments by javadoc Jun 15, 2000 (10:25 pm)
I have not found it necessary to open the rear vent windows yet on our van. The a/c works very well (we have the rear a/c also), so power opening rear vent windows, IMHO, would be not really needed. Regarding the brakes discussion...there are a few advantages to having disk brakes on the rear of a vehicle. However, stopping power really is not one of them. Let me explain why: When you apply the brakes, the weight of the vehicle is transferred onto the front wheels (assuming you're are driving forward like most sane drivers). Thus, the rear brakes do little of the work, at most 25%. The reason most higher-end autos have rear disks are for fade-resistance, as disk brakes both cool faster and provide better modulation of the braking power. These are both features lost on about 90-95% of common drivers, since they never really tax the braking systems. I used to race VW GTIs in the SCCA club scene, and I had upgraded the rear brakes to disks, mainly for two reasons: first, I could modulate brake bias (front to rear control) better to make the car slide in turns, and secondly because the pads are easier to replace than the shoes on drum brakes. These are two issues you probably won't ever encounter on a minivan (I hope nobody's club-racing an MPV?). (I would think,)the reasons for Mazda to use the drum brakes probably is monetary (their cheaper), and also none of their competitors are using disk brakes in the rear, not even cutting-edge Honda. If you've looked at the rear drum brakes on the MPV, they are actually huge. I'm not sure, but they probably come directly off of their B-series trucks. Of course, the previous MPV model used disk brakes on the rear, but I never noticed an advantage. Sorry for the long post...
#10 of 8192 Adding on 3 in 1? by scrapple Jun 15, 2000 (10:55 pm)
Am trying to buy MPV LX but only one available doesn't have the 3 in 1 audio that I really want. Salesman doesn't know if it can be added, service guy isn't in.... Anybody have info? Many thanks, this forum is great.
#11 of 8192 bugaboox by msgjvh Jun 16, 2000 (12:39 am)
I noticed that Hertz was starting to rent the MPV. If you want a picture of the teal send me an email I will forward you a pic of mine. I like it but then again Im weird.
#12 of 8192 Adding 3in0ne by steeplejack Jun 16, 2000 (12:56 am)
The three in one audio can be swapped in NP! They can't locate one nearby? Good luck with the deal!
#13 of 8192 3 in 1 by kondo Jun 16, 2000 (1:56 am)
scrapple: I waited for the 3 in 1, IMO it was worth the wait! bugaboox: it cost us 129 to uprade to the 3 in 1 (our dealer matched the cars direct site price)
#14 of 8192 by bugaboox Jun 16, 2000 (4:23 am)
msgjvh: I'll call Hertz again here. The rental people are almost as bad as the new car dealers, you know more about their cars than they do! Thanks for the offer, there's a great picture of the teal in the MPV brochure. kondo: Thanks for the info. Since I live in Texas, where you cannot buy from anyone but a licensed dealer BY LAW (no CarsDirect, etc.) Probably will have to dicker on every little detail or just use AutoByTel or DealerNet or Carpoint.

Messages Page 2 of 820 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 820 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV