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Mazda MPV

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

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Van

Messages Page 789 of 823

#7874 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [jipster] by baggs32

Feb 24, 2006 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Feb 24, 2006 1:47 pm)
Most everyone complains about the gear selector. Not very smart for Mazda to have designed it like that.
 
Our 2002 Escape had a gear selector in about the same position. I wish I had a dollar for every time I and my wife almost knocked the tranny into "N" while just trying to change the radio station or volume. The MPV's steering wheel audio controls, same wheel and buttons as my 6 BTW, allieviate the blocked radio problem but it blocked one of the HVAC knobs too. I forget which one but it brought back bad memories.
 
But hey, we're cool. It get's kind of slow on the MPV boards at times, so your input and contributions are welcome. Again, good luck with your Explorer.
 
Thanks, and same to you with your MPV. Having two kids ourselves, 2 weeks and 2 years old, we are leasing the Explorer to be able to weigh our options again in three years. I like Mazda's a lot and I hope they do have something to offer us again when that time comes.
 
the thing that impressed me the most about our MPV was the overall quality and fit and finish. No rattles whatsoever. Except for you I can't recall anyone complaining about rattles in their MPV.
 
There was one coming from the hatch area and somewhere near the passenger A-pillar. Could have been due to the cold weather but they were there. Build quality IS very good on the MPV but no manufacturer is perfect. Even Lexus' have rattles from time to time.

#7875 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [baggs32] by odie6l

Feb 24, 2006 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 24, 2006 2:10 pm)
Got to TD the MPV (LX with LX package). Took it for about a 40 min TD on Highway, Side (paved) and Back (not so paved) roads. I have to admit it road nice and sound was not an issue (radio was turned off) even with 35 mph crosswinds on the highway. Unfortinately my wife was not with me, but the MPV actually put my 3yr old daughter to sleep and she hates any vehicle that's not BIG BLUE (Escape). I thought it handled pretty close to the Escape with a little better refinement for the suspension. I got to try out her car seat in both the 2nd and 3rd row and was very easy in and out. I also brought her old infant seat with us (going to be using after beging of JULY). As for the column shifter I actually prefer having it over a center console due to my longer legs. Having a center console that is connected to the center dash constricts against my knees. There were not as many blind spots as I thought there would be, and I was pretty happy with it. I'm sure with the added All-sport package (including sport suspension) it will ride even nicer.
 
Now I just need to get my wife to TD one.
 
Odie

#7876 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [jipster] by audia8q

Feb 24, 2006 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Feb 23, 2006 6:59 pm)
sorry about the spelling....when I post on edmunds I'm usually on the sales desk and working deals at the same time I'm posting so sometimes I go a little faster than I should. But your point about the vehicle debate is very valid. If somebody dislikes a vehicle there is no reason to go on a crusade of half truths and partial facts. But one thing I have learned about the car biz....perception is reality for alot of folks and no amount of facts will stand in the way of that perception.

#7877 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [audia8q] by jipster

Feb 25, 2006 (8:22 am)

Replying to: audia8q (Feb 24, 2006 4:09 pm)
What's your take on the 2007 MPV not coming to the U.S audia8q? I can't help but think Mazda is wanting to distance itself somewhat from the current generation of MPV...then bring in the new version in about 3 or 4 years. Just in time for baggs when that Explorer comes off lease.
 
With a 274hp turbocharged engine, AWD,6 speed with available stick, more room with a wider and lower profile, reclining second row seats etc...the new MPV would be a true ZOOM ZOOM of a minivan. i.e "The body of a minivan and the soul of a sports car"

#7878 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [jipster] by audia8q

Feb 25, 2006 (8:38 am)

Replying to: jipster (Feb 25, 2006 8:22 am)
I think the new MPV looks pretty good...but regretfully traditional minivans have become somewhat out of fashion. Perhaps the current idea of a minivan has somewhat run its course...Ford has some design ideas for future 'people movers' that seem to make people movers 'cool and fashionable'....I suspect Mazda will be in on this also...

#7879 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [baggs32] by garandman

Feb 26, 2006 (6:01 am)

Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 24, 2006 6:22 am)
edesigned for '07 doesn't help me right now. We liked everything else about the Quest and it was really the only full size minivan we considered, but that whole center layout was just awful. Glad to hear they woke up and fixed it.
We have five different drivers who use it, including several self-professed "minivan haters." After 10-20 minutes in the vehicle the central controls disappeared as an issue.
 
We had a fellow follow the Quest up to VT in his Explorer. The Quest averaged a little over 22 mpg for the trip. He averaged a little under 15. So as long as you are willing to pay 5 cents a mile more for having your speedometer a foot to the left - hey, it's a free country!
 
The MPV has roughly 1 1/2 times the interior volume of the Explorer and gets similar mileage to the comparison above. So the fuzzy dice reference was really a way of saying that frame on body SUV's are old news.

#7880 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [garandman] by baggs32

Feb 26, 2006 (2:21 pm)

The MPV has roughly 1 1/2 times the interior volume of the Explorer and gets similar mileage to the comparison above. So the fuzzy dice reference was really a way of saying that frame on body SUV's are old news.
 
So are top-heavy vehicles that don't come with side curtain air bags and stability control.
 
Other reasons we chose the Explorer include 1. Can't take an MPV, or Quest for that matter, on the beach in a couple of places we go to over here in the East. 2. Drive through several inches of snow to pick up a pizza or an emergency pack of diapers.
 
That's just two that come to mind right now.
 
We had a fellow follow the Quest up to VT in his Explorer. The Quest averaged a little over 22 mpg for the trip. He averaged a little under 15. So as long as you are willing to pay 5 cents a mile more for having your speedometer a foot to the left - hey, it's a free country!

 
No, I don't mind paying 5 cents more per mile and BTW, 15 MPG on the highway is really low and pretty much unheard of judging by what other Explorer V6 owners are getting on other dedicated Explorer forums. Are you guys sure you calculated right? I did research the gas mileage issue and the difference in total monthly fuel cost, based on how much we drive, between the MPV and Explorer was $30 max.
 
Furthermore, my father-in-law averaged 19-20 MPG in his 2002 Explorer EB V6 through the highway system around PA, WV and OH. Lots of hills and curves here too as in VT. He's getting about the same with his new '06 Explorer EB V8 on the highway, and in fact, 15 MPG wasn't even his city avg but rather 16 MPG was (Our '05 Escape was averaging 16 mpg as well). Again, plenty of hills and curves in this city too.
 
After 10-20 minutes in the vehicle the central controls disappeared as an issue.
 
Good for them. I'm not going to buy a vehicle I have to adjust to. Plus, that issue will never disappear for me. I don't let things like that out of my head and consider it an inconvenience.
 
Bottom line is, we bought what we need and liked the most. We didn't need all of the space a minivan provides and couldn't use it anyway because the kids are in car seats and will be for a long time. Plus you have to store those second row seats somewhere to use all of that extra room which is out of the question too. If DCX could make the Caravan/T&C a bit nicer inside and out we might have one of those instead. Stow & Go rules in this category IMO.
 
You guys should also test drive an '06 Explorer before you judge it too. It's not the same old Explorer. Things do change.

#7881 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [baggs32] by garandman

Feb 26, 2006 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 26, 2006 2:21 pm)
2. Drive through several inches of snow to pick up a pizza or an emergency pack of diapers.
You can drive it through more than several inches of snow of you get snow tires - and turn and stop to boot! We put Michelin X-Ice on the Quest; Nokian RSI's on the Subaru and Honda.
 
There's a "giant Winter traction Test" on Canadiandriver.

#7882 of 8223 Re: MPV Shopping - LATCH [garandman] by baggs32

Feb 27, 2006 (6:45 am)

You can drive it through more than several inches of snow of you get snow tires - and turn and stop to boot! We put Michelin X-Ice on the Quest; Nokian RSI's on the Subaru and Honda.
 
Very true. However I can drive through several inches of snow in my Mazda6, or the MPV we test drove, with snow tires too. Problem is, I have to sacrifice handling when it's dry and the snow tires are on as well as go out and purchase 4 new wheels and tires to do so. Too much of an inconvenience, and an unnecessary expense for us right now. The Explorer will do snow, ice, sand, mud, gravel, etc. right out of the box.
 
When the boys are older it will be a different story because they can help me change those tires. Hence the lease on the Explorer. We'll re-evaluate our needs in three years.
 
As for the turning and stopping, the Explorer has 4-wheel discs and ABS with EBD just like the Quest and weighs roughly the same, so they will both stop alike. Turning in the Explorer is aided by the standard AdvanceTrac with RSC (the latter is a patented Volvo system) so I'm not worried about that anymore. I would have been with the Quest or MPV because they don't have stability control or roll control standard.
 
Again, our wants and needs were written down, and analyzed and we feel we purchased the vehicle that minimized sacrifices and compromises. It isn't great at any one thing but it's pretty darn good at everything.

#7883 of 8223 MPV update by odie6l

Mar 08, 2006 (7:54 am)

Well, My wife said we have to wait a bit till we can get the new vehicle. I have been reading about the new CX-9 (replacement for the MPV) and I'm surprised that mazda is not going to keep the MPV in the line-up. The Tribute is not going to have a 2007 MY, the MPV is gone after '06, and the CX-9 is going to have a starting price of $38,000 (yes I types Thirty-eight) anhd it will not even have sliding doors. I think if we are not able to get a '06 MPV, we will have to settle on the SV6, but the SV6 and MPV are running very close to each other in our new vehicle search. The Freestyle is still there, but slowly dropping, and the Quest is out in the bullpen, but still in the game.
 
Odie

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