Ask the Car People.SM


Mazda MPV

8223 messages,  Last post on Dec 14, 2011 at 1:46 PM

You are in the Mazda MPV Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Van

Messages Page 511 of 823

#5101 of 8223 scanner, by once_for_all

Feb 22, 2003 (9:37 pm)

I don't have any of the details you ask for regarding taxes/amounts/dates (ya, that is what I tell my IRS auditor too ) etc. on the imports, just second hand info from this board. The 2.5 liter tax issue was a post from a year or two ago on this board.
 
Regarding the MPV switch to 3.0, IMO it came as marketing response to criticism of being thirsty and underpowered, and competition from the Ody and Sienna who both came out with 200+ hp engines in 2001. The 3.0/5speed tranny was moved in much faster than normal for such a new model. Along with that came a big Mazda push for the zoom zoom sporty image to position itself in a different niche than the mainstream minivan.

#5102 of 8223 Japanese MPV... by javadoc

Feb 22, 2003 (9:48 pm)

Acutally, the Japanese-market MPV has three powertrain offerings: a 2.3L (4cyl) fwd platform, a 2.3L (4cyl) AWD (YAY) platform and a 3.0L (V6) fwd platform.
 
Link: Mazda of Japan
 
As well, I am fairly certain the 2.5L (Ford motor) was used because they needed to use more US content in the vehicle due to taxes, not because of the engine size. As for that engine size, I had thought (my opinion) that it was used b/c the Contour/Mistake was being shelved, so there was an abundance of that motor to be had. But, I'm sure that if I'm wrong someone much more informed that me will help keep me honest.
 
Tb, I hear ya regarding your comments, and concur. My opinion of DC's 3.3L is it sounds like a truck motor (hmmm, it is?) so it's as smooth as fingernails over a chalkboard... while the 2.5L Duratec is 'like butta.' You and I have both had the pleasure of two cars w/this motor.

#5103 of 8223 Glideslope by tomj5

Feb 23, 2003 (9:19 am)

Thanks. I made the deal. I did not know it but my daugher in law had a Mazda MPV in the late 90s and she said she loved it. They had to trade it in for a bigger van when the kids started arriving.
 
I was amused to get offers from the Edmunds dealer quote requests. They were usually come ons to get you in the show room. I stuck with the Edmunds TMV price the dealer met it and threw in some nice options.
 
Thank Goodness for Edmunds!!!
Tom

#5104 of 8223 MPV by tccmn1

Feb 24, 2003 (6:48 am)

Took my new MPV on a trip into Wisconsin (from MN.) about 150 miles round trip and loved it. Good handling, smooth riding, etc. Mileage appears to be running around 21 or so on that trip. 200 miles on her now and growing!
Kids had PLENTY of room and wife enjoyed the quiet ride (compared to old DC).
 
Worth the 4 month wait for sure!
 
Zoom-Zoom!

#5105 of 8223 tccmn1 by dwsmha

Feb 24, 2003 (10:09 am)

Stop it! I don't want to hear about your van until I get mine... Just kidding. It hit California shore on 2/18, should be here this week... I guess they weren't on the same boat.
 
David

#5106 of 8223 "2.5L Duratec is 'like butta"? by scanner

Feb 24, 2003 (5:01 pm)

Well, I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and mine is I'm glad I waited for the 3.0L. No offense to any 2.5L owners, but I think Ford tried to pull a fast one and got caught with their pants down.
 
---
 
Tboner,
 
I agree, a manual transmission would be nice.
 
---
 
Tomj5,
 
Congrats on the new mini! BTW, got any P51 Mustangs in your collection?
 
---
 
And thanks to Once_for_all and Audia8q for the added info.

#5107 of 8223 dwsmha - It will be worth the wait! by tccmn1

Feb 24, 2003 (10:02 pm)

Don't fret. You'll love it once you get it.
When you first told me about your quick delivery date I was surprised and maybe a little doubtful knowing what I knew then. But your's sounds like it's tracking right behind mine in normal fashion anyway.
Dumb thing is that my unit arrived in the St. Paul facility staging area via rail and the dealer wasn't notified it had arrived. The dealer had to check with Chicago and here to finally find out what had happened to it!! For a while my MPV was 'lost' in the system! It arrived in the TC's on 2/7, they found it on 2/13 and I got it on 2/20! So dumb things can happen right in our own 'backyard' after the unit traveled halfway around the world...dah.
 
Riding in this thing is like heaven compared to my old lumber wagon DC. It's funny how you get use to a vehicle when you drive it everyday and don't notice the noise and squeaks so much as they get worse:))
 
Oh yeah, I think I will continue to change my oil every 3K miles too...going for 180K miles on this baby!! Don't care what the general thought is. It's worked for me on my other vehicles and it can't hurt.
 
Later, TC

#5108 of 8223 2.5 Duratec by rutger3

Feb 25, 2003 (7:24 am)

I agree with scanner, Ford did try a fast one with the 2.5 engines just to save money. Then they realized their mistake after taking a look at the competition; and reading the negative reviews. I have the 2.5 and it is certainly not like butter. If it got better mileage than the larger engines it would at least be a trade off,but it doesn't. BTW,it wouldn't surprise me if the 01 mpv was by far the heaviest vehicle with a 2.5 engine. Correct me if I am wrong.

#5109 of 8223 Scanner by tomj5

Feb 25, 2003 (8:48 am)

Oh yeah, Mustangs rule forever! I will be driving the new MPV to the OSKOSH EAA show this summer. The right seat on the MPV lets down to make a nice bed with the middle seats. I can snooze while the wife drives. She loves the new MPV.
 
Lots of real Mustangs at the EAA.

#5110 of 8223 Joining the club by scott31

Feb 27, 2003 (9:15 am)

After lurking here for 4 months, I joined the club. I'll be picking up our MPV LX either tonight (if mother nature allows it) or tomorrow.
 
Options were: Power Doors, Rear AC, 4 seasons, 6 Disc Changer, Traction Control/Side Airbags, Fog lights, Auto-Dimming Mirror, Roof Rack, Rear Spoiler, Rear Bumper Step Plate, Wheel Locks.
 
Got S-Plan pricing (the only way to buy a car, cheap and no haggling), and took the 0% financing.
 
Just wanted to say thanks to all for all the info I learned here.

Messages Page 511 of 823

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement